lmbfisherman

20 lb braid is not normally recommended on casting gear. If you are a seasoned BC user you can get away with it. If you're not, it isn't wise.

What he said. They aren't the same.

Well this is based on the previous Mojo vs previous Avid. The Avid was just so much better all around. The Mojo's sensitivity was dead to me as compared to the Avid. I just think it would be best to save your money and not regretting you didn't grabbed another Avid. I use to fish St Croix only, I personally wouldn't go below an Avid. This is my preference though, it may not be the same as others.

I understand, but trust me though you will see what I mean. Can you wait to get the 2nd setup?

I'd advocate that you get two Avid X's. I think you will be picking up the Avid far more than the Berkley. You'll be yearning in my opinion and kicking yourself for not getting another Avid.

The 1.5 is what I throw 90% of the time but I have promised myself to use my 2.5s more in 2017.

I fish from a yak most of the time and I carry 5-6 rods. On a good day I will only use 1 rod all day, on a bad day I'll use all the rods that I tied on, since it's bad I would've probably changed lures multiple times. I like carrying this many because less time retying and having for me the 5-6 rods pre-tied the day before makes me enjoy my time on the water. I find if I brought only 2 to 3 rods I find myself kicking myself that I need to change a lure that I may want to keep tied on, but want to change and have retie again. I think 5-6 is a good number for me on a kayak. I usually carry - 2 - MH/F BC Rod 1 - M/F Spinning Rod 1 - ML/XF Spinning or BC 1 - M/MF Rod Last one maybe a H/F or a MH/MF rod.

I think you should exchange number 1 to a MH/F rod that would take over spinners, chatters baits and then move the CB's, Traps, Squarebills and Jerks to number 2. MH/F rod then can double as your pitching rod and sub as a frog rod. Also since you're tring to "maximize with less". I'd up the Avid X to a M/F spinning reel, if it has a soft enough tip though. My M/F Aetos previous generation ranges from 1/16 to 3/4 oz, so it can handle more and not be "specific" to one technique. So it can act as a back up in a pinch and also sub as your lighter jigs/texas rig rod.

Normally I use a 5 but a 6 will do fine.

Unfortunately I don't own a whopper plopper to tell you if any of my reels can reach 41 yards. That is interesting that you are using a larger diameter line on the Kastking and still outcast the Daiwa that much with smaller diameter. Maybe fishnkamp and/or rippin can help you with maximizing your Tatula. That is a large difference though. If you can up your budget, Metanium or Chronarch MGL. The Chronarch MGL gets raves about smoothness and distance but I haven't tested mine yet. My Metanium MGL can bomb way out. If you go to Youtube you can find a guy who tested casting distance between Metanium MGL, '13 and Metanium DC.

Kind of agreeing here with Tim. If you like the Kastking, go ahead and get another. Unless your intention is to buy a product that is higher end with quality components that has a proven track record for longevity. If that is the case then go with either Daiwa or Shimano. However I can't pretend I know Daiwa as I don't own any of their newer reels anymore, in general Shimano gets the nod for longer casting. That is just the general broad stroke difference that I read from multiple sources.

What is a long cast for you? I mean I can bomb a lure with my Curado 70 but I don't own a Kastking reel to compare. Maybe Bluebasser can shed some light as he owns a Curado 70 and Kastking reels. My longest casting "sub" 200 is my Curado 70s and E series reels. My longest casting reels are my Metaniums and Chronarch Ci4+ (I have a MGL but haven't tested it yet.) Of course I didn't do a scientific test so I don't know how far, just that I can bomb a lipless crankbait on my Chronarch E series so far that I can slightly see my mono backing just under my braid. I usually like to spool around 70 to 90 yards. Not to mention it depends on the reel (spool weight), rod, line and lure weight you are using. Lure weight is important because I find like a rod, some reels just shine with certain weights.

If I had to pick it would be Shimano. If you had to twist my arm and pick one I'd say Abu Garcia/Pure Fishing. If Shimano or Daiwa didn't exist I'd probably choose Okuma. I hope you understand my insight.

I concur on the Zodias rod. However I don't think the sale can be applied to Shimano?

Can't go wrong with a Stradic in my opinion. I think the E6X label as not as sensitive is "inaccruate". Although I will say not as sensitive as my "Zodias" rods, but I wouldn't say "lacking by a lot". The knock I have on the E6X is the weight, but the right reel makes that go away. I have my MBR 843C paired with a Chronarch 50MG and balances well but didn't feel "awesome", I used/paired it with a Chronarch E6 during a pike derby this weekend and caught a few on it. I worked that combo the most out of the 3 I had, probably 50% of the time (7 hours of the total 14). It felt great, although I like light, I feel balance is more important. Balance though is also "preference" because for tip down presentations, I like the setup to be a little tip heavy.

A. Shimano Antares DC 7:1 – Powell 3D Max – Spinnerbait/Bladed Baits B. Lews BB-1 7:1 – Dobyns 735CH – Pitching/Flipping C. Alderbaren 7:1 – Loomis 6’6” JWR – Assuming MH, Topwater, Jerkbaits E. CI4 Spinning or Quantum Spinning paired with Dobyns 701 – Finesse, light line techniques F. *** 7:1 – Shimano – Crucial – Sniping with spinnerbaits/bladed baits. G. Metanium D.C. 7:1 – Dobyns 734CH – Jigs/Plastics This is what I'd do, if these were mine.

If you're standing the length probably won't affect you, but I fish mostly sitting in my kayak. If I stand it is to stretch or sight fish.

This is going down the drain fast.

It will add a bit more distance yes.

This is all preference but in general the max rod length I use will be 7'. On a rare occasion will I use something longer from a kayak.

Yes you can get away using that for both setups, however I wouldn't use 8lb test in general for everything because some techniques require heavier lines.

You can only use a baitcasting reel cast rod and only a spinning reel on a spin rod.

1 - 6.6 ft Berkley cherrywod HD medium heavy Abu Garcia Orra2 SX 7.1:1 - Topwater 1 - 6.0 ft Berkley cherrywood HD medium heavy Abu Garcia Revo SX 6.4:1 - Spinnerbaits/Bladed Baits/Swimbait 1 - 6.0 ft Berkley cherrywood HD medium rod Abu Garcia Orra2 SX 6.4:1 - Jerkbaits and Cranks 1 - 6.6 ft Abu garcia Orra sx combo rod medium heavy Ab Garcia Revo MGX 7.9:1 - Jigs/Plastics 1 - 7.0 Abu garcia Veritas medium heavy Abu Garcia Revo STX 8.0:1 - Pitching and Frogs The only thing I'd tweak is to add a crankbait rod that is 7foot in length (moderate action) because I like more distance when I'm crankbait fishing. I'd get rid of one of the Medium Heavy Rods if you don't want to carry too many (to replace with a CB rod). This is my general observation and this is based on my local area body of water. People can assist more if you can give more insight on your local fishing conditions.

This! And this is the question you should be really asking!