Blaine Donders

That’s what my understanding is. What I read was he didn’t want to use NFC for the current generation of his rods, so he went straight to Toray. This is of course, unsubstantiated.

ALX makes their own blanks I believe. I know Cashion does. Hammer, I am unsure where he gets his blanks. Cajun rolls their own. Kistler gets his from Japan since he quit using NFC with his new generation. Don’t forget Loomis. Pride (Billie Kistler) uses NFC. Not sure where Big Bear sources blanks from. Sixgill just started production of a bait caster in Texas.

I have this rod and love it

I still need to work on my feel, so in the meantime I use braid on bottom contact for sensitivity.

It settles in and gets quieter as it breaks in.

I like it a lot. I use 14#.

I like mine. I really like the handle. Enough in fact, I am constantly checking Tackle Trap looking for more of them for my other reels. Mine has 20# Tatsu on it. I cast it more than I pitch, because of where I fish.

There are more differences when you go up than just size, predominantly the spools and brakes. The difference between the 100 and the CT in my experience owning both, is just the ergos. The 100 is smaller and lower.

If you are looking at building a comparable combo to the SLX and have your heart set in the XT, then I would suggest a new 100.

They do, but it’s just another gear ratio instead of a different model. Revo4 Xw. 5.4:1

I have several Revo4 STX’s. They work just fine. Geary feeling in retrieve, but cast great. I have mostly Daiwa and some Shimano’s as well. Do I think they are worth $200 when you can get a new model SV-TW for that money? Not so much. I got deals on all mine. The Daiwa feels better in every way to me except the ergos and castability. The Abu even does good with lighter baits. I haven’t used mine hard enough yet, as I have lots of reels and am always dividing time with them all, to judge durability. I know the paint on the STX is weak. My brother is a fan of Abu’s because of the ergos. His comment always is “if you could put Shimano or Daiwa guts in a gen 4 Revo body, you’d have something!”

Dobyns SA702SF with a Johnny Morris Signature 30, and 20# Power Pro with an 8# InvisX leader.

Tackle Trap

I like the idea of a higher quality Shimano reel in this space. The 200K is to clunky, and the 70 is too small. And all are nicer than an SLX. May unload a Chronarch MGL for one.

Sportsman’s Outfitters has them for $99

I’ve never had an issue with AbrazX, but if you don’t need it save the $$$ and use InvisX.

I really like 20# Power Pro yellow, 20# 832 Lime, and #14 Fireline chartreuse. I haven’t noticed much difference with fluoro when just using as a leader. I use remnants I keep around. Usually Seaguar InvisX or Red Label. Usually 10#, as that’s what I spool my light duty baitcasters with.

Crazy Alberto

50# braid 12-15 pound fluoro 8-10# mono. You said no leader, but man, 15-20# braid with an 8-10# fluoro leader smokes on a spinning rig.

I throw a 1/16oz shakey head with a 3”-4” finesse worm on a *** ML casting rod with a Tatula SV and 10# fluoro.

I have found that, for me that is, the T Wing pitches easier. That’s just me. I also never use a leader long enough to go into the reel. I tie mine where the knot is in between the reel and the stripper guide.

I would think mono for a moderate fast, but for a moderate glass rod? I’d use any line that got you the depth you want. Dt10 and up I’d go fluoro. I wouldn’t think you need to slow the reaction time with mono if it’s a glass rod?

Dobyns SA702SF

I don’t flip, just pitch. With that said, I have Quantum reels with a flipping switch, and all of my new Daiwas allow you to engage the clutch by pushing the thumb bar up.

It would work great. I have one in 7 speed and it pitches great. I just keep too light of a line on it for lighter stuff. I would imagine it would be a top pic.