Fin S

I use 20 lb braid to mono and have no problems.

I use 15 lb powerpro on my spinning reel. All I do is stretch it the first time I take it out: Let half of your line or so out while going 5-7 mph (speed depending on rod stiffness), troll it behind for a couple of minutes, and reel it back up. Helps pull any twists out and puts the line on the reel nice and snug.

No.

3.8" Keitech on a flashy swimmer or a 3.5" SK Coffee Tube

I used spinning reels only until about a year ago, and now I prefer using a baitcaster when I can. It's definitely better for working moving baits because the reel handle isn't so far from the rod--using a spinning rod for cranks or jerks just feels awkward to me now. I use spinning gear for really small swimbaits, tubes, and dropshotting. For senkos, I use either. So, I'm glad I gave it a try, it really changed things for me.

Is the abrasion resistance any better than Trilene XL? Sometimes I get a spool of XL that just seems to break at the knot more often than it should---sometimes twice a trip.

I can't say I'm a good judge of how lightweight it is because it's my first $200+ rod and lightweight is a relative term, but it feels plenty lightweight to me and balances nicely with a Daiwa Tatula reel. It was a definite step up from the BPS Carbonlite I had been using.

I've been using a Dobyns Champion XP 703c for 3.8" Keitechs, and I really like it for that application. Since it's a Dobyns, it's not quite as stiff as a typical MH but definitely stiffer than a M. It's sensitive enough for me, but I throw 20 lb braid with a 10' mono leader. It's my only $200+ rod, so I can't comment on how it stacks up against similarly priced competitors.

I was thinking about trying my hand at deep cranking this summer with 6XDs and DD22s (maybe even something a little deeper like an 8XD). I was considering a Curado 7'8" MH/Mod glass rod since I've found a place where they're on sale for $100. Would that rod work for this application? Does anyone have any experience with this rod? I'm willing to spend $200 if that's what it takes to get a good deep cranking rod, but since I don't know if it will be my cup of tea, cheaper options would be attractive. Thanks.