lmbfisherman

My experience is I wish I would've started buying the better reels earlier, especially casting. When I first started out I bought a crappy reel, turned me off from using them. If I started off buying the mid to higher end reels I would've figured out what I was missing. The only thing I'd recommend never to buy was Berkeley Vanish floro, I broke off so many fish with that line.

No and Im also one of the ones who didn't have an issue with the G. The I series is just better.

Welcome to the boards!

50 size reels in general can handle all techniques, so be confident that it will perform well. I don't have the Scorpion 1000 XT, but its cousins the Curado/Chronarch 50s kick butt.

My PBs for smallmouth and largemouth up here in Ontario Canada both were on the same rod and reel combo. Fenwick ET Smallmouth 6'9" Spinning M/XF paired with a Symetere 2500. The smallmouth on a fluke and the largemouth on a bps stick-o.

I have a Fenwick Aetos Spinning 7'0 Medium fast. The tip is softer than most other brands of Medium Fast. I can cast weightless finesse zoom worms with ease. Not going to win distance but good enough. I would expect what you want to use it for will be fine.

Not yet, but I'm also super aware if I'm bank fishing. I don't want to lose my babies. They are constantly on my mind, like my children. I probably would've taken it and left a note.

My loaner combo are some 2 piece rods one a Shimano Zirca and the other An Okuma combo. Both spinning combos, in general I don't loan out my baitcaster combo. If I had too I'd lend them a bc combo I'd be ok lending the Fenwick Eagle or the Veritas paired with a PQ.

I like the answer by fish baller. Two 200 and 4 100. The two higher priced definitely bottom contact.

I like the Core 100 and I have both of the same models. Not that the Chronarch sucks though. It is just better.

I agree with all the Avid comments. I started St Croix when I started getting into the hobby. They aren't bad rods when you get to the Avid series. Only thing I dislike it fished heavier than the rating. I still own one Avid, to me the 6'6" Medium Fast is da bomb for some reason. Great all around rod and especially jerk baits.

Get the Trion combo.

I'd go with this!!!

The correct answer is buy both of them. Both great reels and even better at that price! I don't own a Core 50 MG7 but I do own a Core 100. I own a Chronarch too and I like the Core 100 much better. It that helps you any. Like you I found this one on clearance, I had to pick it up because of the great deal. It was like an old puppy dog that no one wanted. To reiterate that the Chronarch isn't shabby either.

First off, I wouldn't use my reel to snap a line. A few bad things can happen. If I can't get my lure loose and I have to snap it I would rather give the line slack, wrap it around my hands (with glove) or around my arm with something to protect my skin from getting sliced from the line and pull the line until it is free or snaps. Doing it this way avoids damage to my equipment. As for the original question, I agree with the previous posters.

I use 6'10 to 7' medium heavy.

Another vote on stepping down on size.

In general you can use mono or floro leader for all techniques. Having said I generally have mono leaders for treble hook baits and top water. I use flouro for bottom contact techniques.

I replace every season. Unless I barely used that reel at all the previous season.

I like regular PP, slick I tried out and don't feel like it was that much better. I did like it on my baitcasters better though.

Smaller profile and line capacity.

It sounds fine.

300 total? Or just the rod? I'd suggest a Zodias rod. I bought one in June and now I have three! They are sensitive, light and quickly becoming my favorite rods. I haven't used a Casitas but the few people I know say they are good work horse reels.

I regularly drop shot with my medium powered spinning. No problems no need to get a ML. I'd go with the baitcaster.

Weightless Texas rigged worms, if it is shallow enough wade in to give you some extra distance. Or use a heavier weight for your jig or bullet weight to get the extra distance.