HoosierHawgs

It depends on the use of it. If you use braid as a main line while throwing lipped crankbaits, you'll just end up with a frustrating day. Also, you are probably using a bad crank, or your rod just isn't that sensitive. I throw lipless baits w/12# mono, and can feel them and set the hook just fine. Braid is OK for topwater, but I would not fish it with treble hook lures. I use mono exclusively for topwater, spinnerbaits, ceankbaits, and lipless baits. I only use braid when I am flipping heavy cover.

Bang for the buck is the biggest thing I look for. I'm definitely willing to sacrifice certain things to get others. I prefer an aluminum frame, but I have fished with Graphite frames, and they work just fine. I like a reel to have at least 8 bearings. I prefer to stay w/ one brand, that way I can go from one to the other w/ ease.

There are all kinds of reels you can find in this price range. *** has a great article about low cost casting reels, but the one I would recommend to you is a Lew's Speed Spool Reel. At $99 they are I your price range, and are loaded with features, including 10 bearings, 14# of max drag, custom knob handles, and are quite lightweight and palmable. They are very solid reels. I would also recommend the Bass Pro Shops Reels, or Cabela's reels made by Daiwa. They have less of a following than the BPS brands, but they are feature loaded for the price. Many of them are on sale right now. But the best in my opinion is the Lew's.

It surely is!

Hello to all from Central Indiana! I just joined the forum, and figured I'd post here. I like to fish mainly for largemouth, but I do mix a lot of smallmouth techniques into m bag of tricks. I like to power fish when the conditions are right, but I find my strenght is finesse. I'm usually the kinda guy who downsizes his presentations, fishes w/ natural colors, and fishes baits w/out rattles. This all changes in dirty water of course! My biggest weakness is dragging the bottom w/ a Carolina Rig or a Football Jig.. I've never been good at it! I usually fish small reservoirs in the area, but I do find time to get out onto big water, Eagle Creek and Racoon (Cecil M Harden) Lake being my favorites. I also do quite a bit of surf fishing when visiting family in Florida. Hope to contribute and learn from others! Thanks, Jake