Tywithay

Dirt cheap mono it is. I got Cabela's pro line or something along those lines. I think it was $10 for 3000 yards. That will last me many, many reels over many years. I got the red/camo color, because most of my main line is clear and I want it to show through if I am getting low. Helps me know when to respool a little more easily.

I have zero issue with the way recoil guides look. I hate the way they sound and the way they feel when fishing. They're not as slick as a SiC guide, so casting suffers some, in my experience. They're especially noisy when using braid. I like the durability and the way they bounce back. I think they'd be great on sub-$100 rods that are going to be abused. I can't justify putting them on a premium rod though.

Tatula Type R 8.1 $200 reel for $135, hard to beat.

I just got a new with tags 2014 Elite for $230. I wouldn't pay over $200 for the old one, even in excellent condition.

I don't remember what forum it was, but I saw a feller with a lightly used Daiwa Fuego...that's the one. Otherwise, a Stradic FJ or find a deal on a CI4+.

It's only a few grams, maybe 6-7 on a long handle. The weight is removed from the wrong portion of the rod though. You want more weight at the butt of the rod to improve balance. A 5oz rod with perfect balance will feel much better than a 4oz rod that's very tip heavy.

Tatula R 8.1 can be found for $135 or so, hard to beat. 13 *** can be found on sale for Memorial Day, nice deal there too. The Curado I is a nice reel, though I preferred the Tatula Type R and ended up selling the Curado.

Full grip for me. I can't find any advantage to a split grip. You get weight savings, but it's in the wrong place, so it doesn't matter.

Tatula P model. Only cost you about $100. I don't think anything else is that close. You might be able to snag a new Curado or 13 *** on sale for close to that price. They're both pretty sweet little reels too.

I tried one and all I can say is it's "OK." It wasn't the worst rod I've used for the price point, but it was far from the best. I see them on sale for like $60-$80 from time to time; at that price they're not a bad deal.

That Ito is definitely a work of art.

Just the paint. The pearl is the "ladies" version.

Have owned several and never broken one. I personally don't care for the carbon grip on the cashion. The crucial grips are very comfortable. Still not my favorite Shimano rod, but for the sale price they're a good deal.

Most 2500 size spinning reels have between 10-15lb drags. The spool diameter allows for larger washers than a typical casting reel. I've found that most spinners are every bit as powerful as a baitcaster, but the design doesn't handle heavy line as well.

The VS, Zeebaas, etc., are worth it for a lot of people if they're fishing heavy surf or targeting offshore species. Those reels are bulletproof and engineered to last forever in the toughest conditions. Some guys would rather spend $1000 today than buy ten $100 reels that might last a year.

If the reel or box says the capacity for a certain diameter, you can do the math. Otherwise, there's no standard for each pound rating between manufacturers.

It has decent abrasion resistance, but it doesn't handle worth a darn. The first day I spooled it, it was nice. A week later after not using it, it had so much memory you could barely cast it.

Totally agree. I can understand if it's a $20 difference or something, because that adds up a lot. If it's close, I'd rather work with the people that are here amongst us and take the time to give you a personal experience.

If you like hearing the drag sing, but prefer casting, you just need a reel with a clicking drag. They're fun to play with too.

I think the Tatula is the most sensitive, and the best built, of the three. Followed by the *** as a close second for sensitivity, though I had some quality issues. A fast action will be great for jigs and t-rigs. I will say that the heavy is a beast of a rod, so you may only need a medium-heavy, unless you're fishing in some serious nastiness. Best deal right now for the Tatula is thehookuptackle, as they're in the midst on a 20% off sale. The *** black will be on sale at TW here shortly for probably 15% off. I think the Savvy is a really nice rod, but I agree that there are better options for the money; the Tatula being one of those.

It technically is an Ambassadeur Revo STX, that was part of the "RevoLution" from the round reels. The rod retailed for nearly $200, but could be found much cheaper. I'd probably offer $160-$180 and hope to get lucky. Most I'd pay is maybe $220, if condition was excellent.

You need to hook a big KS wiper. I've had strikes that took me to my knees and multiple 30-40 yard runs even with heavy baitcasting gear. I caught a 20.04lb and it took me over 20 minutes to get it in the boat using a medium crankbait rod with 12lb line. Bass just don't have that much fight in them, comparatively.

Type has a better zaion drag star, red anodized pieces, lighter spool, upgraded spool bearings, black paint job, and it's a little lighter. I think it's well worth the money, especially when you can get the R for $135ish all the time.

Mine would be: 7'4" H ALX Dragger custom- Antares HG w/ 14lb Toray Super Polyamide Plus 7'1" MH ALX Deputy Custom - Daiwa Tatula Type R R100H w/ 15lb Tatsu 6'10" M Expride - Daiwa SS SV 103SH w/ 12lb Sunline Shooter Green With those 3, there's literally nothing I couldn't cover. They may not do everything as well as some of my other specific-type rods, but they'll do it well enough. When I go out walking banks or wading, I only take one rod with me 7' MH Kistler Helium3 - Shimano Antares 5.6 - I like the slower retrieve for all-around stuff.

12lb XL is 15lb line, by diameter. It's also softer and easier to cast for a beginner.