I'd go with a Curado I in 7.2:1, personally, in right-handed. Or I'd pick a Chronarch 50e. Probably the Curado I since you bought a MH rod.

 

I like higher speed rods for mulit-use. I just change my reel cadence depending on what is tied on the other end.

 

Read all the replies, these are what I'd pick, FWIW, which is zero to $0.02.

Definitely girlfriend of the year category. My only concern is wondering if he uses left hand or right hand retrieve. Did you peek at any of his reels to see?

No, he's out in the burbs. I live in Chicago actually... which, by the way, has no fishing stores within like 100 some odd miles of the city center, so obviously I had to order everything online without actually seeing the quality and feeling weight. Regardless if you know the gear or not, you can tell quality by the craftsmanship and the weight usually, but it's got to be in person.

 

Anyway I didn't have a chance to check what kind of retrieve he uses, but I figured since I ordered both off of Basspro, he can return one or both if he really wants something else.

No, he's out in the burbs. I live in Chicago actually... which, by the way, has no fishing stores within like 100 some odd miles of the city center, so obviously I had to order everything online without actually seeing the quality and feeling weight. Regardless if you know the gear or not, you can tell quality by the craftsmanship and the weight usually, but it's got to be in person.

 

Anyway I didn't have a chance to check what kind of retrieve he uses, but I figured since I ordered both off of Basspro, he can return one or both if he really wants something else.

 

Sounds good. If it's the wrong retrieve he can exchange it, like you said. Otherwise, I think you did well. That's some nice gear you got him. Lucky guy.

No, he's out in the burbs. I live in Chicago actually... which, by the way, has no fishing stores within like 100 some odd miles of the city center, so obviously I had to order everything online without actually seeing the quality and feeling weight. Regardless if you know the gear or not, you can tell quality by the craftsmanship and the weight usually, but it's got to be in person.

 

Anyway I didn't have a chance to check what kind of retrieve he uses, but I figured since I ordered both off of Basspro, he can return one or both if he really wants something else.

There's two Bass Pro stores less than 50 miles away, a Dicks within 20 miles, and a Cabelas within 36.

Alright so maybe 100 miles is an exaggeration. When you live in the city and don't have a car, anything outside of 20 miles feels like 100. lol

Now days it's cheaper to order stuff online versus driving. That's my excuse for ordering stuff online. Lol