Stephen B

The DC units aid in the prevention of backlashes. You still have to set the reel as different lures and situations call for different braking thus different settings. Once you dial the reel in through practice, you'll love it. The DCs are sweet!

Almost all the tournaments are won on the south end of the lake. It all depends on you style of fishing and where you plan to put in. I can give you some more insight on lures/colors and spots to hit if youd like. However, the entire lake is phenomenal. All the big sticks on the lake which you can reference the ABA championship are brushpile guys. Depending on your preference of shallow water or offshore ledges and brushpiles, I would bring the following for sure: Spro Popping Frogs, Z-man Jackhammers (color dictated by water clarity), Dirty Jigs 5/16 and 3/8 oz No-Jack Swim Jigs, Senkos, and Zoom Ultravibe speed worms. Regarding the offshore bite: 8XD, 10XD, and big spinnerbaits like the Strike Zone Ledgebusters are the primary staples for the area. Carolina rigs and football jigs are always productive too. Current conditions: Bite has been good and improving. 31 lb was what it took to win last weekend. Shad spawn is coming to an end. Water clarity is stained. In the southeast, we are known for our clay so it can muddy very quickly after a good rain which is predicted this weekend.

I was never a big fan of Kistler. Sold all of them and won't look back. I wouldn't accept a subpar rod. I could understand something small but not multiple issues. I'd get that taken care of.

Core Protect and different bearings are the major differences.

Yes, he is correct. The 3000 NASCI is a HG reel, whereas the 2500 is a 5.0:1. The 2500 and 3000 share the same frame, but the 3000 has a deeper spool (more line capacity) a paddle style knob on the reel handle. Ultimately, comes down to personal preference regarding gear ratio and handle as they weigh the exact same.

SLX

Agreed. I don't think the sensitivity alone is lifechanging either. Increase? Slightly. Spot on with my take on tungsten.

G Loomis and the MB are both phenomenal. Can't go wrong either way. Those would be my choice over the Kistler.

Yes, from my experience brass wins in the durability and longevity aspect. DVT is the one I am waiting for as he actually has experience repairing and inspecting reels.

Regal all day. The Regal is extremely impressive at the performance of the reel at a great value.

Might as well go direct with Daiwa instead for the part. They have great customer service and sometimes will send parts for free. Another option is to find a compatible spare as Iabass suggested.

I agree with just about everything said by the other members who contributed. Ultimately, we all have our priorities in life. We as consumers determine how we allocate our disposable income. We can't afford to get everything new (I wished I could though haha). For example, I don't value having a super nice boat as I fish out of a X19 Pro Xpress with a Yamaha 175. However, my boat is loaded down with all high end rods/reels. Whereas, I see guys all the time with Skeeter ZX 250 and Phoenix 721 Pro XPs that have a boat full of budget rods/reels from Academy. It ultimately comes down to individual preference. We all have preferences, opinions, and what we value as consumers and we all make decisions to buy based on our own ideology of allocation of income as well as the amount of income earned. My boat is reliable and can get me everywhere I need to be and enjoy having high-end Megabass, Daiwa, Phenix, Shimano/G Loomis, and St Croix rods on my deck. If you can, I highly recommend getting high-end rods and reels, but get what you can afford and still make you happy. We all get the itch to have nice things, we all just prioritize what we upgrade and where money goes but I 100% understand what y'all mean.

The Tatula is the better performer from my experience. Tends to balance better and has better sensitivity from my experience with both series of rods. The Tatula rod is impressive. A lot of great rods to choose from. I always recommend going and putting the rod in your hand if possible as everyones preference isn't the same regarding rod selection.

The 853 will be perfect. IMO it isn't worth attempting to sell and ship for the 893 but ultimately goodluck with what you decide.

I would buy the Tatula through Ebay

St Croix makes great rods. You won't be disappointed.

Phenix, St Croix, Lews, Quantum, Abu Garcia, Dobyns, Carrot Stix, Shimano, Daiwa, ALX, Kistler and a few others all make ML casting rods. That's all I'm saying as you stated few make ML casting rods. Regarding you stating that none are 2 power ML equal to there offering in spinning, Dobyns utilizes the same blank for the DX 702C and DX 702SF (both ML). G Loomis also utilizes the same blank for there spinning and casting though not in ML just for reference that some to my knowledge utilize the same blank in spinning and casting. For example, the 852C and 852S NRX are both the same blank. Both confirmed by Shimano/GLoomis and Dobyns. Phenix makes the most ML casting rods for the US market that I know of though. Those K2s are so intriguing.... You are correct that there is no standard for action or power. Anyways regarding the OP question, I have a few XF rods and no issues for me. My Destroyers, NRXs, GLXs, and Legend Elites all perform flawlessly. I know its personally preference but I own a lot of Fast and XF. My experience has been good with the XF rods I own. I have great success with both. However, goodluck to the OP on those rods he purchased and tight lines. I have been looking at trying the Expride ML+ BFS rod recently. It's gotten my interest. But, I am sure something new I see will distract me haha. How do you like the Maxim?

I'd get Winn grips unless its high end cork like AA or better grade Portuguese cork

Many companies make ML power baitcasting rods. St Croix, Shimano, Phenix, Dobyns, Abu Garcia, and many others manufacture ML casting rods.

I hope it was just a guy who bought it and had reward points trying to make some money. Hopefully nothing criminal involved as that would suck. My rule of thumb regardless of price is if the seller has less than 98%, I will not buy.

Yikes. Be careful who you buy from. The best deal, may not always be what it seems....

I believe Lews is owned by a private equity group, which happens to be the same company that owns Strike King

It depends on if the breakage is covered under warranty. Contact Kistler and weigh your options as the rod may get replaced under warranty if not another option is to have a local guy repair rod to salvage the rod.

Goodluck buddy. Let us know what you decided and how you like it.

Fluorocarbon from 8-12 lb