Thanks to everyone for the help. Ended up at the local fleet farm. Got a Lews LFS 7.5.1 on clearance for $59 they were marked down further than the tag once I scanned it. And a Daiwa tatula xt 7’3” MH. Really excited to fish it in the morning. Thanks for all the info and help 

good price on that lfs. I love that reel

1 hour ago, Porkchop_Sandwiches said:

good price on that lfs. I love that reel

I agree. I really like it so far. Only casted in the yard some lol. But the fit and finish is great for the price point. I may go grab the other one they had and throw it on the shelf lol 

8 hours ago, Joedodge said:

may go grab the other one they had and throw it on the shelf lol 

I wish I had done that a few times with combos. I picked up a BPS prodigy, on clearance, the older black and white one, not the new funky colored one.  Shouldn’t bought two, turned out to be a darn good setup,

19 minutes ago, GRiver said:

I wish I had done that a few times with combos. I picked up a BPS prodigy, on clearance, the older black and white one, not the new funky colored one.  Shouldn’t bought two, turned out to be a darn good setup,

I’m the same way. I never do it and always regret it. Have to see if I can sneak another one in past the wife lol. I’ve already stocked up good and our spring isn’t in full swing yet. d**n crazy Iowa weather. I have caught a few on a xrap jerk bait tho haha

The new Tatula?  

How did you like the combo?

2 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The new Tatula?  

How did you like the combo?

I like it a lot. Great caster. Threw a weightless stick bait and jerk bait great. Very comfortable and sensitive. I was surprised the MH did so well on a weightless stick bait. I mean I’m no amazing caster but it did fine for me and the pond I was in. Got 4 in an hour this morning 

Sry I didnt see that you said it was an XT earlier.

Thats awesome.  The first few fish on a new rod are always fun.

Stickbaits, like senkos are heavy, even the 4" senko weights 3/8 or something like that.

6 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Sry I didnt see that you said it was an XT earlier.

Thats awesome.  The first few fish on a new rod are always fun.

Stickbaits, like senkos are heavy, even the 4" senko weights 3/8 or something like that.

No worries! I miss stuff in posts all the time. Especially if I’m at work or kids are around lol. Yes they are. That’s why when I see people talk about light Texas rigs and lure ratings on a rod. I always thing you’d be surprised what a hook,peg,weight, and soft plastic actually weigh. 

On 3/27/2025 at 9:22 PM, Joedodge said:

I like it a lot. Great caster. Threw a weightless stick bait and jerk bait great. Very comfortable and sensitive. I was surprised the MH did so well on a weightless stick bait. I mean I’m no amazing caster but it did fine for me and the pond I was in. Got 4 in an hour this morning 

I use MHF casting rods with 40# braid spooled to cast unweighted 10" ribbontails into slop all the time.

13 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I use MHF casting rods with 40# braid spooled to cast unweighted 10" ribbontails into slop all the time.

That’s literally a plan for this summer lol!!! Love a large ribbon tail. Used to fish them in pad fields in Florida with a 3/8 ounce Texas rig