Tywithay

JapanLureShop has them for $341+shipping, which usually runs about $20. Only downfall is the Type R looks better. Performance is the same.

I think they feel a little heavy and dead. Was well built and I really liked the long handle, with the TAC cork. Not a bad rod for moving baits. I ended up putting a Tatula on mine and it balances fairly well, bout the middle of the foregrip. I use it for catfish now, because it didn't really have a place in my bass arsenal. I think it's pretty comparable to a St Croix Premier, though I prefer the TAC cork over the real cork on the Premier. Premier might be a touch lighter too, likely due to the density of the cork.

Tatula.

Jackall Bling 55 - ghost shad

Braid is easy to "snap," especially the thin stuff like 20lb. It's difficult to break. Two different things. If you tie two sinkers about a foot apart with braid and snap it real quickly, you can get it pretty easily, if you hold those two sinkers out and just start pulling; good luck.

There are already several ultralight baitcasting options on the market. They're not highly marketed, especially in the US, because they're expensive. The precision needed to make the ultralight spools costs way too much to put in affordable reels.

It's a little stiff for dropshot, in my opinion. I feel it's more suited for shakyhead and weightless plastic. It is capable of dropshot though. If it's a good price, it's a great rod regardless, and you'd enjoy it.

It's not fragile, per say. The warning is for folks that might work on their reels or are careless. If you drop the twing on the ground and nick it, it can damage the line. Under normal conditions, it's a solid piece of metal, and as fragile as a piece of metal would be.

I'd be more interested if they had decent guides. Not a huge fan of the look, but I can get past that. The guides are a deal breaker for me. Kind of interested to see what Powell comes up with next though.

I'd like to know how it compares to some of the good rods in that price range.

Most Legend Xtreme models are under $400 and they're comparable to the NRX at $550ish. The GLX is closer to the Legend Tournament blank, in my experience. The main point of my post was that you get some value from St Croix, while Loomis you're paying a premium, with little value for your dollar. Those TFO rods have some design input from Gary Loomis, but he's not involved in the actual company or process.

Having owned all of them you're speaking of, the Z2020 will outcast those DC reels.

They're priced way better than Loomis though. Loomis you're solely paying for the name. St Croix offers comparable rods at nearly half the cost.

I had one of the previous model, but haven't tried one of the new ones. They're not really on "sale" though. Cabela's always has them listed as being marked down, because they're an exclusive rod made for Cabela's. They're decent beater rods. They're not really light, sensitive, or any of that; they're durable and can catch fish though.

15lb Invizx is a great all around choice. I use 15lb Tatsu on a few rods. Have a couple spools of 15lb Invizx in my bag for backup. I've had fluorocarbon on a couple reels for multiple years, with zero issues. It will work just fine.

Lexa 300

I have shorter rods for when I have to weave in and out of treelines. My longer rods are for open banks and max distance.

You have to pay tax on it too.

Lot of folks use a mono leader as a shock absorber to keep their braid from snapping. It will work fine.

I like magnetic, but only Daiwa. With the MagZ, I can set it and forget it. I actually have to go out of my way to try to backlash them. Very easy system to use. Never had much luck with centrifugal brakes, though the SVS Infinity system is winning me over.

Legend Tournament is an SCIVElite uses SCV, but it is not the same as the Extreme. The Extreme features TET technology. They use the same base material though. The guides are not the same either. The LT uses alconite guides, while the other two use SiC guides. I personally think it's worth the money. The SCV blanks are among the very best. They're a good bit more sensitive than the IV. I prefer the Elite because I hate the handles on the Extreme and Legend Tournament. Much prefer the full cork, but that's just a personal preference.

Give them a quick once over after each use to remove any standing sediments. Then I tear each reel down to the frame during the winter for a full cleaning. Only do a breakdown mid-season if something feels rough. I fish about 5 days a week.

I got a considerable amount more distance with my Tatula Type R. That was my reason for selling the Curado. I know a lot of other folks prefer the Curado. I'm just more comfortable with the MagZ system and it's easier for me to use.

Sounds as though it's dug in to the spool.

Did you remove the sideplate and turn off the centrifugal brakes?