Just bought a new Shimano Curado 200DHSV 7.0:1 on ebay ($147.50) and now the baitmonkey is screaming to get a rod. I was thinking about a GLoomis 7' MH crankbait rod. I want to multi use this rod/reel for lipless crankbaits, small-med crankbaits, and buzzbaits. Any comments or suggestions?

7:1 is too fast for a crankbait.

Good Buzzbait / rattletrap reel.

you definitely don't want to use that reel for lipped crank baits unless your trying to build muscle in your arm.

I have the 7:1 Curado and I love it.

I use it mostly for buzzbaits but you can reel slow for spinnerbaits and crankbaits, too.

My friend, who is an old pro and now guides, just got two of the Abu Garcia 7:1 ratio reels and he loves them.

I guess having a 7:1 reel where you can reel slower is like going outside with too many clothes on.  You can always take clothes off when it gets warm but you can't put them back on when it gets cold if you don't have them on in the first place.

So you can have the 7:1 ratio reel and just reel slower!

Congrats on the reel.  I have one and love it.  I personally think it's easier to slow down than to try and speed up. It will handle crank baits just fine without wearing you out.  

I'm sure you will like the G.Loomis crankbait series, but you might take a look at the PR844C, too. I have the spinning version which is my favorite rod, period. My next rod is going to be the PR844C to replace or supplement the St.Croix Avid AC66MF which I am currently using as my "all-around" baitcaster.

I have no problems using my high speed reels for medium/shallow crankbaits. I wouldn't use them on deep cranks though.

Falcon

My issue with using a 7:1 reel with lipped CB's is not that it wears you out. It is that you tend to overwork the bait (move it too fast).

I saw a demonstration a few years ago in a bass tank at a fishing show, and the pro doing the demo showed how crazy fast the bait goes by at a "semi quick" retrieve rate. It looked like a blur in the tank. That was a normal to fast retrieve with a 6:1 reel.

I think the theory of slowing down is really tough if you are used to a certain retrieve speed. You get lulled into a normal retrieve speed when making hundreds of casts per day.

If you ever see a bait in a tank or pool, you will want to slow it down.

Just my opinon.