Jeff H

I've been hoping for a lot of rain but not like this. That's heavy! Good luck to ya'll!

Agreed. Sometimes a M isn't enough either My favorite is a MH Crucial dropshot rod. Softer tip but I can lean on them pretty good when I have to keep 'em out of the weeds.

I still have some flat strand bulk from years ago I need to use up. I've got some really nice heads from Siebert that would be deserving of this material. Will have to get on it soon. I like it better but you gotta make sure you get it dried out good before throwing it back in your box.

Perfection, brother! Great communication between you and your builder there!! Great choice of components.

14lb Trilene XT Clear for me. Sometimes I might use 10lb but it's been awhile since I've done that, even in really clear water.

One can only tolerate so much of that before feeling the same. I get might tired of it myself in a hurry now too.

But I like that the Zillion TWS is a free floater. I would not pay $300 for one but under $200 is a fair deal... IMO. Adam, you will remember we went over that long ago, I just prefer the free floater designs. Not that the Tatula is bad (I do like mine a lot) but just prefer the free floater design and feel Daiwa never should have gone away from it.

Oooh....that's a good buy for the Zillion TWS!!

I think it could. I could be wrong too. While I think the new one is a bit overpriced, I think it is well built.

Well, I think the TWS does what it was designed to do. I don't know that I would credit it with a large increase in distance but I do think it is effective. I've a feeling that this Steez will be a solid performer. If I was to completely start over with new reels I would select TWS equipped reels for those combo's I need to make longer casts with, like crankbaits or jerkbaits. I can get along without it for most everything else.

As well or better...

Especially if you're the boat owner! I'd just put 'em out on the dock and say goodbye.

100% of the time for me. I experimented both ways enough times that I was able to decide I prefer them clean and dry. I have Carbontex in all my reels now except my Tatula's.

Go to the websites and sign up for email notifications of the sales etc. I setup an account with Cabela's and put stuff I want in my wishlist and just check that everyday to see if the things I want have gone on sale. If they have it at local store I'll stop and get it, if not I'll order online and have it sent to store for in-store pickup....and pay no shipping.

Well, I'm mainly a Daiwa guy so I use their factory 90mm handles mostly. Some are straight and some are the "swept" design. I have also used the Hawg Tech handles and like their straight 90 and 94mm models. Some guys ***** about the Hawg Tech nut covers but it's a pretty trivial deal to me. I have absolutely no preference of straight vs swept or bent or curved etc. I can feel no performance advantage with the handle shape, but the length makes a difference for me. I can go with whatever shape as long as it's 90-95mm.

Bought some 4" last year and used them at A-Jays recommendation. Great product and they take 'em deep. Liked them so much I've ordered from PROvider several times now. I also bought some of the heads on my last order but have not used them yet.

I agree. I have this problem....size 2xl in most gloves, xl's are typically pretty tight fit. Anyway....I don't think hand size necessarily equates to longer handle requirement. I prefer 90mm handles because of the difference in wrist rotation/feel. It becomes more of a personal preference thing in my opinion. I have tried 100/102mm handles also and would choose them over an 80mm handle if I could not get the 90mm but they still don't feel right to me. 90-95mm is right for me, all day, every day!

I've used mono for every type of presentation from 6lb to 20 lb all my life. I don't really care for braid that much but I do use it now mainly for 2 things....froggin' and pitchin' slop or heavy cover. For those 2 things it's just easier than using mono for me. I intend to try some 14/30 Fireline for frogs and see how I like it. Still, hand me a rig spooled with 17lb XT and I'll throw frogs with it without raising an eyebrow....as I did for many years.

My method as well. Like Bluebasser, I also lock some of mine down, or pretty close to it. Jerkbaits and crankbaits I might run a bit looser but they would not be considered loose. I do quite a bit of backreeling with spinning rigs too.

NIB condition Fuego's are getting harder to find! I check ebay almost every day for these and it's been awhile since I've seen really nice ones. They do occasionally show up and usually bring over $120. Some have gone for under $90 this winter but expect prices to climb again real soon.

This is impossible. It's one of the very reasons I go to work everyday.....so I don't have to limit my worm types.

Yep....one will get a mint 103H and the other either a Fuego or T3 1016

My priorities have been directed elsewhere for awhile but I cannot wait to get myself one of these new Elites. Hopefully I'll have one by May. I have not owned anything above the Avid yet and don't like the idea of spending $400+ on a rod but I'm going to do it once, maybe twice this year.

You'll find more gimmicks on reels than on rods. Twitchin' bars and the like on casting reels appeared to be gimmicks to most of us. Some consider Daiwa's TWS to be a gimmick, there'll be plenty more to come from others on this subject. I liked the Quick Fire trigger on my Shimano Spirex I had many years ago. That reel was uber tough and took one helluva beating for many years, and that trigger always worked.

What supporting evidence or personal experience do you have for your opinion of "scam"?