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I use both. Have you used Suffix lines? I think Defier is like Elite, very long manageable casts and Armillo is like Siege very abrasion resistant. I like the standard Defier better personally.

@Don Conant I live in Indiana but around 5 years ago my best friend and his wife moved to Punta Gorda so I've fished around Port Charlotte, love inshore fishing. But also next time your there check out Webb Lake. There are big Florida strain Largemouth in there. Yes there are gators but it is worth fishing.

Silent Pointer 95 is the one I have the most success with.

I use a Daiwa Tatula CT. It is 5.5:1/23.3" per turn. Wish they made it in a Fuego CT to save some cash.

X2, I think I have 2 of these lures that never have been used. Also 2 Lucky Craft wake baits.

SSSSSSHHHHH. Do not let the secret out, hardly anybody fishes these very effective lures anymore.

I wish they still made the old school bus yellow spinnerbaits, I did better than with chartreuse.

I like the white colored ones on a cloudy morning or maybe chartreuse if water is stained. Of course black at night or muddy water.

My Kaenons with a Trivex lens were just as good at looking in the water as my Costa 580Gs, but had better protection like my Wiley x pair. So to me find a pair of Kaenons or Smith Optics or Costa prescription glasses that have the Trivex lens.

My flyer says from the 13th-26th you cant get a Johnny Morris spinning reel and a Fenwick HMG rod for $129.97 a $70 saving, or the Carbonlite casting combo for $189.98 a $50 saving.

A 6'8-10" rod is best if you can only have 1 or 2 rods.

Actually the crappie sale ends Feb12th, so surprised the spring classic is not for a month.

Yes it is JDM, but probably makes an appearance in the US soon.

Ye Old Tackle Box in North Webster IN is a good one to look around in . I have not been there for a few years but they use to have all the BPS stuff that was new old stock at a discounted price. Found quite a few discontinued lures there, but again it's been awhile but I assume it is still worth checking out.

I'm with @Tennessee Boy too, I have several Falcon Lowrider rods and will no longer buy new ones. Was Falcon bought out by Pure Fishing like All Star or something to that effect? Guess I'll stick to St Croix or maybe the BPS Patriot ones if they ever make a full grip one.

I have both a Fuego ct and a SLX. Both are great but I would pick the Fuego for the heavier line/lures for Froggin, and i would go 7.3-1 for gear ratio.

I have a SLX great reel at the price point, so is the Daiwa Fuego which I also have, trading up for either is a good choice IMO.

I always thought a bottom crawling jig would be best on spinning gear but I suck at casting spinning gear, no accuracy at all. I think that is why alot of us just go with baitcasters unless it is a really light lure/light line deal.

The PQ has a good rep. The PQ2 does not.

Plus some rod manufacturers rate rods funky. I have All Star and Falcon rods that have a lighter MH and a heavier MH.

I would say Tatula, but the refurbished Pflueger Patriarch XT for $125 at ffo tackle seems like the best deal.

If you do not mind the cost go with the regular Sunline Defier for long casts. For less money the McCoys mentioned is pretty good.

I use to have a gold xt30, the model they made like 5 years ago. Great reel, unfortunately knocked it in Geist Reservoir this spring. I think mine had an aluminum handle.

I like their Redhead clothing line when it is on sale. I have said this before wish they would bring back the Daiwa made for Cabelas reels like the Arachnid a blue Tatula R. The regular SLX is a good reel, you can always add the extra bearing and nothing wrong with the old brake style.

Shimano SLX reel