Darren.

Thus far, I'm pretty impressed with the Daiwa Lexa 100's ability to handle just about anything. I've thrown all you mention, without backlash. In fact, I have been able to dial it in to where I hardly need to thumb the reel, if at all.

Welcome!!

Welcome to the Senko Pre-release Backlash Club! Charter member....

Go for it. That's a steal for the Lexa!!! Love mine.

Welcome to the forums!

Price is no object, then def the Sustains!

Assume you're just talking drop shot here? The WGF hook has become my main hook for wacky, and certain split shot situations. I haven't found it to be like a circle hook in performance -- also in actual fishing conditions.... And I use size 4, 2, and 1.

Welcome to the forum, Salbass! And congrats on the catches.

Hard to argue with the above posts. I went with the Stradic because of the spool lip design (less line twist), and reputation, and brand resale value. That said, I've been eyeing Daiwa's specs of late though I'm not in the market. I like the Air Rotor design, mechanically makes a lot of sense. They also have the Twistbuster tech, which sounds similar to what my Stradic FI has. I am not so sure the anti-twist tech is as necessary when one spools with braid for mainline, though. Could be wrong there.

Yeah. Guess there's no way these folks could put on the shows if they didn't have the money. Unless I'm in to the product being hawked, I either turn the channel or ignore. Ain't no baitmonkey gonna get me thru the TV screen. No way, man. I mean, right?

Welcome to the forums, Snitch!

I'd take a long look at the St. Croix Rage series when you go to BPS. Right at the top of your $150 range, but there's a lot of fans here. The Crucial, 6'8" model, at the same $149.99 has a good reputation. The models in between would include the Shimano Compre, TFO rods, St. Croix Premier's, Abu Veritas, etc. I own Compres, but am likely to move to St. Croix rods in the future as I've got a Premier and it's really wowed me.

Nice paint jobs!

Agreed. Picked up one of these at DSG yesterday and saw the micro guides. Decent feeling rod for the money.

Congrats, Jeff! Nice chunks you caught there.

Welcome, Andrew! Nice to have you on board.

Using J Francho's terms: Primarily, I fish cover from my kayak. I am determined to learn to fish structure better at my local reservoirs. I need to find better topo maps, as well as learning to read my el cheapo depth finder. Would love a Lowrance DSI, but that's maybe a few years, or a lottery win, away LOL.

Welcome to BR!

Went to one of our DSG's yesterday, picked up a Strike King football jig for 20% off. The sale is on, but a bit subdued.

Yeah out of range. His budget tops at $900.

Correct. I was merely saying there are stable kayaks in his price range.

I got my Ultimate 12, end of year sale, for $849, not including PFD (already had), or paddle (didn't need, but bought new one)....

On a 7.1:1 Quantum Accurist, 6' M power rod. Always tie on a leader, fwiw. Caught my 7.5lb PB on it last year. This one happens to be spooled with 10lb Fireline, so 4lb diameter. But still thin... My Lexa is spooled with 20 lb Power Pro.

12.28 lbs. That's a beast!

Could be a spool tension and break thing going on. I use 10 and 20 lb braid on two bait casters and don't experience problems you describe.