jtesch

Tried them all. So far Samurai is the best I've ever used. One thing to remember is Samurai tests out right at its pound test. That is why it is a little smaller than power pro or suffix. So 30# is really 30# not 40 like the others. Get the samurai, spray it with some reel magic and life is good. By the way Kanzen is awful, Took it off one day after I put it on. I have no problem with power pro or suffix, Samurai is just better. Really want to try the 15# on my spinning reels but the lighter the test the more expensive it gets. Hope this helps

Like to here feedback from the MGX owners out their. I have 2 and think they are fantastic. Was out yesterday at a cooling lake by me, air temp at 22 degrees and just firing casts with the mgx and realized I had been playing with them during the off season. Took a look and I had the cast control turned to the lowest setting and the spool tension so loose the spool was actually rattling when I cast. But I was still able to fire casts as hard as I could. I just can't believe how good these reels are. Just waiting to see if they will stand the test of time. Anyhow, please let me know if any owners out there have any different opinions or if you guys are with me on these thoughts.

Pretty sure the Tierra is just a repackaged non super-tuned Advantage. In my opinion the Advantage 153HST would be worth the extra cash

Tacklewharehouse.com has a 7'4" Shimano Cumara CUC-74 heavy on clearance for $129 right now. Havn't used this one but I have 3 other Cumaras and they are great rods with lifetime warrenty. it will be a stout rod but great for pitching in heavy cover. Also I have ordered from TWH and they have great service.

I think the closest rod to compare it to is the Shimano crucials, same light weight and crisp action all the way to the tip. I think you will find it a great rod for the money. Match it with a nice light reel and it will be a pleasure to fish with.

I've got the gen 2 premier and the Chronarch and hands down the revo is a better reel. It's smoother, better drag and casts way better. Once it's dialed in it's almost impossible to backlash. Don't get me wrong the Shimano is a great reel, it just feels like a $200 reel. As for the Revo it is much more refined like a reel in the $300-$350 class. I also have the Revo MGX and honestly I think the gen 2 Premier is nearly as good.

Only suggestion is try going a little shorter for your pitching rod. I started out the same way using 7'6" and 7'11" rods and found I'm much more accuret and can pitch farter with a 6'8" or 7'2" rod, maybe it's just me

I have the Curado and the Revo sx. Like the Curado much better. In my opinion the sx's magnetic cast control system is crap. I just can't get it dialed in and have to baby it when I cast, and I hate fishing that way. Get the curado, clean the bearings and hit them with a little Hot sauce or Reel butter and you will have a good work horse reel. On a side note if you can go $200 and BPS still still has some Revo premiers left thats your best bet. Twice the reel for the money

Don't rule out the Revo Premier, great reel for the money and the Core is a great choice.

I have several of the carbonlite trigger rods and think they are a steal for the money. Got to be the lightest rod made in this price range and they handle like a much more expensive rod. As for a reel maybe look at Diawa Tierra or the Quantum in the $90 range I think it's the Accurist. It's been my experience that cheaper BPS reels are just that, cheap reels. Even the Carbonlite reels at $120 are not very well made in my opinion.

I have the newer version and I think the magnetic brake system they use sucks. I'm not a revo basher as I love my Premier and mgx but as someone who used Daiwa's for many years the SX'S brakes are crap and if you usually cast really hard the reel is almost uncontrolable. Just my opinion

you can get a revo mgx on ebay for around 250 now or a revo premier for 200 from BPS. I have one of each on crucials and love them. The shimanos are such light rods that the Revos just seem to match up better. I've used both Curados and Chronarchs on them and like the feel of the Revos a lot more. Never used the Core but I bet it would be one sweet setup.

I've fished with the wave spin a couple of times and I hate it. I think it's just a gimmick reel at best. I just got a Daiwa Aird as a throw in the truck reel and for 80 bucks it's a great reel but a Shimano in the 100 dollar range is your best bet. As for a rod I have a couple of Crucials and they are awsome rods. I also have St. Croix Rage, Avid, and Legend tourny and I'll take the Crucial over all of them. Don't get me wrong the Croixs are great rods but the Shimano's are in a class all there own for bang for your buck. Back to the Wave reel, Don't do it. The spool cuts casting distance and the reel has a knack for getting the line caught under the spool which is my pet peave in spinning reels. I know it happens but the Wave was way worse at it than any other reel I've fished. Just a thought, the Daiwa tournament ss reel will last you 20 years if you can handle the worm drive system in it.

Abu veritas the the microguides is a steal for the money. If weight is an issue the Crucial is a great rod I like it more than my St. croix rage and honestly the BPS carbonlite is a really nice rod for 79 bucks right now. I have a couple of them and they feel alot like the Crucials. The Veritas is a little heavier but still a great rod and would be perfect for fishing with reaction lures as you don't need a super sensitive rod and 100 bucks for a rod with SIC guides c'mon

I have the mgx and love it. I can back of all the cast controls and still let it fly with no problems. I can pitch 20 feet farther with the mgx than I can with my chronarchs. I have the revo sxhs and hate hate hate the reel so it took alot for me to drop 325 on the mgx but after using it i'm glad I did

I have 2 of the Signatures and like then alot. Much smoother than the carbonlites and I think the overall fit and finish is much better. Played with the carbonlites quite a bit and just couldn't get past the sloppy and rough feel of the reel. In my opinion the signatures are a great reel for the money my only concern is how long they last. I have heard they have an issue with the clutch breaking so I guess time will tell. As for now I'm happy, I have a couple of the new chronarchs and the signatures feel very similer to me and I think that says alot