GetFishorDieTryin

Most any ML F and even XF are soft enough for trebles. ML rods for the most part are really versatile as well. From everything finesse to all but but the heavier weightless plastics. You can get away with throwing weightless T rigged 5" senkos and tubes if the tip is stout enough but I just prefer a M. Keep in mind that once you get over 7'2 with a ML the tip section start to get longer which means there's more flex before you get to the backbone of the rod. So while a 7'6 would be great for little cranks and anything with an open hook, that slower action isn't ideal for weightless T rigs IMO.

Older Cotton Cordell or Heddon maybe?

There using suffix as a comparison because its one of the thicker 8 carriers. Lb test ratings can be different depending which domestic market the product is in. For example a JDM lines are rated at MAXIMUM breaking strength where USDM are rated by MINUMUM which makes a huge difference. A JDM 10lb braid test will most likely break at 8 or 9lbs where the USDM 10lb braid will break closer to 15lbs. So really if you go by the USDM test rating the JDM 10lb would be closer to 6lb test that's why the diameters are so much thinner for JDM lines. When you compare the actually braking strengths on an equal scale the dia are very close. You have to take into account that the rating tests were almost certainly done with brand new line in a lab setting. Any kind of abrasion especially on a line that thin will greatly reduce the overall strength. The thinnest line I have had experience with would be Gliss which is a whats they call a unifilament. Its extremely thin and smooth, so much so that I had to tie palomar knots to be confident the line wouldn't slip. The casting distance is impressive although like I had mentioned earlier it comes at a price. Even the tiniest nick or rub can cause a failure, so its important to be very observant if you are using a line that thin. I would imagine an 8 carrier braid would be a little more resistant to abrasion, but I may be wrong. If your fishing open water and the line isnt at the price point of a premium braid like Gosen I would try it out if I were you. If you don't like it there are many other options on the market now that offer a similar dia.

#2 Mustad Fastach. Can be a pain to thread into the blade sometimes, but they're stronger and rip completely clean from grass. There are snaps that are easier to deal with but they are more then double the cost.

In sparse cover ill use a lighter wire keel weighted hook on a rage toad with a M power rod and I have a good hook up ratio. The majority of the fish I miss are just grabbing at the legs.

My old man always told me the most important thing (other then safety) to fishing/hunting is to enjoy the day. It seems like that mid summer- early fall pattern lasts forever and things get monotonous. Once the transition really gets going the fish start to school again its such a welcome change of pace. Not to mention the fact that you don't have to deal with heat and humidity.

You can get a JDM 20 Met for about 280$ which is probably the best bang for your buck. The other 2 I would recommend would be the curado 70 mgl or curado 150 mgl. All 3 of those reels are great for pitching/flipping t rigs with little effort which helps in a yak.

Daiwa is what I would recommend, but if your going to spend the money on a Legalis its worth spending an extra 5 or 10$ for the Exceler to upgrade from a hex pin handle to a thread in handle. Both are nice, but the thread in handle has a better connection with the main gear.

Of all the rods you mentioned the Mojos are pretty good, but I love the Tatulas. (not XTs) Daiwa did a great job on just about every aspect of them. Not sure how they would handle salt, although I imagine as long as you make sure to rinse the eyes and other components well you shouldn't have issues. What you want is a M power F action with recommended lure weight in the 3/16-5/8 range. That way you can throw weightless plastics, DS rigs etc. for LM/SMB and 1/4-1/2 bucktails/lead heads with soft plastic, smaller JBs like crystal minnows/surf pointers for Stripers and Halibut. The 7' M F Tatula 1/8-3/4 should cover just about everything. If you cant find 1 check out a Phenix Maxim or M1.

Some reels show up with no oil and some with 2 much which can make the reel feel strange but very few are defective. The odds of 2 of them being duds is extremely low, much less all 3. I like to run all of my reels loose with little brakes as possible. I usually keep my dial from 3-5 depending on wind conditions, the bait I'm throwing and the rod it's on. I would recommend starting with the dial on 4 or 5. Even with all 4 brakes engaged neither of my Mets feel like they're really over braked. Just make sure you have the tabs engaged instead of disengaged. That would be the only other explanation I can think of other then issues with the reel. You'll figure it out, good luck.

Im just about certain its the way you put the spool in because I've done the same thing. The plate closes just like it would normally even when the spool isn't in correctly. The easiest way to tell if its not in right is that there wont be any play in the spool no matter how loose you have the spool tension. Remove the side plate and spool and make sure you loosen the tension knob before you put the spool back in. If the spool is in correctly, loosening the tension knob will allow the spool to move. I've noticed that the JDM model I have is a little more touchy then the USDM models brake wise. If you aren't used to running your reels really loose I wouldn't recommend disengaging any more then 2 brakes if you have a JDM model. I can just about promise you that once you have the reels running as they should you will be happy with their performance.

walk down instead of run down

You can get good tackle brands on Amazon. I get stuff like single replacement Owner hooks and split rings from them all the time because shipping is fast and free. The prices can really vary and you have to have a decent knowledge of what your buying as the descriptions aren't always accurate.

A file is an excellent tool, but I can can see why someone who doesn't know when or how to use one not liking them. A Jay put me onto an awesome little key-chain sharpener a few months ago, I its made by a company called DMT and is available on amazon.

They opened a new DSG right across the street from the old location. Initially I was really surprised they had a full stocks of brands that they didn't carry the previous location. Eventually the stocks got low and they never restocked any of the better brands or products like Owner, MB, Jackall and so on.

Don't think it has much to do with sales. Keitech is still behind production wise, they are having issues supplying retailers.

832 is a good braid overall. The only gripe I have with it is that it doesn't seem to cast as well as some other braids especially when you get over the 15lb mark. I really like x9 and Smackdown, both cast really well, knot well and stay round. If you want a braid for weightless/wacky rigs check out Vicious. Its a 4x so it has texture which enables it to cut though grass and vegetation. Even though its not as smooth as other braids it casts great because of its thin diameter.

I think what really matter when it comes to distance is the angle of the reel foot relative to the guides. The design of the reel seat can have an effect as well. Although line slap effects distance, in my experience its only by a very small fraction maybe 5 feet on a 60 yd cast. Honestly its more annoying then it is detrimental to casting distance for practical purposes.

Midway had 1 left 3 or 4 days ago when you made the OP about that particular rod. If you are willing to spend more money there were a couple Elite AGSs around. Daiwa does make a 7'4 ML F Rebellion which I would think ought to be close to the Tatula, but not much info on them is around.

Beat me to it...The Tungsten Minima Jigs are essentially a much higher quality baby boo or bitsy bug jig. High quality wire tied skirt and sharp/strong hook. Between the head design and the smaller profile of the tungsten head it allows it to come through grass really well. I pretty much use them as a pure flippin jig. The compact flippin jig by dirty jigs are great too. The head catches grass a little more then the Minima jig, but the compact flippin jigs head design is a little more versatile. It doesn't snag up as much in rocks or wood. I use this one mostly for pitchin/flippin but it can be fished on the bottom in a pinch. The last 2 are the 1/4 Molix Kento Jig (must be 1/4 ounce the 3/8 is closer to standard size jig) and the Keitech. Both jigs have a similar head design, great wire tied skirt and good hook. If I could only have 1 jig it would 1 of these 2. They're great in wood, rocks, skip super easy and come through grass well. For whatever reason the brush guard on the kento jig is close to perfect right out of the pack, out of 10 bites I'll catch 8 or 9 fish. The only downside to the kento jigs is the skirts that are loaded with fleck like the GP red purple are really stiff. The solid colors like black/blue, spanish craw, wild craw and blue craw are fantastic.

I've always held spinning rods with all of my fingers above the reel stem. It just feels more comfortable to me and I feel like I have more control of the rod. It lets me manipulate my line better too for putting tension on slack line to take it up with the reel or threading line on the roller with my middle finger when I'm using a bail less. I thinks it more common to see with guys who finesse fish a lot. I'm pretty sure AM holds the rod the same way.

Phenix spinning rod have the right tip. I haven't personally used it but I would think the 6'10 ML MF Maxim would work pretty well. I have and still do use SC and Daiwa Tatula ML F for JBs Shad Raps and other small crankbaits and they work great. Although both are great I would recommend the Tatula over the SC Premier or Avid even. I guess I'm biased because I love just about everything about the Tatulas. They have a good amount of tip to keep hooks pinned, good sensitivity for the price point, balanced, light, good locking nut and very comfortable handle.

Much better comparison. I would recommend a Fuego 3k, its a good reel and you would be happy with it. The FL is great its 2x the of Fuego. That way you could put another $100 toward the rod.

Reins made a Baitfish and Bluegill color that was like a matte smoke that wasn't translucent, gave it a real natural look not to mention it was a unique color. For whatever reason it appears they have changed it to a more translucent color that everyone else makes which really sucks.

Just use your index or middle finger of your right hand.