Diggy

The one up in Palm Beach is lavish, added like 50% more to the department last year. I buy my Dark Sleepers there.

Got this in yesterday. I'll spool it up with 15lb fluorocarbon for now.

Powell Endurance Casting Rod 7'3" Mag Medium Heavy 735 CEF- Although this is a “shorter” rod by our Magnum Rod standards, it’s an ideal length for blending both accuracy and distance. Equipped with a strong 5-power rating, this is a tool you can confidently take into the thick stuff and not feel undergunned. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Powell_Endurance_Casting_Rods/descpage-PER.html on sale for 104.99 I have a couple and love them, but the weights listed are about 1/2oz or so off when I weighed the rods on my scale. Great deal at 104.99 while they last. https://www.powellco.com/endurance-series?page=2 Rod Type Casting Mag Bass Rods Technique / Application Frogs, Pitching, Big Jigs, Swimmers Length 7’3” Power Mag-Medium Heavy Power Rating 5 Line Weight 12-25 lb. Lure Weight 1/4-2 oz. Action Ex-Fast Weighs 3.6 oz. Rod Specs Rod Type Casting Mag Bass Rods Technique / Application Flipping, Punching, Swimbaits, Wakebaits Length 7’9” Power Mag-Medium Heavy Power Rating 5 Line Weight 15-25 lb. Lure Weight 1/2-3 oz. Action Fast Weighs 3.8 oz. Rod Type Casting Mag Bass Rods Technique / Application Flipping, Punching, Swimbaits, Wakebaits Length 7’9” Power Mag-Medium Heavy Power Rating 5 Line Weight 15-25 lb. Lure Weight 1/2-3 oz. Action Fast Weighs 3.8 oz. They also have the Okuma TCS for 90 or less https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Tournament_Concept_TCS_a_Casting_Rods/descpage-TCSA.html?from=basres

I bought an Energy last year (has flippin switch) for about $80 and a Monster 300 size swimbait reel for $53 shipped, both new. I def can't complain for the price. I haven't used them as much as my other reels, but I can't say they are "trash" like a lot of reviews that I've read. I would probably buy a Tour MG if I can find one in LH at a good price.

Powells are great and they are on sale on tackle warehouse for 104 or less.

I feel your pain and hope you get your issue handled quickly. I got my 1st NRX delivered like that from Fedex. I was like, "that's broke" when I saw it. The Tackle Trap handled it well for me and shipped me another one quickly.

And you can add a coupon code that brings it to $359 shipped 2 day

$139.99 Shimano SLX Casting Rod & Reel Combo https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-casting-rod-reel-combo.html

When I bring 1 rod with me, I'll use leaders if I fish Texas rigged plastics to prevent them from getting shredded up by the line if they slide up the hook.

One of my friends is going through it right now, bad blank, missing rod, now damaged guides. So much promise =(

I have 10lb braid and between 6-8 for light neds in open water and I will use 12 for heavier stuff or heavier cover

Hope you like it. Matt Allen seems to like his. I haven't fished it, but I have an older EMTF I love. Yes it is. Abu customer Service offered me one at a great price. I'd do either the 7ft3 MH or H, leaning more to MH since I have a few heavy rods now. The ABU may be XXH tho in feel. I may still get an 893, may pull the trigger on a 2019 Z-Bone first because the price is right and lower more often than not. Quite a few options for the OP and his friend to choose from. The thing about bottom contact rods is that you may always want to try others if you are an enthusiast...is the grass always greener?

I have an 894 and I like it, but everybody makes me think I should have bought an 893. Everybody says "iTs ThE It RoD" ? I have a list of rods I want to try and coincidentally a few are posted in this thread.

Orochi XX: Braillist, (more power) Perfect Pitch Destroyer: FMJ

I use high vis braid and as of recently I will color about 7-8ft of it black with a sharpie. I notice if I spray the braid with KVD conditioner over night, the sharpie coloring stays. Sometimes I use a leader, sometimes I don't.

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-casting-rod-reel-combo.html SLX combo in various options of your choice for $139.99, do it.

You can get a 2019 ZBONE for $359 on an NFC Xray blank

Not to derail this this thread, but I have a gen1 heavy veritas. I saw a fish eat my jig in shallow water, set the hook and it came flying out of the water at me. I actually apologized to the fish. You are right about landing a tuna with it.

I completely understand what you're saying. I have seen other companies charge almost the price of the whole rod on their warranty programs when you total things up. I will also agree with you on Abu's customer service taking care of people the right way. I haven't bought one of their rods in years, but I always tell people that their customer service was top notch when I had problems. I never had to pay any ridiculous fees if any at all. I recently emailed them a guide repair/replacement question for a Gen 1 Veritas micro guide rod that I own which is wayyyyyyyyy out of warranty. They offered me an amazing discount on a new rod to remedy my issue which wasn't even anything major. I got my local shop to fix the issue for me for under 10 dollars, but the offer was generous considering the issue.

You can pick up something from American Legacy, they ship to CA https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/falcon-lowrider-20-casting-rods.html This Falcon is on clearance for $80usd and you can get a tatula for about $150 usd

Are you in the US or Canada?

I have a 894. Sometimes I think the rod is overrated on sensitivity based on how people used to hype them up about feeling fish breathe on the bait and all that jargon.... Until I take a long cast and feel a thump transmit 30ft down on a fall with slack line. I say to myself is that a fish? I realize it is a fish and then I come to my senses. The rod is great. Still looking for my perfect line and reel setup for it. Glad you are loving the 893. I hear people say that's the "it" model. Happy fishing!