John G

I think that you had to thumb more because of the lighter weight lure and possibly because of the external brake adjustment on 3 or 4. I have very limited experience with my 200HG but I do know that the external brake adjusted from 6 to 1 makes a difference. I plan on leaving my external brake adjustment at 1 and then adjust up to help with wind or a lighter lure.

All good points and a great point about tip down techniques. I have lost count of how many times guys have posted about not having a jerkbait rod that is too long because they do not want to slap the water with their rod tip. That is a direct correlation between your height and rod length.

My height doesn't factor into using a 16' cane pole but I doubt that I would would want to walk around pitching with it.

If you were a midget (height challenged or whatever the PC term is nowadays) do you think that you would be comfortable using an 8" rod? You might but I doubt that I would.

X2

Between the E6X and the Mossyback, I would probably pick the one that has the best guides. If they are the same. I would pick the Mossyback cause I think it looks better. The Mossyback would be considered one of Loomis's Fiber Blend Rods. IMHO, they are nice rods. Sure, they are a little bit overpriced because of the Loomis name but but if I wanted one, I would get it. Like I said earlier, I do want one but there are other things that I want more is the only reason that I have not got one. I do have a Bronzeback top water rod and it is a fiber blend rod and I think it's a fine rod. There are other members here that have rods in the Spinnerbait Series and they are also fiber blend and the guys speak highly of those rods.

You should only go in the water if it's safe to do so and your reel should never go underwater and if it does you should tear it down and clean it.

Seems to me that your local tackle shop would be familiar with local waters and the fisherman that fish those local waters. That said, I have always liked Amber colored lenses for fishing.

So I guess we have the same birthday and we are the same height.

I have had this happen with braid when I 'swing for the fence' but I don't ever recall it happening with a nylon line. I believe that in my case, that braid had come to a sudden stop from digging in I guess and it snapped during the cast.

I have upgraded handles and drag stars to better looking handles and drag stars for no other reason than to make my reels look better in some cases and to put a longer handle on another because I wanted a longer handle. I have also bought bearing upgrades for some reels and also Carbontex Drag Washers for some reels. I have also added shallow spools to some reels I have no regrets so yes it was worth it.

I have looked at the BCR855 for pitching soft plastics into shoreline cover with a 3/8oz weight and up and I think it would be perfect for that but I just have never got around to buying one. If you are patient, you can find the GLX version on eBay in great condition for not much more than you will pay for a new Mossyback. Do a Google search for Loomis BCR855 and you will come up with search results that link to Tackle Tour. Bronzefly, a member and sponsor at TT, he used to post here btw, he is very knowledgable about Loomis rods, and he has a very high opinion of the BCR855 GLX. I don't believe that in his option the 855 is a broomstick. I have spoken with him about the newer GLX855 and he says that is not a broomstick.

Do a search for Metanium on this forum and Goose did a full blown review of the Met DC.

Whatever Costa's you get, avoid the models that have arm covers or whatever they call them that slide over each arm. The Wavekiller is like this. The ends of the arm cover wears out and it becomes a PITA. BTW, I am now wearing Maui Jim's that I like more than my Costa's.

Chronarch 50E or the JDM Shimano Scorpion XT1000 from Japan Lure Shop.

I use Bill Norman Speed Clips for hardbaits.

Shimano Japan's Website says that the new Met DC and the new Aldebaran can be used in seawater. http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/search?pcat1=1&pcat2=16

Uni and Alberto

Shimano and Loomis or Jackall for rods.

Have you tried reeling it with no brakes engaged? Or you can try different brakes engaged. I have a Conquest 100 that did this at one time. I turned all my brakes off and it went away. IIRC, I think that I changed the brakes with the spares and it went away. You could also put a little Bantam Oil on a Q Tip and put it on the brake drum and seen if that helps but I would try reeling it with the brakes off first.

FishTank gave you a great recommendation but I would get a NIB Shimano Aldebaran MG7 as my reel. You can even buy the rod used in excellent condition and save over $100.00.

If distance is your primary concern, a properly set up spinning reel combo will cast further than a regular baitcasting combo.

There are guys here that can cast 1/8oz jigs with a baitcaster. All it takes is the right rod and a shallow spool.

I just bought a Curado 200HG but I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet. I love the size and the looks and it's plenty smooth. If it cast as good as it looks, I will be thrilled. I had the Scorpion version of the CU200E and so far, I like the new Curado better. I also have an older Left handed Calais that came with a rod that I won on eBay but I haven't used it cause it's left handed. While it' is smooth, it is also big. I like the Curado I more.I have never used the Tatula but it sure get a lot of press because of its popularity.

If it were me, I would get the new Curado over the other two based on looks and ergonomics and I am assuming that the new Curado is going to be a great caster. If you were talking about the Calais CL-100A or the Curado 50E then that would be different. I am assuming that you are talking about the Curado 200E.