Mr Swim Jig

I have the 30lbs on one and 20lbs on another spinning set up and have not had any issues with either one.

The Zillion is the only new reel coming out with the TWS...

St Croix definitely...

10 to 12lbs fluorocarbon...

Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper

3/8oz Cavitron

5/16oz 99% of the time...

Tatula Type-R definitely!

The bass here must not have gotten the memo yet....lol

I use fluorocarbon, copolymer and braided line, just depends on the situation.

Don't use a trailer either but will occasionally use a trailer hook.

I use a Daiwa Tatula rod, 7' 2" MH/R and I use a Tatula 7.3:1 and a Type-R 8.1 reel. I also use 10 lbs fluorocarbon. A lot of people use 30lbs braid, but I just have more confidence with fluorocarbon line. I also use North Star Original Swim Jigs in 5/16oz with my favorite trailer being a Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper. Color is up to you. I prefer black and blue, white, watermelon red flash and new gill.

You fishing heavy, moderate or light cover?

North Star Original Swim Jigs and Reaction Innovations Skinny Dippers for trailers...

All of my reels are 7:1 or higher except for my cranking reel and it is a 6.3:1 reel.

I didn't like the feel of the T3 and personally I did not like all the extra moving parts of the casting system. I have a Tatula and a Tatula Type-R and absolutely just love them. It is going to come down to personal preference.

The Chatterbait is my Kryptonite...

Absolutely my favorite technique to fish. I prefer the Norther Style swim jigs and really prefer North Star Baits original swim jig. I mainly use white or black and blue in 5/16oz and prefer Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper for a trailer. I will also use on occasion watermelon red flash...

If $200 is your budget there are a lot of rods in that category. The first one that comes to mind is the Daiwa Zillion that is on sale at TW for $178... Other rods are the Daiwa Tatula, St Croix Avid, Duckett Micro Magic, etc... there are just a ton of them

I have InvizX on most of my rods including my jig rod in 15lbs test and have never had a problem with stretch in my line.

I have had great luck with Reaction Innovations Skinny Dippers and with a Swimming Senko.

It goes under the bait and presses up into the body of the bait to help hold the bait in place.

The grips are amazing....

30lbs should be just fine. It is up to you if you want to use mono for backing or use tape. I prefer compression tape. Power Pro use to include it with their braid.

They are nice rods. Picked up the wife one of the spinning rods, the plastics model. 7' 2" MH/F Very impressed with this rod...