rangerjockey

I use the 853, makes a great senko/fluke rod.. I also fish jigs up to 1/2 with it but I really like it best in the 5/16-3/8's range...I'm sure the 893 is great also but I personally find the extra length a bit cumbersome as I use it to pitch boat stalls and walkways quite a bit...

I'm a fan of the mojo glass big crankster.. It takes at least 3/8 oz to load it but for the Norman NXS and DD22, 6XD ect. It casts and fishes great.

straight flouro here..

I would go with the Daiwa, Another thing to consider is you can find the Lexa on sale for 99 bucks. A great reel for that money.

If I had to pick one I'd say medium/fast but it depends a lot on the maker... I have a new IMX TWR 802 that seems like it's going to work great for vision 110's and pointers . It has a quick tip but a softer mid section and a short handle.

The only time I like to go much over 7ft. is for a deep crankbait rod.. Most of my jig/plastic rods are 7 ft or 7ft 1.. I have a new IMX TWR 802 for topwater and stickbaits ,it's a great, well balanced rod but at 6ft 8 I wouldn't want it any longer for those uses.

Keitechs and zoom swimmin fluke jr's. also the money minnow works well.

I've been using Defier and really like it. Very little memory and handles great.

I keep it pretty simple, I've been through the braid and leader deal as well as flouro. I've settled on 6lb. bass pro excel mono. it's cheap enough to change once a week or so and handles great.

I buy most of mine from a Local guy here on Table Rock . If I buy any from the store it's War Eagle.

I really like the NRX 803 and 853 . 3/8 oz. is about right in the sweet spot for them but I have no problem fishing a 1/2 oz jig and trailer with either... If you like the extra length go with the 893..

I use a Yamamoto 7ft medium with a Saros and 6lb mono.. I use 3/16's the majority of the time .. that set up has been money in the bank for me... The rods aren't very expensive but I really like the action.

Any mono or copoly will work, Personally I dont use braid so I stick with Defier or super natural.

War Eagle.. in particular the screamin' eagle.

Personally I stay away from EWG's as much as I can unless the thickness of the bait forces me to. For worms in general I like the Trokar straight shank light wire with the keeper. i believe it's tk180.

11lb defier here as well.. If i go to flouro, 8 or 10lb sniper.

I'm a fan of the NRX as well, Although I like the shorter version better. My personal favorite in the 853. Just a superb jig/plastics rod. in the 3/8-1/2 range.

I agree with iabass, I think in general Dobyns makes a nice rod but the saavy wouldn't be my first choice for bottom contact .. There are a lot of good rods in the sub 200 range. The KLX comes to mind.

I would say they're worth 25 bucks or so each, Still not a bad rod but they just don't carry the value of the Houston Rods.. But it's a nice group that you could do most anything with.... The TWS actually makes a nice wiggle wart / bandit 300 rod as well.. If they get you on the water and you enjoy it then I would say they are worth it.

You wont be sorry. I use the 10 and 12 lb. on my Jig rods. I've never used it on a spinning rod but I'm sure it would be fine. It's pricey but lasts well. If it starts to get nicked up I just cut it off at the backing knot and turn it around.

If I had to guess from the picture those aren't Houston models, the foregrip looks newer to me .. But still worth a look ..

The Houston made rods, at least the ones I have, have a charcoal colored blank with maroon colored wraps..They will be labeled Houston TX. . I believe Trey Kistlers Dad was one of the owners of the original company.. They were sold to shakespeare , I believe, sometime in the 90's..

If they are the older models that were made in Houston they are still a good rod. I have both the BCM6 and the zell rowland TWS and still use them both for Topwater and smaller crankbait rods.. The BCM6 makes a nice 1/4 -3/8 oz spinnerbait rod. I would guess I bought mine about 25 years ago.

I saw where American Legacy has them for $99.99.. It's been 25 years or so since I bought a quantum product but for half price I'm really tempted.

War Eagle , and Ernest Langly ( E&l JIGS) also makes a nice one.