GoDeep

I use a 7'6 mh moderate crucial crank bait rod. I usually throw traps in the 1/2-5/8oz range. Once TVA drops the lake levels to winter pool, the 7'6 let's me bomb them out from the shore.

I fished mine and lost them when they finally just came apart so I'm probably Sol. Be nice to get a reply and an answer on why they do this.

The Curado I feels better built, especially the thumb bar. Love both reels though and they both look great on the old black crucial.

I've emailed Mark Copley a couple times and guess I won't hear anything back. I'll still by them as they catch fish for me, but for them to swell up and separate after a couple weeks though? Not good. I never leave my gear out in the car, and I find it hard to believe they get too hot by sitting in my bag on my boat to do this.

The Tatula tosses lighter weight lures better as most mag reels generally do, but when throwing 1/2oz traps you'd be hard pressed to see a difference. Plus some people have a better thumb than others, and will have different brake settings that will affect distance. Same goes for rods. Both will cast farther than you can effectively set the hook, so it's pretty moot anyway. You're probably the first person I've heard describe the Curado I as an "ok reel" lol. That being said, I honestly would have a hard time picking between a Tatula and a Curado I if I had to. The Tatula IMO, is the best bang for the buck right now as you can find some killer deals on them. I got mine for $92 a piece shipped.

You can't go wrong with Shimano.

I own 2 and really like them. They are Very well built and they cast a mile, and the SVS system works perfectly. A site sponsor here actually is trying to liquidate some to make room for new inventory so you may wanna pm him so he can quote you a very good price on one. Here's the link to the thread on here http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/144181-inventory-reduction-sale-new-models-coming/

Try Junebug Red. Been a much more productive color for me compared to regular Junebug.

I love the Red Eye Shad, been fishing it for years now. From time to time though, a few of mine tend to split at the seam near the split ring and take on some water. I've sealed them back up with some super glue after letting them dry out and kept fishing them, but actually lost a few when the split apart for good leaving only the split ring and line tie attached to my line when I've hit a snag or with a fish on which sucked. I've sent out an email to SK but have yet to get a reply, as a couple months ago I bought 2 new RES in Rootbeer Chartreuse and they've split and got lost in a similar fashion as before. Has anyone had trouble with them splitting?

*** jigs with Excite Raptor tail chunks, SK Rage Craws, SK Structure Bugs, or Missile Baits D Bomb. Beware of the Rage baits. They catch fish but the durability stinks.

1/2oz Black and Blue Nu-Tech jig with Excite raptor tail chunk in black and blue. Nu-Tech makes great jigs!

Personally I'd go with the Tatula over both. Google all the issues people have had with the S and STX brakes turning themselves on. Tatula/Citica best two choices.

I had problems with my Revo S. The brake blocks kept turning themselves on during the cast killing the distance. Went through 3 of them and ended up returning it. I'd go with the Citica.

I have a 7'2 Mh XF shimano crucial. Love that rod. They can be had for about $120 right now if you look hard enough.

You just can't be a SK RES in the fall. Yo yo it and you'll the magic this lure has. Chartreuse bait fish and chili craw work great for me.

I like the Dingers better. Cheaper than Yammys and they catch just as many fish for me. I bought about 15 packs of Zoom U Vibe worms, and have snipped the tails off a couple bags and have been using them as stick baits and they are great. Very soft like Yamamotos, but much more durable and they work great.

If I were the OP, I'd get some cheap fluoro if he's never fished with it. The first good backlash and it's toast. Best to learn on something that's cheap like Red Label until he gets used to it so he's not tossing $ in the trash.

I got some of these one time, and they were turds. Looked horrible in the water. No need to fish these all of the better alternatives out there.

Missile Baits D-Bombs, and zoom u tales.

Yep. They are looking to fatten up on shad for winter. They are much shallower too.

I did this the other night with my new Tatula. First cast. Coming from the Curado I's braking system to MagForce Z was a rude awakening. Swallowed my pride and upped the braking force til I get used to it, as I ruined nearly a whole spool of Yo Zuri with one cast lol.

Love some Smoke Yo Zuri hybrid.

This. I cannot wait to throw some lipless cranks. I catch some many fish here in the fall and spring.....

I've never once had any issues with their lures or terminal tackle. Love their lipless crankbaits and squarebills. No issues with their spinnerbaits either. IMO, they are even better than BPS' Lazer Eye spinner baits, and those are pretty decent for the price.

Strike King Red Eye Shad are my go to lipless crank, but I also like XCalibur XRK50s/XR50s, and Academy's lipless cranks. They all have done very well for me, but If just one....gotta go with the Red Eye.