stkbassn

I've caught a lot more fish than I've lost and I am willing to bet the fish that I've lost or broken off haven't been because my rod not having spiraling guides. To each his own but my guides will be staying on top I'm not saying I'm right , just preference and years of success without those guides.

I picked up the rod and put my curado e7 on it. Took about 10 casts with a small spinnerbait and it feels like a solid little rod for 35. No brainer. I wish I had bought a few of these at that price.

BTW, I believe they are sold out.

I'll let you know. Mine should be at the store for pick up today. I've heard good things. I wanted an extra rod just for buzzbaits this year so I got the 7 M.. should work well. For 35 bucks it was worth it. Looks like a nice rod.

Get more Diesel's, they are great rods in my opinion. Dobyns has a series coming out in May I believe that are close to 100 as well. Looks promising. Probably be backordered til the end of time but we shall see..lol

I owned one, it was a good reel. I think if you research the Cardiff you'll find more pro's than con's for sure. For that price it's probably hard to beat but you can get the BB1 (not pro) from Lews for not much more these days. It's a very good reel for the money. I really liked the profile of that reel and it wasn't as heavy. It's all personal preference. I'm getting the BB2 Pro this year and another BB1 for another swimbait set up too. Good luck with whatever you decide and have fun. Check out the Okuma Guide series 7'6 Heavy and get that Cardiff 301...that will be an awesome combo for you and not a ton of money! Under 250 bucks and you're in business.

My SPRO rat should be here today or tomorrow I imagine. Can't wait to see it. I bought the Ninja because the brown was out and morning dawn was out...go figure. I don't think it will matter that much though. I will get one of each color. I use 15lb PLine CXX and it works well. It's tough line for sure. I want to try the Sunline though and will this year. Good luck with the rat! Post pics ...I will when I catch my first pig on it for sure.

Powell Diesel 723 and a Shimano Citica 200E or G6...Great combo that fishes very well. I had one last year and caught loads of bass and stripers on it...never failed. Sold it like an idiot and have now replaced it and very happy Just a suggestion of course. There are other good one's I've read here.

Nice find and good timing. The Gander near me used to have great deals but no longer. They're just cold and sterile now...get what you get at retail or don't. They don't seem to care enough to offer you a deal even if they could. I don't go there anymore. Of course the Sportsman's Warehouse here isn't much better, if any, so online is really the world where I find myself looking for deals and finding them as well. Of course this is just my area, I hear about deals at the same retailers on here from forum members all of the time in their respective areas. Just not true around here anymore. Oh well.

No matter what they use on Major League Fishing it can't be as annoying as Sweetwater, just sayin

I prefer the Citica's but I've never been crazy about Daiwa . I bought the big Lexa for swimbaits and only ever took some casts in the yard. I knew I wouldn't be happy with the reel once I did. I am curious about the Tatula Type R and might buy one this season. For the price on Ebay you can't lose going with the Type R over the Lexa.

This might sound crazy but I was using the powell diesel 7'2 mh, extra fast for top water thundersticks and it was the best rod for that application I've ever had. Handled stripers and big bass with ease. Any suggestions for a rod that could be it's replacement? I might just buy the new version of it...I have one combo for that application only so not looking to invest a ton. Had a 200e citica and that rod...thunderstick is about 5/8 OZ PS..shouldn't have sold it. Lol

This is a consideration. I mostly throw willow bladed war eagles so the hg wouldn't be a bad option. And it would also allow me to throw buzzbaits on the same rod... I used high gear ratios for years with blades with great success. .not sure why it's widely said that 6.3 is optimal ..

I was considering the 200 I or 1500 xt. Either will do I think.

Curado E5...awesome

Yes, great rod. I just got the Swimbait Jr. and ordering another already! Why not have two! I have a Curado 300E on this one and looking to buy the Lew's BB2 Pro for the other...Can't beat it! I like the Okuma rod, 7'6 Heavy (had two) but prefer this IROD all day.

Does this mean they will get more Scorpion 200's? I ordered the Curado 200I because the Scorpion was out. I sent an email with no reply and that's been nearly a week. I want that Scorpion for sure.

Hey guys, thank you for the replies. I did have the $99 version, whichever that was. I did own a regular BB1 and to be fair it didn't backlash on me much at all. It launched the baits out there pretty well too. I think the BB2 Pro will be sweet. I need a reel for throwing topwaters like thundersticks and things like that so which Lew's will cast far and easy without much fuss ? Of course I just bought a new Curado 200I so if I love it I might just buy another...BB2 Pro is going to happen though...just love that reel in hand.

I think Powell makes an 8 foot rod that might handle this bait but I have seen some manufacturers out there advertising rods that are made for these baits...It might be Castaway that I saw but don't quote me. Search on Tackle Warehouse or some of the other sites that sell cranking rods and you'll find one. I like 7'6 up to 7'11 for launching bigger cranks myself. If I had more time here I would find it for you but hope this is encouraging at least.

Not to hijack but this is for all of you Lew's guys. I want to love Lew's, I really do. I love the way they look, feel, and just about everything else but I had so much trouble with backlashing I haven't gone back. Granted I had the lower end model of Lew's reels...The MB looks like a no brainer to me for feature and price..I also want the BB2 Pro with the dual braking for long casting swimbaits....I am probably going to get both but can I expect the same adjustment with casting...My Shimano's just don't backlash unless I do something stupid... What makes these more finicky than Shimano when it comes to ease of use? Just curious...I am not a Shimano junkie though I love em', they just do the job well for me. I have also considered the Tatula Type R's and regular Tatula for cranking...Maybe the Lew's are the answer this year...I'm adding them to my Shimano arsenal...all opinions welcomed.

Curado I, E ,G - all good reels Citica E- good reel, will surprise you!! Chronarch B, D...awesome reels Shimano, no doubt about it.

I was told by a Shimano rep that the new line will be available very soon...so Crucials aren't going anywhere according to him.

I miss the Elite series coming to Smith Mt. Love to see them back sometime. I'm glad Ray Scott is still around...I was shocked for a moment, thought I had missed the news of his passing! I have a load of Bassmaster magazines myself, love it. Of course I love FLW and Major League Fishing as well.....all good!!! I like ol' Jerry too though, he's alright in my book.

This is a question that I've always been curious about too. I always assumed that these guys were doing a lot for sponsors and of course you have your relentless pluggers but hey, that's how these guys pay the bills. Sure, winning tournaments certainly helps the bank account but most guys don't win that many at that level. It's so competitive even at the local level...can't imagine fishing with those sharks...they are amazing. It may not be an easy life but I wish I was good enough to find out Sure beats what I do!!! LOL. So I guess I don't feel sorry for those guys

X2 on the Siege....I like it a lot.