[sarcasm] About 30 Shakespeare Ugly Stik's [/sarcasm]

Now that your throwing up the 600 number, Daiwa Zillion for sure, matched with a Dobyns Champion extreme. That will quite honestly be the sexiest combo know to human kind. It'll be so dirty.

@basscalRy: Haha that's what I was thinking.

Seriously, dobyns and kistler are around the same price, now I'm torn between those two. So far most of you say dobyns, have any of you tried a kistler also?

Kistler will be tip-heavy, the Dobyns will literally float in your hand!

Does TW or BTD do the discount on Diawa reels? If so, get the Steez and Extreme. A Dobyns rep told me that he used that setup. He said after filling the reel with floro it weighed just under 10oz. SICK!

Ok dobyns it is, I'm considering the daiwa steeze only if I can get a discount because that is a lot of money for a reel. Other reels I'm considering are the shimano core, curado, daiwa zillion, and I saw a couple of mentions of the abu Garcia revo premier, anyone else have any opinions on this reel?

My Kistler isn't tip heavy and it has a Quantum Kinetic mounted on it and I haven't handled a Dobyns.

I know of a shop where I can handle a dobyns, does anyone know of a shop in so cal where I can handle a kistler?

Get a Zillion or a Steez. I would say get a Core but you are limited on the size of line you can put on that reel(just as a 50E). A Steez is light and paired with a Exreme you would be a gangsta. Get it done sale or not. You want "one" setup so do it right or pay later.

Get the slower retrieve around 26-28".

I know of a shop where I can handle a dobyns, does anyone know of a shop in so cal where I can handle a kistler?

Get the Dobyns and decide on the reel. Don't look back!!

............And thats all I have to say about that

Actually now that I think about it, Go to kistler's website and take a look at maybe getting a custom Z-Bone rod.

They're made on NFC Blanks (Gary Loomis' REAL company) which are basically the holy grail of blanks according to alot of custom rod buiilders.

Will probably run you a lot of money though. Play around with the creator.

Ok dobyns it is, I'm considering the daiwa steeze only if I can get a discount because that is a lot of money for a reel. Other reels I'm considering are the shimano core, curado, daiwa zillion, and I saw a couple of mentions of the abu Garcia revo premier, anyone else have any opinions on this reel?

Everyone seems to be talking you into a zillion. Just cuz its a daiwaw doesn't mean anything. I have a zillion but I haven't fished it all year cuz its way overrated especially for $290. If you could get it cheaper maybe its ok but otherwise you will get better value from anyother brand. I like features that can actually be put down on paper not its better cuz some guy in Japan makes them better. Last but not least I know ill catch a lot of flack but the reels that force the zillion to stay home are all patriarch XT and would trade away my zillion for another one in a heartbeat.

A perfect example of a feature that should ALWAYS be on a $290 dollar reel is bearing supported knobs. The zillion does not have them.

Curado 50E/Powell 783C which u can get for under $300. Good all around setup.

Talk with DVT about a custom rod to go with whatever reel you chose. Sure he can build you something that will met your needs far better than any of the recommendations and still keep you within your budget.

DVT?? Delaware Valley Tackle???

DVT?? Delaware Valley Tackle???

Yes, you can contact him here.

There are lots of good options at that range and under. If you don't practice it won't make any difference. I've been doing this for well over 60 years and I still do a little yard work before ice out and if I don't I'll usually pay for it.

Ya, after going back and forth I decided to limit my budget to around $300. I don't need a $500 reel. I'm thinking a dobyns rod and either a shimano curado or a lews tournament pro for a reel. Probably gonna wait until labor day to try and get a discount. I plan to practice casting I my @$$ off, even when I'm not fishing. I'm a guitar player and their was a period in my life where I practiced for 8 hours a day everyday, I was obsessed. Now I'm obsessed with fishing! Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

A buddy of mine picked up a Curado 50 on sale recently, he swapped out the bearings, put in Boca's, mounted it on a Dobyns 742 Extreme. He let me test cast it yesterday, had an unweighted Zoom Horny toad. 8 lb. test. I threw it half a dozen times, he had it dialed in, I could throw it far, didn't have to thumb the spool, no overruns at all. I was impressed. This may not be the right combo for you and the conditions you fish, but it's a sweet combo.

If you were staying in the $600 range, then I would have recommended an NRX and Curado. With the (smart) rebudget, the Dobyns/Curado combo will be great for you. I have a DX743 teamed up with a Curado and absolutely love it. Hopefully whatever you're planning to get is in stock and on sale during TW's Labor Day sale.

Just to let you guys know I went with a dobyns dx 703 c and a shimano curado 201e7. Took it out to puddingstone yesterday and I must say I like it a lot. Of course I had a few backlashes being my first time using a baitcaster, but it was fun. I even landed a nice lmb, my first ever out of that lake. Thanks again for all the suggestions

That setup looks awesome out in the sun. Enjoy.