little giant

I use an oval split ring on the twist lock hook for weightless flukes. No need for a loop knot and gives it Freedom to dance.

Most of my casting set ups are braid to flouro leader. I do have 3 setups with 12# mono, (not co-poly). 2 crankbait rods, both medium, and 1 spinnerbait. I was using 15# for t rigged worms but went back to braid and leader.

Xuron brand. Look exactly like Darth Baiter's pic. Made in USA. Will do the smallest to largest split rings.

Zoom magnum super fluke Yamamoto Zako, not the boot tail 6th sense flush 6th sense panorama

1/2 oz spinnerbait, dark head, white/chartreuse skirt, #7 & #4 hammered copper Indiana blades, no trailer. Slow, medium, or fast-trial and error, 1/2 oz golden shiner swim jig, edges of vegetation. Magnum junebug lizard, t rigged, springtime. February and March for me.

Heavy duty musky rod??

Doesn't really matter to me. Like them both. I mostly cast with 2 hands. Fishing saltwater, has to be full grips.

^^^^^ This! Great recommendations !

Spinning or conventional??

I have the Curado and SLX bfs reels with mag brake. I set tension to remove play, (actually its loose), and adjust only the brake for lure weight and wind. I'm using ML rods and 1/16-1/8 oz weight. I've been using baitcasters forever so my thumb knows what to do, lol! With bfs, I cast more gently than normal. I use braid also.....

Fishing magazines, USA railroad history, Industrial Revolution history, Older science fiction, Lot of woodworking and mechanical stuff, Automotive maintenance

Thinkin any of them would be good, but the zillion is the top pick, cause it's a zillion!!!

I use 10 lb x-9 braid on 2--2000 size spinners. 6' 8 lb flouro leader. Its weedy here year round, never an issue. I'm not casting into matted vegetation, runnin the edges.....

I have a Curado DC. It works well when really windy.

Get a photo compressor app. Makes it easy!

Happy New Year! All the best 2026!!

Ditto on the Alpha 800. I put the SLP shallow spool on it and upgraded the bearings. Casts light baits with ease. Still.not a true BFS due to stock levelwind. But a great way to take the bfs plunge!

Tragic! One of the best. Freely and humbly gave a wealth of information. Rest in peace, Tom. Condolences to his family.

Merry Christmas to everyone! All the best in 2026!

@Eric 26 Yes that's pretty close. 40-50 meters. I can get close to casting all the line out but never completely. It probably could with more weight but I only use 1/8 or less.

@new2BC4bass It's a Falcon Clearwater, salt inshore rod. ML, 6'7" moderate. Built for casting finesse hair jigs for speckled trout. Limber tip but terrific backbone. Handled an 8 lb largemouth. I use it now with a Dream Tackle bfs reel, 10 lb braid.

@Flyfish-mt I bought that Gomexus shallow spool for my TW 80. It works great! It was my first plunge into bfs and I never looked back. I use 10 lb braid on it, throws light baits very well using a ML rod.

Here's my 2 main setups: Note that I'm chasing Floida largies and never know how big I'm lucky enough to get. The lightest power I use is ML rods. 1- Kistler KLX ML, 7', 1/16-3/8. Curado BFS Reel, upgraded spool bearings, 10 lb braid. This is dedicated For neds, usually 1/32 weight, 2/0 ewg and hula stix 2- Its a salt inshore rod: Falcon Clearwater, 6' 7" ML, moderate, 1/16- 1/2. Dream Tackle BFS reel, 10 lb braid. Small cranks, finesse jigs, finesse spinnerbaits etc. Because it's a salt rod it has a terrific backbone mid rod. It proved itself: 8 lb largie in sparse vegetation. I love them both!!

Seems that Shimano has service in your country and that should probably be your choice. I do recommend you get a strong, well built reel. Bantam or Tranx. Hopefully some other members will reply.

@Andrés Milano So, reading your first post, average is 3-4 kg, 6- 8 lbs, some bigger. Nice size fish! Honestly, my opinion would be neither of your choices. A better fit would be a Zillion HD. Deep cut brass gears and excellent brake. (I own 2) I know, not cheap, but will definitely be more durable. If learning towards Shimano, Bantam probably better than Curado.