JaxBasser

Seriously. That stuff is magic in a bottle.

Ordered my rods by phone yesterday and they already shipped. The rep on the phone was very nice and helpful. My Legend Tournament is my only experience with st croix so I'm excited to try these out.

Called in and ordered two. Could not resist for that price.

This. Shimano Symetre and the Daiwa Fuego can be had near that price on eBay.

Try to get ahold of a Tatula and try it mounted on a rod before you buy one. I came from using only abu and lews reels and tried a Tatula and hated it because of how it palmed. It was a very nice and great performing reel but that killed it for me and I sold it.

I did the same, got them in today. They look quality. Gonna try to fish them tomorrow.

I got a Lews Pro G in recently and love it. Much nicer reel than my Lews SS Tournament and even my 13 A. American Legacy Fishing has them for $150.

Dobyns fury 734c - $110 Lews Speed Spool LFS 6.8:1($80 on eBay) That would be a very versatile setup.

It's the same blank material as the avid (scIII), not the ltb(scIV). I've heard good things though. I want to check them out, might end up buying one.

Depends on the technique. If you want a good all around rod a MH F is hard to beat.

Lews Speed Spool Tournament Pro G ($160) and a Daiwa Tatula 7'1 MH XF($90).

You're gonna get a ton of different answers, a lot of quality gear in that price point. Here's a few of my recommendations. Reels Shimano Curado 200i hg (can be had for around 130 on eBay) Lews Speed Spool Tournament Pro G 7.5:1 (150 on eBay) Daiwa Tatula Type R 8.1 (130 or 140 on eBay) Rods Daiwa Tatula Phenix Maxim Kistler Magnesium 2 Abu Veritas 2.0 St Croix Avid Go with whatever length you prefer in a MH F or xf

Get the LFS, it's has an aluminum frame. Best reel you can get for 80 bucks.

These dudes make some nice ones. Just go all in and get that sweet hawg handle lol. https://www.hawgtech.com/

Strike King s11

First setup looks like a good one for single hook baits. Worms, jigs, etc.. I'd throw crankbaits on the second one.

I have a friend that works in a pharmacy and I had her save the things that come in the pill bottles to keep moisture out. They work great. I just throw a few in all of my boxes.

The Cane Thumper is the real deal.

For 45% off I'd get an STX.

You earned the money, it makes you happy, who cares what they think.

Put the Tatula on a rod and make sure you like how it palms. I bought a Tatula and loved everything about it except how it felt in my hand. It casts a mile, buttery smooth, looks great. I just couldn't get over the feel. I have a LFS Speed Spool and the Tatula was a better reel in every category except for how they palm and that's why I sold the Tatula.

In the $200 range I love the Kistler KLX. Lots of good options though.

Powell Diesel from TheFishRanger and a Pflueger Trion.

One of my favorite worms ever. Dead stick it, swim it, burn it across the top. Tons of fish on that bait.

If a rod breaks within the first few times of use it could be defect. After that it's most likely user error. These modern rods are a lot more fragile than some people realize. All it takes is a little knick or chip in the blank and that could do it. Never fished the Duckett rods personally but have buddies who use them with zero problems.