rtwvumtneer6

Do you also enjoy dead sticking senkos for hours on end?! I'm only joking. It's a productive technique, but it can be painfully slow for my liking. Too long of a leader and you'll have a hard time casting effectively. Usually start around 2'.

Sorry, no experience with Daiwa but I have a couple of the SLX XT reels. I call the SLX the little brother to the Curado K. There's a noticable difference in size in the 200K and the 150 SLX visually and in the hand. The braking is not complicated. Adjust your spool tension like any other reel, set your 4 pins inside on/off to the combination that works for you and forget about them, and adjust the external SVS dial on the fly (i.e. wind change). Hope that makes sense... I'm half asleep ?

Admittedly, a lipless is not a strength of my mine. I've played around with a bunch of brands but always seem to go back to the 1/2oz RES, and the 2-tap. When I do fish them, it's dictated by the conditions, and how active the fish are. For open water I used a 7' M/F for a long time, but if you're looking for one rod to cover all your trap needs, the Falcon Deep Runner 7'3" MHMF works great for me. There's a 7' model they call a trapcaster that I imagine is very similar.

That looks TW "modified" that tube. Yikes. All my tubes are a single piece.

If I see a lot of consistent negative reviews, that's a red flag. Same for a lot of positive reviews. Looking soley at a #/10 or ⭐ system doesn't tell the whole story. I see this one a lot... "Product X got lost in transit and didn't arrive in time for my vacation, tournament, etc." That has nothing to do with the product itself and is a reflection on the carrier. Not fair to give a poor rating. I try to find reviews with supporting evidence, and not personal preference. Just because a product fits (or doesn't) my needs, doesn't make it good or bad. I'm more interested in the "why"? There's a lot of garbage to weed through. I check here, first.

I use a 6.6:1 or a 6.8:1. All are between 26 and 28 IPT.

Yep just a few strands of purple can go a long way, and the right trailer color will really make it pop.

I've found success with them in the spring on water that sees a lot of pressure. Maybe it's just something different? My favorite is the 6th Sense Crush Flat 75x. Cold/shallow water I throw a lot of DT-4 when (I think) everyone else is throwing the DT-6. That works for me, too. It's a little more subtle. Waiting on an order of the OG Tiny 4.... Hoping it's the best of both worlds! I can't say if you "need" to throw a flat side, but I find that it is a useful tool.

Yes... After my experience with TSA last year, I'll be shipping my rods for the next trip. Thinking UPS is the route I will take as they have delivered several TW rod orders with no issue (knock on wood). My only broken tube was via USPS. Pretty sure they tried to run it though a conveyor belt system ??‍♂️

They are not micro guides, rather a single foot guide that sits closer to the blank. Personally not a fan of braid to leader for the applications I use mine for, but I used to throw #50 braid to a #20 fluoro leader on my BuCoo without issue. I believe the BuCoo uses the LowRider guide, but I'm not 100% certain. Hope that helps.

From me, lol. I have Dobyns Fury's too, and like them, but for the same price I really like my LowRiders.

My bias is toward Shimano. I have several of the Curado K and SLX XT. I understand that these are not the exact models you are looking at. The cast control of the DC will be helpful in knocking off any rust that may exist from your hiatus. The MGL Spool will assist in casting lighter lures. Personally, I really like the idea of the Curado in a 150 size. I tend to lean to the SLX for moving baits and lighter rods and line and the Curado gets the call for jigs, pitching plastics, frogs and heavier braid. For a "do it all" reel I would consider a high 6 or low 7 gear ratio.

Where did you find that gem? Found these over the summer... They are still in production but I had never seen that style of packaging so I bought 2! "June Bug" looked more like what I know as "Friendly Fire"

Good idea!! I'll be down there Feb 16-21. On the big lake 18th and 19th. You?

Stop in and see what they have, and what you like. Then go home and find it online for a better price. If it ends up being BPS brand, wait for their spring sale. I got a couple Pro Qualifiers for $50 (half price) a couple years ago as back up reels. Hopefully you can stretch your $.

I'm a MegaStrike user. They make a few "flavors" but the tubes I have don't distinguish one from the other. Once it's opened and the original package is gone, I can't tell one from the other. All that being said, I never fish without it. I have no scientific evidence how it works (or if it works) but it gives me confidence and that's worth $9/tube. There's definitely something to be said for salt, and my personal favorite scent that's infused by a manufacturer is Gambler BITE. I take a nice big whiff every time I open a bag. Reminds me of a garlic/kool-aid fruit punch combo. Mmmmm.

My first fishing adventure to Florida and I had a mayan cichlid eat a trap and about rip the rod out of my hand. Never expected it to be an 11" bluegill on steroids. Fun, and a pretty fish, but deceiving.

We call that a June Bug in Western PA. Turn a light on at night and listen to them ping off your windows. Anyway, kind of reminds me of Zoom Motor Oil, which has also caught a few fish. I carry some June Bug baits, but prefer black with a purple flake ?

I use Invizx the most. I have a couple spools of Basix coming. Expect to get what I paid for, but for $10 I couldn't not try it...

Be cautious... Give them your work address for shipping ?

I have a half dozen or more brands, but I acquired those while trying to find a manufacturer and line that I really liked. The main reason I try to stick with one or two rod makers and the same line within that brand is simple: With no industry standard on power and action, and the majority of my purchases being online, I can order a rod with minimal guess work in what I am going to receive.

@JS8588 Yes it does. Appreciate it!

Might make one exception, and that's on a dropshot rod. But, I've been using the Cal Coast Cali clip on the blank and it works well to hold the weight.

I prefer an EWG in a regular gauge.

That's encouraging. Can you be any more specific? Suppose my biggest concern is the build. Durability of guides and connection points. What rods are you comparing it to?