DenhamBruce

In my experience it has. Assuming a builder charges $100 for labor, I could take that into account and get an MHX or Rainshadow blank of similar specs to an NRX and upgrade the guides with titanium and still come out for less than $400.

Price depends on what you want. But in general if I were to make myself a rod similar to say a Loomis GLX with a similar high end blank and components it would likely be over $100 cheaper. Or I could build a rod with titanium guides that are better then the ones on the Loomis and it would still be cheaper. Maybe one of the professional builders on the site will chime in with what they think. Anyways, unless you're buying a rod at a great discount, a custom rod is generally cheaper when it comes to something high-end.

If you're considering custom, don't fret about the warranty. Any professional builder is going to have a warranty on all their rods and the blank manufacturing companies like Rainshadow have excellent customer service should anything ever happen to your rod. I've dealt with them personally and they always look out for the customers best interest.

Just give one of the new CT models a shot, they can be had for less than 100 bucks on fleabay. I love my tatula and as long as you're setting the reel up properly with the spool tension and magnetic brakes you can't go wrong.

Anyone else not like the look of these new reels? Finish looks cheaper on those carbon framed reels. I really like how the stuff they've been putting out before this were all aluminum framed like the Fuego and BG.

If you're going to tie on a mono leader to your braid then go with the yellow. However, if tying braid directly to the bait go with a low vis color like green or camo.

This is a great piece of advise in the sense that you cannot go wrong choosing either reel. From here what it really comes down to is which one you think looks cooler

Tatula CT

Thank you for all the help everyone! I think I've made my choice and I'll be going with the Vibe Sea Ghost 110. It seems like the overall best bang for your buck with what I could find and I'm excited for it!

Thank you that's some good info. What are some of the best brands? Like the Shimano and Daiwa equivalents for kayaking. Perhaps that would help narrow down the brands I'm looking through.

Alright sorry about that. I couldn't find much forum posts by searching on google but after just searching the threads here there is quite a bit of info. There's a lot of info tho that I'm not too familiar with so I was hoping someone could help with the baseline information on what to look for when buying one.

Hey guys, looking into getting my first fishing kayak and would love some recommendations of what people are using and the difference between sit-in and sit-on. I'm not looking to spend $1000, just more so something that will give me the best bang for your buck and fill my fishing needs. I'll be fishing on small lakes primarily. Thanks!

With the way Shimano slopes the palming side down it truly is a game changer for round reels. I have a 200 size Calcutta D that palms like a 100 and I love fishing it. With the BFS being smaller in general I doubt you'll have a problem with it.

Can't say that without handling all of them. I know they're not as nice as a BG lol at least that reel is made out of metal.

Fact is you can pick up a NASCI and no matter what advantages Shimano claims "Hagane" has, the reel foot will still bend. Heck I'll take the Daiwa RG over it because its made from aluminum and I know it will never flex on the water. Shimano just cheaps out on their lower-end stuff because they know people will still buy it. You shouldn't have to buy a Stradic to get a reel made from aluminum.

I'll take 832 over PowerPro any day. Basically take any 8 strand braid over a 4 strand braid in general for me.

RG

Don't get me wrong I've got some magnesium reels that weigh under 6 oz but in a lot of cases these reels are made out of "carbon" which is basically souped up plastic. The reels that are light AND work like tanks often require a decent price tag to purchase.

Reel weight is very overrated imo. What matters is how balanced the rod is with said reel that determines how tired your arm is after a day of fishing. I'll take an aluminum 7+oz reel over something under 6oz made out of plastic and graphite any day.

7'6. Go with the longest rod you can get, a shorter person needs the extra length for leverage on a fish.

President is solid but they have been surpassed in recent years for that price point. I'd go Shimano Nascl or Daiwa RG

Same frame

Being how much of a finesse application drop shotting is, I wouldnt really worry about the glorified plastic. However when I'm targeting steelhead, give me aluminum!

Both sound like they are bulletproof. If you want to be different, go with the Daiwa. Either are good thats how I see it

Its not normal. Your second reel will be great.