Jrob78

Tharp doesn't fish FLW anymore either.

When you buy a premium fluoro, you're essentially paying for manageability. Anyone can make a tough, low stretch, super strong, coily fluorocarbon. The trick is to make a tough, low stretch, super strong fluorocarbon that also has low memory and can be fished as a mainline. The more expensive fluoros get closest to meeting that mark. If you're only using 7' of leader, it doesn't have to be manageable because you aren't winding 30 yds of it on a spool and casting it out. You would better off buying a tough, coily fluoro that will be strong for your leader. They make that in leader spools that aren't meant to spool a reel. That's the way I see it anyway. Ozark Basser beat me to the punch but I'll leave mine up too.

I agree that it seems like a total waste to use Sniper or Shooter for a leader. How long is a typical leader, 4' or 5'? Get the most abrasion resistant line you can find and use that, handling shouldn't be an issue at all.

Why would you use either of those with braid?

Team9nine is dead on.

Wheeler fishes FLW, not the Elites.

10 years ago, every rod made looked like that.

I use fluoro for those applications, 12-20 lb depending on the situation.

If guys are using new techniques like the Ned rig, they are doing their absolute best to keep it secret as long as they can. That would be tough on MLF though.

That's hilarious, neither guy fishes FLW. I like Bryan Thrift, Andy Morgan, Larry Nixon, Anthony Gagliardi, Scott Canterbury and Cody Meyer. I'm much more of an Elite Series fan but I follow both tours.

I like the Uptons a lot. Before i discovered those it was the usual suspects, 10" Ole Monster, 10" Rage Anaconda, 10" Rage Thumper, 10" Power worm and Zoom Magnum Trickworm. I fish them on a jighead the most but will also t-rig and c-rig big worms.

7'3" HXF Kistler Helium 3 OG 7.1 Zillion 16lb Sniper

I agree, I try not to ever pay retail for tackle.

http://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/bassmasters-best-bass-lakes-2015 It looks like a lot of really small lakes are included this year.

Me too, love this rod.

You aren't going to find too many cheaper baits with that profile. Check out the 6th Sense Crush Flat 75X. It isn't much cheaper but it's similar in shape. Also, the new Bill Lewis Echo 1.75 looks somewhat similar. Neither of those baits are going to run 7' though.

I would buy a Tatula 100P off of Ebay for $99. From your list I would get the Lexa.

I've done well with the H20 lipless baits from Academy. You can find them in the $3-$5 range.

For the record, I'm a Mavs fan, I don't even really like Lebron. But to say he was anything other than magnificent in this series is silly.

It means you should have bought a different reel.

Yeah he left a great Miami team. lol They weren't dominate with him and without him they didn't even make the Playoffs this year.....in the East.

Give me a freaking break. Lebron was amazing, he just couldn't do it alone. If the Cavs had been healthy, they probably would have won the series. This is year 1 back in Cleveland, I don't think they are done playing for championships.

I saw them too. I thought they looked good, I think I'm going to buy a few. That Delta Craw pattern is killer.

CXX is a good, tough line. Pay attention to the line diameter though, you might want to drop down a size from what you're used to fishing.

I would check out the Kistler Helium 3. They are in your price range and use a really great blank.