Tywithay

I prefer a spiral wrap for weight reduction. I'd much rather use less guides than smaller guides.

The Micro Magic I replaced the guides on for a friend had 3mm. Just doesn't work in a KS summer, when the cottonwoods make the water nasty.

Depends how micro. Something like a Fuji K-Series is acceptable. Those tiny guides on some of the Ducketts are just ignorant.

***.

Depends if you prefer action or sensitivity.

Zbone 7'0" ML. It's as sensitive as an NRX, with a better action.

That's because internally they're pretty much identical. The money in the core is for the magnesium frame.

http://www.kistlerrods.com/

I got my Tatula from TW and it's flawless build quality. I've been very pleased with it.

Really nice reels. I really like the 50. Know where a nice deal is on some too.

It's a standard Fuji Ti-SiC. Looks kind of like a TFST from pictures, but hard to tell.

If this was 2010, I'd agree. The new Crucials are not $150....and they're not very good rods.

Tatula, by far. I'd spend another $20 and get a KLX though, given the choice.

I agree.

That sale is usually during the classic. I'm hoping they have it again myself.

I don't believe so, but the DC reel is a part of the Platinum service plan for life, I believe.

The 250DC will hold almost 140 yards of 50lb braid. If you can cast that far, I'd like to shake your hand

For the money you're spending, you can get a brand new Calcutta 250DC on ebay that will blow away the Conquest and has a warranty. Identical performance, but casts twice as good.

Depends if you get an F4 or F6, but at 2lb diameter, you could get well over 100 yards on either spool.

At 20% off, you can get the US Metanium for $336 from TW, with a warranty. JDM reels do not have a US warranty, and have to be sent back to Japan.

It's not 300/400, but the best round reel is a Pluton. It can handle those baits with ease.

The Metanium will throw anything and everything, the exception maybe being huge swimbaits, or musky type stuff. Aaron Martens uses the 8.1 Metanium for crankbaits, without a problem. I think they're one of the finer reels ever made. The price on amazon is about right, compared to the lower priced JDM sites. They're a great deal for under $320 shipped.

The spool is held stationary by a shaft and cannot wobble (forward and back, I know some left-to-right is acceptable), so balance is a non-issue. I do agree that changing to a different shoe every few outings will reduce the amount of wear on each brake over time. Keeping everything oiled properly will help too.

Doyo is a reel manufacturing company that produces reels for several well-knowm companies.

I've got a custom Deputy and Dragger. Dang fine rods.