kickerfish1

I would say 12lb would be a good sized line. Depends on how much you want to spend and what qualities you want? Invisix or abrasix would be good and very castable lines. Lines like tatsu, sunline shooter, and toray upgrade will be much more sensitive but also a bit stiffer. If you want a cheaper alternative yozuri hybrid or Trilene XL are solid lines.

Just a few comments... The curado 50e or chronarach 50e are pretty much the same. Only minor differences here or there. They will cast light weight baits about the same. You can probably find a curado 50e for less money on closeout or used. I really like this reel in its stock form. The Daiwa Sol or alpha would be a good choice. There is a spool upgrade you can do for it to help with lighter baits. It is pretty spendy though. In its stock form they are great reels although your only option would be buying one used unless you find one new but expect to pay a premium. I haven't fished the Lews but they are very good reels from all the accounts I have read and folks I have talked to that use them. Frankily I would stick to 8lb line over 6 unless you are fishing deep on clear water lakes. Upgraded spool bearing will help with start up speed for lighter lures. The sol/alpha reel would benefit from a carbontex drag upgrade as stock they have the fewest lbs of drag of the reels you mentioned. Lastly you can purchase finesse spools for the shimano or Daiwa reels but I don't know about the Lews. A lighter spool will generally speaking cast a lighter lure further. They are good reels that can be had for $200 or less. Also they are fairly light weight...under 7 ounces and palm well!

If you got a cumara I think medium would be perfect. I really like the versatility of the 7'2" medium action rod. It seems closer to most companies medium heavy. Their medium heavy rods are pretty stout and I wouldn't dip much below a 3/8oz rig with that rod. I have handled a few St. Croix rods in the store and didn't care for them. These were the mojo and rage rods. I havent handled any avids or legend rods yet. It was more a style and rod weight thing not a performance thing. Sorry I can't compare them to the dobyns extremes. Maybe another person on here can offer that comparison? As far as Powell goes I have an 6'9" endurance rod I used for small square bills and jerkbaits. I like the rod but wish it had a longer handle. As to weather either is better than a cumara or recon it may boil down to personal preference and whether or not you want cork or foam handles. They are all good rods. If it was me I would look at 7 foot to 7'3" rod, something in a 3 power or so, and medium to medium heavy. I am not sure what weight of lures you plan on using nor the amount of cover you will be fishing. I have used my 3 power dobyns for shakey heads, flick shakes, senkos, flukes, t-rigs and jigs up to 3/8 with no trouble. I have curado 50e on the 7 footer and a Daiwa alphas 103 Ito (similar to the sol) on the 7'3". I prefer the curado slightly although the custom alpha is better looking on there after a new paint job and cf handle. If you get the recon get the 714 or 744. They will be the closest to the other rods I mentioned. This will also be your least expensive unless you choose to buy another Powell or another brand of rod. Take advantage of the TW and thehookuptackle for the labor day sale. At 15-20% off and free shipping you can come out good! They are all sensitive, cool looking, and lifetime warranty rods. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

The z-bone line is very good. I would say somewhere between a glx and a nrx from Loomis. It is also similar to the dobyns champ extremes. The higher end St. Croixs would also be in the same league. For about the same price megasbass has the x4 line which while awesome just has a 3 year warranty. You can get a quality custom rod for about the same and it would fit what you want a T. All of these are major upgrades over a crucial. Best thing would be to get your hands on a few of them. I have also called the manufacturers personally and have spoken to pro staff members or the actual owners. If you have the time that would be your best bet. Once you figure out what high end brand you want these folks can really help you figure out what rod would fix your needs best. Good luck and have fun! Once you fish rods in this league good luck going back to lower end rods!

I can't speak for any of the St. Croix rods but can help with other rods. From the sounds of things it appears you are looking at sort of an all around rod that could excel at throwing lighter baits between $150-$260 in price. I will give you a few suggestions that I think are solid all around rods that fit the bill: 1. Shimano cumara 7'2" Medium fast or extra fast action . This may be a bit much legnth or power. If it is the 6'8" medium fast action would work as well. Sensitive, light, and proven. They can be had for right around $200 if you do a Google search. You may also find a good deal on a used one if you are open to buying used. 2. Dobyns champion extreme. Look at either the 703 or 733. Both are very well built and sensitive and some of the best balanced rods out there. They can throw shakey head worms, weightless baits and even lighter jigs and t-rigs very well. Some of my favorite and most versatile rods I own. Throw a shimano curado 50e or similar reel on there and it will match the rod and balance well plus handle lighter baits well. If you look at place like bass tackle depot right now during the holiday sale it can be had for $260 with free shipping. 3. Phenix recon 714. This rod really fishes more like a 3 or 3.5 power rod. It is a great rod and the sensitivity is close to the other two I mentioned. It has a soft tip but plenty of power as well. It is a very light rod but not as balanced as a dobyns. They can be had for about $140 during the holiday sales and like the cumara it pairs well any reel being as how it is a fairly neutral colored blank and handle. I would suggest the dobyns 733 as my top choice if budget allowed. The other two are no slouches either. Send me a pm if you want to discuss any of these further...

Out of the choices provided Trilene XL for my tastes. I hate Stren and have never used or heard of Ande line. You could get a 330 yard spool of XL for under $10.00. It would allow to fish almost all applications pretty well although you may compromise a few things here or there.

Not too long ago TW had some shimano cumara rods in heavier powers and longer legnths on sale for about the same or maybe a bit less than the recon. It would be versatile but I am not sure it could do everything you mentioned really well. I have fished the recon line but not the rods you mentioned so I can't really give you much feedback there. I know you mentioned a rod with a price of the recon but the rod that comes to mind that would best fit your criteria would be dobyns champion extreme 795. It can be had for about. $270 when the tackle retailers do their 20% off sale or may find one used for under $250. I know it is about $100 more than your target price but would be a stellar stick that could do everything you mentioned plus handle deep jig fishing.

You will want a fast or extra fast action rod. Moderate action rods are primarily used for reaction baits only. Setting hooks with soft plastics is much more easier to do with this type of rod. Ideally I would prefer a 7 foot or better rod in MH with a fast or extra fast tip. The above factors will help a little with sensitivity but the quality of the rod components and graphite will play another part. Add in some quality floro or braid and tungsten weights and you will be feeling more bites. Getting the right rod, line and a tungsten weight and it will really help along with a high speed reel preferably a 7:1.

I use 8lb invisix. Spray kvd line and lure every hour or two as needed. Line flies off the reel and also don't forget to close the bail by hand after your cast.

Dobyns 705cb glass. Light and sensitive for a cranking rod.

I don't toss spinnerbaits with much frequency but I have a BPS Rick Clunn spinnerbait outfit I bought probably 10 years ago. The rod is 7 foot MH. I believe it is a fast action rod but has a little give to it. I have never had issues setting hooks or losing fish on it.

Goose52 provided you with great info! Matching the line size, style of rod and spool are the biggest factors if you ask me. Medium light with 8-10 lb line on a reel with a smaller spool would be a great set of criteria. Upgrade your spool bearings and have the reel supertuned and it will make it that much better. My current finesse casting rig is a dobyns dx742 with a custom TD alpha 103 Ito with 10lb floro. Thinking I will downsize the line size down to 8lb next season. A pixy would be a great reel on the pricier end while a 50 series shimano would be a good less expensive alternative. For rods I would look at an recon, i-rod air, or dobyns. Something medium light in 6"6 foot to 7"4 rod.