PatrickKnight

Ohio weather is just stupid so far this year!!

If going with the Okuma will allow you to go with a Sierra that is for sure the way to go.

The Daiwa BG can be had on Amazon for 85 bucks. That would be my choice. If you can manage to add 15 bucks to it you can get a Procyon for a shade over 100 which is an amazing reel. I cant comment on the Okuma as I stick to Daiwa and Shimano for reels.

What is your budget?

I fish them on a Sierra 703.

I have a 703 and it is one really sensitive stick. My only complaint is it is a bit to tip heavy with my 3000 size Stradic on it. I think it would be perfect with a 9.5 oz real on it.

I know a lot of people say the Dobyns rods fish light but to me my Sierra 703 fishes like a true medium so I would think the 704 would fish like a true MH.

This is your best bet. You will not find anything new in the 220 range that will compare to a champ extreme.

When I drop shot over an 1/8 oz (very very rare) I go to a medium power 7 foot rod.

That LTB was purpose built for drop shot.

Your Daiwa and a Stradic weigh very close to the same. Both come in at about 9oz. I would not put a reel that weighs less than 9oz on my Dobyns and in fact I might buy a heavier reel to help balance it out.

I have a Sierra 703 and it is the most sensitive rod I have used around 200 bucks. One hit to the rod is it is slightly tip heavy with my Stradic FK 3000 on it. I think the Avid balances better but the Dobyns is more sensitive in my hand. Never used a Savvy because I hate micro guides. I would say the 703 fishes pretty close to a true medium.

Compare line capacity instead of what ever numbers they use. This way no matter the brand you can get a reel that is the size you want.

I use leaders because I fish around rocks. I also use mono for leaders because flouro is expensive and not needed imo.

Best spinning reel for the money you can buy!!!

This

Without spooling it with the line YOU want to use there is no way to tell if the line lay will be correct. I have the same reel and if I go from braid to mono I have to add a shim to get the line lay right.

As a Shimano fan boy I have often said I think they really come into there own at the Stradic line and above, that being said the Ultegra looks like it could be a serious player at the $150 price point. The thing that really sets Shimano apart from everyone else for me is line management, they just seem to have it down. I don't think it would be a bad reel but if you want a Stradic get a Stradic.

3000 Shimano or 2500 Daiwa for me. Same frame size as a 2500 Shimano but a higher spool capacity.

Custom for sure.

The Stradic FK is a wonderful reel and I personally use a 3000 (I don't just bass fish so I like the versatility the slightly larger line capacity gives me over the 2500). I drop shot just fine with a 7 foot medium but in the 100 dollar range I think a Dobyns Fury 702 ( 7 foot medium light) would be a better choice. Then again I don't buy into the thought process of you need a different rod for every technique.

For 60 bucks they are solid at full price you can do better.

These guys will give you a discount for your service!! And thank you very much for your service!

I use a 3000 Stradic FK when I fish Tampa Bay and the Texas coast and never once have I felt under powered. You don't need a 4000 for inshore fishing however if you want to go fish wrecks or something like that then I would go with a 4000.

For the same price I see no reason what so ever to get the FA.