I have 2 new rods that I am setting up  first is MH 7'6" flip/pitching rod, Second is a MH 7'0" Cranking rod for lipless in cover an deeper cranks.

Now I have 2 reels an can't decide what to match up to what rod they are. 7.1 Lews, An 8.1 Tatula. My plan was to put the 8.1 on the flipping pitch rod an 7.1 on my cranking rod.

I am now thinking about putting the tatula 8.1 on the crank rod an lews 7.1 on the flipping stick.  Since I figure the tatula is a better caster ( I have 1 now on a cranking rod that I really like)  But I have no experience with the Lews) 

The 7.1 would be fine on the flipping rod but I didn't know about the cranking rod? Would the 8.1 be too fast with the lipless? I know it would be too fast with the deep cranks unless I was really conscious of slowing my roll.  OR should I stick with my main idea? Just started having second thoughts since I love the way my other tatula casts. its on a M 7'0" rod. 

My question on line, I was planning on running 30lb. braid to 12lb. P-line CXX leader. but my rod has micro guides I tie a FG knot for braid to leader. Has anyone had any problems running this on a rod with micro guides? Or should I just run a the CXX exclusively?

Thanks in advance! Shifty

I'd go with your original plan:

8 speed on the flipping rod - you want the fast retrieve to get the fish out of the 'salad'. 50# braid if it's moderate-thick weeds...higher or lower test depending on the weed density

7 speed on the cranking rod - even that's fast for my tastes...I was always having to slow the retrieve on my 7.3 President which is why I got the Nitrous for a 'fill in' crank reel until I set up the Fuego/Fury rig. I'm going with straight 12# YZH on that.

 

Dunno about the knot - I don't use leaders.

The 8.1 definitely on the flipping rod, the 7 is too fast for a cranking rod in my opinion.  Cranking reel is usually in the 5:6.1 gear ratio range.  At least that is what I use, the 7 is what I use for just about every other bait I throw.

You didn't specify what the diameter of the micros is. 

 

However, with an FG with the braid and leader you specify , almost any guide will work.  But to really answer this question, all you have to do is try it.

If you're flipping, the reel doesn't matter.  For pitching I really like a fast reel. I'd use the 8.

 

You can use a 7 ratio for cranking and it will work great, but for bigger crank baits (larger than say a 5XD)  I prefer the added torque of a 6 gear ratio reel.