offsidewing

I own three Avid X rods. No issues with double uni knots on leaders passing through the microguides with 50lb braid. I platooned the Avid X rods against the E6X and I liked the Avid X for responsiveness and castability better. I don't get caught up on split grips too much. And to me the microguides on the Avid X seem to have some tangible benefits. The Avid and Avid X offer different features on a solid blank. I love my Avid Xs and don't feel I'm missing anything compared to an Avid.

Title says it all. Looking to buy my first Daiwa baitcaster. I'm looking at something the size of the Metanium. A JDM SS SV 103? Is the upcoming Tatula SV TW decent? Lemme know!

All you'll need is that bag of Canada Craw TRDs...

7' Medium with a fast tip. Stay away from medium medium rods in the Great Lakes / St Lawrence for smallies.

If it doesn't have treble hooks, I use fluoro. People love or hate fluoro. I love it, have no problems with it, and don't use line conditioner. I change it out every 2 months. Then the first cast and last cast is always for distance to let line out and reel it in at a medium pace with tension from me pinching the line between my finger. I use 6lb on spinning reels and 12, 15, and 18lb on baitcasters. Bonus points if you get the medium pace reference.

For the same price go with the curado. With patience you can also find new Curados in the mid $130s and citicas for $110 on popular auction sites. Patience is the key.

When I braid, I use straight braid. Suffix or Powerpro in a natural color. I only use braid in shallow water with heavy vegatation. Fluoro for everything else except crankbaits (mono).

Others have made great suggestions, but If there is a Cabelas near you, there Tournament ZX rods are a great value at $99 and go on sale regularly for $70. Heck of a rod for $70.

Both are great reels. I don't think you're making a mistake either way. However, going to the store with your heart set on one thing and leaving with something else will always cause doubt.

Just picked up a second brand new Metanium MGL from Japan Lure Shop for a hair under $300 with Express shipping. It will get here faster from Japan than UPS ships from the West Coast. A Chronarch Ci4+ for $199 is a good deal. $280 for a Chronarch MGL from Cabelas or $290 for a JDM Metanium MGL - this is a no brainer..

I am a sucker for St Croix because their customer service is amoung the best in any industry. Dobyns gets lots of love in the forums.

I use both casting and spinning gear. But the most efficent and cost effective way is with spinning gear in my experience. I've started using casting gear on Ned Rigs above 3/16 oz too. But the varying presentations on a ned rig feel better on spinning gear.

When I use a bait caster for drop shotting, if I'm just dropping it over the side of the boat, I loosen the drag a bit and pull the line off the spool by hand as the bait sinks. You can do that with a $30 baitcaster.

I've done 50lb power pro w/ 12lb fluro leader on Avid X 7MHF casting rod. 68MXF spinning rod looks like it could easily pass that knot as well.

Met MGL over all Mets and Core 50. 2016 Vanquish over 2014 Stella (durability of the Stella withstanding)

What ever feels best to you. I'm right-handed and all my reels are righty. From age 4 to 13 I fished a Zebco 33. I learned the fundamentals of all basic presentations and retrieves using my left hand to control the rod thanks to the right-hand retreive of the Zebco. Casting with my non-dominant hand is almost as ugly looking as trying a finesse presentation with my dominant hand. I'm right handed and trying to shakey head with my right arm is tougher than brushing my teeth with my left hand hand! Go figure! Now, if you want a real debate, ask me how to hold a knife and fork!

If I died tomorrow, whenever my wife had the garage sale all my St Croix elites would be $20. She has no point of reference.

This.

Great review. Sorry about your experience w/ Tatsu. I fish it over rock piles, stumps, and docks and never an issue.

Avid X all day.

St Croix Avid X 68MXF for $200, a Pflueger Supreme 30x sized reel, and spool of YoZuri Hybrid 6lb line. You could also go 70MF Avid X rod as well.

Uh-oh, with the name "Tactical" it will probably get banned in California. j/k I used the P-Line co-poly and Fluoro when I was just getting back into fishing 4-5 years ago. Since then, I like the Yo-Zuri co-poly and Tatsu has ruined it for every other Fluoro ever.

Remember, the Ford Mustang 4-Cyl Turbo and the Ford Mustang GT-350R are built on the same blank. Get the Avid X.

Every time I think of buying a Daiwa reel, I buy another Shimano Metanium. I think both brands are well made. I'm in love with the new Shimano Metanium MGL.

I keep coming back to senkos when I try a diffrrent brand. As for drop shotting, I've found myself drop shotting less and Ned Rigging more in all water depths. But the Yamamoto Shad shape worm is what I caught my PB on.