lmbfisherman

I had super slick put on one of my baitcasters and I find I like original power pro better still. I don't see an issue using it, but guess that is your preference and we have ours.

He basically has it covered here...however, if you don't do a lot of crankbait/treble hook fishing. Like new2BC4bass says you can use option 3 as your cranking stick. I would recommend depending on where you fish most of the time (location and types of water you'd be fishing). I'd get another MH or H Fast rod - Use the 1st one for jigs and plastics, the 2nd one for Bladed baits (buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs), frogs and for flipping and pitching. Of course if you aren't fishing moderate to heavy cover a lot, I'd swap it out for Medium Fast rod to fill the gap between the spinning and Medium Heavy rod. My suggestion to stay under...200 per combo - Carbonlite and BPS Pro Qualifier combo, has tons of great reviews and if you search the forum here you will find a lot of positive feedback. I own a BPS Pro Qualifier baitcaster reel and it is one of the best bang for your buck reels you can get for under a 100. For spinning - I'd recommend a Fenwick Elite Tech M/XF - pair it with a Shimano Symetre or Sahara 2500 size.

I would suggest these rods (Paired them with my Curado 50E). 1. 1st Gen Cumara 6'8" MH/F - I use it for T Rigs, but definitely can handle the others you asked for in a pinch. 2. Cumulus 7'1" MH/XF - Same as above but better and more sensitive blank

These are the jigging rods I use; 1. GLX 853C- is paired with my CH50E right now with 30lb braid Power Pro, use this for 1/4 to 1/2 oz jigs. 2. GLX 894C - has a Chronarch 50MG 30lb braid - use this for 1/2+ up to 3/4.

My Cheapest Combos I use - Fenwick Elite Tech M/XF 6'8 or was it 9 =100 + Symetre 2500 FL 100 = 200 and Veritas MH/F 7'3" 90 + Citica G6 120 = 210. But I bought the Veritas on a blowout price 40 bucks. So even sweeter.

I at first was skeptical about purchasing a rod for 150+ and always bought 100 or lower priced rods. Until this year, I started by purchasing my first Cumara for Jig and Worm and wow is all I can say. The difference between my Cumara vs Compre/Vertias I was using was worth the jump, especially at the price I got the Cumara (159 - 1st Gen). I was able to feel everything and at first I was jumping and setting the hooks on the things I've never felt before. From that point on I understood why everyone bought these rods, after that I proceeded to buy more (3 GLXs, 1 cumara and 1 Cumulus) for all of my bottom contact techniques or anything that requires a lot of sensitivity. (I also owned Avids pre the Cumara, although sensitive, I just didn't like to fish with t he MH powered rods as they are stiffer than I'd like to fish, personal preference. But even then I find the Cumara kick it's butt in sensitivity.) When I go back and fish my cheaper setups, I now feel like they are dead in feeling. Especially my really cheap ones like - (Daiwa T Rod, BPS PQ Tourney Rod) That being said, I still own and fish the Compre and Veritas, even though they aren't as sensitivie as my higher end rods. They are sensitive enough that I fish with them (I use them more as support or other techniques like reaction or top water). I'm still every now and then will set the hook on things or question if it's a bite with the higher end rods, but after fishing them more and gaining experience I am not swinging for the fences on everything. Give it time, I'm sure you will start feeling it.

My most expensive setup retail - GLX 894 (460) + Paired with my Chronarch 200E6 (200) - 660 - but I bought them on sale 390+180=570. I don't see myself going higher than that.

I had the Calcutta 250 and I miss it right now. I sold it, it was the best deep cranking reel or big bait reel period that I owned. (sold it for 90) So imo it is a great deal if that is what you want it for, as for the Cardiff never owned one but I hear they are the "budget" version of the Calcutta. I have seen them go for 60s in my area used. I'd say the Calcutta is a decent price, the Cardiff you can find lower.

Shimano - Like the others have stated, has a rod for all budgets and has everything you need for all techniques. I would also agree with thehooligan I'd take the extra step and say Shimano reels too...however, I love my Loomis GLXs and Fenwick Elite Techs too. Just saying if you twisted my arm.

As for the OP - I used my Curado 50E as a flip and pitch reel and HAD ABSOLUTELY no issues. The reel can handle basically anything a 200 series can do. I have spooled it with 50lb braid and now down to a 8lb floroclear - I use it for shaky head fishing now. On my CH50E I have 10lb floro and my 2 50MGs have 30lb PP braid.

Hold off, the more and more I started to use my CI4+ the more I'm loving it over the CH50E. It has the similar profile (even though it is a 150) and after finally cleaning it. This thing LAUNCHES baits like nothing and I have it finally dialed in. I can honestly say the gap is starting to widen a bit vs the Chronarch E series. Don't get me wrong still love my E series, just saying I'm starting to see and feel this reel is definitely superior and worth it. I also caught my first fish on it, although the biggest fish on it was a 2lber, fought pretty good and when the bass tried to head for cover I was able to power him out with reel and rod with ease. Still haven't tested a true fighter on it yet (smallies or 3lb+) though.

I had that happened to me this year from my small boat (inflatable) I was using a squarebilland it was big I know, but will never know how big. I played it right and had everything set right, it was dragging me around and notice it was starting to head for heavy cover timber. I tried with everything I had to turn it away, but to no avail. Tangled me on some timber and it was over. It's a tough feeling I know! Like others have said. Sometimes they just get the best of you.

I fish a lot of Loon infested waters and never had problems. Of course I don't own baits that look like that! I did get a loon when I was in my Kayak, it was very curious. It came pretty close to me and started making a sound. So, I decided to leave...didn't understand, but I didn't want to take a chance that it was a warning sound.

I use the "Trilene Knot". You'd think that would work well with Vanish.

What he said. I tried out Vanish too as just a leader and lost 2 nice fish, the knot strength is crazy non existent. Ever since I moved to Red Label, I haven't lost a fish due to breakage or knot strength issues, I was able to even pull up a 4.10 lb bass on Friday with 8lb test with a lot of grass. I was worried it was going to break, but it didn't! .

I only have experience with the Avids. I sold all my MH Avids, because they were too stiff for my liking. The best St. Croix's imo are the Medium/F rods. I use a 6'6 M/F, very diverse rod and so the 7' M/F should be able to handle what you are looking to do with it. I use mine mostly for topwater and jerkbaits, but I also use to use it for jigs and worms, never tubes..but I'm sure it would be perform to your task. The medium to me rates between M - MH. The only experience I have with the Champion rods is holding them in store, I'm opposite of you..I don't like full cork. Probably why it turned me off, but I compared with it at the time a 1st gen cumara. It just didn't give me the comfort that I'm looking for, but it did have nice power/action that I liked. Definitely don't go below, as the Savvy line really wasn't in the same "league". I'm sure you will be fine with either.

Yeah same here, two weeks. I also purposely do not take my "tackle" money with me. So far it's working.

You should wait til next week though, if you can. Labor day sales will go on, you can save monies.

Go for a BPS Pro Qualifier if that is your budget. It pitches just fine. That is what I have on my flip/pitch stick. You can regularly get it on sale for 79.99. IMO this reel is better quality than those two. If you can't wait until it goes on sale in probably by Labor day, try out the new Bionic Plus Baitcaster reel. I heard the upgrade they did from a member here, that it is just below a PQ.

Ha, yeah was being silly. Just feeling like I'm losing "plastics" game. lol

I'd probably go for a MH rod for sure.

2nd this, I didn't like using my spinning reels after I learned baitcasters..but there are some techniques that are more efficient with a spinning setup.

This line, I had to remind myself again. I passed on a couple of bites one day thinking it was just weed...until I realized it was tugging back. By then it was hard to set the hook! Anyway, it sounds like what everyone else is saying. They are small "fish", short striking or you aren't waiting long enough for the bass to take it. This last weekend, I texas rigged my BPS Stik O (knock off Senko). I was able to tell when a small fish bit or bigger fish bit and when a fish takes it. I normally set the hook when I see the line move, something feels off (don't feel the bait) or there is resistance (tugging back). I don't normally set the hook a on a machine guy type tap or if my line dances oddly in a circle (usually a school of small panfish fighting over it)...

I like fishing plastics too, but for some reason they aren't biting them in my area. They want reaction (Spinnerbait) and topwater when I catch them. I haven't had a plastic fish (Ok, got 3 perch on a BPS Stiko, just no bass) for awhile. It was tough the last couple days though, I believe it has to do with the weather change (After weeks of low 70s/high 60s it was hitting 80s the last few days.) I'm just going to go all plastic this weekend and bring no spinnerbaits..lol Probably will get skunked.

LMG I'm not understanding what "you've seen", but this reel doesn't feel cheap. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.