zell_pop1

X2 I will not buy a Cara/Lowrider made in China.

I have both a Fuego CT and a Tatula CT and never had the brakes move on me. As far as the original question I do not have a SLX XT, but do have 2 SLX reels and i feel it is better with light line/lures, but other than that I would save some bucks and get the Fuego. I have the Tat because the Fuego is not offered with a cranking gear.

Fenwick Eagles are the best under $70 rods IMO

Just a good ol 6'6" St Croix Premier MHF will work just fine.

I have 2 regular SLXs, do you guys really like the XT better?

I have been thinking about buying the Aussie one for months.

Daiwa Goldcast is a good one to try.

Fenwick Eagle all the way, nice rod for the money.

Sunline Defier Shooter in what they call 15lb test.

Yes a 6.3 Fuego currently even with that I reel slow depending on the cover.

No need for anything fancy. 7' M St Croix Premier/Triumph rod for 3-4" or 7' MH for 4.5-5.5" I think the 7x reels are to fast for these type lures though.

Well they have the double header color green pumpkin/watermelon red. I'd like to see pumpkin pepper/green pumpkin too, to match the craws here in Indiana that look brown and green.

The old Hildebrandt spinnerbaits of all sizes that use to be made in my home town.

From one vet to another thanks for serving. The Johnny Morris reels and the Abus should be the same thing internally, and I have several Tatulas/Fuegos for a few years and no problems.

I use an old 6'10" H mod-fast St Croix Premier. Good power with just a little give I think it was supposed to be a pitching rod.

Lucky Craft G-Spash. They spit and walk good and ghost blue shad works great in clear water.

I have a few old small Hilderbrandt Nuggets, occasionally throw them in the river for Smallies and rock bass. Mine have skirts and were made in my hometown like 20 years ago. I also have a few 1/8 Hildebrandt spin dandys-they really catch crappie like no one's buisness. Now more snagless? I really do not know I guess the twin arms could sort of act like a weedguard but i never tried slow rolling them though I think some of the walleye guys used to use them that way.

Lews has a decent jerkbait rod. It is 6'7" med modfast with a short rear handle Winn grip.

Sunline Shooter Mono casts better than the Armillo without the coils, I recommend that over Armillo for deep divers or topwaters. Now in shallow waters with square bills in alot of cover Armillo is superior. Weird this was supposed to go in the cranking mono thread.

Sure I had one too, a 2500 and it weighed like 9.9 oz. I think alot of the current problems are that the old ones were built like tanks and were heavy and with the obsession of reel manufacturers to keep making lighter reels they have cheaper parts and just are not as tough and durable as they use to be.

Falcon HD 6'8" . Should be ModFast so can cast anything and lure rating 1/4 to 3/4. $70 free shipping on Amazon.

I live in northern Indiana orange works well at times but red not so much

Regular DeFier on spinning is fine, Armillo not so much.

I have a 6'6" and 7' glass rod, one for accuracy one for distance. A 6'10" would allow me to use just one and I hate split grips.

6'6" St Croix Premier Glass rod as I usually target cast square bills. Wish St Croix 6'10" glass rods would come in a full grip and I would buy one in a heartbeat.