LCG

My main set ups are 10-15lb braid with or without leader on spinning and 12 Yo Zuri Hybrid on baitcasting. Keep 30lb braid on another casting setup for fishing around vegetation. Going to experiment more with straight braid this year.

Same here, tried it once didn't last long. Cheap Amazon braid is far better than spire wire. Power pro and suffix 832 are good, although I don't like waxy coatings on line. Once I learned to close the bail manually and pull tight before reeling, I can't remember the last time I had a wind knot even with different brands of reels. Braid does well in and around vegetation, it doesn't like rocks and wood can be iffy. I prefer yo zuri hybrid for those situations for better abrasion resistance.

This is the frustrating part of fishing... No standards to go by, I have found that line choice can really effect how a rod behaves due to the stretch factor of the line. Example is the previously mention Daiwa Aird-X 7ft MH-F 2 piece rod. I own two of them and really like them. With mono or copolymer line it can fish crankbaits. With braided line it's a good bladed jig rod. It's on the light side of MH and the action is moderate fast. My unicorn rods are Daiwa Rebellion and Tatula XT 6'10 MH-R, regular action being moderate fast. These are graphite rods, not glass. They seem to do everything really well. True MH power and a moderate fast action. I have used it for weightless plastics, #3 mepps, 3/8oz crankbaits, 5/16 finesse spinnerbaits to 1oz spinnerbaits, 1/4oz texas rigs, 3/8-1/2oz chatterbaits, weedless spoons, 1/2oz jigs, etc. Works well with 12lb yo zuri hybrid or 30-50lb braid. They are both JDM models that I came across locally, hard to find in my area. My favorite rods I have used thus far, love their versatility and feel.

The one I went with is called YUMEOWL in both 15 and 30lb grey colour. I'm in Canada so not sure if you can get it on the Amazon USA site. I used to use kastking braid and it was fine. I do find that this braid is much thinner than usual, so interested to see how it performs when the snow melts here.

This has been something I have been thinking about all winter. I am going to try straight 15lb braid on spinning and straight 30lb braid on casting this year. Of course I will have another set up with Yo Zuri hybrid just in case. Really dislike the knot going through the guides. So it's straight braid or learn the FG knot (urghhh).

I also have the aird x 7' MH-F rods. They are more moderate fast for sure, which is good for my style of fishing. I find yo zuri hybrid works well for moving baits. I have another one with 50lb braid, but didn't like they way it casted, going down to 30lb this year. Cheap mono is great for backing. This year I am trying some 4 carrier 30lb braid off of Amazon. Line choice really does alter the way the rods fish, you'll have to experiment to find what works for you. I tried big game mono and liked the way it fished as well. Mono: Big game Copolymer: Yo Zuri Braid: power pro, 832, or cheap Amazon braid has all worked for me.

I did the same thing to a buddy rod and reel last summer. Luckily he was able to grab it out of the water before it sank. I told him I was incredibly sorry and that if there was any damage that I would replace his combo. It was my fault. But everything worked out and there wasn't damage to anything. We are still friends

I picked up the Daiwa Tatula XT 7' M-F two piece spinning rod at Bass Pro back in the fall last year. It's a nice rod, very comfortable, great value. Now it was end of season and only got out one day, no catches. Casting wise it did well, but the lure rating if 1/8-3/4 is a bit off, more like 1/8-5/8, with 3/16-1/2 being the sweet spot. I had no problem feeling the lure, but again no catches. Call this an initial impression. I don't get caught up in the marketing stuff, ie HVF vs SVF. It looks good, it is comfortable, and it's a good value.

I remember reading some of your previous post reviewing this line of rods, which sold me on buying one. I liked the rod enough to buy another. I really like the longer trigger on these rods, I find them quite comfortable to fish.

100%, line choice will be a factor. I used the aird x rods on a boys weekend trip in the fall. Reel was spooled with 12lb Yo zuri hybrid and threw both spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Caught some nice smallmouth on that trip. Big game mono would also be a good choice.

I have been using a Daiwa Rebellion 6'10 MH-R and just purchased a Daiwa Tatula XT 6'10 MH-R. They are both JDM rods that are 2 piece and I was able to find them locally. Good rods. They both are rated 1/4-1oz and have the carbon cross wrap for increased strength. I also have two Daiwa Aird-X 7' MH-F rods that fish more on the moderate fast side, they are nice as well.

I have been using a 6'10" MH Regular action rod (moderate fast) for the last couple of years for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits. I also use a Lew's LFS Speed Spool in the 6.8:1 ratio. Very happy with the way the combo fishes.

Good to go

Don't know anything about the rod, but the lew's lfs is a home run in my opinion. Have two and they are both smooth and cast well. Solid value.

I have had very good experience with yo zuri hybrid for the last couple years. Experimenting with straight braid this upcoming season, but will have one set up with yo zuri for sure.

Micro guides may be an issue for braid to leader. Possible solutions could be 1) straight braid, fluorocarbon, or mono 2) lighter braid to lighter leader (diameter) 3) learn the FG knot

I would check out the Daiwa Tatula XT 6'8" or 7' ML-F. I grabbed the 7' medium and it's a nice rod on a budget. I think the ML might fit what your looking for.

Tackle Advisors was an awesome channel. Very knowledgeable and helpful. I was really liking Omnia rod bend videos, that's something I wish would have been around awhile ago, would have saved a lot of money trying different rods. I liked the original host, but I guess he moved on. Some of the other popular channels have lots of good tips and advice, but you have to get passed their sponsorships or business partnership. I think they have good content, but some are clearly salespeople that fish.

In the summertime I fish a chatterbait in and around grass with an 8 speed reel and braid. I slow the retrieve enough to hit the top of grass and various vegetation. Then I have plenty of power and speed to get them out of that stuff quickly. My rod is a MH Regular action (moderate fast). Catch a lot of pike in my area doing this too.

Fellow Canadian here in Ontario. I buy my gear for myself, what I want to try or what I feel is fine tuning my style of fishing. It's not for the fish and it's not for my buddies, although they are welcome to use my gear. Some people like to discuss gear, some people don't. Luckily we have this site A couple of years ago, I learned a hard lesson when a guy across the bank was catching non stop, I had a mid tier set up and he was hand lining (no rod, no reel). I stopped fishing and watched what he was doing, then spoke with him. Learned a lot that day.

I have both a medium light and a medium spinning combo. I find wacky rigged senko and swim baits to be at the very upper end of the medium light. It can do it, but not around cover. The medium can throw Ned rigs, (actual weight is about 1/4oz with a 1/16oz weight) along with other lures up to about 1/2-5/8oz. Better if cover is nearby. Medium light is fun, especially for multi species fishing. The medium is my choice around wood, vegetation, or docks and mainly for large and smallmouth. Medium more versatile, medium light more fun.

I would spool up with 15lb braid for sure. Then you have the choice of straight braid or using a leader. You get the best of both worlds. I use 15lb 4 strand braid on my spinning combo with or without a 6lb yo zuri hybrid copolymer leader (diameter and break strength of 10lb line) on a stout medium fast action rod. Very versatile combo. Ps... Use monofilament as a backing to your reel to save cost of the braid as well as giving the braid something to grab onto the spool. Spooling straight braid will cause the line to slip on the spool.

That's interesting, I guess I might have fallen into the marketing hype. You know far more about reels than I do, so I will take your word. Thanks for mentioning this.

Our dollar sucks compared to the US dollar. Our shipping and taxes are even worse.

100% agree. I am not brand loyal by any means, I have Shimano and Daiwa reels that I love. Just surprised me that this particular reel seems to be very well made. Time will tell.