SMITTY0045

I use a high vis braid (15-20lb) with a 8lb fluoro leader (roughly 5'). I definitely recommend using a high vis braid, it will help you pick up on some lighter bites you may not feel

It's obviously been said a few times now, but I noticed a huge change as well. They seem to be much lighter, and from what I can tell, more sensitive. I guess the upgraded blank made a huge difference.

I would pair the 5:1 Exo to the Skeet Reese Rod for cranking and either 7:1 to the Villain for plastics and lighter baits I would recommend you get a 7' MHF, a 7'3-6" HF, and a 6'6-9" MF or MHF. I would pair the 7' MHF with the 6:1 for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and jigs, the 8:1 with the 7'3-6" for frogging, flipping, and for swimbaits, and then one of the 7:1 with the 6'6-9" for jerkbaits and top water

I would look at a 7'6" H Daiwa Tatula. You can get one for a little over $100 on Walmart.com. They are sweet rods: super sensitive, light, and durable. I would look into these rods, you won't be disappointed

I am a huge Revo fan. I know there are a lot of people seem to have problems with them but I honestly feel like they are some of the best quality reels on the market. If you do regular maintenance on the reel (I'm not talking anything major, just keeping it clean, and greasing and lubung it) they keep their quality and performance

I never seem to see very many folks talk about Pflueger casting reels on here, but I am pretty interested in trying out the Supreme XT. Has anyone tried this reel or have any thoughts on it?

I'll add another vote for the Tatula. I would check Walmart.com, they seem to have the best prices on new Tatulas. I'd also look at Amazon

I was going to say about that. $10 is definitely a great deal. I remember many of the people I knew who had that reel absolutely loved it. I would give it a good cleaning and I think you'll like it

My father has the 7'1" model and he as fished it pretty hard over the last 3 or so years, no issues at all. I think it would be worth exchanging it at Cabela's, I think it just may be a defective model. I have fished the rod myself and I can say it is definitely a high quality rod

The price range you are looking at is very competitive amongst the big reel companies, meaning that you should be getting a good product with whatever reel you choose. Personally I like the Revo SX: it feels the best in my hands and I like the way it performs. I have handled all of the reels you mentioned though as well and from my experience they are all quality reels. I would just choose whichever you like the best. Also, I believe I saw somewhere that the Arachnid is supposed to be the same as the Tatula type R. Many of Cabelas reels are actually Daiwa reels with the cabela's labeling and logos on them. If you look at many of the reels, the Daiwa logo is still near the gear box (not sure what to call that area of the reel)

The Plueger lady President spinning reel is in pink. I would try to convince her to go with a white rod, I got that to work with my girlfriend as long as she got a "pretty" reel

I noticed a sale online at bass pro for the bionic blade/bionic plus combo, $139 now down to $119. I used the past generation of these rods and I would definitely recommend them (I can't speak on the reels, but from picking them up in stores they seem like a great deal). They have to Ross in micro and conventional guides too. I would take a look, it would probably be the best thing you can get while staying in your price range

I have had one for close to 4 years now, and I haven't had any problems with it. They are very sensitive rods and they seem to have a surprising amount of backbone. I wouldn't hesitate to get one

I don't have this model, but I have the 7'2" H. I use it for heavier jigs and it is a great rod. I am going to be getting the model you asked about soon for t-rigs and lighter jigs soon, so I would say that it would be a good choice IMO

I would pay more attention to the max lure weight rating than the minimum. If you feel that you can cast a lighter lure a reasonable distance then there is no reason why you can't

I agree. If you would prefer a little shorter rod, they also make a 7'2" HF. I use that for my frogging and to throw heavier jigs and I really like it

I believe they are selling the Tatula on Amazon for around $100-$125. For about the same price, I say just get the regular Tatula

I got a couple spools of it last year to try. I found it to not be very castable and it seemed to break fairly easily, not so much with the upper test but the 12# like broke very easily when I was fishing crankbaits. I would get Red Label, it works great for leaders

I like the rods you mentioned, I don't think you could go wrong with any of those. I would also recommend the Daiwa Tatula. They are great: sensitive, light, and very durable. Regularly it's right at the top of your price range, but I've seen them on Amazon for somewhere between $100-125

I think it's a great reel. I got to use my brother's reel the other day and it really is a quality reel

I would get a 7' MHF rod. Most people would consider this to be the most versatile rod size available. If you are on the shorter side, you could always get a 6'6" rod instead. As for the reel, I would get something with around a 6.4:1 gear ratio. This speed is falls somewhere in the middle of most retrieval speeds as far as bait casters go, so it would probably be the best for your setup. Lastly, I would pick up some 15lb test line. I would get complymer, or something along those lines. I personally like PLine fluroclear. It is a pretty versatile line and it's very manageable. I'm sure you will get more opinions on what kind of set up you should get, but this is what I would personally use.

I noticed that online, I figured it would be an easy fix and I think there are a couple places near by that can do it for me. I'll probably just call and ask for the insert then

So one of the guide inserts on my Mojo Bass popped out recently and I planning on calling St. Croix go see what the process is for getting it fixed. The insert didn't fall out from getting banged up against anything considering the guide frame is in fine shape and isn't bent at all, or by any neglect by my part ( I always have a rod glove on it during transport, whether in the rod locker or in the back of my truck). I'm just curious as to what I should expect to hear back from them? I know a lot of people have good things to say about their customer service.

My brother picked up one of these rods the other day and I got a chance to fish it a little. I have to say they are some sweet rods, incredibly light and sensitive. I think picking one of these up would be a smart move

The Mojo Bass would be a good option, but unfortunately it's a 7'1". But if the extra inch isn't a deal breaker, I think you'd be in good shape with this rod. I think TW may have a couple Rage rods left over in this size too, so I would take a look at those as well