RJD1

You can usually find new Powell Max 3D's on @#$bay for less than $120. Far better rod than the mojo imo.

If it has centrifugal brakes, try putting some oil on a q tip and lubricating the inside of the frame where the brakes contact. I have to do this often with my Shimano's

Powell Inferno or watch ebay you can usually win bids on Powell Max 3d's for under $100. Both are excellent rods at a great price. I own St. Croix's, Dobyn's, Shimano's but the Powell's are my favorites by far.

This works!!

I have several E7'S and I's I like them both. The I's are actually smoother imo. Time will tell regarding longevity but so far the I's have been solid reels.It seems like every time Shimano changes models everyone is critical of the new model. I fish muskies in addition to bass. The Calcutta 400TE was considered the Cadillac of musky reels. When it was discontinued and replaced by the Calcutta D, Shimano fans were generally quite upset. The TE's started selling for more than they cost new. I love the TE's but actually prefer the D's. I see the same thing with the E7's. Two years from now when the Curado J or K comes out everyone will be talking about how great the I was. Hard to go wrong with Shimano.

If you get this reel and decide to service it yourself note that to remove the handle you do this by pushing the star drag in towards the side plate and rotate the handle backwards. Took me a while to figure that out but love the reel.

The 300 is very popular with musky fisherman and is an awesome reel but way too big for a bass jig reel.

Music is not a problem unless it is rap!!