need some help 2024
Gus Heinze reply :
So I'm relatively new to bait casting, I have a couple of nice fly fishing setups but I enjoy the challenge and control of bait casting over spinning rods. I am a pond fisher so I will be on the banks. This is where it can get difficult with the fly rod when trees and tall weeds are present.
I've been reading a lot of reviews online, watching YouTube videos and have a list of my "wants".
I'm looking for a good quality 7' Medium Heavy Fast Action rod, was looking for an older Denali Jadewood "Jig Rod" but they seem to be older either "out of stock" or "not available."
For the reel I was looking for a Lew's Tournament MG Speed Spool 7.1:1 but they too are older and I'm just not having any luck finding one. If I can find one it's a 6.4:1, it's asking $130 buy it now on eBay and it seems like I can get a NEW MB model for close to that, I can't find an MB in 7.1:1, only a 7.5:1 (any thoughts on the MB vs MG)?
Everyone seems to give the Lew's Tournament MG very high grades but they don't make them anymore, what replaced this reel? Same with the Revo SC it has great reviews but is no longer available, why do they not have a "discontinued model, replaced by XYZ"
Eventually I'd like to get multiple rods/reels I'm thinking 3 to have a good variety of weapons. Starting out I'd mainly be using jigs, casting spoons, Senko, and some frogs. This is why I was wanting to stick with 7.1:1. I don't fish too many deep ponds that would need crank baits and what I would assume needs a slower 5.6:1.
I was looking at the MG b/c it's aluminum, seems like some reviews of the carbon fiber models hint towards less durability, I'm looking for a quality strong reel.
I was hoping to spend in the $200-$300 range for the reel & rod.
Locally I only have an Academy and Walmart both of which are picked pretty thin, I'm not against driving to Houston to check out BPS if they have something that y'all recommend. I'm also fine with shopping online.
Maybe I'm not searching the proper key words but it seems like the majority of reviews I find are from 2015 or prior, when I go looking for that gear they are discontinued or no longer available.
Can someone recommend a few options so I can do some more research?
Thank you for the help.
fishnkamp reply :
Well you seem to be a Lews guy. I can not help you with a Lews, just not a fan. I did run a bunch of SHimano Curados, Chronarchs and BPS reels. A friend put a Daiwa in my hand a few years ago and I have replaced most of my 12 baitcasters with Daiwa Tatula and tatula CT reels. They are an aluminum housing reel and have both the T wing system and Mag Force Z brakes. The MagForce Z brakes do a very good job of controlling the cast. A good choice for you would be a Tatula CT in either 6.3-1 or 7.3-1. These reels will need to be adjusted very differently than any other reel but once you do it will work great.
A Tatula CT can be purchased from Amazon for $99. I have done o many times and really like dealing with ABCD Sales on there. They are a top notch company.
As for a rod, there are plenty of good choices available online from places like Tackle Warehouse or The Tackle Trap. Consider a Powell Max 3D 683CEF. I own one and it is the most versatile rod in my arsenal. Mine is the older version called a Powell Max 683 CEF. It is a workhorse. It is also available in a 723 or &'2 # power version. Go read the review of my 683 on Tackletour for a better idea of it's abilities. Go here"
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewpowell683cxfast.html
Next look at a Dobyns Fury FR 734. Dobyns runs a tad lighter than others in their specs so a 4 power is my suggestion. The 734 rods are the best sellers and most versatile rod in all of Gary's lineups.
Finally look at an Irod Genesis II IRG704 or 744C. I think AI would choose the 704 if I was going the Irod route.Either one will work great depending on the size spoons you are thinking about throwing.
I fish some of all 3 of these brands. I prefer them to a lot of other manufacturers rods. None of these are "Fancy" they all look good but their "real value" is in the blanks and components chosen to create a rod that will feel good, balance well and perform the tasks you need it to do while chasing, hooking and landing your quarry.
Fishin' Fool reply :
Daiwa Tatula 7'1" medium heavy xfast action rod with a Daiwa Tatula CT 7.3 to 1 gear reel. Do some online shopping you should be able to put it together for about $250. Don't pay retail.
Gus Heinze reply :
Thank fishnkamp and Fishin' Fool.
I'm not sold on Lew's they just seem to get good reviews.
I haven't heard of Daiwa (again I'm new to this stuff) so I'm off to do read up on Daiwa. Thank you gents! I did see some Daiwa rods at my local Academy, atleast I remember seeing the brand.
new2BC4bass reply :
I wouldn't worry about a .4 difference in ratio. What would that amount to....about 1" IPT? Maybe...depending on spool sizes. If it bothers you that much, don't fill the spool all the way. That would also help your casting as a newbie.
The Dobyns Fury line has been getting good reviews. They make two with those specs for $110. I'd probably opt for the 704C over the 703C. A Tournament MB off ebay would run just under $110. Total well within your max budget. Or upgrade to the equivalent Sierra and still be under $300.
I really like my original Tatula rods. I am also a fan of Fenwick HMG at the $100 price. Haven't handled a new Aetos, but the originals are extremely nice rods for the money.
I didn't mention the Diawa Tatula casting reels as I assumed you had eliminated them as a choice. (Been typing this up for awhile. That's what happens when your youngest grandson is bugging you. 
)
My personal choice would be the Tatula SV TWS for less than $135 on ebay. Or opt for a regular Tatula for less than $90. https://www.ebay.com/i/132266675452?chn=ps&dispItem=1 A Tat SV and Sierra would run right at your max.
You can get a pretty nice combo for $200-$300 these days. Manufacturers seem to be targeting the $100-$150 range for rods...and reels.
EDIT: BTW, 
to the forum.
fishnkamp reply :
check out these videos on you tube.
Gus Heinze reply :
Thank you everyone for your help and responses, I've been telling my wife this is hard or I'm making it harder than it should be. I've been looking for older equipment based on online reviews and keep coming up with "out of stock" "no longer available" this has been going on for 2 days. Now with the handful of posts in just a short time I've got a lot of options and plenty of more reading to do, best thing is I CAN find them to purchase! Thank you very very much!
On a side note, I will say eBay isn't what it used to be, either that or other places like Amazon have figured out how to beat them for business. When I search for the Diawa Tatula TACT 100HS Amazon has it for $101.90 + free shipping, Ebay has one used for $120 + $4.29 shipping. Why on earth would I buy something used for $24 more than new?
fishnkamp reply :
Gus I am sorry I should have welcomed you to BR first. You will find that if you spend a little time doing a search on almost any topic there are hundreds of past posts on almost every topic. There are lots of us members willing to share our knowledge and experience as well. By the way where are you located? I have offered the opportunity to meet up and cast some of my equipment to more than a few other members and each one has learned a good bit by just physically handling and getting a little one on one instructions. If you live anywhere near MD and wish to do the same I would be happy to catch up somewhere in between us. I live near Baltimore MD.
Gus Heinze reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 8:02 AM, fishnkamp said:Gus where are you located?
Bryan, Texas. Bryan/College Station, we're about 90 miles northwest of Houston it's where Texas A&M University is located.
Fishin' Fool reply :
I used that Tatula 711mhxf today to throw a chatterbait on a regular Daiwa Tatula reel and that combo is silky smooth. Mikey likes!!
YaknBassn reply :
Given your budget, there are a TON of options available to you.
I love the Revo series by Abu Garcia. If you look around, you can find the Gen 3 Revos on sale for an excellent price.
As far as rods go, I really like Denali rods. The Attax and Kovert rods are excellent for their respective price range ($120-$150).
You seem to have an idea of what you want, just pull the trigger on something. Everyone has a different opinion on what "best" is. Once you get into the sport a bit more, you'll start to find specific things you like.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 7:56 AM, Gus Heinze said:Thank you everyone for your help and responses, I've been telling my wife this is hard or I'm making it harder than it should be. I've been looking for older equipment based on online reviews and keep coming up with "out of stock" "no longer available" this has been going on for 2 days. Now with the handful of posts in just a short time I've got a lot of options and plenty of more reading to do, best thing is I CAN find them to purchase! Thank you very very much!
On a side note, I will say eBay isn't what it used to be, either that or other places like Amazon have figured out how to beat them for business. When I search for the Diawa Tatula TACT 100HS Amazon has it for $101.90 + free shipping, Ebay has one used for $120 + $4.29 shipping. Why on earth would I buy something used for $24 more than new?
Did you click on my link? New Tatula CT for $86.95 with free shipping. Look below the featured item. Most of the time when Amazon says free shipping, you have to be a Prime member to get it. Not always, but seems to me to be most of the time.
Gus Heinze reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 8:18 AM, new2BC4bass said:
Did you click on my link? New Tatula CT for $86.95 with free shipping. Look below the featured item. Most of the time when Amazon says free shipping, you have to be a Prime member to get it. Not always, but seems to me to be most of the time.
Yes thank you for the link, on those listings I'm seeing the 100XS which is 8.1:1 and the 100HSL (left hand) I'd prefer right hand, 100HS 7.3:1. Thank you for the link, I'll keep checking around.
Here is what I've found on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Tatula-8BB-7-3-TACT100HS/dp/B01CUWK29Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502150926&sr=8-2&keywords=daiwa+tatula+ct
frosty reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 8:18 AM, new2BC4bass said:Most of the time when Amazon says free shipping, you have to be a Prime member to get it
or you just get to wait two weeks for them to ship it... 
Gus Heinze reply :
Not sure if this is the correct section, but when my grandpa passed I inherited his fishing gear. Mainly it's a bunch of tackle, lures, hooks, weights, etc... Since none of the lures are in the original packing is there a way to tell the size? Is it as simple as a 1/2 oz casting spoon, weighs 1/2 oz? Therefor I can just weigh each lure?
Next ?, I see a lot of videos online where anglers have multiple rod/reel setups for different applications, is this something I should work on in the future, i.e. If I'm working on finding a quality 7.1:1 reel then later should I for a slower ratio setup for crank baits or can you just learn to fish the quicker reel slower?
Fishin' Fool reply :
When I'm not sure the weights of something I get a few lures that have known weights 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, etc and weigh them on the kitchen scale.
new2BC4bass reply :
Tatula CT 100HS $96.95 free shipping. https://www.ebay.com/p/2016-Daiwa-Tatula-Ct-Baitcast-Fishing-Reel-100hs-Right-Hand-7-3-1-TACT100HS/8003306986
Tatula CT 100HS $86.99 free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Daiwa-Tatula-CT-Baitcast-Reel-Right-Hand-Select-Models-TACT100XS-100HS-100H-/152651571359?var=452172751797&epid=8003306986&hash=item238abe209f:g:4poAAOSw0GZZhcur
You must be using your phone to search instead of a computer. 
I always seem to do better with a computer.
fishnkamp reply :
There are as many opinions on this as you can imagine. Some of today's pros use nothing but really fast reels. Others not so much. Here is how most people feel things work best.
Let's look at treble baits. For wakebaits and shallow running crankbaits like KVD 1.5s, squarebills, even cranks that run at to 10 or 15 foot deep, and jerkbaits most like a reel that has a retrieve of around 6.1 to 6.3-1. Reels that run in the 5-1 to 5.5-1 are best used for deep diving cranks like DD22s, or a Strike King 6XD. This relieves stress and fatigue on your hands.
Some anglers use a 6.x-1 reel on spinnerbaits unless they want to BURN a spinnerbait just under the surface for a reaction strike. Here a 7.x-1 is best and it works great for chatterbaits, and buzzbaits as well. The buzzbait or a toad need to be kept moving quickly in order for it to run on the surface.
Many anglers like myself have a rod rigged with both so I can simply drop one and pick up another rod. They might have the same bait tied on, but be able to present it differently by changing the retrieve rate of the reel. I prefer an 8-1 when flipping, pitching and throwing frogs.
For me bottom bouncing baits like jigs, carolina rigs and texas rigged plastics can be fished well with either a 6.x-1 or a 7.x-1 reel since you may be making long fan casts and need to deal with lots of line out. Here is when braided line and a coplyner leader shine well.
Gus Heinze reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 9:53 AM, new2BC4bass said:Tatula CT 100HS $96.95 free shipping. https://www.ebay.com/p/2016-Daiwa-Tatula-Ct-Baitcast-Fishing-Reel-100hs-Right-Hand-7-3-1-TACT100HS/8003306986
Tatula CT 100HS $86.99 free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Daiwa-Tatula-CT-Baitcast-Reel-Right-Hand-Select-Models-TACT100XS-100HS-100H-/152651571359?var=452172751797&epid=8003306986&hash=item238abe209f:g:4poAAOSw0GZZhcur
You must be using your phone to search instead of a computer.
I always seem to do better with a computer.
Awesome thank you sir!
Gus Heinze reply :
Ordered some good stuff via amazon, should arrive later this week. In the meantime I took my 2 boys out fishing, they are loving it! In the day time I bought some practice plugs and they pitch them towards 5 gallon buckets in the front yard. We went out tonight and my 9 year old caught a small blue-gill and my 6 year old caught a turtle (they were using corn and a bobber).
As for my gear that's coming I went with the following:
Daiwa Tatula CT 8BB, 7.3:1, Baitcast Fishing Reel, Right Hand - TACT100HS
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CUWK29Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Daiwa Tatula Casting Rod 7'1" Medium Heavy X-Fast
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FPQUAFE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line - 65lb
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EFQYLOK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also bought a few frogs lures, hoping to get some good strikes.
Thanks again for all the help, advice, suggestions, and tips. Can't wait on the mail!
Gus Heinze reply :
update: everything arrived but the rod. First for me, it was scheduled for delivery today but when I track it via UPS it says it's being held at customs. I was really lost, did some more digging and it states the packing slip was torn off the package and my item is being held at my local UPS office until they can confirm with the shipping company the correct destination of the package. I guess I could always go up there tomorrow to claim my package.
Gus Heinze reply :
Rod arrived in the mail today, everything is setup for an early Saturday morning trial run. 
CroakHunter reply :
On 8/12/2017 at 12:45 PM, Gus Heinze said:Rod arrived in the mail today, everything is setup for an early Saturday morning trial run.
Please post how it goes!
NathanDLTH reply :
You're on the right track, just listen to what others have said and have come before you. My own experience is this:
Lews MG Tournament 6:4:1
-great reel, smooth casting however didn't like the body feel.
Abu ProMax 7:1:1
-good beginner reel however plastic body
Curado 200I 7:2:1
-great reel, smooth and long casts. Hard to beat for price point.
Chronarch Ci4+ 7:6:1
-fantastic reel, the 150 is in my opinion ideal for spool size. Just not my thing or I'd a kept it.
I've also had a couple 1Three reels but they are not in your price point. I fish mainly Daiwa now with the exception of a Curado 70 on my Med moderate cranking/top water rod. I've fallen for Daiwa after going through all these reels simply because how they feel in my hand, their performance on the water and fighting fish, and they are very dependable. I would seriously look at the Tatula line over any other aside from Shimano. You cannot go wrong with either reels. In my opinion these are the top two.
Gus Heinze reply :
On 8/12/2017 at 2:38 PM, CroakHunter said:Please post how it goes!
New reel and rod work like a dream. I'm no expert but I would compare this to fine hand tools, or quality cordless tools. I was using an older bass pro pro qualifier bait casting reel and rod, it's a nice setup but once I tried this Daiwa it's night and day difference. The Daiwa is SUPER smooth. I am able to cast it right at the spot where I'm aiming.
I took it out for about 2 hours Saturday morning, tried another local pond with my boys and in 2 hours of casting only had 1 backlash. Had one bite and didn't set the hook properly, I had it on for a fraction of a second. I think it was getting too hot and we should have started earlier but we had a good time in the outdoors.
I'm going to continue to read up on the forums and learn as much as possible. I'll also keep practicing my casting in the front yard, I set out 2 5-gallon buckets and cast a practice plug to them from different distances and angles.
fishnkamp reply :
I am glad you liked it. I am in love with all of my Daiwas. Make sure you are running the reel with a little side play in the spool as the video shows. It will give you the most distance. Educate your thumb a little and you will be amazed how that setup will fly.
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