Cgrinder

If you're running straight braid without backing, it could be the braid slipping on the spool. If you're not, then there could be an issue. When I had a Smoke, I did not experience any issues as you've described.

KVD Finesse Worm in Blue Fleck on a size 1 Gamakatsu with a Siebert 1/4 oz. tungsten weight. Drag + shake = Bass.

If you really want a Quantum, Smokes should be available on the bay for around $100. They are fine reels that don't need someone's name to sell them. Actually if you shop around you might be able to find an Exo for under $150.

Gunfish 115 for me. Maybe a Giant Dog-X if I feel brave. Pike love Megabass.

TD Fuego with a 100M spool. Zoom! I would say Conquest 51 but I'm not yet brave enough to fish mine. (Don't tell Matt!)

Why not the *** for a spinning rod? I think if there's a Winch model in the new Veritas line, I'd do that for deep cranks.

I had a BPS Extreme a few years back. Tough rod, felt good. The next summer I bought a ***. Night and day would be an appropriate description. Not that there's anything wrong with Extremes. Green is a good color. I sold it to my friend to beats the hell out of his equipment and he likes it a lot.

Congratulations! Did she outweigh your PB? Also, I like that shirt.

Okuma makes a 7'3" HF rod in their Scott Martin series that you should consider. I bought it to throw 1.5 ish oz. Swimbaits and it seems like it'll work well. However right now it's on frog duty and it feels very good for that too.

Certainly bluegill. Tough worm or not, they'll find a way to ruin it.

I have a 703 Savvy. Positivies: The build quality is very good. Straight guides, no excess epoxy, no gaps anywhere, etc. It's much nicer than I expect from a sub $200 factory rod. The action is also nice; the rod is fast enough to fish senkos and finesse jigs but also moderate enough to fish small lipless cranks and keep fish pinned while still making clean rips through grass. Finally, the rod looks nice. Dark blank, just a little red, cork handle. Cool. Negatives: The sensitivity is on the low end for a $170 rod. My $100 Omens and $159 Crucials blow the Savvy out of the water in this respect. The cork on the handle is full of filler, so the handle starts to look like hell in short order. Lastly, there is no foregrip and plenty of exposed thread above the locking nut. Depending on how you hold your rod or palm your reel, this could be a deal breaker. I'm not really a fan of it. Is the rod worth $170? No, probably not. However, if you can get one used or catch a deal, you could certainly do worse. PM Valley Sports and see what Ron can do for you price wise. You'll like his prices. Still, I would probably buy a Tatula before the thought of a second Savvy ever entered my mind.

Is that the new Conquest on the left? Either way, seems the new 101 and old 51 are very close in frame size.

I like the Uni a little better than the SDJ for braid. However, I use the SDJ for fluoro and it works very well.

Now that I think about it, for $350 you should just buy a Conquest 51 and call it a day.

Plat has some SS SV's in the garage sale section of their website for like $255. Edit: IAY was faster.

It works well. I think if 12 lb mono is doing the job now, 10 lb fluoro *should* be fine.

8-10 lb fluoro depending on cover. Possibly braid with leader. 1/4 oz Siebert Tournament Swim jig with a Paca Chunk is my jig and trailer idea. Color is up to you.

Tip your waitresses; I'm here all week.

Yellow #4 Mepps Black Fury.

I would consider the Okuma Scott Martin TCS 7'3" HF from Valley Sports. The price is very right. I have one coming this week; I'll update when it gets here. It's rated 1/4-2 oz and I plan on using it for baits towards the upper end of that. We'll see how it works!

Can you swing 7'3"?

I have better luck with EWG's when I set the hook with a sweep to the side instead of straight up. I would also consider a 5/0 Owner Twistlock for your Ikas.

They come up used sometimes. Definitely worth $20 though. The attention to detail is ridiculous.

Sometimes the blue ones come up lightly used for $150.

You'll be happy you did.