zell_pop1

Just go with the standard $99 SLX and get two of them in different gear ratios. The old VBS brakes work great.

I often use War Eagle's 5/16 finesse SB, they also have a 3/16 one you might try. As others have said Stanley has a 1/8 one that is good.

Nice review. I have a similar set up for crappie myself. 6'6" St Croix Premier L 2 piece rod 1000 series Shimano Spirex 6lb PLine CX Works just fine.

Look at inshore LP reels if you need more line capacity like the Penn Squall 200.

Try this for a good casting mono

The BPS Inshore Extreme is pretty good for $100, it has dual brakes. With 7ft rod and 15lb Berkely Fluroshield line it seemed to cast a 1/4 Yo Zuri inshore popper just fine.

Improved clinch is normally as strong or stronger than Palomar knot, some slick lines though like Suffix Siege tend to slip use the similar Trilene knot on those.

Get a good Trivex lens and you have the best of both worlds-lightweight and strong like polycarbonate but nearly as clear and scratch proof as glass. Costa prescription glasses are Trivex.

Put them both on a lake they have not seen and take their electronics away and Clunn would own Lee.

Yes those were real sleepers, I had the mostly orange one DSG sold as an exclusive-great reel, aluminum frame and like 50/60 bucks. The Daiwa Coastal Airds I have are real good reels too, even with composite frames I think they are great

If you go to ST Croix's retired rod section you can still get a 7' Avid MHXF or a 7' Avid X MHF casting rod for $175

X2

I had one that was ML 1/4-5/8 from 2005ish and 6''6". Good blade bait rod, and really more like what I would call a true M.

If you like your Falcon rod great, for me I would rather spend more and have less and get quality US made stuff, plus in the case of Falcon or others I feel for those that lost their job to "offshoring" as I did.

X3 Of course a used US made Lowrider should be not too hard to find for under $100.

I am not brand loyal I have or have had reels from all the different manufacturers. I do buy Daiwa more than any other brand though. BTW yes Doyo makes some Daiwa reels but I believe just low end stuff like the CA-80.

Gamma copoly is very good line, I use it.

One knockers and all year long over rattling baits or silent ones in clear water especially in summertime.

YZH is not a big diameter line among copolys, that is a recurring myth I read on here. YZH 12 lb test line is .013" which is pretty standard. Matter of fact some lines that are popular like Suffix Siege and Big Game are .014" for 12 lb test.

But even that was not unusual. Just looking at my 06 BPS catalog so did under $100 reels like Daiwa's Procaster series of reels and Pflueger's Trion series.

6.3 gear ratio was pretty much standard back then not "blistering speed", but tackletour always were biased for Japan made reels.

I would have to dig em out to be sure but the DT20s I have look like the bill on the left and they were bought when they 1st came out. I have had the DT bills break but only on smaller plugs DT-6 or DT Thug.

Good to hear you will be back in business, I guess the Pflueger brand name is just not getting any qc anymore. The gold Supreme XT reel and the Asaro baitcaster I had were both as good as the Shimano/Daiwas I had at the same msrp of $129.99, sad to see Pflueger become junk status.

I have been using Berkely Fluroshield and it's very good all purpose line.

I believe the 3DR stands for real, the 3DB big and the 3DS small.