Yak fisherman here.  I was new to baitcasters this past summer and used an SLX 150 paired with a dobyns fury 734C for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits, etc.  The only other baitcaster I used was a Curado 200XG for froggin' with a Dobyns 735C.  The frog setup was perfect...I don't think I screwed the braid up once, always felt in control of the gear, and got the distance.  The SLX drove me a little crazy, primarily because I couldn't get the distance even with a medium to large size spinnerbait.  I also got hung up a decent amount of times.  

 

I'd like to understand how you've made the most out of an SLX 150.  What rod, line, and general setup are you using to maximize distance and maintain good control?  I assume I don't have the most appropriate rod pairing and am fine to repurpose my gear as needed.  While I understand there's a quality difference between the Curado and the SLX, I still feel I should be able to pick up more distance with the SLX.  Thanks!

Just curious how many brakes do you have out? I do best with two on, and the cast control set to remove side/side play in spool, and adjust cast control knob after a cast or two if needed.

29 minutes ago, r83srock said:

Just curious how many brakes do you have out? I do best with two on, and the cast control set to remove side/side play in spool, and adjust cast control knob after a cast or two if needed.

I haven't messed with the brakes in either of my baitcasters and am sure it's been set on 3 all summer although I know I tried 2 on one or two trips.  I have to re-familiarize myself with the cast control.  What line and baits are you fishing with?  No distance challenges?  Thanks!

I don’t have the standard slx anymore, I changed to the SLX mgl. I know I used 2 brakes on though and I threw mostly 1/4-3/8oz swim jigs, 40lb power pro on a st. Croix bass x 7’1” MH fast. I never felt I had an issue casting. 

I see people making the mistake of thinking a new reel will dramatically increase casting distance on the same rod they have been using with an older reel.  The reality is the reel is only half the equation for casting distance.  If you have a pool cue for a rod that doesn't load, IDC what kind of reel you have its not going sling anything very far.  Same is true with a rod that has a really slow action, your depending entirely on the potential energy released in the forward cast, so no matter how much arm you put into it you wont see a big difference distance wise.  Every rod has an optimal casting weight(sweet spot) somewhere within the recommended weight range.  Mod Fast- Fast action rods generally are the easiest to get distance with.  

Every reel is a little different.  You could have 2 SLXs and one may cast better with a lower brake setting and one may need more brakes.  I use just enough tension and friction from the brakes to keep the spool from going squirrely.  With my Met MGL none of the brake shoes are engaged and the dial is set from 2-5 depending on what Im using.  I keep the spool tension fairly loose to where there is noticeable play in it.  The best tool you have to manage line is your thumb.  Keep it close to the spool and if you feel the line fluffing just feather it to slow it down.

Try using mono with the SLX until you figure out the best settings to run the reel on.  If you blow up a spool of mono its no big deal, FC and braid is a different story.

  

  

First of all, you cannot compare the distance between frog and spinnerbait. Frog would cast out a lot further due to aero dynamics no matter which reel. You could try to cast same frog on your SLX setup and compare distance. The SLX is a good distance reel, I use between 1 and 2 on depends on lure type. You might need to add a drop of oil on spool bearing. 

Thanks for the tips and tricks here.  I was thinking about the situations where distance was causing issues and I believe it was more-so with light lures...1/8 to 1/16th Rapalas.  Obviously this has an impact but I sitll remember distance being a problem.

 

I think my rod setup is okay, it's a heavy fast and I believe it's fitting to the reel.  I can't remember what specific kind of line I have on the reel but I'm wondering if the line itself was causing some issues.  I'm thinking a combination of removing the brakes, replacing the line, and avoiding the 1/16-1/8oz baits may do the trick.

Yeah if you are truly casting that light of a lure, that makes sense. I’d probably opt for a spinning rod at that point.

16 minutes ago, r83srock said:

Yeah if you are truly casting that light of a lure, that makes sense. I’d probably opt for a spinning rod at that point.

To this point I swapped out the SLX setup for my ultra light trout spinning rig back in September haha, so I believe you're right.  

No experience with the regular slx reel, but I was casting 1/16oz TRD Ned rigs on a Fury 703c and was getting good distance with an slx mgl with 2 on 2 off with outside dial at 4. 30lb braid and 10lb leader. 

27 minutes ago, LCG said:

No experience with the regular slx reel, but I was casting 1/16oz TRD Ned rigs on a Fury 703c and was getting good distance with an slx mgl with 2 on 2 off with outside dial at 4. 30lb braid and 10lb leader. 

The mgl definitely does a better job handling lighter lures with its lighter shallower spool, I think SVS infinity breaking helps too. Plus, a 1/16oz Ned probably weights between 1/4-3/8 of an ounce all totaled up. Light, but not crazy light. 

3 hours ago, r83srock said:

The mgl definitely does a better job handling lighter lures with its lighter shallower spool, I think SVS infinity breaking helps too. Plus, a 1/16oz Ned probably weights between 1/4-3/8 of an ounce all totaled up. Light, but not crazy light. 

Yeah I think the whole rig comes in at 1/4oz. I also tried a weightless trick worm, which the lightest thing I throw and the slx mgl did a very good job throwing it. Good reel to have for lighter techniques. Kind of makes my spinning set up somewhat redundant, but I still can't skip with a baitcaster to save my life

26 minutes ago, LCG said:

Yeah I think the whole rig comes in at 1/4oz. I also tried a weightless trick worm, which the lightest thing I throw and the slx mgl did a very good job throwing it. Good reel to have for lighter techniques. Kind of makes my spinning set up somewhat redundant, but I still can't skip with a baitcaster to save my life

I’m really liking mine a lot! Like you said got weightless plastics it’s great. I use mine for 1/4oz jigs/swim jigs and it’s more than great for that. Skipping just takes time. Have you tried turning up the SVS infinity to say 5 or 6?

3 hours ago, r83srock said:

Skipping just takes time. Have you tried turning up the SVS infinity to say 5 or 6?

Unfortunately the season is over for us up here in Ontario. However, next season I will be focusing and learning it better with casting gear. Thanks for the tips, I will be sure to try it.