SMITTY0045

I would agree. Mono is a usually better when you are first starting out, plus its best for all around line. When I was first starting out, Berkley Big Game was my go to line. Plus you can get 900-1500 yards worth for around $10

I shared some of your feelings toward a centrifugal braking system when i first got mine. After fishing it for close to a year now I can say that my views have somewhat changed. You mentioned that you may not be able to dial in a bait as well as with a magnetic braking system, which I think is somewhat true. I will say though, that it seems like you do not have to adjust the reel as much for different baits because they reel almost adjust for you depending on how fast the spool is spinning. I still prefer a magnetic braking system, but all the same I love this reel and would not necessarily consider it a down grade. It sounds like you are already planning on taking the reel back, but I hope this helps anyone looking into getting this reel.

I fish Abu Garcia baitcasters and my dad fishes Lew's. We have both tried out each other's reels and both perform very well. It really just comes down to preference and which you like better.Both are historically make well made products so you really cannot go wrong with either. In all honesty they perform very similarly

I throw both baits on a 7' MH rod (Duckett Ghost). MH is plenty of power and I prefer a 7' because I am typically throwing them in tight spaces

They are fairly stout rods. Like everyone has said, the medium is your best bet

I only use power pro and Sufix for braid. It's good line

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I'm glad you brought up the action of the rod, that was one of my main questions. I am more than likely going to get the 7'3" Heavy for frogging and flipping around trees so I will more than likely be using braid

I have been using some hi vis Suffix that's in a fluorescent orange. Highly recommend, it's easy to see in all water and lighting conditions

Tackle Warehouse recently dropped their sale price on the Halo Twilite series and I'm tempted to go ahead and get one. Does anyone have any experience with these rods or another Halo series?

I would use it for deep cranking. It's a good ratio for this technique

I do not necessarily think they fish heavier than they are rated, but I would recommend maybe going with a medium. The rod I had was a Medium and it was great for what you were trying to use it for.

I think you are definitely on the right track with the rods you currently have. Jerk baits would be fine on the 6'6" Veritas so you should be good for those. I would recommend a Heavy rod, anywhere from a 7'-7'6". I prefer to throw jigs on a heavy rod, but the 7' MH would be fine if you prefer that. Even so a Heavy rod is good for frogging, flipping, and some swimbaits. Hope this helps!

The last generation of Bionic Plus reels were on sale at the Bass Pro by my for a little under $50. Just a thought

The Tatula Rods are on sale on Bass Pro's site for around $100. I would recommend those for sure. Another one I would recommend is the Duckett Ghost. It's a good rod for $100

I'm glad you took the time to organize all the rod threads into this one, especially by price. Those threads are usually what I gravitate toward anyways

I would use it for skipping under docks, top water, or any other twitch bait

Sufix makes a good hi vis braid that I use. Its a florescent orange and it is very easy to see in all lighting. Highly recommend.

I think it has already been said, but a medium cranking rod would be what I would recommend. I'm also a student so I understand where you are coming from, so I would start there and then you can add in later. I think adding this rod will cover most of your bases though

I like to throw my 1/2 oz jigs on a Heavy rod. You could just as easily throw them on a MH rod, but it just comes down to preference. I also use Heavy rods for frogging, flipping/pitching, and some heavier swimbaits and umbrella rigs.

The rod I use for half ounce jigs (specifically what I got the rod for in the first place) is a 7'2" H Fast Action Rod. I prefer a heavy rod in order to have the added backbone need for a good hook sets on a jig with a thick wire hook (also why the fast action is important). I like 7'2"-3" rod because it allows you to have better control the bait and the fish in deep water, as well as giving you better sensitivity when fishing the jig in deep water.

I think some people would argue that you lose sensitivity in a two piece rod, but in my experience that has not really been an issue. If you are worried about it though, you could always invest in a tonneau cover for the bed of your truck. If your bed locks it would be a good place to keep your rods, but if it does not they you could always buy a cover that does lock

Ok I will have to look for that in the spring

If you don't have a spinning rod, that would be what I would recommend. A 6'6" - 7' M rod will cover pretty much all of the applications typically thrown on a spinning rod. If you are covered there and you're just looking for a baitcasting rod, I would recommend a 7' M rod to throw lighter applications like lighter Texas rigs and maybe even some cranking.

I have had good experiences with both Suffix and Power pro. I have used both the cheaper stuff and their higher priced stuff and it all seems to work pretty well