F14A-B

I don't care for them. The best I've used are Kistler and his design.. I do like them on a loomis blank.

What exactly do you mean by "straining"?

Looked at Rainshadow blanks the other day.. The plethora of choices was mind boggling.. Thanks for the advice MickD..

Flipping is close quarters combat. You shouldn't really need brakes..brakes on or off. Doesn't matter. Pitching, yes.. Denny Brauer will show you.

Looking for a 8' 2 piece blank. Rod would be used in Florida. I will use it cruising the beach and also for cut/live bait.. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I will be hiring a builder soon for this.

Yes. It is a Kistler built rod built with Gary Loomis's North Fork composite blanks.. I don't like split grips except on these. These rods are incredibly well balanced for a production type rod build. I'm using a 7' helium 3 in medium xfast and on it is a Shimano Ci4+ C3000. I also use a new KLX in MH moderate fast and it sports Ci4+ 4000. I also just picked up Avid inshore 7' MH and that rod is a tank.. Even still, with a C3000 Stradic FL it is sweet. Not as light and not as balanced but sweet..

Go with a Helium 3 or the Croix Avid. I have several of both.. For the long haul go Avid.

I thought the GLX used recoils. Yea, I would call Loomis directly and get one.

Kevin Van Dam has had a stellar career in fishing.. Whatever he does I wish him all the best.

Have one built..

Well artificial bait is representing live bait so.. It's a toss up. Should we discuss cutbait?

3 maybe 4 Bagley's in there.

Mono or Copolymer.. Very rarely do I use a heavy braid, flipping in Texas..

Sweet! Is that a Colt's cap on a dude from New England? Sweet!

Not yet. I can't find a 4000. No worries. I bought a c3000 and 4000 CI4+ Stradic, a Thunnis 4000 and a FK 2500.. All fine reels.

Mono is much cheaper and perfect for the learning curve you will go thru.. If you backlash severely, you can cut it out and respool.. Use heavier lead weights as in a bank sinker etc. I noticed you didn't state the rod, length, action etc. The rod is a critical component here as well. Good luck and best wishes.

The simple truth is: There's only ONE fish swimming in your pond... Congratulations on catching him repeatedly.

Haha. Reading is fundamental. Clearly, I never stated Phenix was liable. I asked a question about why J thinks using social media to discuss warranties on a rod, reel is wrong? I can decide on my own if the OP has a legit issue based on his/her OP. Folks often vent their frustrations on social media. There could be a legitimate issue concerning equipment. Such as when "Carrot stixs" were breaking often and the company wouldn't honor the warranty. Boyd Duckett had plenty to say about it..(using social media) RAGE rods by St. Croix was another rod that was abysmal. However St. Croix stood by their warranty claims. If these issues are not discussed on social media then how would information be traded? I stand by my statement. Rod and reel manufacturers should be held accountable for their quality and the implied warranties that they offer. I have an opinion on the OP but I'm not giving it rather choosing to be an earpiece and a little empathetic on a broken rod. OP. TFO offers an unconditional warranty on many of their rods. I use a couple including a "traveler" series 3 piece. It's a very decent rod.. Happy fishing!

Why not? Social media is very very powerful. Rod & reel company's need to be held accountable for their products and implied warranties. This year I have bought and used two Cabela's Prodigy Walleye rods. 2 piece spinning and they are quite good. I took them to Florida in May for inshore fishing and was impressed. I head down again in August.. They will be with me. (Along with my Avids, of course)

Yep. Except Avids take it better. Heck I've high stuck my Rage flippin stick a bunch and it's survived.. another thing, I do not use braid. I use Yo or Pline. Then again, perhaps I'm just lucky.

I would recommend the American made Avid series.. It's more money but it is superior in everyway.

Yozuri Hybrid is still my choice in 6 pound.

This was a very interesting read..

Today is the end of days. Good luck my friends. Oops. Is this a Sun event or a Moon event? Have fun!