PatrickKnight

The 702 would be perfect for that.

For me I use a ML for lighter wire hooks and my 703 for heavier wire hooks. What type of hooks are you planning on using? Also what line type?

I think its a fair bet to say that guy likes crawfish!!

I would take a St Croix over Pure Fishing any time.

I don't like anything more than a fast action and I generally prefer the slower side of fast. In general when possible I prefer more moderate fast actions than true fast but as stated above this varies between companies.

I fish a medium power when I want to go above 3/16 oz, if I want to go with 15-20 lb line, or if I am going to go with a thicker wire hook. I don't use a certain power rod based on a technique I use them based on how I will fish that technique.

You would need to go with a Champion to get the level of sensitivity you get with the LTB or IMX. My Sierra doesn't compare to an IMX or LTB. An IMX at 206 really is a no brainer imo.

95% of my freshwater fishing is smaller rivers and creeks with spinning tackle. I tried the shorter rods but I never saw any advantage and saw a visible reduction in casting distance. A lot of times on smaller bodies of water you get gin clear water that isn't super deep so casting distance is super important so now I stick to all 7'+ rods. One thing you don't see mentioned very often in bass fishing but can be great is a light power rod such as the St Croix ECS70LF. You never mentioned a budget but that rod is in the Eyecon line and is $130. As for reels I stick to Shimano and Daiwa because I truly believe they are the best. For a solid performer for the money you can get a Daiwa Procyon on Amazon for about $100. So for $230 you have a combo that would be killer for all of your smaller and lighter presentations. I think I just managed to talk myself into getting this combo

My 703SF fishes dead on to a medium but I don't own any of their casting rods or any of the Fury line.

I can not stand the SK2 reel seat so while there is a couple of models in the LTB line as well as one in the LTWalleye line I would like I pass due to the reel seat. For the price you are looking at I think you should take a good look at the Phenix Recon Elite 7'2" light power rod, that is going to my next river small mouth rod.

Original Power Pro is a solid performing braid for sure!!

I don't skip much in freshwater but I do it often when I am in Florida fishing mangroves. I use a 7 foot rod with no issues, but if I was going to get one for freshwater use just for skipping I would go with the 6'8" medium XF Mojo. Welcome aboard!!!

The Fenwick HMG is also a great rod at the 100 dollar mark. I used one a lot last year and use a Sierra this year. The Sierra is a lot more sensitive but the HMG was fantastic for the 100 bucks I paid for it. I used the 6'9" ML and it would work great for drop shots, they also make a 7'6" ML if you feel like throwing a drop shot clear across a lake.

I agree with him on a few things from this list the main one being the Daiwa BG is an absurd amount of reel for the money. Nothing has ever come even close to its performance for a 100 bucks and this is coming from a Shimano fanboy!

If I had nothing else but a 3-4 inch curly tail on an 1/8 oz jig for fishing smaller rivers I would be happy.

Last year I caught a 5 inch smallmouth throwing a 5 inch curly tail and several 5-6 inch fish on 4-5 inch swim baits. Big fish in general like to get the most bang for the buck when it come to feeding, then factor in the natural aggressiveness of the smallmouth and its a win win for larger baits imo.

I thought this would be an issue for me when I got my Stradic FK but now I am glad its gone. I don't have to worry about water getting in there and the drag on that reel is good enough I have no need to back reel.

Have you changed out the bushings for bearings? If so did you notice any improvement?

Thank you sir! I will look into it more before sending it your way for a good cleaning and a drag upgrade!

I have been fishing it since September of last year

So here before to much longer my Stradic FK will get its first really good cleaning and a Carbontex drag upgrade. However while I am doing this are there any bearing upgrades (additional bearings) that would give a decent return such as maybe putting a bearing under the spool instead of the plastic bushing (this would in theory help make the drag a bit smoother I think)?

Most of my fishing is wading in rivers. I used to carry a couple of rods then thought hey I will take one and a couple of spools. Now I carry one with no spare spools and change my leader as needed.

If you love flouro then go with that. I think line debates are strange because I really do believe people should use what works best for them and the type of fishing they do.

I fished a ml Fenwick HMG 6'9" a bunch last year and it was a great rod. My current main rod is a Dobyns Sierra 703 and it is a better over all rod than the HMG but at almost twice the cost it better be. I really don't think you can do much better than an HMG at the $100 price point, the Fury is a nice rod as well but I wouldn't like I was missing out with the HMG. Based on what you want to do though I would go with the 7'6" ML HMG. I have never been impressed with the Pflueger reels (I am in the minority here) but you can get a Daiwa BG on Amazon for 85 bucks and until you get to the $200 price point I don't think there is a reel that can touch the BG in terms of performance (it is a bit heavy due to an all metal reel).

I hate that just about all good spinning reels are chasing down high speed as well. I really want a good 5.0:1 but about the lowest I can find is 5.6:1 on a Daiwa Ballistic. I could get another Stradic FK do swap to JDM gears but that's a lot of work.