little giant

@F14A-B Wow! Ceramic encased ptfe! Thanks, good to know! I have the older Coastal 200 7.3. I put orange seal ceramic bearings in it and it works great. Mainly use it for Mirrodines and Spooks for reds. Great reel!

@F14A-B Did you ever get that Diawa salt 200 baitcaster?? Bearings , bushings?? Just curious...

@FloridaFishinFool, I bought a Browning ML spin rod in the early 90's at BPS. The man there said it's a Loomis blank, sorta didn't believe him. Now, maybe... Also have an E6X inshore spin rod. Made by Gary, 7'6", Med, Fast. Best speckled trout rod ever!!

And from what I read, Trey Kistler's dad worked at All Star in Houston. That drag is a bit cumbersome trying to adjust it while fish fighting. I like a light drag but as you know, those big Florida mama's happen at any time. Lol That WR1 is a GREAT rod.

My first Shimano baitcaster, Bantam Magnumlite, left hand, "high speed 6.1". Bought new in '88. Use it on an All Star WR1 that I bought in '91 in a saltwater tackle store for $30!! I've upgraded the bearings and the drag, maintain it so it's like new. Bit heavy by today's standard. Set up is dedicated for Carolina rigs.

@FloridaFishinFool Can you please give the brand of corrosion inhibitor you use?

I have a 2000 size SHG 6.1 to 1 on Lew's ML rod. 10 lb braid, flouro leader. I use it ponds that have smaller bass, 2 lbs or less. Lots of fun! Good reel, needs a drop of oil on line roller once in a while (no bearing). My only "modern" shimano spinner.

Hmmmm, I use 10, 15, & 20 lb braid on my baitcasters, daiwa and shimano's, little or no brake or tension. 10 lb goes a country mile!

Try a different handle. Might have something in the worm gear of the level wind. Pull out line, hold a soft toothbrush against the worm and slowly crank the reel.

A very popular mono here in the Atlantic and Gulf is Momoi Diamond Hi Catch. Very abrasion resistant yet supple. It's made in Japan. We use a 20 yard leader(25 lb) with braid mainline bottom fishing or jigging. 75 yard top shop (40lb) with braid mainline for trolling for pelagics. It's not very expensive.

You can make shims from water bottle, coffee can lid, or milk jug. Should be plastic, must be flat. You don't want a gap. Never reel slack line on a spinning reel!

Happy Birthday young man!!! (I can say that!!) Lol

I just saw this thread. Rest peacefully Catt. A man of fishing knowledge and great advice!

@Ryanralston07 If you want to step up to a better inshore rod, check out these brands: Bull Bay Fitzgerald Crowder E series Falcon Clearwater

@FloridaFishinFool My avatar is the Florida "Go Fishing" license plate on my truck. Has a Largemouth and a Bluegill. The extra money that it costs, 100% of it goes to the Bass biology lab in Webster, Fl. Our Biologists are amazing!!

@Eric 26 The Dream Tackle reels: When I first learned about them, their website readily explained that they used the Hakai with Okuma's blessing. The changed the spool, spoolshaft, and lessened the drag. They used the Hakai cause of the lightness of the magnesium frame so no expensive tooling required. So I bought an 8 speed on Amazon. Love the reel! A year later, I wanted another and couldn't find it. After considerable searching, there they were, on Ali Baba. Go figure!. I bought 2, $110 apiece, direct from a China warehouse. I'm using 2, the 3rd still in the box. To make them even better, I changed out the spool bearings with spool speed abec 9's. Casts weightless plastics a mile!

5" Fluke - 13 Fishing Oath, 7'1", med, fast or Loomis IMX Pro, med, xtra fast 3" & 4" Fluke - Kistler KLX, 7', ML Fast, bfs reel Senko - Kistler Helium, 7', Let. Med Heavy, fast, bfs reel All weightless.

The ugly stick recommended above would be great for bottom fishing in the salt. Figure a 1/2 oz egg sinker + bait. Could get matching Medium Heavy for bass, maybe 6'6". Remember to always, always rinse both rod and reel after salt fishing. Berkley 15 lb big game mono would be a good line, not expensive. Use saltwater hooks. Teach the young man to tie knots!!

I use the 4/0 "brute" on plastic worms 8" or longer. Slithers through heavy vegetation better than ewg. I carry a small diamond file for my hooks.

I never use a swivel. 4/0 or 5/0 swimbait hook with a twist lock. I use the kreh loop knot for extra action. Florida largies slam flukes!

Arbor knot and tape, casting and spinning

Diawa 103, 7 speed

Yes! This forum has taught me a lot. Always find something interesting. I've been fishing almost 60 years, 38 in south Florida. Sorta know what those largies like here but always intrigued with new or never tried lures and plastics. Great info always on rods, reels, line, knots, etc. And to buy reels & stuff from Japan!!

Just give Falcon a call, they usually answer and will answer all your questions.

Casting or spinning???