PatrickKnight

That's how my Stradic sits on my Sierra 703. I just thought that is how the Dobyns rods were. While it is a bit unsightly it also doesn't come loose so it doesn't effect the function of the rod.

A custom moderate fast action ml power 7'6" spinning rod from DVT built with what ever guides, reel seat, and blank he thought would be best.

I agree with the Star rods, they fly under the radar and are a heck of a rod for the money.

The 2500 sized Daiwa will bet the same size as a 3000 Shimano. https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Procyon-2500-Spinning-Purple/dp/B00LDYJYYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497913377&sr=8-1&keywords=daiwa%2Bprocyon&th=1&psc=1 This will likely be my next reel. I fished a friends and its right on par with my Stradic FK. It weighs slightly more but that is due to it being a full metal body which the Stradic is not.

I tried Elite this year it was on for three trips before braid went back on the reel. Nothing against the line I will still use it for leaders but after having used briad for a while I just cant use anything else for my main line. I will say I was surprised how well it held up against rocks.

You can get a Daiwa Procyon on Amazon for less than that Abu and it will be a better reel than both of the ones you listed.

That rod is really versatile and can be used for all of what you posted. It would not be my first choice for cranks just because of the XF action but it should still work ok.

wading belt

Phenix rods are VERY underrated imo. I just had the pleasure of fishing the light power Phenix Recon Elite 7'6" spinning rod (PHX-S762L) and it completely puts my Dobyns Sierra (SA 703SF) and my buddys E6X (802S JWR) to shame in every single way. I only use spinning rods so keep that in mind but from my fishing Recon > Sierra > E6X. After having fished this rod to me it is the top of the $200 price point.

I wade rivers so I carry less than most 1 medium power spinning rod with 15 lb braid 1 medium light power spinning rod with 10 lb braid If I am hitting a creek I will only take the ml or if I have a plan on what I am throwing sometimes I will only take the medium.

An often over looked problem!

I have an FK 3000 and its drag is solid for bass but the felt washers wear out quickly on other fish (Carbontex washers are a great upgrade for about 10 bucks). I am getting the Ballistic in about a month but with it having carbon washers from the factory I would bet it will have a slightly smoother drag even if its max drag is slightly lower.

Might be a line management issue with the reel as well. I found a lot of my older reels couldn't handle braid nearly as well as the newer ones on the market can. 95% of my fishing is spinning tackle with braid and I don't have any digging or line management issues with my newer reels and 10-20 lb regular Power Pro. Also reduce the drag pressure some and make sure she isn't reeling while the fish is pulling drag.

I use 10-20 regular Power Pro with zero issues. I don't use any rods with micro guides and when I use a leader its 8-15 lb mono joined with either a FG knot (if I feel like taking the time) or an Alberto knot.

Smallmouth Magic for me

I would put some Trilene XL 8lb on there and see how that works out for her.

You would want a more powerful reel for really large swim baits which is why people generally go for lower gear ratio reels.

95% of my fishing in both fresh and salt water is done with spinning tackle.

Just wanting to make sure the weight listed is accurate.

3000 FK

Thanks for the input guys. I am only in the market for a rod right now because the one I got last doesn't balance all that well with my Stradic so I am going to get a slightly heavier reel for it and try to balance the Stradic onto a ML rod. Hopefully any of these rods will be slightly more butt heavy than my Dobyns Sierra was. Would any of you be able to compare the Daiwa rods to the Dobyns so far as sensitivity goes?

Wondering if anyone has one spooled with line they could toss on a scale to get a weight for me? Thank you very much!

I am seriously considering a Daiwa spinning rod but I have no clue about the levels of the blank materials. What would the difference be in HVF (Cronos) and SVF (Tatula Elite)? Looking at the 7' ML spinning rod from both lines. Also would the Zillion be a really noticeable upgrade over both of the above listed rods? One last thing it isn't against some secret law to put a Shimano reel on a Daiwa rod is it? Just want to make sure some strange magnetic field isn't going to prevent me from putting my Stradic FK on a Daiwa rod.

Thanks guys!!!

Anyone have a 2500 or 3000 and a scale that can get an actual weight of it? I am curious if the weight listed on the website is accurate. I need a slightly heavier reel to better balance out a rod but I need to know how much more weight I need to add.