webertime

I had the same question earlier this year and the consensus was that the LTB was a nice rod but not really worth it over the Avid.

They only share the same graphite. The scrim, resin, and mandrel are all different from the Avid. I found the Avid a much nicer rod in every way.

100mm (+) You are looking at Hawgtech ($60+), Daiwa Lexa 300 ($20-25), Daiwa Lexa 400 (120mm! for $20-25), Daiwa Tatula HD (Bit more than a Lexa). The biggest Lews is 95mm (which if you think about it is 2.5mm on each end of the drive shaft longer... Not much). Abu Winch handles should also be around 100mm and $40.

I look at fishing gear as tools. Now does Stanley make a good tape measure? Sure they do... But their hammer isn't that great, but an Eastwing is a great hammer. Snap On Wrenches are great, but the one from the Dollar Store will work for the amount that I would use it... So I don't have any brand loyalty as far as ALL Shimano or ALL Ardent (snicker, snicker). I pick the best tool for me from a good company (good customer service, not a "here today gone tomorrow" set up). Of my 14 combos I have 6 Daiwa reels (Zillions to Lexa), 6 Shimano (Love me some Citica E's), 1 Quantum, 1 Abu (round for swimbaits). I just found through use and ownership that I liked Daiwa and Shimano reels so I tend to lean towards them first when I am looking at new reels. Rod-wise I own Dobyns, Phenix, St. Croix, Daiwa, Abu, Lamiglas, Powell, Cabelas, BPS, and Fenwick. All have good reputations/CS and broad lines to choose the right tool for me and my preferences or style. If it works for YOU that is what is important. If someone is going to say a 7' Dobyns is going to cast further than say a 7' Lightning Rod (with the same reel/line) they are nuts, or over emphasizing the negligible difference in distance. I have had JDM Alphas on Phenix Recons (a super sexy set up) and still find my 3 generation old BPS Extreme Spinning Rod with a Shimano Sahara that feels like a coffee grinder to be my favorite set up. I paid $90 for it... Don't get caught up in big money being way better. Unsolicitated advice, and not to turn this into brand bashing... Look at companies that make their own stuff, not farming it out to OEM factories. I have found in all of my recreational pursuits that those companies that make their own things tend to last longer and have better support. There are always exceptions, but I have never been let down by a company that does it all themsleves. (I know almost all my rods are from OEM's I know...)

I don't know that the Lew's Carbon are going to be any longer than the stock Revo handles you have. I have the Lews Jumbo handle as well and it's a nice handle, the knobs are huge.

How much longer? Daiwa handles will fit as will Lews. I got Lexa 300 handles for $25 each from Daiwa and those are 100mm. There's always Hawgtech....

Larry's down south Smallmouth down 30-40 on humps with silver buddies.

19ft+ boat on big water (Great Lakes, Champlain, etc.) a 52"+ is a great idea. The constant BUZZZ gurgle gurgle BUZZZZ big rollers is at a minimum annoying with the 42"ish shafts.

Smallies should be moving up. Largemouths should be getting shallow in Cary Bay.

Just note that the new Saros have a short "neck" (piece from reel foot to reel body). If you have larger hands you could run into clearance issues with the bail/rotor hitting your hand. I have huge hands and it happened. That being said I'd still take the Shimano over the Pflueger (I've owned both)... The Pflueger seems to get sloppy/worn out feeling after a year or so.

Ice free as far as the eye can see...

Saint Albans and Malletts bays are wide open. Should all be gone this week.

Run... it's Berkley Vanish's ugly step sister.

TW has drift socks for ~$25. I love them.

Huge fan of Eagle Claw Laser swimbait hooks.

Still ice on a lot of the lake. But it's going quick. Should be ice free this weekend. What part are you visiting?

Massachusetts Smallmouth guy... YOU NEED the 80's (not G-Fix, not 90, just the regular 80).

Try a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speedcraw or any other smaller bait. Try a regular (not wide) offset hook. Set the hook on anything until you start to recognize what a hit feels like.

6lber. Spybait more. I'm going to do both

I lost a Perch Hudd 68 in mine...

Their Real Deal Craw is awesome on a biffle style jig.

I keep them in the clam shells at home. Once I am packing up to get out there I take them out and put them in Plano boxes. I may leave them for a few days before putting them back in the clamshells. I have noticed no issues with them spending up to 2 weeks in a Plano if they are not jammed in there.

Champion 765 or 735.

Hsta is the Advantage.

Blue is terrible if that helps. I love the chartreuse and clear.