Tywithay

The rod would 100% be a 6'7" medium *** for me. Nothing else is close for $100. I'd probably put a 2500 Stradic FJ on it with the remaining money. You can put it together for $225ish during sales or ebay.

I like 6lb fluoro.

Those Zillions are very stout, it'll fish more like a heavy. It'd make a nice jig/t-rig rod in tight quarters where a longer rod won't work as well. Would also handle heavier spinnerbaits pretty well.

I think I've used just about every reel in this price range. The best all around, in my opinion, is the Shimano Curado I series. Others may be a better value, but I think it tops the performance in that range.

There's a lot of guys out there that can work on reels, instead of using the warranty. Most of the JDM reels share internal parts with a US counterpart. You might not be able to send it to Shimano, but I wouldn't worry about warranty too much.

It's not "so cheap now," it has been discontinued in the US, so they're on closeout.

I like the smallest size I can get away with for line capacity. No reason to have added heft or size, because they're all capable as far as torque and power.

I have an ultralight and a ML at all time. I've added a lot of weight to the boat using drop shots and light jigs, in certain conditions.

I love the Sustain, but it's not worth it over the CI4+. Only differences are aluminum vs. CI4+ and a bearing under the spool.

If you had a beautiful girl, would you just let her sit there and never touch her? Fish it like you stole it.

I didn't particularly care for the reel, but I'd buy another for $75 and give it a chance. Some deals are just too good to pass up. I'm assuming this is the blue Patriarch and not the new one?

If you're paying that much for the spool, I'd shop somewhere else.

Have a Ted Williams baitcaster from Sears in the 70s. Made in Japan, back when that was worse than being made in China.

I don't know if money is an issue, but Megabass just released a new honeycomb spool that would fit. The Zillion PE spool works well too, because it's pretty shallow.

I like the feel of the material, but don't like the shape. I also found it to be way too short for the rod I had (7'1" Med). Don't really care for the skeleton seat either. The exposed threads above the reel seat make it difficult to get a finger on the blank and end up being pretty uncomfortable after a day of fishing. I loved the blank, but ultimately sold the rod because it just wasn't functional for me.

80mm

The only difference is a slightly different metal with corrosion-resistant coating, a sealed clutch, and some blue parts; between the original smoke and smoke inshore anyway. They weigh about the same, same drag, etc., and the smaller sizes will work fine for bass fishing. The new Smoke has a few differences, but it's not a huge difference either.

Right now, the Zillion is the best reel under $250.

I use 11lb Defier Armilo. Your favorite mono in .025-.028 diameter should work well. I would stay away from fluoro because it will drag the front down, since it sinks. Stay away from braid because it won't give when you get a bite and you'll miss a bunch because you rip it away before they have it.

I know what you mean. I started with a handful, then went to a shed full, and now have a garage full. Oh well, I don't have anything better to spend my money on.

It's close at the sale price, and it's a much better line than sniper.

That last bit is pretty subjective, because I can't stand the flat paddles. I ended up putting Abu knobs on my Lews.

Oh. I really like that particular model for squarebills and spinnerbaits. I found it a little slow for jigs.

What techniques do you use the Tatula for?

Boom!