FishTank

Just curious, how do you like the Steez CT SV? What do you use it for? Is it strictly a BFS type reel?

I have 4 (and one on the way). I have yet to have an issue. I have two Antares 12's, an Antares 70A left, and a Vanquish C3000 XG. All are great.

Why was the line guide replaced? And what did you do to replace it?

Most of the ponds I fish, a jig just doesn't get bit. T-rig on the other hand is killer. Out on the water, it may be a different story.

A buddy of mine fishes the EX6 rods and loves them but I'm not a fan of them. On the other hand, he did pick up the new version and he said it was a big improvement over the old one. I think, for me, the fun begins with the IMX. As far as alternatives, St. Croix Avid or the St. Croix Legend Glass for crankbaits.

The Curado K gets my vote.

Not really. Any line can get compromised with a backlash. It just depends on how bad it is. For me, usually the thinner the line is, the harder it is to dig out. I try not to go thinner than 8-10lb depending on the line with casting gear. Also, I have fished Invizx for years and it tends to last me about a whole fishing season but not two. I think you are probably past due on changing it.

I have always liked invizx but not so much in anything below 10lb. You might give Trilene 100% FC a shot or just step up to Tatsu. Both are great.

I own both..... Cork has always been my favorite.

I have couple of Curado K's and love them so far. Smooth, casts well, and brings in fish.

Looks good to me.

Just in case, the fish I hooked into was about a 5lb carp so nothing crazy big. I was just pulling it in, the carp came right at my kayak, I took the slack out of the line, lifted the rod and it popped right out. The reel is pretty new. It had not been dropped as far as I know and I have only caught a few fish with it. It seemed pretty flawless until this happened.

That's asking a lot of one rod but I have used one for all that you have mentioned > St. Croix Avid 7' MH Fast. I use it as my main kayak rod. I don't tend to take but 1 or 2 rods when I go out. I like to keep it simple. This rod though will handle a lot things well but excels at T-rig soft plastic and topwater. It gets by with crankbaits but I prefer a moderate-fast or moderate rod for that technique. I have one Premier and it's OK but not as good as the Avid. It's definitely worth the extra few bucks. Not a fan of the Loomis EX6 rods but love most all other rods from Loomis. I can't speak for the Tatula rods. Good Luck.

I have broken rods, lures, gears in reels but........ Never I have I ever seen this happen to a reel while bringing in a fish and keep in mind, the rod is in perfect shape...... The base of the reel just broke right off when I was bringing in fish. Luckily I got a hold of Quantum and they are sending me a new Smoke S3. Anybody else have this happen?

7' MH Fast St. Croix Avid and a Shimano Curado for Spinnerbaits For Chatterbaits I had what I thought was the perfect combo but it went overboard and would have been impossible to find..... G. Loomis PR844C GLX and a Shimano Core 101MG. The PR844C loaded perfectly and I could cast a chatterbait as far as anything else. I tried several rods for this technique and this rod was the only one that had that magical feel to it.

The DC is a great reel but I tend to use it for those instances when a backlash is more likely to happen. What reel are you currently struggling with? If you are new to baitcasters, I like the Shimano SLX. It won't break the bank, it's easy to use and set up, and it's a reel that can hold its own against some of the more expensive reels on the market. Also, some things to keep in mind...... don't worry about casting distance until you get use to using a baitcaster, the rod and lure choice influence how a backlash can occur, and even the best fisherman still backlash from time to time. The idea is to learn to use your thumb to minimize it.

XL or Sufix Elite. Been years since I have tried either one but both were great. Another as mentioned above that I like is Sunline Natural. I would consider the line diameter when you go with this light of line. You may fine 6lb in some brands an equally as good option.

If still under warranty, St. Croix is generally great to deal with. As far as the rod goes, the Eyecon was never exactly their best effort and the Premier is not bad but the Avid is, to me, where their best foot forward begins. I have not had much of chance to look at the new Victory rods but they maybe a good option as well.

I have both and there are just two different tools. The DC I use for unique situations and the K for just everyday fishing. I plan on using them to catch enough fish to feed a small army. Exaggerated fishing stories are just hyperboles told in measurements.

I have the SD as well and the handle does get bothersome but that is my only gripe. I have fished it maybe a total of 8 hours so far and I've caught about 10 fish with it. It's a great rod but I like my NRX better for jigs. I do think it's great and maybe even better than the NRX at T-rig baits and is more versatile. Over 5/8oz it seems to change it's characteristics, which isn't a bad thing. It's just different from other rods and sort of special. I think the reel seat placement is a little higher up than other rods at the same length which would make skipping docks difficult. I have the 803C GLX and it's great for skipping docks but I wish, like you, that I picked up the 804C NRX.

If you are fishing over grass and structure, I have three options depending on how muddy or clear the water is.... for clear water I like the Berkley Power Worm 7in with a 1/8oz bullet weight and a 4/0 straight shank. For muddy water I like either the Rage Tail Anaconda or the Zoom O'l Monster with a 5/0 straight shank hook and depending on depth either weightless or with an 1/8oz bullet weight.

I have used Megastrike, Bang, and Smelly Jelly. Each has their place but I don't tend to use them unless the bite is slow and/or soft. I think the idea of these things is get the fish to hold on longer and increase how hard they bite.

I have an older 783C GLX and use it for mainly for senkos and jerkbaits but I have used it for jigs as well and it is great for skipping docks. It is still my favorite after 15+ years. The Conquest should be fantastic.

I would just use straight mono for what you are trying to do. I find, and this is just me and my equipment, that when I cast a big bait (glide baits and swimbaits above ~2.5oz) that I have to load the rod a certain way to get some decent casting distance which causes the line to bear a lot of the force and with a braid to mono set up, I would snap the leader connection knot on a cast. Also, I am going to guess that you have the Aird X Heavy. It's rated up to 1.5 oz and I don't think they are made to handle much more than that but are an excellent rod for the money.

There is the Abu Garcia Revo Elite Aurora.