GaterB

This is great. Gotta do this myself! I hate bothering family members and friends to hold line for me while I spool it on my reels

Jigs and Drop Shotting!

@Trey Harpel, Thanks! Probably going to make a T3 my go to reel for the majority of my fishing this year

Would you say the Tatula casts as well as the T3 with the new style TWS system?

I got the T3B as a gift and love it, but it's going on my Jig/Pitching Rod. The T3 design casts like a dream. On par with a Steez is high praise! Definitely going to be thinking hard about this one...

I want to finalize my arsenal with a nice reel for the setup I use the most: 7' MH rod with a fast ratio reel. Simple question here: Should I spend the money I have right now on a T3 1016 (while they're on sale at TW), or wait and save up the cash for a Core 50Mg7? These are my top two choices as of now but if anyone would suggest other options I'd love to hear them and some reasons why. I'll be fishing weightless senkos,T-Rigs, buzzbaits, poppers and lighter jigs with this setup. Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can provide! P.S. I posted a question recently about a versatile rod for Florida fishing. While I greatly appreciate the responses, that purchase has been put on hold for now. The reel I will purchase for the combo listed above will get much more use year round, and so is a priority for me at this point.

I have a couple Duckett Micro Magics and they're excellent bottom contact rods, especially for their price point. Sensitivity can change based on who you ask, but IMO they are quality, sensitive blanks. Both my MH and Heavy have good flexible tips and cast a variety of weights very well. I'm hoping to put a T3 Ballistic on one of mine tomorrow and I'll let ya know how it balances and handles when I get to cast some practice lures around in the yard

Starting to lean this direction the more I look around

Thanks for the feedback guys! Still not exactly sure about a specific rod to invest in yet but ya'll have given me some great ideas

I'd go as high as $350-$400 probably, because it's a rod I'll use for a long time. I agree about testing them in the store, but as for performance I was wondering if anybody has used these higher end rods, as this will be my first higher end rod purchase

First off, Merry Christmas Eve to everyone! Every spring I get to fish some canals down in Florida, and it's some of the best fishing I do all year. On any given day we can catch bass from 4-8 lbs from water within walking distance from our hotel! I can only take one combo with me, and it needs to be able to fish a lot of different techniques, from senkos, to frogs, to pitching into nasty grass. While I know there isn't ONE rod that will do all of this at the optimum level of performance, I'm wondering what rod you guys would take? I'm looking to actually buy a rod to take with me this year, so brands and the rod power/ratings are important to me. My budget is pretty high because i'll be saving up for this purchase. Thanks for any advice you can give!

Had my president 6930 on a 7' medium fast Bionic Blade until I broke the tip trying to free a lure. Dumb mistake by me, but I'm probably going to mount it on a Phenix Recon 692 soon. I throw weightless finesse plastics, shaky heads and the occasional drop shot with mine.

1. Learn Your Fishery 2. Study Bass and Bass Habits 3. Make the Most of Every Cast ...And HAVE FUN!!

I haven't been concerned about the grooving issue anymore since first asking about the T3's. I think Daiwa should have complained to TackleTour about that picture in their review. That grooving definitely cost them sales on T3 reels because they used that spiral wrapped rod. Amazing how negatives get so blown up but the positives of a product are often overlooked.

Thanks that's exactly what I was looking for!

Has anyone had a chance to compare these two reels? I know the Tatula is very new, but with the Ballistic on sale right now, they're in the same price range. I'm just wondering about smoothness, casting, etc... If this has already been discussed please just post the link. I've looked but haven't found a direct comparison on these two. I'm interested in hearing opinions from people who have experienced both generations of the T Wing system. Thanks!

KY Outdoorsman, check out Valley Sports aka Beat the Big Box Boys. They are a sponsor on this site, and the prices are the best I've seen. The new Tatula Reels from Daiwa are right in your price range and Valley will have them cheaper than anyone. Give them a call and they'll help you out even more. As for the Duckett rods, I use the 7' MH Micro Magic for plastics and light to medium weight jigs. Can't go wrong there. Light, sensitive, and has been super durable for me throughout the year I've had it. If you wait a little bit, Duckett is coming out with a "Ghost" line of rods for $100 that look pretty sweet. Youtube it or search in this forum for more info. I'm excited to see what Duckett will offer in the $100 price range.

You're right, the Tournament Pro Speed Spool can be had for anywhere from 120-160 new if you look around enough. I got one at full price (199) and it's worth every penny. What you can get them for now amazing.

I have the tip heavy problem with my 7'6" Duckett. It feels like my reels are too light to balance it. I've had a Lew's TP, a Quantum Smoke, and a Revo SX Gen 3 on it and they just feel overpowered by the tip. Do you think a lighter reel would still balance well with the Champion 765? If the answer is yes I may be selling the Duckett to put some money towards a new Dobyns...

Has anyone used the Falcon T7 rods? I like the look of the 6'8" medium fast. And how is their warranty? I know St. Croix has excellent customer service, and as of right now I'm leaning in that direction (for the Avid)

Thanks for the quick replies! Budget is probably up to about $250. I want something of good quality and I'm willing to spend a little more than I have previously to ensure that I get exactly what I want

I love throwing weightless trickworms. They're a confidence bait that have worked in the ponds and small lakes i fish when nothing else was getting bit. I'm looking to upgrade some gear this winter, and I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for a quality spinning rod for fishing these worms and baits of similar style. I want something really lightweight. Any ideas?

I'm getting ahead of myself here, but where could I find aftermarket parts that fit the T3 Ballistic? I have checked some of the Japanese sites, but from what I've seen the t3's weren't listed as reels that the handles and such would fit. Will parts made for other daiwa reels fit on the t3? I apologize for stealing the thread to ask this but I didn't want to start a completely new one just to ask that question.

Duckett Micro Magic 7' MH. My most versatile rod. I've thrown t-rigs, jigs, frogs, weightless senkos, flukes, squarebills, spinnerbaits, and topwater baits with it while bank fishing. Yes, other rods will do some of these techniques better, but bank fishing I only take one setup, and the 7' MH does everything I do from the bank well, and excels with bottom contact and spinnerbaits. It has enough tip to throw lighter baits, and plenty of backbone. I have it paired with a lew's tournament pro, which is similar in weight and size to the Gen 3 STX and its a super light combo. If you wanted you could even go with a Medium power Duckett, which will handle your crankbaits better while still being able to handle lighter texas rigs and jigs.

I'm convinced. I'll be trying one out soon!