WRB-2.0

Hair jigs imo offer a natural texture and movement regardless of the water temps. Most anglers revert to hair jigs when nothing works. Why not start with hair jigs as the goal is catching bass? Tom

A fly rod your are casting the line not the fly that is going along for the ride. The similarity is you most load up the rod to cast the line. Bait casting you must let the rod cast the lure. Tom

5 oz go with 3 to 10 oz rod rating. Tom

“She” was on vacation😎

When I sold off my excess soft plastics 1 shipment weighed 42 lbs! Tom

Simply add a butt weight cap to balance the rod in lieu of getting a bigger clumsy reel. Tom

And then along came BFS! Tom

Owner Zo Wire STX 38 or larger size STX 58 (swim baits) for lighter weight tin color trebles, Gamakatsu Magic Eye EWG for up sizing black trebles hooks. VMC for good quality lower price table hooks. Tom

10 lb Northern strain LMB is a giant in most northern states above the Mason-Dixon Line. South Carolina is below the M-D line with decent winter temperatures but still comes down to genetics, environment and prey source. Giant Bass are a rare fish for a reason. Tom

I used a Lamiglas 705 for DD14, DD22 and Poe 300 for decades. Skeet Reese had the same rod made in yellow, good crank bait rod. It’s the reel that retrieves crank baits and mine was a Calcutta 250 5:8.1 with 12 lb Big Game. The rod was lost in Canada and replaced it with Irod IRG754F and worked good for medium to deep crank baits. Tom

I can only report what I know and Abu started having parts made off shore around 2000 and legacy parts became very difficult to find. I started making Iovino parts for his reels about that time Don claimed Abu was assembling a few round reels but production was no longer in Sweden. Tom

Garcia Corp became part of Pure Fishing, the Abu Made in Sweden reels stoped about 25 years ago. Advertising and legacy name can only carry a company so far. Today the USA Garcia Abu is long gone, a brand only. Tom

I am not trying to talk anyone out of what they prefer, that is their decision. Shimano reels without MGL spools are tricky to adjust between lure weight and aerodynamics ( wind resistance). No reel braking breaking technology can replace your thumb….use it. If you whip the rod forward before the rod loads up the spool speeds up faster the lure is moving result is a backlash. Tom

Used AcuRite thermometer with probe for my live well temps worked good. Tom PS, put the probe down a bass throat and read body temperature is the same as the water temperature where the bass lived.

The slowest spinning reel has faster IPT then the fastest casting reel. BSF is lighter weight than finesse spinning tackle and eliminates line twist. Tom

I am going in the opposite direction replacing spinning with BSF casting. Tom

Plano has been making “worm proof” tackle storage boxes for decades. No experience Elaztec soft plastics but know not to mix with plastsol. Tom

The big difference between casting and spinning is your casting motion. Spinning you can whip the rod harder without good casting mechanics. Bait casting you must let the rod load up on the backwards motion then a smooth forward cast using your wrist more then the arm, it’s not a baseball bat. Keep your thumb pointed towards your ear at the top of the back cast and don’t rotate it as you vast forward. My suggestion is getting the casting motion down before trying to achieve distance. Adjusting the reel so the lure weight falls with slight resistance when the lure hit the floor the spool stops. Practice, practice and practice some more. Tom

What you don’t need is 36V, shaft over 45”, heavy to store (pull up), brushless that will cost 3x the standard TM’s. You need spot lock and GPS compatible to keep you spot locked and cable foot control. Batteries, consider marine lithium, saves a lot of weight and maintenance. Good time yo purchase with Black Friday sales. Tom

Infinity drive. Tom

Falcon Cara BFS is a ML rod and handles total* lure weight 1/8 oz to 3/8 oz perfectly. If the total* lure weight is less then a 1/8 oz you need a rod rated light. I solved this by getting the Phenix BSF rod that cast 1/16 oz to 1/4 oz lures. Tom * total is actual lure weight with hooks and whatever else is attached weighed on a gram scale. Tom

Daiwa Millionaire Classic is 5.1:1 and the IPT will be close to what you are looking for. I PT inch per turn is calculated with unknown line at full spool. If the spool is filled 1/8” below full spool with 12# mono (.013 D ) the IPT will be in you ball park. Tom

Thank you all for the ❤️ heart felt support. Izzie passed today, she is in dog heaven🥲

Take a look at Falcon Lowrider MHMF ALL ‘Round rods they have several lengths and very good reviews. Tom

When it’s too cold in the morning go in the afternoon. Tom