Arv

I prefer full grips, but, like you said, it is personal preference.

x3

Welcome to the boards! Can you clarify what high border vegetation means? If you're throwing into grass then a medium heavy rod is the lightest I would go. Personally I like a longer rod, at least 7 ft. Also, a rod primarily for plastics and spinners will most likely not be ideal for cranks.

What size ika is that?

Hmmm, I've never fished blade baits but since you plan on using them in open water I don't know that the weight will be much of an issue. I have thrown a 1/2oz red eyed shad before on my 742 and I thought it was fine. I would lean more towards the 742 personally. It's a fun rod to fish.

x2 Not that the Lews is a bad reel, but if you're anything like me, the minute you get the Lews you're going to be wondering how much nicer the Shimano would have been. I bought a lot of good gear only to turn around and sell it for better gear. Just my 2 cents.

I mostly do it for abrasion resistance and breaking off if needed. Sometimes its a confidence thing if I feel like braid is spooking fish, but thats rarely the case

New favorite is a rage grub

Jig

Very nice looking rod. I really like the wraps on the guides. The green and gold looks sharp imo

Lol, best brands... You're going to get every different rod company out there. It will wind up being a popularity contest, especially if you don't give a price range, and even still it will be a popularity contest. That doesn't mean the rods aren't good, they usually are, but again, without giving a price you're going to get everywhere from 50-500$ rods. With that said my favorite is a Dobyns champ extreme.

7 m/f

Lots of wacky rigging/flick shaking for me

Also a good point. I've heard a bunch of ttestimonies from people where they void the warranty by breaking the rod by their own doing, telling the company they broke the rod by their own doing and the company still honors the warranty. Does it make the customer happy? sure. Does it put the company in a position similar to what may have brought shimano to eliminate the lifetime warranty? maybe. Not trying to state "facts" as these are only my speculations.

I agree that the problems with manufacturing will more than likely show up in the first year. I've only ever broken one rod which was totally my fault. I do think the price of the rod should reflect whether or not the warranty is included, as others have stated. In saying this, I'm hopeful that the Cumara might drop in price since the lifetime warranty will not be a service provided anymore. I doubt it though.

Don't care. I have both full and split. As long as the rod is built well it doesn't bother me

I'm curious as to how much the worm weighs. It is a big worm, though not very thick from what I remember. Some worms like the Rage Thumper, if I'm not mistaken, weigh almost 1/2oz or so. Adding a 1/4oz weight to that puts you up around 3/4oz which I would want a MH rod for personally. You may try it out on the Med power rod and see how you like it. If you need to switch to another rod, then switch to another rod.

10-4. Thanks.

Sorry for the potentially "duh" question, but does this mean that the Cumara A will no longer have the lifetime warranty? Not complaining, just wanting to clarify.

I don't recall if this happens, but do companies like TW pick up rep samples after ICAST?

Depends on the rod I guess. I don't really think I have any technique specific rods as far as some of the companies out there have taken the concept. I had one worm and jig spinning rod from the new cumara a series until my wife broke the butt. We got it repaired and now its her rod and all she throws are senkos, so I guess she uses technique specific rods for their intended purpose. I'm kind of rambling. My answer is no. I use rods for whatever I want.

Frog or toad. Rage Shad would be another option

Thanks for the pic! Do you have any comparison of the new Team Lite's size to the current Tournament Pro? My guess is that the reel would be capable of casting lighter things like weightless senkos and 1/4oz jigs/trigs. Any info on its casting capabilities in regards to weights? Thanks!

My guess either will be fine.

X2