Hogsticker

You're handling reels that have been through who knows how many hands of people that have done who knows what to them. My 16 Steez is tight and connected. Feels amazing

SV 103 all the way for this. The Steez SV TW is more of a power finesse reel. Gary will tell you the same thing.

Unless it's an E series

You could always spend a ton of money on every stick bait available to draw the conclusion of "no" yourself, or just take the advice of everyone else and save most of that money and keep buying Senkos. Try a finesse style worm. You might be surprised

This post has Daiwa SV103 written all over it. Not necessarily high end, but a d**n fine reel.

So what's the deal with these new Eternity blanks? Are they being manufactured in Woodland, WA or what?

I treated myself with a Steez SV TW, and oh what a treat it is! Nicest reel I've ever used. If all my other reels were lower end stuff, I'm not sure I'd ever use them again. So yeah, it's a slippery slope.

I'd go with the heavy personally. The MH makes a better 10 ft and under / square bill rod imo. The RX7 CB blanks are the best cranking blanks I've used.

Fuji EZ keeper. I can move it wherever and whenever, it accommodates everything, and most importantly it keeps hooks away from my blanks.

Gorgeous fish. What did you catch it on? Light tackle I hope!

200 grams of power sounds about right for this presentation, depending on how heavy the lead is of course. I'd prefer a little slower TA though. Something around 62 degrees. Another good blank for this technique is the Mhx high mod popping blanks in both the medium and medium light flavors. They load up very well with light baits.

Jackall Rhythm Wave quite a bit different imo. Wider, flatter body with more wobble in my experience.

St Croix, Hammer, ALX (Hydra), Kistler uses proprietary blanks made by NFC - Power Tackle uses some too. I'm not sure Falcon produces their own blanks. Once upon a time they used Shikari blanks. Phenix blanks are manufactured over seas. The only Rainshadow blank produced in the States us the best RX9+ Eternity.

I've caught more smallmouth on a half ounce perch pattern Spro Aruku Shad than any other hard bait.

I don't like to add weight to a wacky rigged Senko. They are plenty heavy. Even when wacky rigging a finesse worm, I won't go over 1/8 oz. 3/8 is way too heavy. It doesn't inhibit the action of the bait, just makes it sink faster. If it's not slow and seductive, no reason to wacky rig it.

Yeah, I like this. I've gone as far as to keep a written log pertaining to many things, but the fish don't seem to care. I will say that all of my bigger popper smallmouth have come on a long pause. They hit it and take it to the sky. Nice little adrenal rush.

If you're not fishing a Jackall Flick Shake you're missing fish

Personally, yes - for what you're getting. It's personal preference, but I feel there are equally as good blanks available for less money. Different strokes

Plus super light spinning reels usually don't balance well with off the shelf rods. The old Daiwa Advantage, Sol, Tierra - Those were bullet proof, felt, performed, and fished great. The Daiwa Procyon EX looks to follow in their footsteps. Aluminum, airbail, digigear. All the things that made those reels great with the addition of mag seal. If I were looking for an all around spinning reel, I'd have no problems picking up a 2000 size. It's a little heavier than the reels you mentioned, but chances are it will balance better with your rod, especially if it's 7' plus. You could also probably find a Jdm old white version Stradic - Biomaster in your price range.

Yeah, you will end up spending around 50 to 75 dollars more on a custom. Only the individual can decide if it's worth it. For me it is. The St Croix SC3 blanks are over priced imo. By the time a builder gets done with it, you'll wind up paying more than you would for the off the shelf version, though it will be a better build. Should be anyways. Both Mhx and Rainshadow make lesser expensive blanks that perform really nice. For an extra 60 bucks having a rod built to my exact specs, where I know the overall build is going to perform at full potential is a no brainer. Aside from the now hard to find full handle Kistler rods built with full handles on nfc blanks and the Megabass Orochi XX, I can't find any rods that that float my boat while utilizing the components I prefer. At any rate, I hope you find something that works for you.

Glorified plastic is anything but bullet proof.

I think people are afraid of it because you can't service it yourself. In theory it shouldn't ever need to be serviced and likely won't. If it were me I'd source a new in box 12 Luvias. You should be able to find one for around 200 bucks. It's also made in Japan.

Plus shipping expenses. Materials to the builder, and then the rod to your door. A lesser expensive blank will help. An experienced builder will get you set with the perfect blank at any price range. Regardless to which blank you choose, should you go this route you'll be asking yourself why didn't I do this sooner.

Just get something with an orange belly and you're set. Poppers are one of the few baits I don't get to caught up in color about.

I've owned a Rarenium Ci4 and a 12 Luvias (essentially same as Aegis) . What are you wanting to use it for? What properties are you after? X ship is a really nice feature with Shimano spinning reels. Both reels offer good line management. Do you want the mag seal? Some folks aren't crazy about it. Both reels have a nice connected feel. I felt the Daiwa was a little smoother, but the Shimano felt better under load. I'd choose the Daiwa for finesse stuff, and the Shimano for all around use.