baluga

Cumara Reaction 6'3" Heavy/Fast Action with CU 50e , 20# Braid sufix 832, 6ft of 12# leader. You need a mono or FC leader to minimize hook getting caught on the line when using braid. A 12# and up leader will be stiff enough that the lire is pushed in front by the lure avoiding tangle compared to using a straight braid where the lure will overrun the line and get tangled with the hook. Do not use glass rod. The tip is too slow. It absorbs most of the twitching action thus giving less movement on the lure. A heavy/Fast actoin rod will give the lure best action with less energy on the twitch/wrist movement.

it's bright!

I'm not sure why you don't consider CU50E for throwing topwater plugs but It's one of the reels I use for casting Sammy 85&100, Gunfish 115 and Zara Spook Jr that could cast them a mile consistently.

just like what others said..sammy or spook..

boga grip.. you can even get the IGFA certified.

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Very nice Jack and to top it all you got it on topwater lure! Very cool! B)

I think what you need is a conquest 100

Conquest 50

Based on the blanks weight from Phenix website: The recon blanks are practically lighter than the UMBX for the same rating. UMBX-700H 7' 10-20 Fast; Lure rating = 3/8 - 1 1/4; Weight = 2.2 oz PHX-C715H recon 7'1" 10 -25 Fast; Lure rating = 3/8 - 1 1/2; Weight = 2.0 oz Considering they use the same guides and handles weights, it will come out about the same weight or even a tad lighter as the UMBX which about 3.7oz for a 7' Heavy Fast action.

I have not tried the Phenix Recon but I have 4 Phenix UMBX, a DX703C and 3 Cumara. The UMBX is definitely lighter by at least 2 oz compared to DX, lighter than Cumara by 0.5 oz for the same rating. Plus they are balanced just like the DX.

take all of them out of the spool and clean them. Replace only the one that makes a grinding noise or does not spin well on a free spin after cleaning them a couple of times.

You can get bogagrips that are IGFA certified. It's usually $20 more from the non-certified.

I use a CRC brake cleaner w/ bearing blaster to blast out those gunk. Should look like this when preparing. Can be used with the shielded bearings but works better when the shields are removed

I got the cheapo berkley gripper and the bogagrip 315. Readability/Visibility of the scale is bad on both. If you are looking for a cheapo gripper look for something with auto lock mechanism.

I have the DX703C, love it. Paired with CH50Mg to cut down on total weight.

2X - yup, it's like a tank and cast and retrieve smoothly. Go up to CT 100 GTE and it will be silky smooth.

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permanent markers contain solvents may cause the braid to break easily.

The berkley lightning Shock rod blank is a combination of graphite and fiber glass tip. It's good for crankbait since it has a slow action but the over all weight of the rod is on the heavy side and the glass tip makes it tip heavy. Just like what others recommend there's other rod options for all around application to look at, unless you wanted a crankbait rod.

Yes, tied feathers on it for additional flash. We do have a grunion(bait fish) run between March to August here in Southern California. It happens twice a month during New moon and Full moon. Grunion actually beach themselves to mate and bury their eggs in the sand. Yeah, topwater strike is really exciting.

Surf was calm and water was super clear. I knew it's going to be tough. Started with JB90 for half an hour not a bump. Switched to 3" BH swimbait for another half an hour salf results not a nibble. Went for a desperate move switched to a dropshot for an hour but nobody's home. We'll since it was lake like condition I thought maybe try for topwater lure. Tied on Zaro Spook JR and after the fifth cast something jumps out and lo and behold my first topwater halibut!!! It was a shorty but I was so stoked and it felt better than catching a legal halibut using sub surface lures !

Thanks, I think I know how you describe it since I also have the cumara and the cabelas xml. The new Phenix recon and the UMBX are using different material for the blanks so i'm guessing that the recon has a slower action than the umbx from how you describe it. I might need to go to the nearest local shop here in SOCAL and check it out. Thanks again.

Can you post what's the weight of the 714 rod ? How's the balance, is it same feel as the phenix UMBX ? I'm planning to get one if it is as light and balances like the UMBX model Thanks.