lmbfisherman

The Shimano 70s are sweet as a pitching and flipping reel. Easy on the wrist for me.

Also check out the Abu Garcia Veritas, the 2.0 version is popping up on sale in places. I saw DSG and other retailers selling them 30-50 % off. I own higher end rods, although don’t own the 2.0: I still have a 1.0 that I use regularly. 7’3 MH/F

Yep it was the price.

For me it depends, it would be my knot tying skills but I found that the Uni-Knot wasn't always great for me with certain lines. For example a local brand of braid I use seems to always slip when using a double UNI. So I would always use the Alberto Knot and haven't slipped since! Both knots are great though, because the double uni had no issues with PP and Sufix braid for me.

All I know is, I'm in. I was going to nab another Chronarch MGL but with Bantam MGL coming out...I'm in!

15lb braid mainline with 6 or 8lb floro as a leader.

Darren gave great advice. I'd definitely do that. As for what I'd use that for, the stick will probably be a bit stiffer in my opinion than a standard MH-F. I have an old Veritas MH-F that I still use, I use it for almost everything. Just follow the lure ratings, best to stay in the middle for best performance. I'd also use mono anything 12+ lbs as it is cheaper to respool if you get a bad backlash. Welcome to the BC world!

I do the same, not really a big issue. OP, I have that E6X 843C rod too, it is a great jack of all trades rod!

My two biggest was 2 4.5 lb small mouth. 1 one a super fluke the other on a Berkley Powebait two inch minnow. Both were white. My biggest Largie was just over 3lbs, caught with a Super fluke.

Shimano. Three BPS PQ reels I relegated to back up duty or lender setups.

Get the E6X 843C MBR, great action for an all around rod.

The reason I like my Mets and Conquest, it's all about refinement and effortless casting. I don't have to do much vs say my Citicas with my casting motion. It just makes me smile!

I like the E6X better, but imo both are about the same in hand and use.

It's crazy why bearing count still appeals to everyone as awesome.

In general I find Loomis rods to be lighter in power than other manufacturers. This is a spinning rod so it would be even softer. If this was my rod I would use it for weightless plastics and small jigs. I wouldn't do 1/4 oz or above, 3/16 maybe would be the highest I'd go jig weight wise because with trailer it might get a little too heavy. Senkos would be fine and flukes weightless.

Let us know, I'm especially curious since you are an Ontarian too. I didn't pull a trigger on one yet because I'm not sure if it is really not that much better than any other lures I have.

Personally I like a 6 ratio for those techniques. My pick would be get a Chronarch MGL.

Quality! Longevity! Performance! That's why I love Shimano. I tried other brands, but I keep coming back.

Zodias rods I own, I love them. Great sensitivity, I use them for bottom contact. My wife fell in love with my mlxf and my daughter commented I can feel everything dad when she held my Zodias M/F with a 3/16 oz football jig.

I think it is all in ones' head, what they are confident in. I've caught bass with yellow straight braid and white, while confidence is more important...what I think what matters most is how the line presents the lure in my opinion. For example straight braid would take more focus walking the dog if you didn't have the proper slack and jerked too quickly. While if you had a mono leader the action would be easier to present. Another example when I was fishing a pike tourney in May, I had steel leaders. I wasn't getting bites anywhere all morning. As soon as I removed the leader I started landing pike. In this example I was using a Berkley Cutter 110+. I think the steel leader just made the action the pike didn't want that morning. I've caught them before with steel leaders no problem. At least this is what I think happens, the line makes a difference in lure action in my humble opinion.

I have 2 on and adjust with the side break.

You can use it for frogs the power won't be a problem. Line, more likely the problem...depends on what line you are using? I would use the XG out of the two speeds, to get them turned faster. Like the 50 size reels before it, don't think size = fragile. It can handle everything the bigger spooled reels can do. My Curado 70 XG is my dedicated pitching reel and is an awesome heavier drop shot reel.

IMO and I'm a Shimano reel guy, for spinning you need to go to NASCI level or higher. Don't get me wrong the cheaper ones work, but I have to agree with everyone that if you want something that has the best bang for your buck and get the Pflueger President, especially at the price point. Unless you are getting a Stradic, the President works just as well as the 100+ Shimano reels before the Stradic. The features imo vs the President's price point doesn't justify the difference. Especially if you are on a budget. I have used a friend's Casitas and it is surprisingly works well and would recommend this reel if you want an option in the Shimano line. However not sure how it holds up to saltwater, but the Tatula seems like the better choice for you. Unless if you can find a Curado E or Chronarch E used. Any 100+ rod will work but if you want my preference..it would be a Veritas or a BPS Carbonlite.

I'm trying to understand "aggressive"? I don't usually use that much force unless I'm using my BPS PQ or cheaper reel. My Shimanos run well with a nice easy motion, just trying to understand what the "aggressive" is. I let the rod do the work with the right lure range. On occasion I will chuck it to get that extra 10'..etc but that is rare. Usually get good casting without being "forceful".

Congrats! If you're going for higher end Shimano, I'd save and get the MGL. Much better than the CI4+ Chronarch. Not saying they are bad, but might as well get the new and improved version.