Grantman83

Not bad man. Veritas' usually run heavy so with some 40-50lb braid you will have yourself a sweet frog, jig and Texas rig rod.

The only issue I heard was the riveted reel foot breaking. If they fix that issue then I'm sure they will be good sellers again. Wonder what they have on tap for rods. They have discontinued many of their rods and their pro's are using old stuff even at the classic this year...

Honestly I would still still trust the aluminum frame for the Lews. The new caenan is certainly an upgrade over the previous version but the aluminum frame would make the Lews more versatile for heavier applications where frame flex might be an issue

Lews bb2 can be had for $115 in places and has 10 more yards of capacity than the Cardiff 300

I play it by ear Considering I have no way to measure the drag other than testing it by hand before I go out. With treble hooks I keep the drag light and will tighten it on the fly. With large single hooks, it's locked down. Moving baits are some pull but not too much. It's worked so far so I'm not gonna change it lol

If I recall, Gary claimed the majority of guys who had input preferred Eva because they claim it is more sensitive for this technique. I don't think cork cost is the issue since all the all lines have cork in them. Seems like he would have Eva on just this line of rods as opposed to these. I just got the fury swimbait rod and I'm digging it so far

If you are throwing into vegetation, micro guides gunk more easily. I shy away having micro guides near grass and stuff that sticks to line when retrieving

The new versions of the apex aren't that bad honestly. I have 3 of the grands and at half off I would get them

Lews custom speed stick magnum pitching stick for heavy grass. Lews custom 7ft magnum mh casting rod for sparse cover. Light and balanced

The one I owned snapped at the tip on a dink...never again the new owner claimed the old ones were defective because the threads on the guides were actually shearing through the blanks causing all the breakage issues.

For me it's the placement and texture of the brake dial. If they moved the break dial up to where it was on the og zillion it would be all gravy for me

I've owned that rod and for light plastics and t rigs you would be fine. It does have a parabolic action but you can compensate with braid. I actually used it to throw weightless Flukes which are single hooks and it worked great

Everything I have read on swimbaits is the need for slow rolling them so I am kind of unsure as to the need or want of such high ratios. Considering I am trying to get into swimbaits myself, I'm eager to see the experts weigh in

40lb braid

I cast everything two handed unless I'm pitching

I just picked up the Dobyns Fury 795 swimbait rod and it feels great.

Looks like an okuma Citrix.... they are trying to re build their brand which I respect. A new owner took over and is trying to bring them back...no problem with that imo. However, he chose one heck of a challenge lol

All different brands though I do have my favorites. I just can't help myself with trying new stuff. Right now my favorites are the lews custom speed sticks...they are awesome

I use braid with swim jigs so I can instantly impart the action on the lure while I'm swimming it back. I get waaaay more action on braid and a mh fast rod. For bladed jigs, I use all 3 depending on what cover or honestly what rod I have available. I've had success on mh cranking rods and mf/mhf rods with both fluoro and mono

735 no doubt

I've actually switched to 12/14lb mono as my spinnerbaits rod often doubles as a spook or walking bait rod.

Best football jig rod I've used was the DX Mike long jig rod. Longer heavier power but with a fast almost moderate fast action.

TWS seems to be the gravy train stage the moment. However, there must be enough demand from people (like myself and others) who don't really want it for Daiwa to offer many of the same reels without it. My my issue with the tatula etc has always been the reel frame, not the TWS. The Non recessed brake dial is literally in the worst position for how I hold a reel. Furthermore, the texture of the brake dial highlights the problem to me even more. I had a tatula for all of 2 hours and sold it. I practiced pitching in my living room and in an hour had a bright red spot on hand from where it kept rubbing me. if they recess the brake dial or make it smooth ala the old zillion, lexa etc then I am on board

1 3 fishing actually weighed in on this on another site. Yes, there are manufacturers who already have the infrastructure and means to produce reels for new companies. However, those reels are NOT pre made. Each company has input into what parts, designs and specs their reels have. Few companies can come right out of the gate and compete with shimano, Daiwa and ABU as those companies have factories focused solely on the design and manufacture of their reels. Just an because their is an OEM company which has the means and material doesn't mean these companies don't have input in their reels. And honestly, I feel these reels are more than adequate as I own duckett, Lewis, shimano, Daiwa, ardent, okuma reels. ARDENT tried to create from the ground up in America and failed miserably. When they went overseas, their reels got better because those OEM companies could produce a better product.

It seems strange to me that they would already be dc'ing the Powell max 3D as they are a fairly recent addition.