PGA Dropout

Yeah that's actually gorgeous. If they make a 1/8 or 1/4 size, i'll be a buyer.

What's your total price range for the combo? Are we talking retail for the Lexa and Vengeance?

Jig weights? I'd be looking at a *** or a Daiwa Tatula off Amazon.

I need to write stuff down.

Mike @ DVT does nice work.

Last year there were no exclusions on the reel coupon.

My girlfriend has a Legalis 2500. It's on it's third season and performs very nicely. Comparing other spinning reels @ $60 retail, it is much smoother than the Sedona and manages line better than a President. My only gripe is that the line clip on the spool is basically non-functional. I think you'll be very happy with one for $30.

I'm definitely going to buy an Arashi Wake, probably in a few colors if it works well.

I throw paddletails in pads and over grass where lots of people would use a hollow-body frog, so my setup involves weighted hooks (I like Owners), a Heavy power rod, and 50+ lb. braid. If you have Pike, keep the braid thick. Pike love to steal Keitechs. Secret Weapon: Missile Baits Shockwave in Candy Gill. You're welcome.

I'll read the book at some point. I'm glad people like the movie.

I guess I'm the minority but based on the photos, I'm not a fan. I guess it's new Conquests and old 51's for me.

I would go 10 or 15 lb. on a spinning reel. For me, the casting performance gained by dropping from 20 to 10 lb. was significant. However no matter what lb. test you choose to go with, braided line on a spinning reel with a leader is a great idea for nearly everything.

I would be looking at the previous Zillion. Comfortable to palm, multiple spool options, and not a glorified Tatula.

My wallet needs to go into the witness protection program.

Under $200, Shimano 50 is my recommendation. You should be able to get one for ~150 and put the extra money into Carbontex washers and a supertune. I feel that to make Alphas variants truly special, you have to put more than $200 into them. Ask me how I know!

A Shimano 51 is a good choice for a finesse reel but for the opposite reason you mentioned, really. The stock 51 handles most finesse duties very well and it's the most economical option to get into finesse casting. If you'd like to stay Daiwa, the PX Type R is a monster but she'll cost ya. The upside is that the PX is ready to roll out of the box, no tinkering necessary. For other options, the Alphas platform is a finesse favorite but it suffers from a lack of spool options and a non-clicking drag star. The Alphas SV might address both of those weaknesses, but that's all speculation as it is slated for a March(?) release. You could always take a TD-Z 103/105 and drop a 105 SV spool in it, but finding TD-Z's in good cosmetic shape for a fair price is easier said than done.

I've not been to Holland, but any pier that goes out into the lake should offer you a lot of Smallmouth and Freshwater Drum action. June-July is hot hot hot for Smallmouth.

Get some Oberto. Jack Links uses a bunch of questionable stuff in their jerky.

Nah, I'm with you. I don't think I'm going to buy one.

I saw $1.75 yesterday on my way to school. What year is it?!

I bought too many reels last year. I need to sell three or four to free up some capital before I think about buying more. Ah, hell with it. Put me down for an Alphas SV and a new CQ 51 if one hits the market.

Buying a $300 rod for color alone while ignoring all other features is silly, yes. However that isn't what the OP was asking. The question was about matching rod and reel and your response was that matching was only for children and those who spend their money frivolously. That's the part I took issue with.

Yeeeah. No. Not really.

I am tempted to go Tatula crazy. I bought the 6'10" MXF casting rod from the South American rainforest and it's niiiiiice. It's very hard to argue with $90 rods.

Well hers is an Immortal and the color is very striking.. I think I might go with that again.