Hogsticker

Let's see. 20 bucks for a quality cork handle. 5 for a nice butt cap. 10 for some epoxy, a dollar for some masking tape, 8 bucks for a razor wand, throw in a trim ring or two...50 bucks? If its worth it to you then go for it.

Ice seen very few factory rods with a 100% straight blank. If you exchange them you may wind up with some that are even more crooked

I'd just get a 6'7 medium *** Black. I have a 6'3 medium Zillion that makes a killer jerkbait rod, but its out of your price range.

I'd move up to a heavy moderate myself for the ultra deep stuff. I would also spend the majority of that budget on the reel, a Daiwa Zillion crazy cranker. But that's just me

Will do! If I don't like that titanium chrome finish I'm stripping it off. Should be fine and look pretty nice with some green trim and thread to match a Curado E.

Weelll....I just walked in the door from Cabelas. I needed a 2 piece for my weekend trip with the FAM. I looked hard at every Cabelas rod in the racks. Maybe 20% of them did not have globs of dried epoxy overrun, and I could not find a rod without a crooked guide. Some of them were pointed to the side of the blank. I understand the sag when they are turning 50 rods at a time, but the way crooked guides are unacceptable. I managed to find one fish eagle 50, 7 ft 2 piece that was close enough. I also got the rod for 60 bucks. If I wasn't just using it 3 times a year I would have never put it into my rotation.

Option # 1, have Mike build you a rod. Option two same as the 1st. Option 3 would be a Kistler Helium IMO. It has full cork handle options and built on an NFC blank with Fuji SS alconite semi micro guides. They build there rods clean so no need to worry about crooked guided or epoxy sag/over run

I know Sniper is pretty popular, so I'm expecting to hear more thoughts on that than the Gamma. Gamma seems to get quite a bit of love though. The Gamma is a little thicker, but I've heard it is stronger and holds knot strength better. Line management seems to both be favorable. I'm only spooling one T3 with fluoro for weightless plastics, so I want to get it right. No invizx for this guy. Too much stretch. Tatsu sounds good, but I'm not sure it's good enough to justify the price. If so let me know and I will order a spool. I was using Sufix 100% and it started pretty good, but it's time to change.

Thanks for the advise guys. I went with the Batson RX8 844 popping blank. Couldn't resist the sale price!

All the other stick worms I've tried either float or sink way to slow. None have quite the same action as the Senko IMO. They have always worked for me so why switch.

Sufix 832 and PP superslick 8 seem to flow and handle best for me on a spinning reel. I use fluoro for weightless plastics though.

Everything's better with lube

Yep. Just drop down a size in weight, reel faster, don't let it sink as far.....you control the bait.

Excalibur XR25 is my favorite. The TX3 hooks it comes with are fantastic. They aren't small and weak like most found on many small traps. I hate changing trebles. If you're looking for something unique check out the R2S glassi vibe. These things are tiny but cast like a rock.

GetBit. The 7,8, and 8+ are being discontinued. I think the Revelation is the direct replacement for the 7, and two new lines are coming this summer. One with a nano resin.

Thanks guys. I have the 6'6 version of that blank and I think a full ounce is wishful thinking. It feels pretty taxed with a 5/8 oz trap. The 7 footer may fish a little more powerful, but based off specs it can't be much. The 844 popping blank seems like it may be the ticket. Plus they are priced at a pretty steep discount till they are gone.

Started flushing out the rack and building. Rod will be used for lipless, squares, and flats in MOSTLY open water. I've used a mod fast KLX, glass Dobyns, and Cumara reaction in the past. None felt perfect. Glass is out for me. I'm debating 4 blanks. Phenix X10 composite, Croix SC3 mh moderate crank, Batson RX8 popping blank, and an NFC moderate standard modulous blank. I'm afraid the sensitivity in the X10 with a glass tip won't be what I'm after, and I don't know what the popping blanks will fish like. I have a mh RX7 crank blank, and the action is really close to what I'm after, but the blank is a little light so I use it for pointers and such. Any feedback and suggestions would be much appreciated. Right now I'm meaning toward the Croix.

Perhaps keep in mind all mono and fluoro lines are not created equal. Good suggestions none the less

The Excense DC is the same size as a Chronarch D series. Its a little big and heavy, but well.....I mean well worth it

Use your thumb nail. Should make for an interesting time....or a real short day. I use the pad just where my thumb starts to curve up. Man. Looking at my thumbs, I got some funky ones!

That's tough not knowing what you are fishing with, however if I were to run one line on everything for moving baits, bottom contact, and anything on slack line, my clear choice would be Sunline Defier Armillo

DelcoSol - I really dig my 2 Scorpion XT 1001s with super ship. I also have the Core and agree with TTs assessment that something about the aluminum version, pretty much being this reel casts a little better and feels super nice. I don't think you would be taking a step back at all, with enough money left over to tune and dress it to the nuts.

Bluebasser86....that is a goergous fish!

Rage craws are awesome smallie baits. Congrats on that dandy.

Anything with a short arm or shorter arm can be considered compact.