Diggy

I have sunline fx2 frogging and flipping braid in 65 and 80. They're 2 tone, blue and black. They work great.

My friend has both the 200 and 300. He def notices an upgrade in heft/durability/solid feel in the 300, but I def think you can use the 200 for that purpose without issue. He is throwing up to 3oz swimbaits on the 200 daily. If you want to kill 2 birds and plan to fish much bigger baits, you can get the 300 and have more options. I plan to purchase a 200 as an alternate braid reel for my jig rod, which has a fluoro reel on it primarily. I also like the feel of a heavier weight reel on that rod. Here is an article I just saw posted. https://bl8nkt.com/tranx-200

I would stick to your regular brands, especially if you're looking at those models that your friends fish with. My friend has a Big Sexy, it's a beautiful rod aesthetically in my opinion. He loves it, he's caught some really big fish in it with a tranx 200 fishing up to 2oz swimbaits. He also has the Andrew Flair extra-heavy frog rod that he loves as well. I can't say anything negative about those rods from a fishing standpoint for his uses because he's been catching fish over five pounds every day on them and I'm not exaggerating. Recently he's put those rods down for a megabass valkyrie that does everything, but he still fishes them. They carry Favorite Rods at my local Dick's Sporting Goods so if you have one near your area you might be able to check them out. They also carry Dobyns fury and champion series, as well as other rods like the AvidX and Tatula at my local Dick's Sporting Goods.

I did pick up the 7"6' Damiki Crankbait rod for about $52. I knew those would sell out considering they were $189 new with a TT review, full handle and were already reduced recently. I pulled the trigger once I saw stock got under 5. I don't crank much, but my old crank rod is 7ft and I wanted a longer model. Can't complain unless its broken upon arrival ?

What lure weights and techniques are you fishing? If you want a 7'2" Heavy Expride they have them on eBay from Simmons for $242. Someone in another thread says they fish 1/4oz with no probs, but it's listed at (7/16-1 1/2oz) The IMX844C MBR is heavy powered also and the lure rating is 1/4-1oz Personally, I wouldn't wait until May. I'd rather get a "barely" used rod than wait until May personally, but I'd rather move up to the Heavy Expride rather than buying the used rod. The used rod also sounds questionable from your description based on age and the condition being "good". I like my used product condition descriptions to be something more spectacular like "Splendid" ? If you don't mind waiting, then wait, because it's already ordered. It may come in earlier or someone else may stock it before TWH does, assuming that's where it's from and then you can cancel the backorder. edit:

They do have the 7"2' H Expride A on eBay for $242 shipped from Simmons. I know someone that just bought one, but the haven't fished it yet. At least someone in the thread cosigned this model if you choose to go this route.

Phenix makes a few in the Maxim line with MF tapers. Bought one in 7'3' for my BFS setup. Dunno why I have a BFS setup for fishing in Florida. Abu also has a Fantasista Regista 6'10" on clearance on certain sites that also caught my eye, it was $500 now for $200. SMH, bait monkey ? Luckily some areas where I live barely have vegetation on the bank and no shopping carts thrown into the lake to get snagged on, so I can actually use it. Some of my normal fishing areas would laugh at me.

Fishing standpoint: Exsence DC Looks: Revo Elite Aurora 64 Limited

There is probably a deal somewhere with the classic, but I was too impatient to wait for a sale. Ebay had 15% off yesterday, no irods, but they did have a 7ft2 heavy Expride which was $208 shipped. I got my irod from Susquehanna Fishing Tackle who I bought from for the 1st time. Signed up for their newsletter and got 10% off. No problems and the shipping was fast. I was able to cast 1/4 swimjigs without problems as well as bullet weighted soft plastics. I fish different reels on it with 30-50lb braid usually. The tip is nice. I like that I can throw tons of stuff on it, from what is listed to swimbaits. It's funny tho, the site write up lists a bunch of techniques for it, but the ones on the rod are different. It works for all of them. Quite happy with that purchase from TWH last July 4th sale. I opted for 1 day shipping so that cut into the savings.

I have the older 1st gen 723 (1/4 to 3/4oz) and the newer 765cf (3/8 to 3oz) utility rod. I love them both, the reel seat is better on the newer gen rods because the threads aren't exposed anymore. They are both super light, sensitive and balanced. I got the balance down with various reels without problems. Exsence DC for the 765 and almost anything for the 723. If I had to pick 1, Id choose the 765 over the 723 since I can fish a bigger variety of baits and have more fishing options with it, even tho the 723 is lighter and more balanced. The Tatula rod looks and feels nice. Held one at DSG in 7'3" MH. It's a rod I could see myself purchasing, especially under retail online. Here comes a new challenger: I recently received an iRod 754 Fred's Magic Stick (1/2oz to 2oz) under retail and I'm like why did I wait so many years. Caught some good fish on it on the frog and swim jig. Can't wait to fish it more.

Academy will give you 50% off of a SLX rod when you buy a SLX reel.

I use a Megabass EMTF when I plan to fish them, but honestly I can fish them on anything like most people.

I def want to pick up some of the TCS rods. The pricing is great when looking around and they work well for the areas I fish based on tons of feedback and watching the old SM videos. I do hope they clear them out too at some point to save some coin. About Favorite: I have been going by what people have been saying for the most part with no experience online fishing the equipment myself. I have zero experience fishing them. My buddy has been fishing the $99 dollar Flair 7'3" XH Flair Frog Rod and the 7'3" XH Big Sexy. They are both set up for bigger baits. Based on the baits being used, these are the size of fish he's been catching on average or bigger almost daily, many times in multiples. I currently try to go to the spot with him at least 1 to 2x a week if possible, it's just a drive for me. I will see how they hold up for him, but they have been good so far. We've been fishing in places with pads and super heavy vegetation, the definition of "Florida" fishing and he's been pulling them outta there. .

I definitely am a fan of the cosmetics and performance of the combo. Probably picking one up for the old man for his Bday or Father's Day this year.

Falcon actually makes an all around rod model Here are the Expert model specs for the all around model EC-5-17 All-Around MH MF 10 12-20 lb. 3/8 to 3/4 oz. 7' One of our most popular actions makes a great crankbait rod but can do almost anything. Similar rod specs for a Bucoo SR, but 3 inches longer on the rod length than the Expert. The line weight is also different. BRC-5-173 Deep Runner MH MF 9 10-20 lb. 3/8 - 3/4 7'3" If you want to follow the advice of others and pick a fast action rod BRC-5-17 Trap Caster MH F 9 12-20 lb. 1/4 - 3/4 oz. 7'

DC for me, just off the noise alone

I plan on trying a few things within the year. The reels having a 3 year warranty and a 5 year on the rods gives me enough peace of mind. Tour MG 100 and a KVD or Smoke 7'4" heavy action rod Personally I would just keep using the Steez and buy a lesser priced frog rod like someone suggested. The reviews on your Frog Rod as a Jig and Worm rod are quite good for the most part. Save yourself some big coin if it works for the application....unless you are an enthusiast gear user and want 2 $500 dollar rods.

They'll ship the PQ2's at least if anyone wants them

I wonder if anyone picked any of the reels up, pretty inexpensive for sure.

The sad part it Tackle Trap had that model in stock last week. If you want the 7'2" Heavy rather than MH you can get one off of Ebay for $242.99 from Simmons Sporting Goods. My friend just ordered one this week as below. BUNDLE - SHIMANO EXPRIDE EX172HA 7'2" HEAVY BAITCASTING ROD + STICK JACKET) Kistler has 21% off right now, a Helium 3 would be in the low 2's shipped. ALX Toadface or Deputy seem to get a lot of love. I like Powell Endurances for the price, you can almost buy 2 since they are $150. I also see a lot about the Alpha Angler Zilla. Are you looking for another JDM styled rod?

Bass Patrol are good and pretty inexpensive if you want football jigs.

I like mine a lot also. No problems on my end.

Tackle Tour rated the Villain higher if that means anything to you. The main factor was sensitivity was better on the Villain 2.0.

Braid for sure and you can add leaders when you want. You never know what you will catch. You have the possibility for a nice variety of fish depending on location in WPB or surrounding areas of it. (Bass, Peas, Clown Knife, Snakehead, Snook, Tarpon, Cichlids, Tilapia, Bowfin, Etc.)