TNBassin'

I don't think I've ever seen anyone put reel grips over the Shimano grips before lol.

Rain and wind are manageable, but it makes re rigging a PITA and here we always seem to have lighting. No fun holding a graphite rod on an aluminum boat.

Try to find a MH-XF rod. I really think that will work well for you, as I too mostly throw 1/2oz jigs with mine. I have a 7'2 Shimano Crucial FWIW.

You sir, are my new hero.

Is it a MH-XF?

Ugly Stick, broom stick...same sensitivity. At least go with a Lightning Rod or a Berkley Cherrywood over the Stick.

Off with his head!!!!!

I have no experience with heavy rods, but I do own a few jig rods that are MH-XF. I don't think the medium action of that rod would be ideal for your application honestly, especially with 1/2oz jigs on a rod that is rated for 3/4-2oz. MH-XF rods have proven ideal for myself and many others on here, but let's hear what others have to say on here before you return that rod.

Nailed it. My experience with 4 Revo S models I had, though my STX never developed this issue. And to the OP, IMO I'd go with a Tatula over the SX. Daiwa's Magforce Z braking system is much better and user friendly than the Magtrax system on the Revo SX, though the SX isn't awful by any means. That being said, I feel that centrifugal braking systems are much more user friendly than any of the mag only systems.

BOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Just kidding. It's your money bro. Spend on what YOU like and what YOU want. We'll be here to give you advice when you ask for it. Tight lines.

I love fishing them. I use the SK swim jigs with either a havoc subwoofer, rage tail menace, or rage grub as the trailer. My top three are black and blue, blue gill, and sexy chartreuse. Very versatile bait and it's fun to use. I also use some swim jigs from a local company here from bumpkinjigs.com. They are very well made, and have great colors. Some that I've never seen before but work awesome.

Wouldn't just having one brake on disturb the balance of the spool?

Quantum's flagship reel is the EXO or the KVD reel?

I just don't really pay attention to who uses what in fishing.

I noticed he does this a lot on MLF. He was plugging his Smoke reel, and like you said he goes back to just fishing. Having to pimp your sponsors seems like a double edged sword, but you gotta do it if you wanna be a pro I guess.

I still have a 7" MH Vengeance casting rod. I gave it to my girlfriend when I got my Crucials, but it's held up well and is well made for a $50 rod. There are plenty of good choices at your price point, especially if you can catch a good sale going on. I'd say a Veritas or even a Clarus on sale would be the way to go if you shop around.

For the THREE reasons I stated above. This forum is head over heels for them, they are in the OP's price range, and Tackle Tour just gave that reel a great review. Perhaps I'll type my posts in crayon for you next time. Just because I've yet to have the time out on the water with mine, doesn't mean there aren't quite a few long time and knowledgeable members on here that haven't. They've all given their stamp of approval on the Curado I.

Tommy Biffle, Gary Klein, KVD...who else uses Quantum? Besides Ike using Abu, and Cliff using Shimano, I can't really think of anyone off the top of my head who uses what. I think Takahiro Omori uses Daiwa and so does Ish. And I honestly never see Abu commercials anymore, and thankfully I don't see Zona and Mercer Shimano commercials anymore either. Quantum commercials and ads I've seen always seem pretty well done.

Well for $179 you can get a Curado I, so I wouldn't even look at either one of those. I've yet to fish the 3 I own, but apparently according to these forums they are the second coming, and Tackle Tour just gushed over them.

Lol. Any time I see your name I know that I will see the words "Duckett" and "White Ice". You can say the same for me and the Crucial.

I guess the fishing world isn't really like any of the other sports when it comes to having the big names pimp your gear. Having KVD as the face of your brand isn't gonna move rods and reels the same way having MJ wear your company's sneakers, but I figured it would help a little. I don't think I've ever bought a rod or reel because a certain pro uses it, but I've tried lures that the big name guys have used to win tourneys though. Still, I honestly don't see what Quantum is missing that makes them SEEMINGLY less popular than Shimano/Lews/Abu/and even Bass Pro Qualifiers.

Shimano oil? Pennzoil Platinum should do the trick!

No I really didn't. I was watching some MLF on my laptop and saw Biffle using the EXO gear and got me to thinking about how I never see anyone on here talk about Quantum much.

Maybe it's just this site, but Quantum fans are few and far between. They seem to actively market their gear more aggressively than any of the other reel manufacturers, and with KVD on board they pretty much have the Michael Jordan of fishing as they face of their brand. What is it about Quantum that seemingly makes it the black sheep of the big boys?

Rain I don't mind, but lightning deters me every time. Plus its about 93 here so rain gear in that heat for me isn't real inviting.