WRB-2.0

I have both the Shimano SLX 70 MGL and Daiwa Tatula SVTW70 reels. The Daiwa is very quite smooth retrieve, the spool is narrow .82 wide*. The Shimano is also very quite retrieving but slightly more noise casting. The Shimano spool is also narrow but .88 wide feel a lot wider, casting distance for both reels are very good. Tom * measured inside the spool.

The Tranx is ideal, if your budget doesn't Justify the price then the round 300A Cardiff fits your needs. Tom

Members in general. If I wanted it directed would have quoted the reply. Tom PS looks like a good choice👍

Alex also makes custom rods, he made last 3. Tom

DVT offered to make the rod within your $350 budget. Tom

Make sure it’s a 2023 model with transducer, power cord, inbox with manual and GPS card. Amazon is offer it for $419 using there payment card. Tom

A custom is a rod blank custom built to the exact requirements you want, reel seat, guides, length etc. Tom

When you make a long cast the IPT is reduced and long casts are common with heavy swimbaits and longer rods. AJ’s recommendations are spot on. Remember heavier swimbaits require modification to your casting technique. Let the rod do the casting and load it up with a slower 2 handed casting motion. Unlike DC reels you need to feather the spool very slightly keeping the line smooth on the spool. Good fishing, Tom

Since this thread started 2/4/2014 Kent’s 3 basics hasn’t change much, little longer today. What has changed is technology offering lighter over all rod weight and wider range of actions and power combinations. Price a decade later the entry level rods you actually get more for your buck today but higher end offerings are pricy! Lots of good sales ongoing. Merry Christmas, Tom

Do you plan to use braid, FC or mono line? Tom

What jumps out to me are your rods being medium power action unknown. If the action is fast maybe ok, prefer you use MHF. Texas rig mean different things to some folks but let’s go with weedless hook using a standard 3/0 worm hook. Any brand ribbon tail 7” to 7 1/2” lots to choose from, 3/16 oz bullet weight. Straight tail suggest 6” fat Roboworm Oxblood light red flake, 3/16 oz bullet weight. Tom

Set the drag about 1/3rd the weakest line strength and trust it, you paid good money for it! It’s a PIA when the anti reverse doesn’t work when you hook set one handed and the reel handle turns backwards. Can’t remember using the reel to open or close the bail other then a Mitchell 300 back in the 50’s. Tom

Hope everyone in Maine is OK warm and dry. Tom

Worm hooks are always changing design to solve strike to hook set ratio. The last 2 years nearly every hook mfr offers 2 improvements; worm peg to hold the head from sliding down the hook shank and closed eye to prevent the line being caught in the wire end by adding epoxy or welded close eye. Type of hook is anyone’s preference. I prefer straight shank round bend worm hooks for larger sizes 3/0 to 6/0. #5133 for light wire size 1/0 & 2/0 for slip shot rig and octopus type Mosquito and Gamakatsu drop short hooks for nose hooking drop shot rigged. #4709 size 1 wacky hook for Senko’s. I Don’t smell tie any hook for worm fishing. Tom

^^^👍^^^ thanks, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years 🎅🏻

April 1st every fool knows that is the date. Tom

With swimbait reels it comes down to line capacity, gear ratio and frame strength. Imo you need a reel with a minimum of 150 yards of 20 lb mono when using line .016D. Gear ration should be around 5.8:1. Tom

Always enjoy reading about jig fishing. Where bass fish the locations don’t change much and presentation stays about the same, just stopping and shaking more when the water is cold. For example Casitas the crawdads are big during the winter so often go with a 4” trailer. Castiac the crawdads are smaller and tend to use 2 1/2” or 3” trailers without claws. Line is 12# FC unless fishing deeper then 25’ then go to 10#. Tackle wasn’t discussed much in this video so don’t know what McClellen recommends, I use the same MHF rod and Daiwa reel year around and same casting jig presentation. Tom

Not often enough🥺 Tim

Smooth Drags makes Carbon drag washers for nearly every reel for about $3. Tom PS, 10lb-.005D to 15 lb-.006D braid comes off a smaller diameter spool easier then a larger diameter spool. Size 1000 is ideal imo.

It should on the hull shown above. If you get surface clutter caused by the hull simply add spacers to drop in down an 1”. Tom

Fins Spin braid is 50% smaller diameter then Smackdown or 832. To each his/her own. Tom

Yep, American made in Georgia and been around for at least 30 years. Color fast, quite and a wide range of braid types to choose. The Spin5 is small diameter and very strong. Tom

Hard lesson to learn. Tom

The 1st paddle tail swimbaits I used were Worm King 5” anchovy and 12” trout in the early 80’s. The key to success 40 years ago was learning to fish them on the fall with a slow retrieve until feeling a bump, the crank it fast a few yards. The hollow body that kick off paddle swimbaits nation wide was Basstrix and fished basically the same technique but using Owner Flashy swimmer jig with a under spin blade. The Flashy swimmer increase strikes for all types paddle tail swim baits. Tom