JaxBasser

I have a friend that works in a pharmacy and I had her save the things that come in the pill bottles to keep moisture out. They work great. I just throw a few in all of my boxes.

The Cane Thumper is the real deal.

For 45% off I'd get an STX.

You earned the money, it makes you happy, who cares what they think.

Put the Tatula on a rod and make sure you like how it palms. I bought a Tatula and loved everything about it except how it felt in my hand. It casts a mile, buttery smooth, looks great. I just couldn't get over the feel. I have a LFS Speed Spool and the Tatula was a better reel in every category except for how they palm and that's why I sold the Tatula.

In the $200 range I love the Kistler KLX. Lots of good options though.

Powell Diesel from TheFishRanger and a Pflueger Trion.

One of my favorite worms ever. Dead stick it, swim it, burn it across the top. Tons of fish on that bait.

If a rod breaks within the first few times of use it could be defect. After that it's most likely user error. These modern rods are a lot more fragile than some people realize. All it takes is a little knick or chip in the blank and that could do it. Never fished the Duckett rods personally but have buddies who use them with zero problems.

Well that's disappointing. Saw an ad for these a few months back and have been interested. I think I'll pass though.

Looks like these are finally available over at TW. Anyone going to pull the trigger on one? I'm tempted.

I'll throw a Kistler KLX in the mix at that price range. Absolutely amazing blank on those rods.

I think the Phenix Maxim is a nice rod in that price point. I love mine. Really nice components and solid build quality. I've owned a Veritas, ***, and the Phenix. Just pick one, hard to go wrong.

10lb floro is going to be a nightmare if it's a 2500 size reel. Go 8 or even 6. Edit - Just saw its a Trion 35. I'd still go down to 8lb floro.

I just purchased the Speed Spool LFS for $80 and have been impressed with it. A lot of reel for that price. The best bang for the buck reels in the lews lineup imo are the Bb1 pro and Tournament Pro. Both great reels for the $150 you can find them for.

Too many proven reels in that price range IMO to make it worth trying those. Shimano Curado I Lews Tournament Pro Diawa Tatula / Type R 13 *** All can be had around or under $150.

That's even cheaper than their eBay store. Snagged one for that price.

I reel spinning reels with my left hand and baitcasters with my right. Lefty baitcasters feel so weird to me, I just can't do it. I also can't reel spinning with my right hand even though I do it with baitcasters.

Powell Diesel from TheFishRanger.

I recently purchased a Phenix Maxim and have been really impressed with it. Tons of good options in that price range though. I like Fenwicks offerings a lot. The new Abu Ike rods look nice as well.

I love everything about the reel except the size. I may ending up getting rid of mine as well.

I wear a medium glove so I don't have huge hands. I've noticed it does start to bother me after a while of fishing with it. It definitely doesn't palm as easily as my lews reels.

Powell Diesel if you're OK with having no warranty. They are nice rods for the $. They can be had for around 50 bucks.

Picked up a Tatula to go on that discounted lamiglas excel II rod I got from tackle warehouse last week.

Daiwa Tatula rods can be had on eBay for under msrp and are nice rods. *** *** Black rods are fantastic around the $100 price point. A lot of great options in that price range. I would agree that a 7' mhf would be your best all purpose option.