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Would a Curado 50e that is brand new be worth it for $160? Or would it be worthwhile to spend the extra to get the Chronarch 50e since they're essentially the same reel?

Mono: Sunline Super Natural Fluoro: Sunline Super Braid: Sunline SX1, PP Super 8 Slick, Sufix 832

I've never tried really expensive fluoro, but if you want to try some without spending too much money I highly recommend Sunline Super. I use it in 10-14 lb and I like it a heck of a lot. If it's any indication of what their more premier line is like then it must be really darn good.

I fish by both feel and watching the line. Sometimes the bass pick up the bait without a bump or tick, especially weightless. So I like to watch the line as well. I haven't noticed that a leader makes a difference in terms of getting more bites, so I choose not to use one. I want to try a hi-vis braid without a leader, so I'm gonna try to color the last couple feet. Thanks to the folks who replied to my original query. I'm gonna get a couple different green sharpies and check out a spike it pen.

For those of you who use hi vis braid and like to color the last bit of your line with a marker, what kind do you use?

I've not had this problem with either of my Lexa 100 reels.

I only use Sunline Super FC. I use 10lb for spinning and 14lb for casting and it's the best I've used. I haven't tried their more expensive stuff, but it must be really good. I've used Seagaur Red Label, Trilene, Vicious and Vanish and the Sunline Super is better than all of those, in my opinion. I also use the Super Natural Mono after I tried this and I'm glad. They seem to make a great product, so next I'm going to get some SX1 braid.

Looks great, I'd really like to try one, but if it's more than $175 it will be out of my price range.

Looks decent, I'm intrigued. Anybody want to predict the price point? I'm gonna go with $199. Doesn't seem like they'd involve so many pros if it was less expensive than the Lexa. And I'm assuming this reel is gonna be new to both Japanese and North American markets?

So, those of you with experience using the Daiwa Lexa 100, could you tell me how it casts weightless texas rigs? Or weightless wacky rigged senko style baits? I've noticed a real disparity in some reviews, saying it's great for light stuff and some saying it's not so great for such use. The Tackle Tour review said it wasn't so great in that dept. I'm curious because it has an A7075 aluminum spool and my Curado E7's also have a spool made of that material and it casts weightless texas rigs just fine. And I like the Lexa's price point compared to some other current production reels.

Great info, glad you got to pick one of these up and check out the insides. I'm definitely impressed with the quality of the Mettle for only $50, so I can only imagine the Menace 2 is pretty darn nice.

I have a 734C and I think that rod would be fine for frogging. Maybe better than the Max frog rod, actually. I've not used the frog rod, but it's a little too tip heavy for me. The 734C with a reel on it is pretty nice. Very good backbone and nice tip.

Powell Max 734 + Shimano Curado 200e7 Powell Max 704 + Shimano Curado 200e7 Powell Max 703 + H20 Xpress Mettle Powell Max 706CB + Shimano Curado 200e5 Shimano Compre 7'2" DS + Shimano Sienna 2500 Looking to sell the crankbait rod and get something longer and either glass or composite.

They're not marked that price at my local store, but if you take it to one of the self-scanners they come up $29.95. I just snagged a 6'9 medium light spinning rod that I totally didn't need!

I was at Gander yesterday and saw they have a Guide Series crankbait rod for $70. I think it was like 7'11" though, but didn't seem too bad. I dunno if I want that much length. Not sure if they make a smaller one, I can't find them on their site. They didn't have any Veritas winch rods, so I didn't get to check those out. They also didn't have the *** rods, which I really wanted to look at. Bummer!

And here I thought I had my choices narrowed down! How's the weight and balance on those Clunn rods? I might like the crackle finish on those even less than I like white rods

Also, BradH, I'm a Brad H too!

I'll definitely check them out. If Dick's has one I can get $15 off with reward points and coupons. But they also have the Skeet Reese I'm thinking about. So much to decide!

I have 4 Powell Max casting rods: 703, 704, 734, 706CB and they're all fantastic. The Endurance series is even better, mostly, so if you're interested I don't think you should hesitate. If you have questions about their rods, you can always email them and they've been really good at answering questions personally and making suggestions.

Anybody prefer one of these kinds of hooks over the other? I got some spinshots to try this year and would try the Gamakatsu hooks but they're a bit expensive for my taste. I'm actually thinking about making my own hooks of this type. It's not that hard to bend a little stainless wire.

I'll try to handle a Veritas in a store. Really don't like the white rods, though

I'd be interested in checking that out, but I have a feeling it's a bit too much rod for what I need. I'm actually really curious about using the SKeet Reese swimbait/c-rig 7'6" rod for my cranking needs. It felt pretty nice in the store, just not quite as floppy as the 7' glass cranking rod. At least I've got some time before I start doing much cranking. Maybe I can fit in the 3-4 hour trek to BPS at some point over the next two months.

I've read good things about that Lamiglas rod, but I'm looking for something over 7 foot for some longer casts. Any folks who said they have the BPS rods, if you have one of the 7'6" rods can you discuss their balance and tip heaviness?

I also checked out a Shimano Crucial 7' cranking rod today and it was also a bit stiff/crisp for my tastes. I'm assuming the Clarus is probably similar.

Powell Max 706CB graphite. It's currently for sale in the flea market, by the way. Very nice rod. I've caught a ton of smallmouth on it here on the Allegheny and Mon rivers.