ChiCityBasser

Nothing to be too leary of with Ebay as long as you check the feedback of the seller. Just got a NIB Quantum Kinetic PT off ebay for $60 so there are deals on there and just have to search for them.

I'e never handled or used the Carbonlite but its on sale and from the reviews and other endorsements by board members I would try it. My other choice would have been for the Cabelas Prodigy rod which is a great rod for multiple techniques at the $100 price point.

Glad you are enjoying the Exceler and sounds like a 7' rod either MH or H would be your next rod. My crankbait rods are either M/MF or MH/MF for my baitcasting setups for shallow to mid divers which for me is upto about 10 feet. Select it based on the technique you fish the most and think you will get the most use out of when fishing. My longest rod is 7' but thats due to transporting issues since I fish from the shore and anything longer would be hard to transport.

The 6.4 is a better all around choice but still not ideal for deep cranking but opinions will vary. If the reel is the BPS exclusive KVD I would say try something else. Check out ebay or the flea market for a deal on a reel.

I use Quantum reels and if you can step up to at least the Incyte or if you can one of the PT models and you will be better off. I don't have any experience with the reel you are asking about but 15# line unless it's Braid will give you lots of memory even in the 40 size reel. You can try the Flea Market or ebay and step up to a nice used reel or even a new one at a good price. Just got a Quantum Kinetic BC reel NIB for $55 off Ebay.

Between the 2 choices I would go with the Browing Citori over the KVD model. I haven't used either but as KY stated I would stay away from the signature series reels. I have used the BPS exclusive signature spinning reel of the same series and returned it for the particular Quantum reel I wanted.

I have a Catalyst PTi-A and B 20 as well as a Kinetic PTi-B 20 and the drags on all of them work great. I caught the fish in my signature which was 5lbs. on the Kinetic on 6# test Cajun line and the drag worked great. The Energy would be a couple steps up from the PT reels I have but I'm sure the drag would be great as well.

1/4 oz crankbait

I have a Cabelas Prodigy reel which is made by Daiwa but the majority of my reels are Quantum and I'm comfortable with them and they perform well. I primarily like the Major brand name reels. If you are happy with the BPS reels then use want is working for you.

I have used a 6'6" XML and spinning rod a caught my personal best on a frog with 6# Cajun line after much playing the fish. It's the fish in my signature and since then have switched over to 30# Cajun braid.

You might try the Cabelas Prodigy or Cabelas MagTouch both are $99 in spinning and casting models. One of the MH or H models depending on the cover is withing your budget. The Field and Stream Tec Spec rods are $60 and $50 with a $10 online coupon and extended warranty is $8. I have several Prodigy rods and just picked up the Tec Spec 7' MH tube/jig rod and it works very well. One of my prodigy rod is my current spinning crankbait rod and very happy with the sensitivity for a moving bait rod.

I'm right handed as well and use left handed retrieve spinning reels and it was more natural to stay that route for the baitcast reels. I tried a right handed baitcast reel but it didn't feel natural and now with more left hand baitcast reels on the market I have switched them all over to left handed baitcast reels.

It would be my Quantum Catalyst PTi-B and may not be as old as some of the other reels but it is my work horse reel.

That is a HAWG for sure

Great Fish and wow those are some nice smallies

Great to see you guys coming back to the sport after the long vacation times. My choice for the reel would be the Quantum Smoke which is right at your $200 price point. It's super light at 6.2 oz and a very solid performer from the all the reviews and post I have read about it. It comes in both LH and RH retrieve as well.

I ordered from Poorfish and didn't have a problem with them at all. I ordered a Daiwa Exceler which was $57 and with shipping it was around $67 of so. No problems with shipping or with communication and best price I could find for the reel.

Just got it and will have line added to it tomorrow and it might replace one of the Daiwa Exceler reels I have been using. I'll let you know how it performs and the Exceler will probably end up in the flea market soon.

I own 8 Quantum reels between spinning and baitcast and they have all worked great.

I have a Kinectic PT on the being delivered today so haven't had any water time with it yet. I got in NIB off ebay for $60. I have an older Energy PT which worked fine and has worked well for 2 yrs no problem. I have a Daiwa Exceler 6.3:1 that works well as a cranking reel for light down to 1/4 oz shallow to medium diver cranks. The Quantum line has served me well with me also having a older model Accurist PT that I use as a flipping reel. It is a very good reel and can be had on Ebay for around $40-50 NIB.

Check out the Dick's Field & Stream Tec Spec line of rods. I picked up a 7' MH spinning for for $40 when they were on sale. They are now back to $60 but there is an online coupon that will get you $10 off.

Strike King 1xs in Gizzard Shad, Sexy Shad or Sexy Sunfish

Try the Field & Stream Tec Spec rods on sale at Dick's for $50 and with a online coupon for an additional $10 off the rod can be had for $40. They have a crankbait rod in the lineup and a couple other technique specific rods as well. You should also check out the Cabelas Prodigy line of rods which were on sale for $70. The Prodigy lineup has a 7' MH/MF rod that works great as a crankbait rod. I have one paired with a Prodigy reel and I think the length will work well for you with the reel you want to pair with the rod.

Dick's has the Field & Stream Tec Spec rods on sale for $49 and they are normally $60. There is also an online coupon for $10 off which they did honor and I picked up the TSS701MHF which they list as there Tube/Jig rod for $40. I had it out today and the rod feels good and is also very sensitive as well. I did get the extended warranty with it as well after reading some of the reviews on the rod.

The cranking rods are very very nice and they are sensitive as well. I have one paired with a Daiwa Exceler. The rods can be found on ebay and I agree they don't get enough recognition and are great deals off ebay.