OnthePotomac

Another vote for K here also. Just picked up my second one (both are 8.5:1) and love those reels.

I am with Toxic on this one and it may not be necessary, but gives me piece of mind. When I crank it back on I run the line through a cotton ball soaked with KVD line conditioner. I never have line twist.

Discussions on what rod to use consisted of how long the cane pole should be?

I notice on Major League Fishing that Edwin Evers has been fishing with the platinum series, but don't believe I have ever heard him mention it.

I guess most anglers evolve on the type of line they fish with. I believe trends drive a lot of this and the rest is simply trial and error. Many years ago I jumped on the braid bandwagon only to abandon it (except for frog fishing) because I just got tired of the way it behaved some of the time on the reel, or backlash, interrupting my fishing day. For the most part I returned to mono on many of my baitcasters, but confess I do like 15lb Invizx on some of my reels. I have four spinning reel set ups and every one is spooled with 8lb mono and it is fun to fish with. Thanks so much for the new mono post above, It gives me something to look forward to in my preference for mono in so many cases.

Inexpensive 10lb .013 dia mono at Walmart. I tried smaller diameters, but found to be the best base for everything for me.

Snag Proof, white or black.

Wow, 15lb braid would seem to me to be like fishing with sewing thread, especially on a bait caster.

I am sure you do for if you choose to use a "bullet" on a Texas rig it will usually be up 1/4 oz, (I only use a 3/16 on the Potomac) whereas a C rig could go up to 1oz, depending on the bottom, but I never go over 1/2 oz. A popular way to fish a Texas rig is just weightless, depending on the plastic weight. Senkos, for instance weigh 3/8oz and really don't need a weight unless you just want it to go down fast. I am talking bait cast set up. Lighter plastics work on a spinning rig with no weight, if one so desires.

Did you check Cabelas rod selection? They offer a bunch of rods in 2-piece. Fifteen years ago I grabbed a 2-piece MH 6'6" Tourney Special from them to put in the trunk for a Florida trip and the doggone thing is still going strong with my grandson. It is surprisingly light for a rod of 15 years ago. I think I paid $70 for it.

I have a Curado 70 on one and a Curado K on the other one. No problem

DC is not really a braking system, but rather a controlled spool spin system, but then I may be splitting hairs.

Pay attention to what is happening on the end of your line no matter the rod and if need be, fish with the line over your finger and you will feel a burp on your line.

No, honestly, never a guide problem, or breakage. That does, however seem to be a popular theme and I could never figure what they were doing to warrant those comments. Believe me, my rods have really taken a beating on the massive Tidal Potomac grass beds and performed flawlessly since day one.

I have six of the Carbonlite rods in 6'6 and 7' in MH and medium and just added two Carbonlite 2.0 7' MH rods and I love the rods (especially when they go on sale). I started buying Carbonlite eight years ago because they are so light and easy on the old wrists for a day of fishing. Never a failure of any kind with the rods.

Bantam1, who some may know is the long time Shimano rep has always said that no bait caster spins at an RPM high enough to realize any improvement beyond an ABEC 5 bearing and that carbon fiber drags do not increase drag value, but do improve drag efficiency.

I have only read comments from users that the Curado DC is a spectacular reel and set up properly is a no back lash reel. Controls it self.

The best BPS sale is the Spring Classic in late Feb early March each year. This is the sale where you can trade in a working rod, or reel and receive a cash credit commensurate with the cost of a new product. It is a graduated scale. I got my Chronarch MGL with $50 for a Pro Qualifier I had for three years (and paid $70 on sale) and saved up gift cards. As I recall, everything gets marked down with BPS brands.

Never understood the problem some say they have with flouro. I have 15lb InvizX on all of my baitcasters with cheap mono backing, except the mono for top waters and one with braid for frogs and I am certainly no great expert on casting techniques, but I have never had a problem with knot failures (I use a uni) and breakoffs. With regard to expense, the only way to go with flouro is buy bulk spools and save a ton of money. Walmart did have a 1000yd spool of Invizx on their site for $73, but don't know if it is still there. Do the math, that is a giant savings.

Old school tension for spooling.. run the line threw the middle of a book/ phone book laying next to the spool..

I throw my jigs, as well as several baits, on a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 MH fast tip. $119 free shipping. On my other 2.0 I throw all plastics, to include Senko style worms. They are incredibly light and a pleasure with which to fish with those Winn grips.

Cabelas right now. 20% off some Abu reels.

I have cheap 10lb mono as backing on every reel I own an it stays there, no matter what goes on top. Sure saves money on line. This only works though if you cannot throw a bait/lure 100yds LOL.

I have not used Vanish, but you cannot go wrong with a Seagaur product. My favorite in Seaguar InvizX 15lb, which is only .013" in diameter

Not a big spinning reel angler, but 12lb flouro sound pretty heavy to me on a spinning reel. I am old school anyway and never use anything but 8lb mono on my spinning reels. When I respool I do exactly what Toxic does just to be sure. It only takes a few minutes for peace of mind.