lmbfisherman

200 would be in general a good reel, but I also like my smaller (Stradic 1000 FJ) on my ML/XF Drop shot Crucial. I love this combo.

I'd agree both are good, and would agree you get a little more bang for your buck when you go down to that level. I'd pick a Shimano if you went closer to 200 every time though. Which is all I am buying now a days.

It all depends on what technique you'd do more or like to learn and stick with it. I'd go with a 7'3 or 7'6" MH like suggested, it would be a good versatile stick.

The standard Carbonlite is on sale for 79.97 and the micro guide is on sale for 99.97, also to let you know the JM Carbonlite BC is on sale for 109.97. Just a heads up since I've seen so many Carbonlite threads recently.

I agree a jig rod, but a rod that can also double in a pinch for the in between like jrob stated.

It really depends on a couple of things. From the looks of the ratings of your Skeet, it's a Medium Heavy/F rod? That is the perfect rating for an all purpose rod if you are only using 1 rod for everything. My advice would be the following, but it's all personal preference. 1. St Croix Avids are a great line and you will see a big advantage over the Skeet, however the MH/F I found was too "stiff" for me and didn't like the way it fished. Overall though it performed well, just not my style. But you won't go wrong if you like the way it fishes. Not sure what type of water you will be mostly fishing, if you have a lot of cover then maybe a stiffer rod is a better idea. I find imo the Avid's ratings are between a MH to H. I sold off all my MH St. Croix Avids but kept my M/F one. Great bladed bait rod, jerkbait and top water. Love the performance for those techniques. 2. My second recommendation would be to get a Fenwick Aetos rod 7' MH/F, I find it more true to it's power/action. Very sensitive rod and light rod and for the price tag that you can find it for 150 it's a steal. IMO it fishes in the 200-300 ranged rods. Like I said though, it's personal preference, you may like the Avid's power/action than the Fenwick. 3. Crucial rods are great, but if you don't like the way the reel seat is by locking the reel from the rear then you may not like it, and I find that the 7' rods feel tip heavy. The only knocks that you may consider are game breakers, which isn't for me. It is a great rod though, very sensitive and fishes the way I like it. That being said I'd pick the Aetos over the Crucial though. IMO a better performing rod and I find it more sensitive than the Crucial. Not knocking the Crucial it is still a great rod. 4. My other 1st suggestion if you can find one (hard to find since it is discontinued), if you can find a Gen1 Cumara (black not red and make sure it isn't the reaction series). You can find them for that price range, most sensitive rod in that range I've ever used. (retail) So for 150 even better price!!! If you're luckier if you can find a Cumulus which is even harder to find...the jump in sensitive between the Cumara and Cumulus is pretty significant. In fact I find it almost as sensitive as my GLX. (originally retailed about the same). That is far as I'll go because I don't want to start a flame war. Anyway, in order this is the way I'd go - 1. Cumara/Cumulus 2. Aetos 3. Crucial 4. Avid Remember this is personal preference because in the end it is how it feels in your hands.

I haven't fished or touched a Volatile and I have played around in store a Vendetta. A Veritas I have one and fish with, it is a MH/F 7'3. It is my "all purpose) rod, sensitive enough for bottom contact and stout enough to be a frog rod in a pinch. I also will tie one spinnerbaits/buzzbaits, jigs 1/2 oz+ and weighted texas rigged plastics 3/8 oz +. You didn't state what you wanted to use it for? Anyway, I like the Veritas and it's a solid stick to get. My next choice would be a Vendetta from your choices.

Out of all those I'd go for the Pro Max. Caenan I would never recommend as it's not an aluminum/metal case. I have no experience with all those reels however, but a lot of people use the Pro Max.

x2! I've caught smallies on a clear lake at around 15-20+ feet of water. Just something to add to the others. Change it up - 1. I have caught fish doing a stop and go with a buzzbait, just like a spinnerbait. I will reel it in, stop 1-3 seconds and reel in again a few cranks and again stop. 2. Change up the retrieve speed on one cast, fast then go slow for a few crank and then fast again. 3. Even throw it along laydowns and other cover and steer the buzzbait as close to the edge where you won't snag on anything. One of my favorite places to fish a buzzbait is right against a down tree. 4. When a fish strikes, don't set the hook until you feel resistance or you are sure. Usually when a strike occurs I stop and get ready to set the hook, stopping also gives the fish time to come back, sometimes they strike it to stun, so stopping will imitate that. It is hard to resist as seeing a topwater strike usually triggers your instincts to set the hook. Also, I use a 7' MH/F rod with a high speed reel, but a 6 to 1 reel will work too. On a standard size, if it's a small buzzbait obviously use a spinning setup.

You can also buy some basic custom ones at your local shop for pretty cheap usually too. Not 1 dollar, but roughly around 3.33 each, usually 3 for 10 bucks is what I can find around here.

Yeah I own a two Elite Tech Smallmouths 1 casting and 1 spinning. I also bought 2 Aetos - 1 Spinning and 1 Casting..and my next purchase will be a Fenwick...either the new HMG or another Aetos. I've become a Fenwick fan. Quality rods and performance for a great price.

I'd take smalljaw's advice. He's definitely a Fenwick guru. He's the one who recommended my first ET rod and I pulled the trigger and it is now one of my favorite rods that I take out with me. (Spinning Rod M/XF)

Problem that I have is my wife pays attention to detail. She basically has the ability to go, "Hey never seen that rod before or that reel..etc". I don't even try to hide it anymore, I tell her I'm doing it.

Congrats man!

I own this yak and it is awesome. Although it is a tad heavy, but I learned how to load it by myself with little trouble on a minivan. I own the sand color though, love this kayak. Should tide me over for a few years until the finances let me get a bass boat.

That is a first, I thought Natives preferred the walleye I thought. Anyway, if that is true that is unfortunate.

I have that exact same rod and definitely you can use it for those weights, I usually fish finesse (light jigs) and flukes with it. Also pretty good with 5" Senkos.

Never fished there, I did have a chance to go up and was going to hit the same lake as you did, but didn't go as the forecast was rain all weekend. I heard from a couple of others though doing my "research" that it was a good bass lake. Anyway, what I usually do for smallies up north in general isn't much difference anywhere. 1 - Topwater - Buzzbaits and Jitterbugs 2 - White/Cht Spinnerbaits 3/8 oz 3 - Flukes (Super) 4 - Senkos 5 - Drop Shot - (it's usually clear water where I fish, so I usually go with natural colors)

Further to note - the Lexa 100s have problems going on a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth due to the same issue of the foot being wider than normal. Although it can be "tightened" but I also had issues with it on a Veritas and a Daiwa T Rod. It works fine on my BPS rods and St Croix Avid.

Pit Boss and Bottom Hopper Did pick up some Sick Fish to try out this fall and a couple of other plastics from Havoc.

I never used 1/2 oz on this rod sorry can't tell, but I couldn't see why it can't handle it.

x2 those would be in your range.

I have this rod but 1 piece. I use it for light plastics, flukes, and finesse jigs. It is a great rod and surprisingly sensitive, especially for it's price point. I buy these rods to fill out my arsenal. (Fenwick Aetos and Smallmouth)

This is what I normally like to do.

What he said.