kickerfish1

That is a killer deal! Looks like things worked out, allowing you to get both your needs (battery & anchor) and wants (new rod and reel) ... or do I have that backwards! For what you paid for that outfit I think you will be very pleased. Now if you can find a good deal on the battery and anchor you will be all set.

I am not certain you couldn't get by just fine with what you have. I know it isn't what you want to hear but you have several outfits that would be just fine for pitching, frogs, buzzbaits (Your MH outfits with braid should cover these). Your medium action rod should suffice as cranking and topwater outfit should you spool it with mono. If you want to upgrade to something new for the applications you listed with a $300 +/- budget for each setup you have quite a few options. There are tons of threads on here for rod and reel ideas ... just do a search on here. You can search on eBay or wait for an online sale to help stretch your dollar. If you haven't taken a peak at TW take a look at their rods and reels and also the reviews. It will at least help you familiarize your self with what is out there. Since you asked I will give you my personal picks as an example: 1. For your crankbaits and topwaters grab a dobyns 705 CB glass fast action rod. It will be a great multi purpose stick. Match that rod up with a BPS Pro Qualifier reel in a lower speed ratio of your choice with any 10-12# mono of your choosing. This is probably in the neighborhood of $330 before any sale prices are figured in. 2. You can upgrade you flipping stick and frog rig to something more powerful if you choose. A phenix recon 715 and a Daiwa Lexa would be pretty nice with your choice of braid. This outfit will be right $340ish prior to sales prices. This would around $670. If you shopped around I am sure it would be very doable to upgrade to both these outfits to around $550 when retailers have their 20% off sales.

According to TW both the veritas and vendetta utilize a 30 ton blank. However most people would concur that the veritas is a slightly more sensitive rod. Perhaps the two series of rods utilize different components outside of the nano technology utilized in the veritas.

I like the decision to at least step outside the box and try another product offering. You can go back and fourth about both rods best and worst attributes. I DONT own the new cumara but I do own the previous generation model. I also have a cumulus. My gut feeling would lead me to believe that the new cumara is somewhere between the cumulus and previous generation cumara in performance. The new reel seat (comfort) and blank color (cosmetic) are left up the interpretation of the individual. Last year I fished a previous generation cumara side by side a recon. The recon was the 714 and the cumara was the 7'2 mh XF rod. While the rods had different tapers and actions they both were used for bottom contact baits. In my hands the cumara felt a bite more sensitive and crisp. Did I feel like I missed any bites with the recon that I would have felt on the cumara? ... absolutely not. The recon is more versatile and I was able to toss swimjigs and weightless plastics with it do to its action in the tip section. To the OP I think you will find the recon different from what you are used to. It took me a few outings but the rod grew on me. Give it some time and I think you will enjoy the rod. Worst case scenario you can sell it for pretty good money.

I have both a recon and several previous generation cumara rods. I know it is after the fact but both are great rods. Sensitivity is similar but the cumara is a touch better, but they fish totally different. The recon is more versatile to me. I think the recon will bring you years of good fishing!

I would get one from TW right now for $150 shipped. Get the 7:0.1 ratio to cover those uses. The drag should suffice just fine. To add a little extra "security" you can do a carbontex drag upgrade. This will add a pound or two of drag and make it smoother/stronger. The drag washers will run you under $10. Worst case scenario you can flip the reel with one of your Abu reels if you feel that the drag is still not strong enough. I know a guy that frog fishes with a pixy type r with any upgraded carbontex drag. This reel has fewer #s of drag than the chronarch e and he hasn't had any issues landing fish (even though this reel isn't ideal for this application). I am 90% sure that the chronarch e with the upgraded drag will work. Off the top of my head DVT or the Tackletrap will likely have the carbontex drag washers in stock.

That is a great fish! My reels are still being serviced at the moment, otherwise I would post pics. Sadly most of my reels match the rods!!!

It might depend upon how your lakes set up and the time of year. Are you fishing primarily open water, rocks, scattered brush, light to heavy weeds? It would really depend I guess but the few local lakes I fish from the shore my go to is a weightless bait. Typically a fluke or caffeine shad. For 75% of the year the lakes are pretty weed choked. At times I can litterally take a pack of 4/0 hooks, some pliers, and a few plastic baits and one outfit and be set.

The pointers are very similar and practically just as good. Lots of good color choices although megabass has some more exotic colors. This spring I am going to do a jerkbaits shootout. Vision 110s, pointers, rogues, x-raps, the new KVDs, the new Excaliburs, the storm jerkbait, spro mcstick, and possibly a few others. I have 2 3700 series full of jerkbaits to put to the test. I have only fished a few but I must say the 110s and pointers fish very well.

They are about the only hooks I use. I have caught many fish with zero problems. Run your main line throught the top part of the hook. For the bottom part use a lighter line for the leader to weight section. Reason being, say you snag your weight in some rocks, chances are the lighter line will break first thus saving your hook at bait. Although if you snag your hook on say a some brush you are pretty much SOL and will be taken... hook, line, and sinker! For me it would be an 8# floro main line with a 4# mono leader to the weight.

Goose, you are one bad man! That is some good bling and performance in those outfits!

Yes sir! The reel seat matches the finish of the reel perfectly. Even in indoor lighting it is stunning!

Just another vote for "no worries on casting heavier baits" with a 50 sized reel. Last year I was tossing baits that were pushing 1/2 oz or so and just sending these things crazy far distances. I had 12 # floro on it and never felt the need for a larger size reel. I think you will be pleased with the versatility of your new 50 series reels.

I don't have the Powell rod so I can't make a fair comparison. The cumara 7'2 MH xf does fish more like a heavy as it is very powerful. Personally I would not consider it to have a soft tip... more the opposite. I tried weightless baits with this rod just for fun a few times and it performed ok but took some getting used to. I have since decided that it excels more as dedicated 3/8 to 5/8 oz bottom contact bait rod. It would have no problem going 3/4 oz plus trailer. The weightless bait I tried is close to 1/4 oz so it may work for that range though it really isn't this rods sweet spot which I believe to be right around a 1/2 oz give or take. If you want ONE rod to accomplish 1/4 to 3/4 oz baits that is tough call. For me I use two separate rods for these ranges. You may ask yourself what you think you will be fishing "majority" of the time. Under 1/2 oz I would say get the fast and over I would get the extra fast.

What size rigs do you plan on fishing. I have the previous generation 7'2 MH XF rod. It is a great rod but I would not throw much below 3/8 oz with it. It takes a decent sized bait to load it but its performance is outstanding. I don't fish many baits above 1/2 oz plus jig trailer so this is the biggest and most powerful bottom contact rod in my lineup outside of dedicated frog and swimbait rods. I would say the fast action rod would lend itself to more all around fishing and have more versatility if that is what you want.

For lizards, creature baits, and senkos that is typically a casting rod application for me. I may pass on referring a specific rod here, in favor of someone who fishes these techniques regularly on spinning gear. I would venture to guess a 6'8 or longer rod would be best in a fast action. If the weights used combinded with the soft plastic and hook would be below 3/8 oz my gut feeling would be a medium powered rod. For heavier rigs say 5/16-1/2 oz I would say that medium heavy rod may be better but less versatile. I haven't fished the *** but they seem to be highly thought of. The crucial has a strong following as well plus the lifetime warranty. The elitetech has the lifetime warranty and has great overall performance espeically rod weight and balnace. Between the 3 there isn't a clear cut winner unless you break it down further... ie warranty, rod balance, weight, blank, resins, guides, cosmetic appearance, preferred legnth, power, action etc. Really you probably can't go wrong with any of these.

Lots of good options exist for that kind of dollar. There are always deals to be had on eBay, during online retailer's sales, and of course there is the buying used option. These are all good but require sort of a "hunting" approach to be able to wait it out for the right rod at the right price. Having said that most folks want to be able to buy something relatively soon and make a decision based upon what is currently available. Both the crucial and *** are great rods to have on your radar. If you have a BPS close by it may be worth a look at a BPS microlite rod especially during the rod trade in sale. Also the fenwick elite tech smallmouth rods are great buys at $130. Based upon full retail price these would probably round out my top for rods under $150. I am still a little confused by bottom bouncing soft plastics when using a spinning rig. Then you say for anything but dropshots and shakeyheads. What presentations are you wanting the rod to be able to fish? Maybe tubes, split shot rigs, smaller t-rigs? If that is the case a medium powered fast action rod would be my pick. If you are looking for my pick from the 4 rods mentioned above I would opt for the elite tech rod. They have a 6'9 medium XF rod that would be a solid all purpose rod but necessarily a real utlra finesse or drop shot rod. With the sale TW is having the crucial would be a good pick as well. Both would look great with that reel!

That would be like jumping from a Corvette to a Lamborghini! Nothing else will really compare.

A 4 oz bottle of smelly jelly in baitfish scent. Perfect for putting a few drops in the hook slot of a fluke.

I have been fishing the savy series for 2 years before upgrading to the extremes. My savy series rods now fish frogs, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. The savy series of rods may be a good buy depending upon intended use. At one point in time I fished mine for bottom contact baits and didn't have any issues with sensitivity, although they probably wont wow you in that aspect. Balance, looks, and casting distance was very good from what I have found.

I don't care for reel grips. If I don't like the grips on the reel I will explore other options from the factory or aftermarket options. They will mark/indent your stock handle grips when left on for a significant amount of time. Therefore I am stuck with them on one reel. Since then I have NOT added them to any other reel of mine.

Skeletor has a good point about Samurai. It is a line I have on my radar to try as the feedback I have heard from some very respected anglers is overwhelming positive. I don't fish braid much but I will be trying some before this summer as frog fishing goes in full swing.

The options you receive from folks on here will depend on your budget. Pretty standard all purpose casting rig is going to be 7 foot +/- MH rod with a 6.4:1 ratio reel. For spinning a medium powered fast action rod in 6'6 +/- with a 2500 series reel is a safe bet. Check our flea market on eBay and you can possibly find a good deal on used gear at good price allowing you to have gear that will fish above your budget if you were purchasing new.

Your cumara rods will be more sensitive and better built than the villain. If you are hoping they will be as sensitive and as good of performers as your cumaras you may be dissapointed. There are better choices out there for worms and jigs. Frankily I would use your cumara for this technique and use your villian for the techniques Mike Icanelli noted. I have tried alot of rods for worm and jig fishing and for the money I believe the cumara line is one of the best choices out there.

Don't forget frog fishing. At times when a fish makes a pass at the frog on a long or even average cast it can help in being able to follow up cast, by bringing that bait back to the boat faster. Plus it may help turn fish away from cover and help keep them coming towards you. I have used 6.2:1 and 6.4:1 ratios and just prefer a 7.1:1 for frogg'n although it is NOT necessary... just preference. I also prefer them for all weightless plastics, jigs, T-rigs, C-rigs, keel weighted swimbaits, rage rigs, etc. Essentially I like to take up the line quickly on these techniques to be able to set the hook before the fish has a chance to reject my bait. Almost all my casting reels are 6 or 7 ratio reels except my cranking reels.