skeletor6

Have you tried Daiwa Samurai? I feel this line is much nicer than both 832 and PP Super 8. It doesn't cost much more than 832 if you get it online. I changed out all my braid setups to Samurai and took off 832 in doing so and have no regrets.

Not for moving baits. If it dealt with any bottom contact presentation then I would say the extra money is worth it, but with that style presentation there is a lower demand for the rod to be sensitive and perform accordingly. If you are looking to venture into that price range, the money will be better spent on a rod for bottom contact presentations. Your avid is a nice rod for moving baits already, I see no need to upgrade.

The 51e would be better imho. I haven't used the Lexa but a smaller spool aids in casting lighter stuff. Part of your casting problems could be because of your rod. Some just don't load 1/4oz baits well. I thought I couldn't cast the lighter stuff well until I paired it with a rod made for it. I can easily cast 1/4oz on a curado 200e just because of the rod. Also check out Glenn's video on the subject if you haven't seen it. It may give you a few pointers. The rod, reel, and your technique are all important to light weight casting efficiency.

Seriously, my MH Berkely lighting shock rod says it can do over an ounce I believe. Not even close To the op, I side with the public. Your biggest issue will be casting. A fish weighs well over your rod rating and it wont break your rod. So that bait shouldn't.

Yeah and that belly kills sensitivity because the line is so slack and braid does not transmit slack line sensitivity anyways. On that note, fluorocarbon will belly somewhat just not anywhere near the extent that braid does because the line is much denser and it sinks. Much better overall feel imho.

While TT review is nice. It does not include seaguar tatsu a line very promising in just about every category. Furthermore, I have had 0 knot issues to date with FC. I agree that the cheaper stuff is problematic, but fluorocarbon itself offers slack line sensitivity and does not belly on the water or in the wind. It is a big deal to me to be able to feel slack line strikes and for my line to sink readily creating a more linear connection from rod to lure.

Premium fluoro. Either tatsu or shooter. My rods give me all the feel I could ever want.

Mono for topwaters, jerkbaits, other floating lures. Can also use for cranks and spinnerbaits, but Seaguar invizx and tatsu does well in that area too. Braid for frogs only High Grade Fluoro for everything else. You cant beat it. Perfect feel throughout the entire casting and retrieving process. Is great in the wind, works for all water clarities, doesnt dig, high abrasion resistance, it sinks, etc

And all the posts about how the z-bones are perfectly balanced, extremely sensitive, and are works of art when it comes to craftsmanship. Glad to hear the other side and some feedback in regards to their Customer Service.

I would say your ideology is correct. Spend less on moving bait/jerkbait/topwater rods and spend as much as you can on bottom contact rods where ever bit of sensitivity aids to the presentation and performance.

Are you considering the swivel because of line twist? If so, I would go with whatever connection knot you are confident with, I personally prefer the alberto and get yourself a VMC Spinshot dropshot hook, it will eliminate the line-twist issue and is a great hook for dropshotting. Also, you can throw on a 4lb mono line from the hook to the weight and if you get hung up, you will only lose the weight and not the hook and bait.

NRX 893c paired with a Curado 50e

Ebay

No reason to get two MBR843's. If I were you I would skip out on the 804c and get a MBR844 to complimennt the 843. Both are very versatile rods and can handle bottom contact applications and are good spinnerbait rods a s well. Use the 843 for the lighter stuff and the 844 for the heavier stuff, pretty simple.

Just wanted to add, you can go out and get a nice finesse casting reel, but if you don't have the right rod it won't matter. You need something that has a soft enough tip to load an 1/8oz bait well.

Not only does a lighter spool help, but also a spool with lower line capacity. As mentioned prior, the Daiwa Sol is the best option if you can find one. It outcasts my Curado 50e's in the lightweight department. Daiwa is really the innovator for finesse casting equipment. Another option that I have not explored, but seems to be reviewed fairly well is the Daiwa Lexa 100's. Someone who owns one might chime in for how it performs in the lightweight department.

Money is different to everyone. I would suspect someone spending $100 on a rod "cares" about how it performs. Clearly, the OP stated that he cared. Furthermore, rods in the $100 range have a very tough time comparing to what you will find in the $200 range sensitivity wise. I can feel much more on my cumara then say my powell max and the powell max is a decent rod for its price. OP, if you are really looking to get a sensitive rod for your money the ~$200 price range is where its at. Avids, Phenix M1/Recons, Dobyns Champions, Cumaras, etc. They all use noticeably better blanks, guides, components and have warranties that you will actually want to utilize if something goes wrong. If you take a little bit of time, be patient and search the flea market here, wait for deals/closeouts/sales you can find these rods for not much more than $120 and you will have a rod that gives enjoyable amounts of sensitivity and performance.

Chose the PQ combo for the same reason.

3/8 is my most common. I actually prefer to go down to 1/4oz if the 3/8 is not working for me. I have more confidence with the smaller jig heads, but then again, I am not catching large fish.

Great Post.....Thank you

1.) Flip-n-Swim 2.) Brush Head/Alien Head 3.) Arkie Head

Shakespeare rods when I thought that a reel was everything and a rod was unimportant. Wow has that changed

I say go with a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth M/XF or ML/F depending on the power you want. These are very light and sensitive rods that fish well above their price point and can be had new for right around $100 shipped.

The Chronarch E7 is an excellent reel. IMHO the best sub $200 reel retail. Unfortunately, the Abu Garcia C4 is a reel in a whole different ballpark. Its frame is far different from the Chronarchs and to compare the two side by side is not fair to either reel.. Whether you will be satisfied or not will be completely subjective to you individually.My opinion is that ff you go into the C4 expecting the performance of the E7 you will probably be disappointed, but the C4 is half the price so rightfully so.

Definitely worth it. I could go on a rant why, but the search feature is good for that. Most reliable? Without a doubt seaguar, they control all the manufacturing processes in the manufacturing of their lines. The variance in line diameter between spools is incredibly low.