browne762

PowerPro or Sufix 832 is what I use and would recommend.

I put one of my Bantams XGs on a 6'10" Zodias and use it for chatterbaits and buzzbaits. I have really enjoyed that combo and gotten many fish with it in the last several months. I plan to purchase more Bantams in the future. I use a Curado DC HG for squarebills and such. Works well also.

I have a few Stradic Ci4+ reels in the 1000 size and I love them. They are very light. I use 10 pound braid to a leader. Leader can change depending on the situation. I pretty much only buy Shimano at this point.

I generally don't disconnect anything before charging. Everything is "off" but still connected.

What one person "needs" might not be relative to what another person "needs." I use a medium light spinning rod more then I use a medium spinning rod so to me, I need a ML rod. Ned rig, drop shot, small Keitechs, and small beetle-spin-like spinner baits are what I would use my ML for. Catch mostly bass and crappie with a few walleye, perch and sunfish too. What lures or techniques do you plan to use?

I missed out on the last few weeks so I made sure to get out yesterday for a few hours. Water temp was 58 and only got two small northerns. Better then nothing, but was hopping for more. Both were in 8-10 feet of water. One on a chatterbait and the other on a fluke.

A 3/8oz Texas rig isn't really a light bait so you should be able to cast that fine with most reels, DC or otherwise. I would rather have a Chronarch MGL ($270) then the Curado DC around the same price or the Curado 70 ($200) if you wanted to save a little money. The Dawia equivalent would probably be the Zillion SV ($300) and Tatula SV ($200).

You "can" cast lighter weights, but I have had better experiences with other reels and the DC wouldn't be my "go-to" option for light stuff. What are you trying to throw?

There are Neko Rig weights that you could probably do what your are describing. Actually, rereading your question it sounds like you are trying to do a Neko Rig, not a Ned Rig. This like what you are trying to set up: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/neko-rig-advanced.html

I wouldn't recommend the Curado DC if you want to cast light weights. I would go with the Curado 70 if you wanted a Shimano for lighter weight stuff.

I have actually gotten the longest casts I have ever experienced with a baitcasting reel when on setting #2. Are you casting very light weights?

I use a St Croix Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod which is a 7 foot MH Mod-Fast. I think it is $130 or $140. Loads up well to cast a pretty good distance (I only use 1/2oz) and I like the Mod-Fast action for the hookset.

30 pound Sufix 832 is my go to for my "could do most things" baitcasting reels. I like hi-viz colors like the lime or yellow. You could add a leader or not, depends on the application or desire to use one.

St Croix makes a few Medium-Light casting rods, but I don't know much about their In Shore line. If I were throwing mostly light stuff, I would use the 70 over the DC. I never had much distance throwing a 1/8oz jig with a 2.8 inch Keitech with the DC reel.

I would go with the 7, but if they didn't have that in stock I would get the 6 and reel faster if needed. I personally don't notice a "feel" difference from 6 to 7, but I don't doubt there could be a noticeable change to many people.

I am on the other side of that. I have two SVs that I purchased to give Daiwa a try. I don't like really them after using them for the last month or so and would have rather gotten two Curado 70s or something else Shimano. Some of it probably comes down to what you are use to already having or using. Some of it will come down to the sales person's brand choice too. One shop near me almost all if not all of the sale people use Daiwa, and that is what the recommend to everyone. That is what they own and have experience with. Sounds like the sales person you were working with was a Shimano person. Everybody has a preference. I would use either or both for a Texas rig or jig, but I would choose the SLX DC out of those two if I had to.

They make a 12v 55lb thrust Maxxum. I think it might be a Cabelas/Bass Pro exclusive.

I use a Minn Kota Maxxum which is a step above the Edge in price but also comes with a some internal thingy to maximize battery life. Also has a couple other upgrade over the Edge.

I use Shimano 1000s almost exclusively because I like the smaller size vs the 2500. Mostly Stradic Ci4+ or Sahara reels. 10 pound braid on that reel is perfectly acceptable. Could go with 15 or 20 is you wanted more strength to mate with a medium heavy rod and should still be able to get over 100 yards on the reel. Personally I wouldn't go above 15. The max drag on a 1000 is less then most 2500s, but I have not found that to be much of an issue.

I used a chatterbait for the first time last year. Used three or four of the different types of bladed jigs from a couple manufactures in a couple colors, sizes and weights. All season (May to October) I never got one bite. This year I was going to give them a try once again before not really giving then another thought if they didn't seem to produce where I fish. Figured I would spend the extra money and get the Jackhammer during a spring sale. One white and one all green pumpkin both in 1/2 once. Also ordered some Hog Farmer Spunk Shads for a trailer in matching colors. First day out this spring, the waters were clear-ish and I used the green pumpkin. Finally got my first two fish with them, but neither were bass. Didn't have much luck again for another few week until about July and the water started to get more cloudy. Then I started mid-July with the white with a white trailer. I have been getting fish every weekend since then! Figured I would try the Booyah Melee in white I had found locally. No luck. Back to the Jackhammer and success yet again! I don't know what it is about the Jackhammer specifically, but I have only had luck with it and I don't think I am going to experiment anymore.

I have 3 of the Curado DCs and recently got my lady friend a SLX DC. I purchased the SLX DC as I thought it would be a good way for her to learn how to use a baitcasting reel and it has been. I wouldn't buy another one though. Her next reel will be a normal SLX, the SLX XT. If I was going to go to the $200ish range then a Curado K or 70 but not a DC. Nothing bad about the DC but the "OMG this is cool" factor has gone away for me. I can really bomb some larger lures out there pretty far without much effort, but I don't find myself doing that too often. When I first used a DC reel I tossed a 130 Whopper Plopper super far (like really ridiculously far) and didn't have a backlash. It was great. Then 2-3 feet into the retrieve I fish hit and it was the most difficult hookset and retrieve I have every had to make because of how much line was out. That was my last mega cast I tried to make. I was able to get all of my DC reels for 20%-30% off so I figured why not give them a try. I wouldn't pay $190 for the SLX DC though, I would rather try to find the Curado DC on sale if you wanted DC or go with a Curado K or 70. I think the SLX DC and the Curado DC are the same size or really really close to the same size. They are not huge, but not as nicely sized as the normal SLX.

I just like a longer rod some of the time. Picks up line quicker which can be helpful for some applications. I will probably get a 843C in the future as I like to have options and am a gear junkie.

First fish I caught on my Conquest 903C MBR was on a spinner bait. It is a very nice rod. I have used it for a handful of applications.

I mostly use a 7'6" MLXF for Ned Rigs or with a 1/8oz jig and a 2.8 inch Keitech. Also use it for small 1/8oz beetle spin style spinnerbaits with a curly tail grub. I have caught many bass and crappie with all three of those options. Caught a couple nice bass this spring with a spybait as well.

I have the 7'6" Legend Tournament Walleye rod in MLXF and I really like that rod. I use it for bass and not walleye. They make a 6'3" MLXF in the LTW line as well. It is above the Avid product line if that is what you meant by stepping it up a notch. Looks like the have a 6'10" LTB in MLXF as well.