lmbfisherman

6'9" ML/XF - Shimano Crucial (Old Cork Handle) - 6'lb line 7' M/F Fenwick Aetos - 8lb line

Check out the Fenwick Aetos line - imo better than a lot of rods in the price range.

I agree with ww2farmer here. The Veritas is a great all around rod and I still use one as my back up all around rod. I own a 7'3" MH/F, if I need an extra jig/worm, spinnerbait, top water, frog rod or flip/pitch I use this to be that rod to help round out my arsenal on a given day.

I a Symetre FI awesome reel, I use it on my Fenwick ET Smallmouth. I would definitely pick this one out of all your choices, but if you can afford a Stradic FJ, I'd definitely say do it, but I understand having a budget. The Symetre is no slouch though.

I own two of them, they are solid reels. They are my first Daiwa I purchased and the only ones in my arsenal. I use one setup almost daily, it has great synergy with my St. Croix Avid 6'6" M/F. I use it mostly as my hard jerkbait, swim jig and use it for other bladed bait techniques. I have pitched with it using my swim jig and it was pretty easy to pitch. The only knock I have on the reel is that it has a wider foot, which causes some issues with rods. Specifically I have had an issue with Shimanos and Fenwick's. So I would test the reel on the rod you are purchasing before you buy.

I believe jhoffman has one and was impressed for the price. Maybe send him a message.

Hrm, wonder why I didn't get a flyer yet. I usually get it too by now. Are you sure it's a PQ? I think I bought the same exact combo your talking about last year. It threw me off a little too, I was stoked. Until I compared the reel side by side with my other PQ. I noticed the subtle differences and realized this one was made in China the other in Korea, there are other minor differences, but overall it is a PQ but with cheaper components. It was called a PQ Tournament Combo. Don't get me wrong still a decent reel for the price, the rod though was really really cheap.

This, I do too!

HA that gave me a quick chuckle.

I'll have to take a look with all the hype I've seen. At that price range I have been set on getting the Aetos, possibly a new contender?

Sounds like a winner combo to me.

x2 for this.

I picked house brand, but I won't hesitate buying BPS PQs.

You won't be disappointed, have fun.

To me it is the similar to the Cumara, but the Cumara is more crisp..the best description I can say here, but they are almost the same feel fishing. I am not sure about the newer Cumara though.

It isn't the same "blank as Cumulus" but it is a HM blank, just uses a different resin is what I think the difference is. Course I'm no expert regarding all that mumbo jumbo! But it isn't the same "blank" that I am sure. I haven't pulled the trigger on the latest Cumara as I prefer the previous Gen Cumara, I hear mixed reviews from various people. Hooligan on this board thinks they are great rods when reading his reviews, others don't like the new guides..etc. I would recommend the Aetos over the Cumara new gen simply because I have experience using the former. If you said an old gen Cumara I'd probably say get that one over the Aetos, especially since you can buy them way lower than retail (hard to find since they are discontinued). Whatever you go with, I would look at the lure ratings to figure out which power/action you want to buy for what you are doing.

Awesome report again, BPS really has a winner!

This

See my signature.

That might be tricky, you would want to use a Medium rod and even then you need to look at the lure ratings. Plus you would need the right line and reel. I can throw 1/8 on a COmpre/Fenwick ET M/F rod, using any of my 50 size reels, but I don't do it as much anymore as I just use my spinning setups for very light lures.

I owned an older Quantum Energy PT, just sold it for 60 bucks 2 months ago. Overall it was a solid performing reel, I can't remember the year it was from, but it was a smooth reel and I think it is one of the better Quantum reels.

I have too many favorite combos to name just 1.

paulkuan - Arv's statement is right on. However, line also is a factor. If you use braid with a leader then XF isn't really going to have "better advantage" than a Fast Action. I don't own a Fenwick Aetos MH/XF, but I own a Shimano Crucial with the same rating. They both fish about the same and it was a favorite bottom contact rod until I bought other higher end rods.

HAHA Man I laughed I disagree off hard on that one, thanks for the laugh!

I'd second this.