skeletor6

X2...especially when they run a sale.

1. Spinner bait 2. Jig For versatility alone. Switch your trailer on the jig and spinnerbait and you can accomplish many things.

Braid will be more sensitive than mono on a tight line but less sensitive if it's slack. You can go very long on the leader without noticing much if any difference. Think if you made a 40 yard cast with a 3 foot leader. Only 2.5% of the effective line would be mono.

I've had good luck with Daiwa Samurai and Suffix 832.

It largely comes down to preference. I tend to side with the Split Grip for the weight savings and added blank exposure. If you assume a blanks at its maximum efficiency when it's bare, all added items will decrease it's efficiency to an extent. The more efficient (strength/weight) the added items are (guides, reel, seat grip, etc.) The more efficient the entire setup. However, if the grip leads to poor balance and is uncomfortable then sacrificing efficiency to achieve higher comfortability becomes a preferential issue.

Let's see....11 rods

For spinning gear I would go 8lb.

An interesting read on the topic. http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oas/oas_pdf/v59/p34_40.pdf

If you have the money it sure doesn't hurt. I did, so I went ahead and did it on most of my reels. This went along with cleaning and tuning. It is pointless to add bearings if you have not cleaned your reel. To answer what is in bold, price is not a solid indicator of bearing quality. Do some research on your reel(s) to see what is in there.

Tatsu > Sunline FC Sniper > InvizX Based purely on casting? then Tatsu > InvizX > Sunline FC Sniper Tatsu and InvizX have similar casting and handling characteristics. However, Tatsu seems to lay a little flatter and casts slightly better in my observations. Adding abrasion resistance and overall line quality FC sniper clearly has the edge over InvizX in my use.

A 2500ci4 balances nicely on my NRX 822SYR. One of my favorite setups.

Them participating is fantastic and their interaction in threads has helped me and many others. I know mike at DVT and the users from Hawgtech are constantly helping people without even selling their business. Free advice so to speak, it builds consumer trust and is a definite advantage when you can talk to the business owners. But sometimes it is hard to locate when Siebert posts a free shipping order. Or when Valley Sports had their black friday sale. It would end up buried. It would be nice if it was better highlighted in a certain way. I missed Siebert's last sale because I was not on top of searching siebertoutdoors username in the search function. It seems when they post a sale. It looks like any other thread. Then after 5 new threads are bumped or created, it gets lost. I'm not saying it has to be stickied, but I think it would be beneficial if a Sponsor creates a thread that their thread is highlighted in some way making it look substantially different than if I were to create a thread.

Best Rod for under $200. That is a very interesting question.

Kickerfish and J-Rob hit it on its head. There's not enough individuals who would contribute.However, I do not see how it could hurt, especially if the customization aspect was brought into it..And who knows, it could grow with time. Just because you can find it on TT does not mean its not worth asking here. A sticky thread would be fantastic for best $100 reel and Best $100 rod. It is brought up easily 2x a week and the same information is repeated. One could simply gather plenty of information from the sticky and ask a more specific question about the rods/reels they narrowed it down to if the sticky did not provide enough information.

I doubt you'll find a better senko rod than a NRX 893c. I've found 6.X:1 to be adequate. I wouldn't want any slower.

Its the mono I chose to use this year. Its got a pretty cool tint to it, subtle but different. The line handles well and performed for jerkbaits, cranking, and topwater usage this year. I've heard of issues with stretch and abrasion resistance. I haven't used it enough to say. As of right now, its the top mono that I have used next to Suffix's offerings.

Denying to use any rod or reel based on name-brand is imprudent. I will use the best I can get my hands on regardless of name-brand. If there is a lot of hype concerning a certain rod or reel, there is usually a reason. The Daiwa Tatula is a good example right now. There is a lot of talk or "hype" surrounding it. I bet it turns out to be a fine reel and rod series. I wouldn't deny purchasing either based on the fact their is "hype" surrounding it.

Sounds like you got quite the deal. Recently scored a Shimano Exsence DC at a nice price. However, I wait to use a reel before I decide whether it has a home for me. A common misconception is shipping time for JDM gear. I got mine in 5 days from purchase. I've heard of people getting nailed with customs, however, it seems to mostly occur for rods. I did a lot of research before buying from a JDM source. Sounds like you did too. Hope the reels turn out as well as you are anticipating.

A used Gen 1 Cumara are easily found under $150. That's the most sensitive rod that I have used in this price range. I would take a Gen 1 Cumara over a crucial if you are open to buying one used. I haven't used a St. Croix Rage Rod, however a Legend Tournament was less sensitive than my Cumara and that was purchased for less than $150 new.

Light Swimbaits? How light?

Seaguar InvizX < Sunline FC Sniper < Seaguar Tatsu What diameter you chose mostly comes down to the cover you fish. I use 12lb Seaguar Tatsu, its diameter is thinner and breaking strength is higher than rated. However, many use lines in that 15-17lb range. How strong of line you choose has a lot to do with cover. There is a sacrifice you make with stronger lines, the handling gets worse. The lines recommended are lines that handle well, so it should not be that big of a problem.

A short rod now, could always end up being a topwater or jerkbait rod in the future. The shortest rod I've considered actually getting is a 6'3'' cumara for some jerkbait purposes. I would go 2 directions 1.) Something a little too big for him right now, but he can grow into 2.) Something suitable to his size right now, but if he gets really into bass fishing will want to upgrade later. I haven't fished a sahara or pfleuger president. Have held them in hand, the pfleuger seemed nicer to me, but that is pure speculation and is not advice I would take. I would wait for someone who knows about the reels to chime in. I will say I know of a couple guys who owned spinning rods in the Smallmouth series. They use them along-side high dollar rods. A friend is looking to get rid of a ML/F smallmouth rod. He might be able to give you a good deal. PM Me if interested.

^^^^Agree*** Take your last option of fenwick. Many claim the Smallmouth series as one of the top dogs for its price range. The ML/F would be a good technique specific dropshot rod used for light line and light weight shots. The M-XF is more of an all-around spinning rod that can dropshot as well. My "if you find a good deal" choice is a Shimano Cumara Gen 1. A good steal would be a used CUSDX72M or CUSDX68M.

I used 8lb Tatsu exclusively on my spinning gear this season. I feel I could go 10lb without any issues if I wanted. This is on a 2500 series shimano reel. I used it for everything from dropshotting, shakeyheads, weightless plastics, light jigs, jerkbaits etc. Its worth every dollar in my mind and unless something happens over the winter, I will use the same spool for next spring. The stuff is the best out there right now IMHO.

Its a phenomenal line. I have not used it in such high test. However, ridiculously consistent line diameters that are actually thinner than what most companies rate them at. Tatsu's breaking strength is higher than what it is rated at. Also, I have to agree with a statement I have read. It handles as good as invizx, is abrasive resistant as AbrazX, and the line lays flat on the spool, very sensitive and resists bow better than any line I've used. Put it on spinning gear, casting gear, it will do the trick. Also, its longevity is higher than any fluoro I have used. If you use backing, KVD L&L, the price drops big time.