offsidewing

Yeah, I lobbed that one in there, didn't I...

Looks like you've put some thought into what you'd like to accomplish. You've got some sensible set ups and a couple folks have given you advice where to improve. I'm a sucker for the quality and value in the Cabela's Tournament ZX rods. I'm doing the exact same thing as some others posted. I'm cutting down on the number of combos I use. I've upgraded my three most versatile combos of which I do 75% of my fishing. Those combos are quality gear where price is secondary The other 2 combos are on Tournament ZX rods and quality but relatively inexpensive reels.

The Metaniums fish so well. Love my MGLs. I wouldn't use the Metanium and steez for the same things.

It palms different than a Metanium. Its like a wider Curado 70. The Metaniums are on MHF rods and feel great for football jigs, keitechs, flippin light cover, 3/8 oz platics etc. the Steez is going on a MF rod for 3/16-1/4oz stuff on open water.

This is my first Daiwa. Its stablemates will be a couple of Metanium MGLs. This thing is ridiculously smooth and still feels solid for a lightweight magnesium reel. The Metanium MGL put a smile on my face when I first cast it. The Steez put a smile on my face the moment I touched it.

Yo-Zuri is good stuff. Make sure you go by line diameter with them. Their magic 6lb test is the same line diameter as many 10lb monos.

The tourney Zx also have a drop shot version. Lots of value in those ZX rods. You could get a 25 sized Pflueger Supreme reel and be all set! Another option is a Japanese Domestic Market Stradic 2500 with s shallow spool. Like a stradic fk 2500HGS

I use same gear no matter where I'm fishing. If I'm bank fishing I usually just take two set ups. Caught my PB small mouth off a dock, so you never know.

From what I understand, the Scorpion DC is a 200 sized scorpion (Curado) with the DC5 unit from the Metanium DC. Its a 100 sized spool. I had two 2015 Metanium DCs. They were ok, the Met 13 and MGL cast further. But, this Scorpion should be a relatively affordable DC option. The DC 4x8 unit is fantastic, the DC5 was, well, fun but not awe inspiring.

Thanks. I'm assuming the SV spool is more desireable?

What are the differences between the New Steez A TW and the Steez SV TW besides the spool?

^^^^This^^^^

3/16 oz to 5/8 oz stuff. Mostly plastois, maybe spinners. Will likely try skipping since there is postive feedback on skipping with daiwas. The 103 spool seems to be a favorite. Any difference in the US Sv103 and the JDM ss sv103? I don't mind used. Espeecially if it gets me into the Steez.

I have a 7' MF and 7' MHF Avid X casting rods. With a decent reel and line, you can easily cast weightless 5" Inch Senkos and Fat Ikas with the 7' MHF. With most reels you can toss jerkbaits, 1/2 oz Football Jigs, swim jigs, Keitech Fat Impacts, and pop the top of isolated lilly pads with T-rigged Rage Tails and the like. I don't use spinnerbaits a lot (GASP) but I'll tie them on the 7' MHF too. The 7' MF Avid is paired with a really high end reel and I'll toss 3/16 oz Ned Rigs and 1/4 Tube Jigs on it. It feels better to me with baits below 1/2 oz. The Avid Xs feel ever so slightly tip heavy when I think about it while balancing them in my driveway or the basement with nothing tied to them. Out on the water, I don't notice a thing other than what a great stick they are. I don't think people mention this enough, but the reel seat on the Avid X is one of my favorites. No exposed threads.

Get a 30 sized Pflueger reel and the Cabela's Tournament ZX rod. Did the same thing for my now 15 year old son two years ago and it's worked well for him. I feel like I got him a quality set up at a reasonable price. His combo is actually in the background of my profile pic!

Are the JDM "SS SV 103" and "SS SV 105" same as the US SV 103 and 105?

I own three Avid X rods. No issues with double uni knots on leaders passing through the microguides with 50lb braid. I platooned the Avid X rods against the E6X and I liked the Avid X for responsiveness and castability better. I don't get caught up on split grips too much. And to me the microguides on the Avid X seem to have some tangible benefits. The Avid and Avid X offer different features on a solid blank. I love my Avid Xs and don't feel I'm missing anything compared to an Avid.

Title says it all. Looking to buy my first Daiwa baitcaster. I'm looking at something the size of the Metanium. A JDM SS SV 103? Is the upcoming Tatula SV TW decent? Lemme know!

All you'll need is that bag of Canada Craw TRDs...

7' Medium with a fast tip. Stay away from medium medium rods in the Great Lakes / St Lawrence for smallies.

If it doesn't have treble hooks, I use fluoro. People love or hate fluoro. I love it, have no problems with it, and don't use line conditioner. I change it out every 2 months. Then the first cast and last cast is always for distance to let line out and reel it in at a medium pace with tension from me pinching the line between my finger. I use 6lb on spinning reels and 12, 15, and 18lb on baitcasters. Bonus points if you get the medium pace reference.

For the same price go with the curado. With patience you can also find new Curados in the mid $130s and citicas for $110 on popular auction sites. Patience is the key.

When I braid, I use straight braid. Suffix or Powerpro in a natural color. I only use braid in shallow water with heavy vegatation. Fluoro for everything else except crankbaits (mono).

Others have made great suggestions, but If there is a Cabelas near you, there Tournament ZX rods are a great value at $99 and go on sale regularly for $70. Heck of a rod for $70.

Both are great reels. I don't think you're making a mistake either way. However, going to the store with your heart set on one thing and leaving with something else will always cause doubt.