Hogsticker

Hmm, give me a Shimano 50 size frame, stock 4 bearing 90 mm handle, Daiwas 3d braking system, all aluminum built like a tank (ala. Advantage HSTA), capable of handling anything between 3/16 and 1 ounce, two bearings on the levelwind, and a spare shallow lighweight spool. Oh and keep it under 250 please. Wait, can't forget the Shimano style stay attached non handle side sideplate. Did I forget anything? Is anyone listening??

Invizx is great if you don't mind the stretch. Good for spinning reels. Believe it or not, the red label is great for the price and Seaguar claims it has the least stretch of all 3. They all seem stretchy to me compared to Sunline. Invizx handles like a champ, but I can't use it for bottom contact

I drag a football jig with a rage craw real slow. Have to locate fish 1st. I've had some luck on flat side floating cranks as well. When the water gets below 42ish its time to break out the trout gear

That's what I would do. Look at getting a longer, higher quality rod. Even a 6'6 is gonna help ya with some distance. And for the techniques you listed, stepping up to a moderate fast or even a fast is likely a good idea. You may also be surprised how far a good polish on that stock spool can take ya

I've been using Kistler rods for years and have not had one breakage issue. The KLX rods are the best thing going right now with the NFC blank. They are fantastic rods for sure. If the rod has defects Trey will take care of you, though I have yet to see one that hasn't been dead straight and built as close to custom you can get out of a production rod. They are well worth the price. No, I'm not on the pro staff. Just a Kistler / Daiwa fan boy. These rods are head and shoulders better that previous magnesiums.

TW has a special. Buy two new YZ3DB baits and get a free spool of 12 lb. YZ hybrid. Another good option that has not been mentioned yet is Sunline super natural mono. It's a little thinner than competing monos and handles really well. The 10-20 lb. braid with a leader is a good option as well. If youre really concerned about line visibility, Sufix fluoro is a nice line that handles good for a fluoro. Good luck

There are actually a lot of reviews on this line. You must have been looking under the 110 yard spools. Look under the 330 yard spools. Lots of reported breakage issues, though I have not experienced this (knock on wood). I really like it. Thin, handles quite well, and ties good,solid knots. My 2nd favorite mono behind the much more expensive Sunline Defier.

Exactly. My only experience with this was with Quantum reels. Not 1, but 3. An Energy isn't any better than a Tatula, a Smoke any better than a Chronarch, so price for price why would I spend my money on something that offers no performance gains over competing brands that are known to have quality control issues?And that is exactly what these type of forums are for. To talk about our experiences and share this information in order to help other members make informed decisions regarding techniques and equipment. There is no if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. If that were the case there would be no point at all. At the end of the day the consumer is going to buy what they like/want, but we should all know that spinning a reel handle in the store tells us VERY little about what the reel can/will do on the water, and the longevity of the reel and what type of quality control issues will arise after 6-12 months of use. I have been doing this for some time now, and yes, I have become a brand loyalist because I know what I'm gonna get. I've tried a LOT of reels, and am still open to trying new items, just nothing Quantum produces. If I'm not mistaken this site is geared toward helping newer anglers be the best they can be, with a lot of experienced anglers helping these folks pave the way. With that being said, I'm not going to steer anyone in the wrong direction here, but MY experience with Quantum has been bad. The OP was titled "Quantum Reels". IMO, better are options are available.

If you going to spend less than 100, you might want to look at an xtra fast with a lower grade graphite as it will more like an actual fast. I think the new Daiwa Lexa rods would fit the bill, but I'm also kinda partial to Daiwa rods. The Lexa can be had for 80 bucks off that auction site. If not keep an eye on the for sale forums for a used rod

I agree with Raul. The Avail spool will allow you to do this with greater ease for sure (less effort required). The aftermarket lightweight spools are more geared toward finesse fishing with lighter weights

Some people get decent reels, some get really bad reels. The moral of the story is Quantum has obvious quality control issues that can lead to putting a bad taste in consumers mouths. This has been discussed and disected time and time again on TT. I've played with smokes that I couldn't even get the non handle side plate off of. After burning the drags out in an accurist, catalyst, and energy within 6 months of moderate use, I decided no more. Besides, the bulge in the non handle side plate drives me nuts. As for KVD, he has an endless supply of reels readily available at no expense. He's not replacing drag washers are messing around with defective equipment. Plus he's getting paid bucoo bucks to use them. For that kinda dough so would I, but I don't and can't afford to keep replacing them.

Two words.....Never again

If you're not getting bit I would focus on the size of your presentation before color. Also, the obvious HOW you're presenting your presentation. Sound and noise is something I would also consider before color. Once dialed in a change in color can be addressed to put it all together. Good luck

Good choice. Just my 2 cents of course

Its much to early to refer to the Tat as a workhorse reel, or anything else for that matter. People have only had them in their hands for a couple months. I'm not knocking it in any way, and thus far it seems like a really good reel. We shall see if it provides years of service as my Zillions have provided. Lots of plastic inside opposed to what some may consider better materials inside the Zillion. No doubt my Citica Es have served me well over the years as well.

Shimano Citica E series would be my pick from your list, but when I think workhorse, I think Zillion

I like a fast action for spinner and chatter baits so I can get a solid hook set. I'm like you and have stuck with 4 rod companies after trying several. For my spinnerbait rods I'm currently using a 6'6 Daiwa Zillion MH for tight quarters, and a 6'10 Daiwa Tatula MH for everthing else. Both fast action. Kistler, Dobyns, and Fenwick are my other 3 I have stuck with over the years.

If you're casting a lot of 3/4 ounce and up plugs, especially flat side baits and swimbaits, you will appreciate the deeper spool. Like 21 said, more momentum, longer casts, and this is essentially what they were designed for. No wasted line at all. It actually conserves it. Just spool it from that reel onto another and you have fresh line that's never touched the water unless you use the reel for long line trolling.

If you can spend a little more take a look at the 6'9 med light Phenix Recon. Perfect blank taper for those small lighter cranks with a parabolic bend 100% graphite blank. It is about as much of a truly universal med light rod as they come, and a total blast to battle a 3 pound smallie on

River2Sea touchdown football jig heads. I don't know if there is nything special about them, but the hooks seem solid, and I seem to get hung less with them. I also like the soft matte colored finishes.

Good call on the thumb bar. Now just get rid of that plastic nut cap retainer!

Dobyns Champion 685CB, Kistler KLX 6'9 Med Heavy crank rip twitch, Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10 Med Heavy moderate fast, Shimano Cumara reaction 6'9 Med Heavy. These are all rods I have for throwing lipless cranks and the best I've tried. All would be the ideal length for tight quarters. I throw lipless cranks a lot!

The Exsence DC is on my short list now that its available in a lefty! It would be cool if you ran across a NIB Zillion HLC

I caught my very 1st smallie on a tube. Very vesatile bait. Your imagination is the only limit. Give me one bait for any freshwater fish.....give me a tube and figure out the rest

For those weights and the comfort factor I would go with the 50 size reel