FishTank

Shimano Curados and Chronarchs > any of them. My favorite of the ones I have owned over the years and I still have it, is the Chronarch 51e. I takes beating when I kayak fish and it just keeps going. The Curado 201 SF would be a close second.

I have the shorter 802c NRX (old version) paired with a Daiwa Steez CT. This combo is great for finesse stuff and almost BFS lures. I wouldn't go anything heavier than 3/8oz on it but it's fun to fish. It's not as practical as the next power up (803, 843, and 903). It's almost like a ML rod instead of a Med.

I have the same set up. It is one of the few that when you put both rod and reel together, it's perfect. It sort of has that.....

NRX+ 843C or 844C and an Antares 70A.

Picked a few odds and ends that the monkey couldn't do without. I also picked up some KVD line conditioner, two 1000 yard spools of Sufix Siege, a spool of 15lb Tatsu, and box of misc stuff from Sieberts. My top secret bait is also in this stash as well. The year is almost over and someone is bound to figure it out eventually.

Thanks.... order a few odds and ends. Always good stuff.

Shimano SLX and a 7' M Fast St. Croix Avid. Both the rod and reel are kind of easy going for a beginner but will also function great as a long term quality set up.

I had two President reels (not sure of exact models) from about 7 years ago. I think they were the first one after the version with the wood handle. Both were great until they weren't. Each developed their own issues. I often talked about how much I liked them and I couldn't recommend them enough but in the end my experience was enough to turn me away. It seemed they went further down hill after that. It's a shame. I still know guys that fish old ones from 15+ years ago.

For me, I have two that I would consider "The One Rod" > the G. Loomis GLX 783C and the St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast. The reason I suggest both of these is because when I am bank fishing I don't always want a top of the line setup (as I tend to fish some off the beaten path spots). I do want one that is dependable, durable, just sensitive enough and flexible with different baits. The Avid does it for me. On the other hand, the 783C GLX is just a fantastic multipurpose rod that is super sensitive, light, cast far, and the shorter length is also a plus. I have had mine for almost 15+ years and it is as good as the day I got it. When I am not using as it as a general purpose rod, it is my go to jerk bait rod.

I don't have this one but I have 2 Antares 12's and the 70A. I picked up the 70A instead of the DC. I have a Curado DC though and it is a fantastic reel but the DC portion of it is just another tool for the job. I like the old school brakes better for most of the stuff I fish. Are the Antares reels worth the money?> From a fun and function stand point, Yes. They are the smoothest reels ever. The drag is amazing and casting is just fantastic (maybe the best), especially the 70A. From a practicality stand point> No. I would invest the money in a top of the line rod or go to the Steez SV TW or CT for that matter. The Steez reels are not as buttery smooth in some ways (not by much though) but they do a better job of being a fantastic reel that gets the job done. To put it another way, if I was going to get 5 Antares 70A's or 5 Steez SV TW's for tournament fishing. I would get the Steez. Would I get the Antares DC? > Maybe, it would depend if I am planning on fishing into the wind or using it for baits I find difficult to cast. I still think if I was to buy another Antares for all around use, I would get the 70A. It works better for my style of fishing.

I have a couple of Curados and they have been perfect but the Zillion would be my choice. Just a better reel.

I was able to exchange the Metanium mentioned above and received the new one today. I took it out for a few and it was awesome. No issues at all. I was able to set the brakes at 2 on and 2 off and the outside dial at 2 or 3 and was able to cast a long way with no backlashes at all.

Last year it was a Dawia Steez SV TW and a St. Legend Elite 6'8'' M Fast. This year it has been split between the same set up and a Shimano Vanquish 3000 with a G. Loomis 803S NRX> But after the tip broke on the NRX (my fault), I have been using my old St. Croix Avid. On a side note, as the season starts to end I was thinking of the reels I will work on for people this year and the question of which reels will give my a head ache always comes up. One of the thoughts that goes through my head is "There is always one reel from each guy that gets beat up the most". You can always tell which one is the favorite go to on the outside by how much grime is on it but the insides always tell me which reel can withstand a beating and which ones can't. A lot is based on how and what a guy fishes. It always weird to see a few almost untouched reels and that one that looks like it been drug through the mud.

I own both and I kind a think the opposite. The IMX has always felt stiffer and I believe it delivers a more powerful hook set than the GLX. On the other hand, the GLX is more sensitive and lighter. I use the IMX for topwater and some heavier cover fishing. The GLX is great for heavier T-rigged soft plastic and bottom contact jigs but the IMX is no slouch at these either. Also, to add to the above, I just got a 904 NRX+ and the tip on this rod feels even softer than the GLX but that may be due to extra length. All great rods though.

Ditto.... Great line. I haven't had an issue yet.

If you fishing from the bank only, I don't see where this rod would be much help but from a boat, it would be a keeper.

I almost pulled the trigger on one of these or a new Zillion but instead I picked up a Met. It is one of the coolest looking reels Daiwa has ever made. I would definitely want to hear how it worked out. Enjoy.

I have tried both and both are great lines. The J-Fluoro is good but not as good as Tatsu. I would put it somewhere between Invizx and Tatsu. Its definitely worth a try but from what I have seen, I wouldn't expect it to hold up as well or as long as Tatsu. If keep your eyes open, you can often find Tatsu on sale.

I have the 844C IMX and GLX and now the 904 NRX+. The tip on the 904 feels a little softer to me but is great for tossing a 1/2oz jig. The two 844C I have are just slightly better at pitching a jig but the NRX is way more sensitive and I haven't had it out to fish but twice so I still need to get use to it.

Show her or read her this book and she will understand......

Shimano Curado K 6.X:1. Great reel, smooth and casts a mile.

Invizx 12lb. I usually get 1 season out of it sometimes two. Tatsu on the other hand, I changed a reel at the beginning of the year that had it on there for four years and the only reason I changed it was because I was running low on line.

My personal preference changes from time to time. This year I have been fishing a wacky rigged senko on spinning gear with great success. Last year I think I may have used my spinning gear 5 or 6 times.

I tried it (multiple spools) and it was the opposite of everything it said on the box. Maybe in a different pound test it will be better but what I had was not for me. I have moved on to Sunline Defier. Way more expensive but great line. Worth the price over most other mono? > Maybe .... It lasted 2 seasons, which is a lot longer than any mono I have used, and still going.

Weird. I used it for a long time and have since moved on to other lines but it's still good stuff. I have never seen a color issue with it before though. I would reach out to the guys at Power Pro and see what they have to say. They were helpful with some counterfeit line I bought from a big box store years ago. I still can't believe to this day it was on their shelf and they still probably will deny I bought it there.