Tywithay

I just like to catch fish. Never noticed the rod.

I found the same. I'd never spend the money for another IMX, when the Kistler KLX is lighter, more sensitive, and better balanced; plus over $100 cheaper. There's much better options out there, unless you want to pay for a name.

Braid: eh. Fluorocarbon: Tie between Tatsu and Shooter Mono: Bawo Super Polyamide Plus Copoly: Defier

A 10lb fc like Sniper has roughly the same diameter as 8lb Floroclear. Even a 10lb line like Super Natural or Senshi would have a similar size difference. Any of these choices might add a couple feet.

I've found the opposite. Every time I find something I want, it's a lefty. Oh well...

I'd get a Curado 200I, especially with the memorial day sales coming up.

KLX and a Stradic is what I'd get. Best rod under $250 I've used, and I've used almost all of them. Stradics are smooth, powerful, and last a long time. Won't do much better for $300ish.

I change mono every winter, usually go two seasons on fluorocarbon; don't use braid. If needed, after a long break off or backlash, I'll change it. Those are very rare though, maybe one reel a year, if that.

I'd check your line roller to be sure it's functioning properly as well.

The rod is absolutely great. I know nothing about the reels. I know in the past I wasn't impressed with Lews spinning reel quality. The newer models are supposed be improved.

I use right hand with casting and spinning. I am naturally left handed, but after breaking my left wrist and a couple surgeries, I got pretty proficient with my right. I can still cast with both, but reeling is much easier with my right.

I do it by feel, but in testing I do about 1/3 of the line "diameter" breaking strength. I say diameter, because 50lb braid might have 12lb or 14lb diameter. I don't want to lock it down so I'll use 3-4lbs. I have one rod locked down and it's solely for frog fishing.

That reel is FAR too big for that rod. Biggest you'd need is a 30. The 60 would take 1000 yards of 15lb spiderwire.

Triumph, Mojo, and Rage are all made in Mexico; Premier in the US. I do find that the US rods have better build quality, but that's not to say the others are bad. Triumph rods are good rods for the money. They're not as light or as sensitive as some other rods in the price range, but the build quality is generally very good. I have a couple for catfish, when sensitivity isn't as paramount. They have held up really well. I think like folks say with G. Loomis, you're not really getting the "Loomis" experience until you get to the IMX line (I'd argue GLX myself, as the IMX didn't impress me); you're not getting the St Croix experience until you get to the Avid series. They compete favorably with just about any sub-$200 rod. Any of the Legends are just fantastic rods. The lower end rods are good, but there's options that are equal or better for the same money.

Can't speak for those particular models, but I was not impressed with the 873 CRR. The handle was too skinny and very short, plus the cork felt cheap; it was completely full of filler. It was extremely tip heavy as well, big no-no for a carolina rig rod. Sensitivity is kind of subjective, but it was about on par with my $150 Tatula rod. My KLX feels far lighter and more sensitive. Only good thing I can point to is the build quality, rod was flawless. I sold mine after using it for a few hours.

I've heard from a few people to fill the Tatula spool half full to keep the line from rubbing on the T-Wing when it is engaged for reeling. It was designed to touch the line to push it down into the groove. I have a few and they're all full of line, haven't had any issues. Having a half spool just leads to excess memory and loss of casting distance; no thanks.

I've caught 8" bass on a 12" worm and 8lb bass on a 4". When they're hungry, they don't care.

I really like EVA. Most cork today is junk and full of filler. EVA is easier to keep clean and lighter. I'm not a fan of split grips at all, but I definitely like a full EVA. I agree with the above, the denser the better. Not a fan of it when it's squishy. I will take cheap EVA over cheap cork though.

My recommendation would be a Sahara 2500, with a 7' med *** *** rod. It is just slightly above your budget, but there should be some good memorial day sales to take advantage of. I think you could get it cheaper if you look around. I think that's easily the best rod in the price range and the Sahara's are very good reels for the money as well.

It's not cheap, but 8lb Toray Bawo Super Polyamide Plus would be just the ticket, I think. It's supple and strong. It has this odd watermelon fluorescent color that blends quite well with most waters, but is still visible enough to line watch. I have it on a couple of my casting reels and it's one of my favorite monofiliaments. If you wanted the most supple line on the market, that'd be Sunline Defier. It has zero memory at all, period. However, it only comes in dark green and it's not always easy to see.

I like the Phenix Recon and M1 rods. There's a few models that can handle swimbaits, depending on the weight.

Which senko? I throw my 4" on a medium and big 7" on a medium heavy. Depending on the cover, I may power up to a heavy too.

Daiwa Exceler are nice little reels. I especially like the old model, but the new ones are nice and on sale as well. If you can find the old model with MagZ and free floating spool, they've been about $50 recently. Great reel for that price and easy to cast.

I'm a Tatsu man. Abrazx has too much memory, Invizx has too much stretch. Tatsu is hand-spun by Zeus from crystallized dragon tears.

It will work just fine with an aluminum spool.