PatrickKnight

I fish a medium more than I do a ML not because of the baits or presentation but because of the hooks I use. I have found a ML even with braid to be less powerful than I would like when it comes to the hook set.

I use 10 lb braid on all my spinning set ups.

They are built to be 100% sealed for surfcasting.

Watch this before you buy a Sustain. It goes into really good detail about the differences between it, a Stradic Ci4, the Ultegra, and the Stradic FK. Basically all the Sustain has is the MGL rotor, X protect, and a carbon drag over the Stradic FK.

Skip the Sustain, but the Exsence is a noticeable improvement over the Ci4+ and would be a much better fit to a truly high end rod than the Stradic imo.

A couple of buddies were fishing for flatheads a last year and one caught a 17 inch smallie on a 10 inch warmouth. They are aggressive and will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouth.

I run 10lb 832 on all my set ups because I got a really good deal on a bulk spool of it.

Often over looked but good point. I tend to prefer rods from companies who are making the blanks in house such as Phenix, ALX, and St Croix. General rule is most companies who make their own blanks will sell you just the blank or the finished rod.

While you are in Columbus try the Big Darby creek and Allum Creek lake.

I own a Sierra 703 spinning rod that sits in the closet and rarely if ever gets used anymore (it was extremely tip heavy). I have fished most major brands from $250 and under and imo for an off the shelf rod nothing comes close to the ALX Zolo line.

There are some companies out there making blanks on the slower side of fast. I think the best band for the buck on a blank like that are what you can get from ALX. For 200 bucks you get a heck of a rod in the Zolo line and the customs that Alex and crew can make are really something special. Phenix is also another brand offering several rods that fit into that category. Most of the Megabass rods I have fished have been on the slower side of fast. I really enjoy the action on my Cajun Custom Rods Delta and Trigger as they are both on the slower side of fast with the Trigger being an almost moderate action.

Sadly it does not.

I wonder if the oscillation gear being slightly off might be the issue with my Daiwa Luvias. It has an annoying tick when reeling under pressure.

One thing to keep in mind is if a rod offers a replacement program like that you are paying more for a rod than it should cost. Lets look at a $300 Megabass XX for example there is no replacement cost on that so the company isn't having to sell it for more to help offset the cost when you break it and only pay $100 for the replacement "fee". Then take a $300 rod with a replacement option in there like the Dobyns Extreme line, so you spend $300 on that rod break it then pay the fee to replace it. Odds are the rod with the replacement fee in there is only a $200 dollar rod because lets face it company's are not going to lose money or they would not stay in business. If you aren't sure if this is true compare a XX to an Champion Extreme and even though they sell for the close to the same price its pretty clear which is the superior rod.

At $300 for me its really hard to look away from Megabass.

I will fish leaders for two reasons and visibility is not one of them. I use them for added abrasion resistance and so I don't have to cut braid every time I want to change baits (I wade a river so carrying a ton of rods isn't an option). I have never felt I missed out on bites when going straight braid but I have had times where the rocks would cut me off. I should also add I always use mono for a leader due to cost.

Stradic FK off ebay or the Daiwa BG is one hell of a reel at the MSRP of $100 USD. I have fished or owned just about every spinner under 300 bucks and I am still impressed with my BG 2500 every time I use it.

I throw 1/16" oz marabu jigs on my Cajun Custom Rods Trigger. It's a ML power mod/fast and I use 8 lb 832.

I agree completely with the 2500 vs 3000 when it comes to the Shimano reels. Zero downside to going with a 3000 for bass fishing unless you don't use backing on the reel. The frame and spool sizes are the same just a deeper cut spool allowing for additional capacity on the 3000.

That's a really good reel and a level above the Abu you were looking at. I think you will be extremely happy with it.

At a $200 price point I would go with a Stradic or one of the LT reels from Daiwa like the Tatula or Ballistic. Any of those would be a better bet than the Abu imo. Or better yet go on Ebay and for $200 you can get a Daiwa Luvias 2500 and that will be far and away the best you can get for $200. I have owned several Stradics and fished most of the LT line none of them are as solid of a reel as the Luvias is.

Yes its worth the jump and I would go with the 702. My 703 is a good rod but no where near its 8-17 lb line class power rating, I would say it's on the lighter side of a medium.

I fish smallies in a smaller river and I personally prefer mod fast actions. I normally carry a ml and m power spinning rod with me and which one I use is purely based on the hook I am using not the presentation. It should also be said I only fish with braided line so if you are going to use mono or fluro you might want a faster action rod.

95% of my fishing is done with spinners! I just feel more comfortable with them than I do casting gear.

I have pulled 20+ lb redfish and snook out of mangroves on a medium power spinning rod. So long as the lure rating of the rod is enough to cover the weights you are going to be tossing there is no reason that rod wont handle what you want to do with it.