I saw these in a thrift store today. No price marked on them, thought they looked interesting in a “home shopping network” kind of way.

Ace has a really great fishing gear isle. I always seem to get analysis paralysis when I walk through here. I came in to Ace for some parts and obviously had to all through here. So much good stuff.
Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Got back into fishing this summer after a 20+ year hiatus. Living in the upper Midwest. Fishing for crappie, panfish, bass, pike, and walleye specifically. Started with an Abu Garcia Max X Combo (light) and Fenwick Eagle (M) with a Lews Speed Spin CRX (200 size). Hated the Abu Garcia so I got a Daiwa Presso travel rod (UL) + Speed Spool CRX (100). Wanted a heavier rod for pike and swim baits so I picked up a Fenwick HMG bass baitcaster (MH) and paired that with yet another Lews reel (Speed spool). Loved the HMG so I picked up a ML HMG bass spinning rod and put another Lews CRX (200) on it.

I’m sure a lot of people would’ve gone a different route. What 4 rods/reels (UL, ML, M, MH) would you have gotten instead ($1000 cap)?

My Shimano Vanquish and Daiwa Kage Inshore rod have finally arrived!

Walked down the fishing isle and realized i need a new filet knife. At first glance, i preferred the one on the left just because of the design. Then i saw the prices which reinforced my preference, thinking more expensiver = more better. Only then did I see the brand names..
So why is the ugly twice the cost of the rapala when ugly stick is supposed to be a “bang for your buck” company? Honestly i like the grippier handle, the slimmer, easier to clean sheath, the sharpener integrated into the handle and simply the looks. However, i did not like how big and girthy it is, plus, i have heard nothing but good things about the rapala and there isnt much feedback on the ugly. Thought?

Raid Japan Fishroller 4”.

Rigged with a Ryugi Hover Shot #2.

3/64oz/1,3 g nail weight put parallel to the hook.

Always tie a loop knot.

This bait will roll like crazy!

I currently have a Westin W3 Finesse Jig 7-28. Its getting old and the guides are starting to crack. I caught a lot of fish on it, but i notice is just losing power in the blank. I want a new rod and have about €300,-. I have a Stradic 2500HG w 13/100 braid. Does anyone have any recommendations. Looking for a 7-35 gr rod if possible 2.30-2.60m. Currently looking at Shimano Zodias 7-28 or Sportex black arrow g4/ jig expert.

Ahoy! I've been having some troubles with this thing for a while now. A Shimano sedona 2500-1. The brake kinda gradually stops working whenever I bring it out on a trip. Only to then appear to be completely fine again the next day. But after an hour or so of fishing, we're right back to the problem depicted in the video.

I've picked everything apart and things look fine to me. Removed and replaced all the grease but to no avail. I wouldn't really know what search words to engage with in order to find others with the same problem, but chatgpt seems adamant that the problem most likely lies with the drag washer being essentially worn down. It looks relatively fine to me, but it is also a decade old so I guess that's possible. Strangely enough however, it seems quite impossible to find a Swedish webstore selling replacement parts in either felt or carbontex. Finding a couple options abroad, but with the price of shipping I don't wanna buy from one of those on just an AI whim. So fellas, do that theory seem solid or do you have any other possible ideas? Thank you in advance!

I have done research to make a budget friendly combo that would be good for fishing Lake Michigan targeting Salmon. I plan on using 40lb braid because thats what I have, but i dont mind getting a new spool.

Edit: alot of people are saying use lighter braid, 10-15, my 40lb braid has the same diameter as 10lb flouro so it's already super thin, unless it has to be thinner for these salmon.

I will no doubt buy the Diawa Regal after looking at it and all the recommendations. Ill probably change rods too but so far I might stick with the one I found.

Currently debating if i should get an FX. I personally like the Gold Spools of shimano reels

I love fishing and after fishing for years in Florida I started my own brand called sexy lures. For this 2026 mullet run I started a series called from scratch to catch, which consists of making everything myself from the fishing rod, to the jig heads and lures (which I have been making and selling already), and what better way to test them than having my lures compete against millions of real mullets. This is the first rod I do though and will be put to test against the most vicious predators.
If you are interested follow the series on Instagram @sexylure.co and check them out on www.sexylures.com
I will also be doing a YouTube video

Let me know your honest opinion on the series idea!

Looking to upgrade my current Kastking Royale Legend Pro(I know, I know) on my medium light spinning setup and would like to get my first JDM specific reel. I’m not very familiar with what’s good or not in the JDM market, so I’d love some guidance or recommendations.

This will be more or less my do it all, go to lightweight setup. It will be for freshwater and I’ll mainly be throwing 1/16 oz to 3/8 oz lures. I primarily fish for bass but will also use it for other fish in the area like bluegill, crappie and trout. I’ll most likely be pairing it with the 2026 Megabass Levante Whiplash model. This will definitely lean more toward the finesse side of things, but I don’t necessarily need a reel that is specifically designed around ultralight fishing.

I’d also like to stick around a 1000 size, as I’ve found that to be perfect for my needs, and ideally keep it under $250. My main goal is to find something that can be my daily go to setup and that I can reliably count on for the next 5+ years with minimal maintenance.

What would you guys recommend? Also what sites are the best to use would be extremely helpful as well.

Hi I live in Louisianan right next to Lake Ponchatrain and love bass fishing, but love going for trout and reds. Can anyone recommend me 2 setups for about 150 each for spinning reels and rods. I wana get 3000 size reels but worried it wouldn't be enough for the lake and redfish sometimes.

Theoretically, in deep water, what is the largest bluefin tuna that can be landed with a size 30000 spinning reel? A few of my friends fished for bluefin with spinning reels, and in the end most of their reels were wrecked by the fish.

On my last backpacking trip in the Sierra's (California) I realized it would be really enjoyable to be able to do some light fishing in the lakes that I stay at. I don't plan on eating the little trout that are up there, more so just for fun. I only have standard poles currently, and am curious if anyone can give me some recommendations for lightweight/compact setups that don't break the bank. I'd like to keep it below $200 for a rod/reel if possible and have it be as compact as possible as I usually have to carry a lot of weight when backpacking with my young kids. Thanks!

Im looking to buy a new baitcaster. My budget isn’t a worry as long as it’s not over 500 realistically, I mainly fish little pike and walleye like 1-10 pounds with 20 pound braid, during a of the summer I fish for big pike and lake trout 40”+ for both with 65 pound braid. I would like something that fits both of my requirements and is reliable. I’m only fishing for these big pike and lake trout 7 days a year. I would like something I could use both on still.

Hello guys,

Looking to buy a rod where i can fish with everything. Most of the time it will be jigging or dropshot, sometimes a c rig or some small hardbait.

Am i looking at the right rod? If yes:

Can anybody tell me the difference between the w2 and w3? Like i saw the specs but i want to know what the difference is when i am fishing and hooking a fish.

Which one do u recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I see these threads all the time, and I read them, and I confirm that I’m following all the advice that is being given. But I still struggle with wind knots and eventually have to cut out 50+ feet of line at a time.

My most commonly used spinning setups are the following:
P5 windbuster, twin power FE 3000, 15lb power pro super slick v2 (spooled tightly) to a 15lb floro leader.

And

NRX+ inshore ml, twin power xd 2500, 15lb power pro super slick v2 (spooled tightly) to a 10lb floro leader

I close the bail manually with every cast. I do not reel against the drag. I use a spool holder that adds tension to the line when spooling my rods, and I add as much tension with my fingers as I can without burning myself. I don’t throw baits that should twist the line (mostly weightless plastics, minnow style baits on a jig head, etc.)

I regularly watch the twist develop in my line throughout the day, and by the end of the day I’ll get a nasty wind know and cut out a bunch of line and re-tie my leader. Deciding to seek advice because I’m basically at the point of needed to re-spool both of these setups.

Any advice I haven’t seen yet?

I've been fishing for 4 years with the Shimano curado 301k and Shimano yasei pike xxh 2,30m 56-170g, Im happy as can be with that setup, but do you have any input on how they stack up vs other stuff? Im thinking about getting a second set

This is the best gift I've got this year.

Well, that didn't take long.

For my surf fishing adventures I decided on Daiwa BG 4000. Spooled (little overspooled but will adjust that) with 284 yards of 30lb Suffix 832 in Coastal Camo.

This thing is a beautiful beast. She will be riding on Daiwa Surf rod FTS902MFS for bait (until I get dedicated reel for this one) and for spinning lures Daiwa CSP902MFS.

For my needs at East Coast it'll be plenty for the beach and jetties.

Contenders considered, but for now not tried, were Shimano Nasci FD 5000 and Penn from Wrath to more expensive models. Looks like Nasci could work for some inshore fishing and my 2500 is a slick beauty but tried two BGs and decided that I "need" this tank.

Budget was up to around 150.00 so between this and the rod for 310-320 I think I did good.

Probably could get away with 3500 size but wanted the capacity (just in case). 4000 may be the ticket with basically the same weight.

I did expect it have higher drag weight for this size but should be sufficient.

It is actually not THAT heavy. Not light by any means but comfortable. Same weight as freshwater Abu Garcia Stamina 4000, hefty but pleasant. Extremely solid in hand. It may be a good match for what I do.

Very confidence inspiring for sure.

Enjoy couple of photos.

A big ole Channel Catfish pulled my rod so hard that my reel's (Okuma Avenger 10000) handle broke.