onetime

No offense taken whatsoever sir, since we are expressing our opinions. If there are 10 people that have never fished before, and you hand them a $59 H2O Mettle, and a $420 MGL, and have them cast each one a few times, I'm not so sure all 10 or even 5 would say/know the MGL is the better reel. I take beginners out with me at times and can tell you, they will backlash a Mettle just as easily as an MGL. YMMV

Hmm, where in my post did it say to buy a $50 reel? I was suggesting, that a high end reel to a beginner, he would not have the benefits a seasoned angler would. I don't think he needs a "$50 hunk of junk" either. You can put together a great combo for less than two hundred. I would find a good starter combo, learn how to fish with it, then down the road when comfortable, buy what you like. You gotta walk before you run, no?

Mark Pack is the man, but is usually busier than a two peckered billie goat.

If you are truly a beginner, you will not notice the difference between a $50 reel and a $500 reel. I also may suggest you would be doing yourself a disservice to jump into a high end reel right away. As the other members posted here, the carbonlight combo can be had at the right time of year for about $100. Which is a great setup, also read through the other threads on here about rods and reels like roadwarrior posted. This forum has great info, read as much as you can. As far as inflatables, I'm not much help there, I also don't like the cumbersome jacket, I purchased a kayak jacket and it's great.

The best way to find your answer is to use the search feature. Lot's of great info on the bait and correct rod to use. I throw mine with a Dobyns Champion 736 and use 20lb Big Game. Is that "The best" rod? I'm not sure, but it works great for me, and what will be best for me may not be for you. Take a little time to read through posts and narrow down your selection, and try to handle the rods (with a reel on) to get a feel for it, good luck.

McCoy Mean Green makes some fine mono.

I'm a die hard Invisx user, but recently have purchased sniper, great line.

A very nice compliment would be a NRX 894

When I first started throwing these, I was getting line twist more than I like. So I added the swivel and has been fine since.

I added a swivel to the front of mine, I fish the 90 with 12lb big game and the 130 with 20lb big game, no problems here.

Yup, two different techniques, one is fished on top, the other throughout the water column. Both baits are excellent producers, I fish both equally, but just love the buzzbait getting smashed.

This is what I use and works great for me. For finesse fishing use this http://www.***.com/Lazer_Trokar_Light_Wire_Finesse_Worm_Hook/descpage-LZLWFWH.html For braid and heavy flouro use this http://www.***.com/Lazer_Trokar_Flippin_Hook/descpage-ECTFH.html

I throw a 3/8oz Dirty Jig Swimbait head, on a Dobyns Extreme 744. I was using a Champ 734 but, I like the little extra length and sensitivity. If you look around you can find a used one for around your price.

Hardbait is a Yellow Magic Plastic is a Berkley PW

Evergreen Showerblow Whopper Plopper Savage Gear 3D Suicide Duck Livetarget Sunfish Yellow Magic I'm going to guess and say you have at least one of these. I know they are all topwater, I could recommend all throughout the water column. I love spending other people's money

I have no experience with the Alpha, with that said, I recently purchased a Curado 70 xg for 1/4 ounce Yellow Magics. It throws them great with little effort, try and use both if possible.

Yes sir ^^

Check out the Academy H2O Mettle, great reel for $59, I fish with several Metaniums, a couple of the new MGL and other high end Shimano reels. I have 3 of these Mettle's, they do go on sale often, I've caught them on sale for $9 on BF.

This

In my mind, a spook rod and a popper rods are two different rods, for me anyways. I use a Dobyns 684cb for quarter ounce Yellow Magics, and a Dobyns 705cb for spooks. If I had to chose one for both applications it would be the 705cb.

Saying which one is best is subjective. Which ever one feels the best to you is what you should go for. Try to handle and possible borrow any of these reels from your friends. What may be best for me, may not be best for you. I have a couple MGL reels, I haven't tried the others you listed, but the MGL is like budda. YMMV

This, for the last couple years I started to use old braid for backing.

http://xcitebaits.com/

I use 12lb Invisx

I have both, as well as many others, if you are going to stay at half ounce get the 734/744 if you're going to mainly throw three quarter get the 735 which is ex fast action.