johnD.

Works great I use it for saltwater applications all of the time , where it's hard to cinch down 80lb/100lb leader.

I fish saltwater twice a week , most weeks. All I ever do is spray my combos down with windex , let it sit for a couple minutes ,then hose them off with a light mist from the water hose. Sometimes I blow them dry with a the compressor sometimes I don't.. Never a problem. But I do service the line roller bearings with penn grease about every three months. I fish Spinfishers , BG's , and Stradics and treat them all the same.

I'd leave the bass rods at home (you may end up trashing one on a 40" bull red)..Pick up some daiwa bg's on star stellar lite rods. The bg's have nylon line roller bushings (low maintenance). If your reels get dunked take them apart that day and clean them , flush bearings , etc , other wise, regular routine maintenance schedules are fine. Star Stellar Lite 7'6 medium with a 2500 BG , loaded with 10# or 15# braid will do anything inshore. Star Paraflex 9' surf with a BG 4000 or 4500 (30# braid) will do most anything in the surf. (I'd recommend the 4500 for chunking bait , the 4000 for throwing plugs , jigs and what not). surftalk is a good resource for landbased saltwater fishing.

Bantam MGL from digitaka $268 if you can squeeze that into your budget.

Fuego CT 6:3:1 and a Citica 7:2:1 are what I use. You can look up the IPT on those , I don't know what they are off the top of my head.

I use a Falcon Jason Christie squarebill rod , and a 13 omen 7'3 mh for traps.

I have the new 7'6 bps crankin stick. Nice enough blank ,the quality control really sucks. Make sure the reel seat and guides all line up before you take it home. Check out the Lew's Custom Speed Stick Crank Rod 7'6" Medium Magnum.

I had the slx xt for flipping , kept my citica i for flipping , it's the better reel imo.

A 2500 BG , would be as big as you want to go for freshwater , 10#-#15 braid.

I think he means , Bantam.

I have a couple of 24" Piranha Rod Racks that mount to the wall , I can easily stand 8' rods inside the house. $25 a piece.

One more notable difference , there's only one bearing on the main shaft and it sits in the frame. The main shaft is not supported by another bearing above the anti reverse bearing like the curado k and daiwas.

There's a couple of authorized daiwa dealers on ebay , I've never had a problem with either , and I've bought many.

Daiwa Fuego , $79 on ebay , all day everyday. Much better reel.

The sunline is excellent line , it will work just fine.

Same here.

Not much difference in weight between the curado k and bantam..if anything it will make your combo feel more balanced.

They sell a low ratio Bantam MGL PG (5:5:1) on the JDM sites. 7'6 Zodias is a good stick. If you are throwing baits for 19' and beyond I'd recommend something 7'6 to 8'.. Tatula 150P , and a Ehler 8' Tatula Elite is another good combo.

I have the slx xt , I like my tatula 100 better. If you look around you can find the daiwa for $109. The thumb bar and narrow spool of the slx just doesn't feel right imo.

I'd probably go with the revo x , as it has a carbon hybrid drag. LFS drag is nylon. Although I feel the best $100 reel is the tatula 100 or CT (carbon drag in both) from sportsman outfitters. Even the SLX has a felt drag , which I upgraded to carbontex , which made a huge difference.

Round about the time he says he went to braid is when the new berkley x5 and x9 came out. He was pushing it pretty hard and still is.

Call daiwa direct in Cypress , Ca. (562) 375-6800 Same with Shimano , call them direct. They both have parts departments. (949) 951-5003

10 lb hybrid is the diameter of most companies 12 lb. it's .012 , same diameter of 12 red label fluorocarbon. Hybrid is great line , I use 10 lb for crankbaits. I get the 600 yd spools at walmart for about $9. I think CX has a little bit more stretch.

Lew's is having one made called a Target casting special , 5'9 MH Custom Plus Speed Stick. Not exactly a pistol grip , but the handle is short enough. https://www.lews.com/rods/customplus

303 space age protectant works well for me.