Reel Size for New St Croix Rod

[Smalliebigs]

Alex...this is what I would pair that rod with, which is a great rod.

http://www.m.ebay.com/itm/QUANTUM-SMOKE-SPEED-FREAK-SL30XPTIA-6-2-1-GEAR-RATIO-FISHING-SPINNING-REEL/322965079878?openCTB=1&varId=&item=322965079878&action=BIN&qty=1&_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4627.c10&nrd=true

I love the gear ratio on these reels and the drag is fully sealed. The reel does not get balled up like many of my Stradics have from debris thru abuse and stream submersion. I love my Stradics but they are my boat reels more or less now....I love this reel....you didn't give a price range...just letting you know this reel is performing very well under not so good conditions

[Champ188]

The larger the spool, the less line twist you have to deal with. I've been using Pflueger Supreme XT's for about a year now and am very well pleased with them. I'd suggest the 35 size. Not to heavy and very little line twist issues. 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Pflueger_Supreme_XT_Spinning_Reel/descpage-PXT.html

 

[AlexFish1]

Thanks for all the advice. Thats a little out of my price range at the moment. I found a Daiwa Regal 2500 on sale and picked it up. From what ive read its very comparable to a president in quality for the price and I love it so far. I love hearing about what you guys like to use so feel free to keep the suggestions coming.

[Champ188]

4 minutes ago, AlexFish1 said:

Thanks for all the advice. Thats a little out of my price range at the moment. I found a Daiwa Regal 2500 on sale and picked it up. From what ive read its very comparable to a president in quality for the price and I love it so far. I love hearing about what you guys like to use so feel free to keep the suggestions coming.

Glad to hear you found one that fits your budget and your needs. Let me offer a couple of suggestions to combat line twist ...

(1) Always close the bail manually before starting your retrieve. 

(2) Every couple of trips, cut your lure off and while idling along and let the line string out behind the boat. I'd let at least half the line off your spool and pull it like this for 4-5 minutes. This will pull practically all of the twist out of your line and set you up for a smooth day of casting. 

[MOPanfisher]

Braid.  Just kidding, not everyone likes braid but I do.  After a very short time closing he bail by hand becomes second nature.  For a couple years I claimed I didn't donit, but realized I was actually doing it and it didn't even register, sort of like feathering he line on a cast if needed or laying your finder on the spool for additional drag if needed.

[AlexFish1]

Somehow on my own I developed the habit of closing the bail by hand everytime. Its muscle memory by now.

[Jerry Rapp]

54 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

(2) Every couple of trips, cut your lure off and while idling along and let the line string out behind the boat. I'd let at least half the line off your spool and pull it like this for 4-5 minutes. This will pull practically all of the twist out of your line and set you up for a smooth day of casting. 

I wish I had a dollar for every time I have done this in my life.  It works with bait casters as well.  A good tip for stream fishermen is to do the same at the top of a good riffle.  Cut you lure off, let out about 200 feet of line, and let it unwind in the current.  A 2 minute routine that will make line twist almost a non issue.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Jerry Rapp said:

I wish I had a dollar for every time I have done this in my life.  It works with bait casters as well.  A good tip for stream fishermen is to do the same at the top of a good riffle.  Cut you lure off, let out about 200 feet of line, and let it unwind in the current.  A 2 minute routine that will make line twist almost a non issue.

I've found that it works just as well when you pull the line through the grass.  I take the end of the line with me when I go get the mail.  Keep the rod tip low when you slowly reel it back in and drag the line through your lawn.

[Champ188]

1 hour ago, Jerry Rapp said:

I wish I had a dollar for every time I have done this in my life.  It works with bait casters as well.  A good tip for stream fishermen is to do the same at the top of a good riffle.  Cut you lure off, let out about 200 feet of line, and let it unwind in the current.  A 2 minute routine that will make line twist almost a non issue.

It's a darn good trick, Jerry. I got it from Mark Davis many years ago before he ever fished a pro event. One of the old guides on Lake Ouachita had shared it with him. The internet is certainly full of information but there's still a lot of good stuff that gets passed down from generation to generation. 

[MOPanfisher]

Wrench, I some time do that on a windy day at the house, pull out 50 yards or so and with back to the wind wind it back in.  With braid the wind will pick it up and blow it around pretry well.