Yeeleng Thao

I personally prefer a bare blank. Just seems like how a rod blank should be. Nice new cork handles never disappoints either. Cork does get pretty ugly with regular use though. If we're talking purely aesthetics I think a custom wood handle would be nice. I have seen some pretty nice epoxy colors on some mass produced rods though. Like a dark gold with gold spec on the *** the dark blue/ green w/ green spec of the st croix ledgends.

At $200 Daiwa Tatula sv tw or Shimano Curado 70 which ever brand you like more. At a bit cheaper price point Shimano Curado over the Daiwa CT type r Anything less go with a Lews Go 13 if you want something different.

Even though I don't really own many rods, I've been fortunate enough to be able to handle and fish many different brands of rods from a wide price range from lightening rods to Conquests and Archangels. IMHO the rods from the price range of $100-$200 all have pretty similar "sensitivity" across all brands. I notice that going down a step in rod power actually provides a higher "sensitivity" boost than changing brands. The difference in a $100 rod to a $200 rod seems to be more focused in the rod handle and guides used than a real improvement in the quality of the blank. I only started noticed an improvement in "sensitivity" when fishing with rods exceeding the $300+ price mark. Though, not as significant as you'd expect from spending over half a grand. Offerings such as the Saint Croix legend tournament, Dobyns Champion, or Kistler helium that fill in the $200-$300 market do seem to be a bit more refined, but imo not enough to justify the extra 50 or so dollars. I'd only buy one if they're on sale. Saying all that, I also actually use a Gloomis e6x casting as my main all round rod. I chose this rod mainly out of aesthetics, rod design, and resale value as I one day hope to save up for a GLX.

Thanks everyone for all the replys. All this thinking and researching about both reels just makes me want to buy them all haha. But I've decided to purchase the used 2016 Shimano Metanium from my friend for $175. Killer price, reel is still in decent shape, and all reels become used reels eventually right? Maybe one day I'll be able to purchase new.

Thx for the response. I'm planning to pair it with a Gloomis glx mh.

Hello, so I'm in the market for a new reel and can't decide between a new Shimano Curado K or a Daiwa Tatula sv tw. Does one offer something significant over the other? I've been wanting to try out these two brands since I've used Lews all my life. I'm even considering just going for a lews magnesium. I've also been thinking of just picking up a Shimano Metanium mgl off the used market if it's worth it over a brand new Curado. I've searched all over the internet and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the Metanium and Curado other than frame material and some other little things, but that $200 difference in retail price has to go somewhere right?