Arv

So far everyone has given you good advice. I'll mostly echo what they have said so far. If you're going to stick with braid, go with a larger diameter. The lowest I go is 30#. The only time I experience digging with 30+ is when I'm pulling out from a snag, and even then that's a quick fix. If you do switch to fluorocarbon, don't skimp and buy cheap. Skeletor gave you good recommendations there. The scenario you've described would be better suited fluoro because of its abrasion resistance. The only thing that I'll add that I don't think I've seen mentioned yet is that you could go braid+fluoro leader. This would let you keep braid on your spool and simply tie on the leader when necessary. If you ONLY fish around rough pointy things, I would go straight flouro. If not, maybe consider both.

If you can't take it back, use it as backing.

Stick worm - usually a BPS Stick-O now. But GY Senkos and Yum Dingers are all about the same to me. Either weighless t rig or wacky rig, sometimes on a wacky jig head if I feel that they are more aggressive or I want to fish faster.

Excelent review. Thanks!

This is my go to fluke style lure

I dont have experience with the 725 but thats what i would pick if i was faced with lake salad. You might also consider the flipping rods. They will be longer with a slower tip. Good luck! Im interested to hear what others will say.

Wow thats a smokin deal(pun intended). Thanks for sharing

Can you try your friends rods? If you like what youre using, i say stick with it. Dobyns is quality.

Add the Powell line of rods and Phenix to your list. I can't comment on the Savvy yet but I should have one arriving on Monday. I pretty much only buy Powell now though. The Max would be a great rod for your price range, IMO.

And Dobyns rods look pretty awesome if you ask me

I don't have any experience with the Loomis line of rods, but I can give you my opinion on the Avid vs the Champion. The Avid is a nice rod. Its very sensitive I really like the action on the M/F. The humped handle near the reel seat did not bother me. However, I would choose a Dobyns Champion any day over the Avid. The Champion is super light and balances amazingly where as I felt the Avid was tip heavy compared to the Champion. Sensitivity is outstanding and it has a very crisp action. I had a 702c with a cu51e and it was by far the lightest/most balanced combo I had. Balance is huge for me with rods and of all the brands I've had, Dobyns has been the best in that category. I'm sure the 733 will suit you well for the applications you intend to use it for, but really any of those rods should serve you well.

I would drop more money on the worm/jig rod. With bottom contact applications, buy the most sensitive rod you can afford. With 1500 dollars, I would be looking at a Dobyns Extreme. Obviously G. Loomis, St. Croix and a few others have outstanding reputations for offering top of the line rods so consider those as well. For the crankbait rod, I still believe in finding a sensitive rod, I just don't believe it has to posses the same degree of sensitivity that a worm/jig rod needs. You still need to feel your bait wobble and when it bangs into things, digs the bottom, gets stuck in grass/weeds and, most importantly, gets munched on by a fish. As far as reels, the Lews Tournament Pro is a fantastic choice. I'm quickly becoming a Lewser, but companies like Shimano and Daiwa also offer great products. I would recommend checking out what they have as well, especially with their new offerings in the Chronarch and Tatula.

You could use both. I use a T rig when fish are more aggressive, a C rig when the bite is tougher. As far as worms, I usually use a ribbon tail worm. I also use creature baits though. A brush hog works awesome for me.

Custom.

Had the Sellus, not bad for the price, but I sold it. Still have a Compre so that gets my vote.

If you can, bump up the price a bit for the Lews Tournament Speed Spool and that would get my vote. If its just between the two, I'd pick the Citica just because of the centrifugal braking system as opposed to the magnetic on the Lews SS. Like everyone else has said, either one is a solid choice. I would also recommend the BPS PQ. For $100 I don't think that reel can be beat.

I use a Dobyns Champion 702c. If you're willing to go up in price get the Champion Extreme.

I can't speak for the Carbonlite's performance but I have handled it before and I like the way it feels in my hands. As far as the PQ goes though, I've owned 2 (I only sold them off recently b/c I fell in love with Lews) and I believe they are the best reel you can get for the money. I think they perform right up there with some of my 150-200 dollar reels. Some members on here have also proven that they are built to last, given you take care of them and maintain them. At 160, that's a great deal and where I'd be putting my money if I was you.

If you can swing 160 I'd strongly recommend the BPS Pro Qualifier/Carbonlite combo. I think BPS is doing free shipping now on orders over 75 bucks.

I think a lot of people shy away from them because they are bigger than most worms people use. I was hesitant at first but decided to give them a try. I was surprised that a fish the same size as my worm would try and eat it, but I guess that's why they're called bucket mouths.

Do you know when they will be available? I don't see it on their site, TW, etc.

Of all the $100 rods I've handled the Shimano Compre is my favorite, however I have not handled the ***. Both the Mojo and the Veritas are nice rods, but I prefer the Compre over those two. The only reason I would stay away from the Compre now, is that it has foam handles where I like cork, but thats just me. At the $100 mark I don't really think you can go wrong with any of those.

I feel like I heard that too. But I want it now!

Yes, also this. Good call.

Whatever you want really. It depends on what power/action rod you have, cover you will be fishing, time of year, time of day. If you're new to fishing a good place to start, IMO, is with weightless senko worms, texas rigged plastics and crankbaits.