Hulkster

I would go with the GLX because I wouldn't want recoil guides.

I have used them all the time for the last 20 years or so. never had one 'fail'. I get that larger ones impede action of some crankbaits etc. but I have never had one break or come apart. maybe the ones i'm getting are good quality??

I have a curado (200i model) on a G. Loomis E6X MBR 903c its the 7'6 MH power fast action mag bass rod. I really like the fast action combined with the extra length. its a great all purpose rod. I have caught everything on it, from bass, to pike and even rainbow trout (while casting a #5 Mepps spinner):

I have a curado 200i as well and love it, all you need to do is put a bit of oil on a q-tip and oil the brake drum every few weeks or so, it will be nice and quiet on the cast. when you bought the reel there should have been an yellow insert that explains this. the curado 200i's are awesome. just lube it a bit and it will give you no trouble at all. Its one of the best baitcasters I have ever used, and Ive been using baitcasters for 20 years now. good luck and enjoy your curado!

I also like 12 pound Sufix Siege as you mentioned. its the best all around mono I have used.

but only during the learning curve. after you get good with it you never backlash anymore. its a shame the OP had so much trouble, sounds like the reel was difficult to adjust and not consistent.

once you adjust your reel properly it should be pretty easy. start by engaging all brakes. adjust the spool tension knob so that the lure slowly falls to the ground when you engage the clutch button. When casting wait for the rod to load up before you swing forward. gently thumb the spool while the lure is in mid cast and stop the spool as it splashes down. as you get good you will be able to lift your thumb off when the lure is in mid cast. back off the brakes as you get the hang of it to gain more distance. you should be able to cast farther with your baitcasting rod than your spinning rod for heavier baits the main advantage is that they have much more torque so for big bladed baits and big crankbaits baitcasters are 1000x easier to retrieve such baits. keep practicing and don't give up just yet.

I too like 8 and 10 pound mono on my spinning gear (I use Sufix Siege). When I used light braid (10 pound Sufix 832) it cast great etc. but I was getting problems with wind knots, so I switched back to mono.

if you end up using either of the Sufix mono's I would caution you against using a normal improved clinch knot. these lines are super slick (that's part of why they cast so well) and I have had issues with knot slippage using that particular knot. I have read of others having similar issues. A palmar knot however, is solid. it wont slip and works very well with these slick monos.

Siege is slightly more stiff but not much- I have no issues with it on spinning gear.. Elite is more limp. but Siege has better abrasion resistance and might be stronger. I just stuck with siege for everything. but Elite might be better for spinning gear.

Agreed. they are my two favorite rod manufacturers.

I like Sufix Siege mono for all my spinning and baitcasting applications. its the best overall line that I have used in terms of strength, abrasion resistance and low memory. Some lines are more limp, but they are not as strong or tough. for my spinning gear, I like to use 8 and 10 pound tests. for my casting gear, I use 12 pound.

paint them green and call them celery sticks.

esp. baitcasting reel reviews. it seems a lot of people have no idea what they are doing when it comes to casting and blame it on the reel. youtube is full of reviews like this. no, your reel is fine. learn how to adjust it.

being braid, isn't it going to fade anyway?

the most important thing is to adjust your reel properly for the lure weight and wind conditions. I have been using one for 20 years now so I really dont think much about casting anymore, its second nature like spinning. but you always have to adjust when you switch lures. I almost never backlash anymore, and I do often go out with only my casting rod. But that comes with time and experience out on the water casting casting and more casting.

nice!

Loomis blanks are no longer available to the rod builder though. a few years ago Shimano stopped making them available. So they may be hard to find now and would be in high demand?

yes! I have the GL3 SJR700 Mag Light X Fast rod and its a gem of a little rod.

amazing! but take that price sticker off

I also use 12 Pound test sufix Siege on my curado

I too prefer the T style knob of the 3000 size. more to grab, more comfortable IMO.

are you looking at spinning or baitcasting?

awesome setup. what line is on that curado?

a lower gear ratio means the reel is more powerful ie easier to turn under a heavy load. so for big baits that have a lot of resistance in the water like big lipped crankbaits and big inline spinners, I like a ratio in the 5.x to one ratio. I find they still fish fast enough without wearing me out.