EllisJuan

Studio Composites in Japan makes the nicest handles I have ever seen. Hawgtech and Rays are a MUCH better value. I have one on my Met DC and '13 Met. They're flawlessly finished and beyond stiff.

Paid my annual tithe to the Tackle Gods... Stella 2500HG Conquest 842s SJR The Conquest rod feels impossibly light. I weighed it compared to my NRX 852s, which already is absurdly light. NRX - 3.73oz Conquest - 3.39oz

Conquest. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I don't have a Steeze, but I do have a '13 Met and a Met DC. Both are fantastic, but nothing has wowed me like my Conquest.

Very legit. I just ordered some parts from them last week, and they arrived today. For reels, Digitaka.com is usually cheaper. Also check Japanlureshop.com. I have also gotten some good deal on ebay for JDM reel shipped from Japan. As long as you are paying with PayPal, you are protected.

USPS has the worst track record on shipping rods in my experience. None of the major manufacturers or online seller use them that I know of. Here is the last time a shop attempted to send me a rod USPS...

Got a nifty little pack from Japan today care of Hedgehog Studios...

In the modern Shimano world, 3000 is the same size/weight as a 2500, just with a larger line capacity.

Haha...I may or may not have been "celebrating" when I ordered that reel.

So this happened today...Met DC hg riding a NRX 843c MBR...

When the water is clear, and the bite is tough, I will tie on a leader for slow presentations. It is a confidence thing. You should be able to tie a braid to leader knot on your boat. Practice. Maybe try a double uni.

Soon...

JDM Scorpion 70/71.

The new Conquest BFS...yumm....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-2016-SHIMANO-STRADIC-CI4-2500FB-2500-FB-FREE-***-DAYS-DELIVERY-5-0-1-Gear-R-/361677805320?hash=item5435ad5708:g:5WgAAOSwhOdXpTd-

yep

Every reel I own is a Shimano, but at that price point I would buy a Pflueger President.

Will do. Thanks again for the generous offer.

Thanks man. I really appreciate that. I am only going to be in London for 3 days then on to Paris, then Venice, hop on a cruise ship in Rome, etc. It is my first trip over to Europe, and we are going to be all over the place for 18 days. I doubt fishing is going to fit in anywhere, but it would be cool to catch something over there to check another continent off my list.

Nice. I am going over there in late April and thought about fishing...

I'm an enabler.

That is a really solid combo for the $$$. Well done.

This is some pretty big information. I hope it is accurate...I love my NRXs and if they're going to make something even better I'm in.

Metanium on a NRX is as good as it gets. That setup will ruin you...almost anything else you pick up is going to feel like slop.

LOZSteve is correct. It is a Conquest 101. It works even better than it looks.

95% of the time every setup on the deck is; Shimano reel, G Loomis rod, and Power Pro line.