Hogsticker

I really like Rainshadow RX8 / Immortal popping blanks for the majority of my cranking duties. Light, durable, and sensitive imo.

My advice - If you have never fished with a glass rod, try before you buy. I'd only use one for hard pulling deep divers, never a jerkbait.

I don't worry about warranty to much. If the rod doesn't Break within 1 year, it's generally user error after that. You'll know if you have a defective stick after the 1st time out. Just inspect it with a magnifying glass when you get it. I have used a medium power Avid cranking rod. The Croix is slower in action, where as the Klx won't be a true moderate. More of a moderate fast leaning leaning a slightly hair to the fast side. That's what makes it so versatile. With the CRP models you can toss cranks anywhere between 2 and 14 ft, then use it to throw a Texas rig. Perfect for me cause cause I prefer a slower rod for most everything that doesn't require a really quick hook set. Soft body swimbaits come to mind. I went all custom, but had I not and on a budget I'd own a fleet of these. Better guide train on the Klx too. Those smaller Fuji guides really help balance out the rod, but there not to small. Same design on my customs. The build quality is also top notch, so that can ease your worries as you won't be sending it back for flaws and sloppy work.

Ml custom Recon / Alphas SV Jerkbaits Mh custom RX7 crankbait rod / Shimano Scorpion XT with Yumeya spool Lipless, square bills, flat sided Mh custom RX8 popping blank / Daiwa Alphas SV Swimbaits, soft full body Ml K2 / Tdz 103 with SV spool Tubes, Texas rigged worms, craws, creatures Medium Mhx high mod popping blank / Shimano rarenium ci4+ All purpose spinning combo in case the mood hits me.

Take that 200 dollars, get on Japan lure shop Web site, and order an Alphas sv. This reel just keeps impressing me. I took it down to the river this morning. Casted a weightless 3 inch Senko, a 1/8 Oz swim bait jig head and 2.5 inch Lunker City grubster. All the way up to 5/8 Oz rattle bait. I'm starting to skip 4 inch Senkos with it. I turn the dial about half way. I don't even have to thumb the spool when the bait hits the water. I actually learned that by default.

How big are the guides on your rod? Power pro original isn't the best performing braid imo. A little rough and diggy compared to the likes of 832 and Smackdown. To answer your question, I find Shimano spool lip somewhat helps with flow and casting. If you get a new reel, try to make sure it has a roller bearing. Most of the mid tier new Daiwa does.

Love love love that bronze color. Those are some killer fish. I've been on the same mission for forever now. Don't feel so bad. My state record is 8.4, my personal best is 5.13. I'm gonna catch that big pig on a swimbait. I can feel it in my bones.

Oh I see. So it's for entertainment purposes. La tee da

Well you guys have convinced me I need to try a spool of Gamma fluorocarbon. I seriously can't come across any negative reviews or statements pretty much anywhere. And that's anything but common. Regarding the Sniper, I've had spools that turned pretty white.

This really boggles the mind. All these threads that are a simple opinionated debate that get shut down, yet this one hasn't? Friend of yours Matt? Make sure if this guy is buying your reels you write his name real big in permanent marker on the package. . Just in case he forgets who he is.

I'm sorry, but all you guys comparison R2S to Strike King in terms of quality, well I think you're insane. Yes, I can buy 2.5 red eye Shads for the price of 1. 2.5 baits that the paint chips off of and I should upgrade the treble hooks. R2S has always been a middle tier price lure company, similar to Yo Zuri. I just don't understand why it's so shocking this bait costs what it does. As I stated earlier, the previous version of this bait costed the same. The only reason the red eye shad became so popular is its ability to shimmy on the fall. And while it does the eyes fall off. I'll pick up a R2S hard bait and fish it days before I even consider tying on anything Strike King.

Good times. I've hooked up with some walleye creeping it just above bottom. I'll kill it and as I start to slowly retrieve it she has already picked it up.

I bought a handful of the half ounce version for the same price. Good stuff

I'd buy a few if they came in different sizes. R2S makes great stuff. Their previous lipless crank costed the same amount. The Tungsten Vibe. Caught plenty of smallmouth on them as I do most R2S baits

My choice would be the Klx. Great rods. If I were in the market for something to fit your criteria, I'd also look at the new Falcon Low rider 20 6'8 angler of the year model.

A 3" Senko works too! As do the All Terrain mighty jigs. They're cheaper too. To bad the Senkos aren't! I've been dead sticking these on my power finesse Jackson wretched. Smallies are making me work!

I just got into tossing full body paddle tails and dig it. I ordered some 6th sense core X jig heads on the cheap. Just wondering which swimbait jig heads everyone likes and prefers for 3 to 5 inch paddle tails.

Alphas SV. Best 200 dollar reel I've come across all these years chasing slimy green fish.

I'm surprised nobody has posted this so I will. http://tzlure.com/2016-daiwa-casting-reel.html North American market / Icast 2015 / Daiwa New Fuego, Zillion HD, SV spool equipped 103/105. Google translate is your friend.

Reaction Innovations skinny dipper on a swarming hornet underspin has treated me quite nicely.

10 times? I think it was 11! Prior to this past year I would have said a jerkbait for sure. It's still my favorite thing to fish. But 1 forever would have to be a big paddle tail swimbait. If I can only have one I may as well go after the big ones.

Foregrips and untrimmed reel seat threads are just unsightly imo.

Rarenium ci4+, Daiwa Luvias get my vote. The new Stradic FK looks like it should be a lot of reel for the money.

That fish right there is going to cost you a lot of money. Not to shabby for your 1st smallie.

My advice is go to the store you plan on purchasing the reel at. While you're there mount the reel to several rods. I can't stress enough how important it is to get a rod with the reel seat you're going to feel is most comfortable for long hours of casting and retrieving.