FishTank

Depending on the conditions 10lb Yo Zuri Hybrid or 12lb Invizx.

I have one of the older Elite Tech Small Mouth rods and it is not to bad. I would compare it to the St. Croix Avid but it casts better. In the sensitivity category, it maybe just a fuzz less than the Avid but only by a small amount. It is a nice all around rod though. One other thing is that it balances well with heavier reels.

The best deal I have found so far was, 600 yard spools of Yo Zuri Hybrid for $4 each. I bought several spools a few years ago and this should be the last year for it. It has been pretty good line considering what I paid for it.

If there was a saltwater version, it would be killer for redfish.

A 40 ipt is overkill for bass, IMHO. Nice looking reel though.

Out of what I own.... G. Loomis 803C GLX Jig and Worm Rod.

I have the Calcutta 251 as well. Like someone stated, it might last forever. Solid as a tank and smooth.

I have the MBR 783 and it is amazing. It is the most versatile rods I own. I have fished one the GLX crankbait rods and found it almost too sensitive for crankbaits. It was nice but was just different from what I was use to in a crankbait rod. I also have the 803 GLX Jig and Worm rod, also amazing. If it fits the application you are trying to use it for, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the GLX rods.

They are both general purpose rods. But if they were mine, I would use the 6' for spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. The 6'6'' for cranks. Soft plastic would be on a different, longer rod with an xtra fast action.

No brainer.... The stradic.

For me, braid is technique specific. I don't use it exclusively but it does have it's place. I use it mainly for heavy coverage areas and punching the thick stuff. Other than that, I subscribe to the "if I can see it, so can the fish" (even though I know their eye sight is terrible) method.

As others have stated, I would find a spacer or two (see pic below) to put on the spool and maybe go with some lighter, softer line and some KVD line conditioner.

10lb Yo-Zuri hybrid for shallow cranks. 12lb Invizx for the deeper stuff.

For bass.... Fenwick Elite Tech MH 7'3" small mouth rod and a Shimano Calcutta 251. Both both on clearance, $100 for the rod and $35 for the reel. For bluegill and such........ Daiwa silver spincast combo. $35

If you can find one still on sale, the Shimano Crucial Crankbait rod is awesome. It hits that "Goldie Locks" zone of not too sensitive and not too dead. It is also has a Mod-Fast taper.

I use a G Loomis BCR803C GLX with either a Shimano Core 101 MG or a Chronarch 51E.

Gander Mountain has them for $100 + 10% off. http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Shimano-Citica-G-Low-Profile-Baitcast-Reel-CI200G7-Right-Retrieve&i=446069 I have the 201G and it is, as others have stated, a great work horse reel. It does everything I ask of it with no complaints.

InvisX 10lb or 12lb

G. Loomis BCR 803 with a Shimano Core and 5in Senko with a 4/0 Gami EWG

All new Rods 2 St. Croix Avids $40 each Shimano Crucial $55 Reels Shimano Calais $250 Shimano Callcutta 251 $35 Shimano Curado G $65 Shimano Citica G $40 Shimano Sustain FE $150 Shimano Core $210 These are best bargains I have found so far but unfortunately I no longer have the Calais or the Sustain.

I posted the same question earlier this year and pulled the trigger on a 51e. I love it so far. It's smooth, it cast a country mile and it is down right fun to fish. It also has a lot of power for a little reel.

Shimano Citaca G or a Shimano Curado G (they can be found for under $100).

I use to shop BPS for most of my tackle needs but as years have gone by they seem to carry more and more junk. Years ago, you could go in and find every rod from a particular maker. Now, it's sparce and a lot more of BPS house brands. The thing I miss the most though, are the old time fisherman that use to work there. They seem to have moved these guys out and replaced them with uneducated kids. BPS use to have that special something that kept me coming back and now it makes my local small tackle shop look that much better.

G. Loomis MBR 783GLX

Fenwick HMG....