PatrickKnight

Well it looks like you guys just saved me some money . Currently I am using Sunline Super Natural for leaders only because I got a really good deal on a couple spools of 10 lb test. I may pick up some Yo-Zuri Hybrid to give that a run because I would prefer a little more abrasion resistance in the leader than I get with the Sunline.

I use a ML rod for throwing 3-4 inch swim baits on 1/8-1/4 oz jig heads. I use what I consider to be fairly heavy hooks on the jigs and I don't loose very many once I get them hooked (I use 10 lb braid to a 10 lb mono leader). I don't see you having any issues what so ever throwing them on the rod you listed. I think as long as you stay in the recommended line and lure ratings of the rod you should be just fine.

6'9" ML HMG with a Stradic 2000FG spooled with 10 Fins XS braid to a 10 lb Sunline Super Natural leader.

I use 10-20 lb Fins XS or Windtamer based on the color I want to use.

I have been using braid only for a while now (90% of the time I am fishing spinning gear due the baits I throw) but I am thinking of giving fluro a shot. However for someone who never uses it picking one out can be fairly confusing. I don't really want to spend the money on Tatsu (from what I have read here on the forums this is the best on the market) without knowing if I will like how it fishes. What is a good fluro that wont break the bank but will give me a good idea if I will like the line?

I use a 6'9" ML HMG for this exact purpose and it casts my 1/8th oz jigs a mile I could imagine the 7'6" model would probably have me hitting the far bank. To the OP I have had nothing but great experiences with my HMG. I cant speak to the Elite Tech because I don't own one but I will not hesitate to buy another HMG if my price range is at the 100 dollar mark.

I have two Stradic FGs and two greenie Curados that I have had for well over a decade without a single issue what so ever. I cant speak to the quality of the new Shimanos since I have never had any issues from these I haven't had a need to buy replacements.

I hit the river near me last weekend (Great Miami about 50 miles up stream from the Ohio) and the only thing I could get any bites on were 4 inch green pumpkin grubs on 1/8 oz jig heads. I would cast up stream and reel just fast enough to keep them off the bottom, all my bites came as the grub smacked a rock.

After I moved to Ohio I haven't been able to hit the gulf for a while but that will be starting to change as the fall rolls around. I should be able to make it to the Texas coast and Florida (both gulf and ocean sides of the state) several times through out the year going forward. However I have to get some new inshore fishing gear and I am somewhat stuck on the rod. I have a budget of about 200 to spend on the rod. So far the ones I am thinking of are the Loomis E6X inshore 6-12 mod/fast 7 foot med light rod, the Waterloo Salinity 7 foot 6-12 medium fast, and the Laguna Liquid 6-12 7 foot medium fast. I am not sure how many people know about Waterloo and Laguna they are Texas based rod makers very popular on the Texas coast but when I lived down there they were never in my budget like they are now. However I am not sure if they are any better or worse than the Loomis as these are their "production rods" and not there full customs. This rod will be paired with a Stradic FG 2000 and 15 lb braid. If this is the wrong place to post this I apologize but I wasnt sure if it should go here or in the rod section.

My Stradic 1000 and 2000 FG. I have had them both for over 10 years with out a single issue.

The *** I tried was at the Field and Stream store here near Dayton. Looking at the post I can see I worded it very poorly and it made it seem like I tried it at Bass Pro.

So I took a trip to the Bass Pro down in Cincinnati this evening and took my Stradic with me. I found the 6'10" *** didn't seem to balance to well with my reel however the 6'9" and 7' HMG as well as the 6'9" Carbonlite both balanced extremely well. What is the general opinion of the HMG vs the Carbonlite? I liked that the Carbonlite is rated down to 1/16th but I also think the grip on the HMG is more comfortable as well as the HMG felt a bit lighter in hand.

I was looking at the ET Smallmouth 6'9" ML on amazon last week but this week its gone still kicking myself over not just buying it. One rod I found that I think would be good is the Abu Ike Series 6'10" ML. Its a moderate fast action (not sure if I should go mod fast, fast, or extra fast) and looks to be a nice rod but I haven't seen very many people post about it. Is it over shadowed by the Veritas which seems to get a lot of praise? I went to my local Field and Stream store last night and really liked the 6'9" ML Fenwick HMG with a fast action what are you guys thoughts on this rod for throwing really light weight jigs (I normally tip them with either grubs, tubes, or small swim baits if that helps).

So I have just gotten back into fishing after about 7 years away from it. The main difference is now live in Ohio when I used to live in Texas so I am now fishing smaller rivers and creeks for smallmouth when I used to fish large reservoirs for largemouth. My current spinning rod is a 6'6" MH fast action Shimano V Rod. I am now throwing 1/16 - 1/4 oz jigs more than anything so my current rod is very over powered and I am having to really swing to get these light jigs to move. I am look for a ML power (not sure what action would be best for these super light jigs) but most of what I am seeing is a lot of the rods in the $100 range (my price range is $100-$120) are actually more of a medium power. So I am hoping you guys could recommend some rods that would be good for what I am fishing, also I will be putting a 2000 size Shimano Stradic FG (10-15 lb braid or 6-8 lb mono) on the rod so hopefully this is enough info for you guys to give a good recommendation.

Hello everyone my name is Patrick and I am just getting back into fishing after about 8 years off. I grew up fishing the large reservoirs of northeast and central Texas but now I reside just north of Cincinnati and I am learning to fish rivers and small creeks for smallies when all I ever fished for before was largemouth. I look forward to learning a lot from the forums and interacting with its many members.