JGBassinAL

Eric, While Ducketts are good rods (I have had multiple models in the Micro Magic and White Ice), there are a lot better options in that price range or even for less money IMO. I can get you a custom built rod at the same price point as the Micro Magic and it is twice the stick the Micro Magic is. The *** *** Black is a better rod than the Micro Magic as well, and it is $100-$130 depending on length and power. The Powell Endurance series is another rod that comes to mind that blows the Micro Magic out of the water. It can be had for $150 at The Fish Ranger out of Montevallo, AL. If you want bang for your buck on a baitcasting reel too, the Daiwa Tatula can be found at various places online for $100 and it is a way better reel than anything else at that price point.

What rainshadow blank is your custom built on? I have abt 15 custom builds on rainshadows, all of mine are RX7 and the new Revelation blanks. I have used the RX8 and the RX8+ tho. The RX8+ is ridiculously light and sensitive, but that is also reflected in the price of the blank. The RX8+ I used was a 7' MH/Fast and came in under 3 oz with guides, reel seat, etc. Also, my first fish of 2014 came on a Powell Endurance 674 and a Lews Super Duty. Skipped a 3/8 oz jig I made up under a dock for a 3 lb. smallie on New Years day.

Here ya go bootytrain (great name by the way haha). This video should answer your question.

You can get a Tatula for $100 at various places online. It is hands down better than the pro qualifier, and better than any reel in the $100 range. I know that a lot of places (should include BPS) have the Veritas for $60 on clearance. To me it's a decent stick at $100 but a great stick at $60. It would be a night and day difference between the Veritas and a $40 rod. If that is too much, then just save up a little more money and I think it would make your fishing experience a whole lot better. But if you went with a Revo S for $130 and a $40 casting rod you would be at $170. A Tatula at $100 and a Veritas at $60 will be the best bang for your buck at that price range.

I throw mine on 25 lb CXX (not the most manageable line IMO), but I do not throw them often as I fish mostly deep water. I might chunk them around docks if I am on Wilson Lake, but that's it. I think the 30 lb Sunline Super Natural would do you just fine. I use it in 20 lb for topwater and it is the best topwater line that I have used to date. I can't comment on its abrasion resistance BasshunterJGH, as I have not used it on anything but topwater. I would think though that the 30 lb would be a lot more abrasion resistant like you stated. I think the reason that I throw them on CXX is because I know it's strength so I don't have to worry about losing a $20 or more lure haha.

I have both but I prefer the full grip. I said I hated a full grip until I used one. Like tywithay said, try to go to a store and handle both and see which you prefer. I still use both but if I had a choice, I would go full grip.

Sweet BasshunterJGH! Let us know how you like it and if you have any other questions we would all be glad to help!

We were definitely on the same page here

Ignorance is bliss, not pure my friend. I admit that I am confused on why you are still replying to our posts if we are ignorant. Your signature does say "IGNORE THE IGNORANT..." Notice that in none of our posts has any of us personally attacked you, yet you continue to do it. Well, other than my post about your grammar, but teachers correct grammar all the time so I feel as I was trying to "help" you not attack you.

LMB KING There are two threads that I have seen you post in. One being this one, and the other being the huge thread about Quantum being popular. In both of those threads, you are the one who got your panties in a wad. I know that there is more than Shimano and St. Croix. As stated in one of my above posts, I have never even used St. Croix. So obviously I know that other brands exist. I will admit that I do have trouble arguing with you though because of your grammar, I didn't know that you could "unhelp" someone. Ok, I'm done.

I hate forums where members "attack" other members for giving a different suggestion. But since you did, here you go. I find it hard to believe that you have used all three and prefer the GL2 over the others. I would rather save the $170 and use an ugly stick. That's just my preference. This is the only time that I will say anything like that, I just felt after the responses you made towards Alonerankin2 that this post was needed. I'm sure everyone here will agree except you.

30 lb Sunline Super Natural has a smaller diameter than all 25 lb monos in other brands, I believe. Don't quote me on that though.

I don't understand why people want to instigate arguments. The OP was wanting an honest opinion from members of this forum, and I believe that Alonerankin2 just wanted to give another option that hadn't been brought up. For all we know, the OP could try out the suggestion of Alonerankin2 and like it better than the others mentioned, leading him to be happier with his choice. Now, to the OP, I have never used a St. Croix, but I have used the Dobyns and the GL2, both of which you asked about. The Dobyns is hands down 5 times the rod the GL2 is. I have heard a lot of good things about the St. Croixs as well, I don't think you could go wrong with the Dobyns or the St. Croix, but there would be a lot left desired if you went with the GL2. I do not own any of those rods anymore, as all of my rods now are customs and great sticks, that are even at a lower price than all of the above mentioned. If you would be interested in a custom rod, shoot me a PM, but as stated earlier in my post, you would not be disappointed with the St. Croix or Dobyns.

Get_The_Net! I use a custom 7' MH glass rod with a moderate tip for all of my spinnerbaits, except for 1 oz spinnerbaits in deep water, then I use a 7'3" Heavy glass rod. I like the moderate tip on the rods a lot better than a MH or Heavy/Fast action graphite rod. Never had a problem with hooksets with the glass rod. I even use the Heavy glass rod for hollow body swimbaits and chatterbaits. Once you use a glass rod for these baits you will love it. I can get you a custom one for a great price too! Shoot me a PM!

Idk where you get that a 25 size is too small for bass. I dropshot with a 2500 size Shimano but I know ALOT of people that drop shot with a 1000 size reel. And....a dropshot catches big bass.

Difference in KVD/Quantum and Megabass? Please don't every put Quantum and Megabass in the same sentence ever again.

I would stay away from the Orra SX. The best reel by far in that price range would be a Daiwa Tatula which you can get for $100 at various places online.

I have a couple E series Curados that are three years old and with a good cleaning each year they perform as good as new. I expect them to perform this way for another 5 or 6 years. Annnndd the new Curado I is awesome.

X2 Agreed!!!!!!

I almost posted the same thing as DVT before he did, but I knew there would be those people with instances where they believe a manufacturer defect caused their rod to break after the first few uses, so I held off. DVT is right though about the blank, and a reputable company will replace the rod if something like the reel seat breaks. This is why I use all custom rods. First, you really get to know the person who makes them if you use a lot of their rods, so you build a good relationship. It's different than buying from manufacturers. Then, if something happens to your rod, they are always happy to replace it or fix it for you, a lot in part to the relationship you have built with that rod builder. I actually travel a couple of hours very often to fish Guntersville with the guy who makes my rods, and a great friendship has been formed from it!

The old Skeet Reese reels sucked. When you can get a Tatula for $100 or a Curado I for $150 at various places I wouldn't even consider the new Skeet Reese reel.

I would use a heavy power rod for that. Actually, I use a heavy power rod for all of my carolina rigs. My exact setup is a 7'6" heavy/mod fast with 16 lb Sunline Sniper FC and 14 lb Sufix Seige on the other end of the swivel. Along with a Curado 200HG. I find that a c-rig rod needs more backbone than a medium heavy has because of a longer sweeping hookset, maybe that's just me though. I've never had a problem using a heavy power rod, but to each his own.

I won't order one, just in case the quality is the same as their rods. Didn't care for them and snapped too many. They are just white Carrot Stix anyways (that came from someone up top.)

I used Suffix Castable Fluorocarbon in 12 lb on one of my deep cranking set ups and it was great for about a month (fishing only on weekends) but then it turned a milky white color and started fraying a lot more often. It ranges anywhere from $12-$19 depending on what lb test you have, and it's only for 100 yds. You can get Sunline Sniper for $20-$24 and it is 200 yards and a FAR superior fluorocarbon from my experiences. I have also used vicious. NEVER BUY IT. Broke off like I was setting the hook on a shark.

You should never use a guide to hook your bait on.