little giant

Crowder inshore salt casting rod. E series: 7'6", fast, 3/8 to 2 ounce. $230 Made in Florida, lifetime warranty. I use his 7' MH fast for plastics 5/8 to 1 ounce. Also have 2 others, one for surf, one for trolling for pelagics. Excellent rods! All those big plastics you want to use seems like you want to fish Florida or Texas!! You can check out Crowder rods website. Another great brand is Bull Bay rods. Also made in Florida, salt rods. Note that most salt rods are built with more backbone in the mid section.....

Nope, too many great plastics from different brands! Can't even imagine using just one brand!

Dream tackle design: YES!! I have an 8 speed regular. Upgraded the bearings and its smooth as silk. They lowered the amount of drag, the Hakai is 20 lbs, but drag compares with a tatula. Liked it so much, bought 8 speed bfs shallow spool. Loved that so much, bought another that's on it's way. Right now they can be bought on Ali baba, $110 + 12 for shipping.( to Florida) I don't care for my SLX bfs, doesn't cast all that great, ( with upgraded spool bearings no less!)

I have a 100 size Hakai. 7 speed, 6 ounces, magnesium frame. I changed the nylon bushing on the pinion to a stainless bearing. Casts a mile and great mag brake.

I bank fish most of the time, 3 or 4 days a week. I use a medium size toolbag. 1 double sided plano box, its smaller than a 3600, with a variety of hard baits, small double box terminal tackle, and 10 bags of plastics. I determine the night before what I need to bring. I fish 2-3 hrs starting at daybreak. I bring 4-5 rods, 2 of them always bfs.

The sound (and smell) of the coffeemaker at 5 am. The laughter of my son catching his first fish at 5 years old!

I'm a braid to leader guy. Try the Alberto knot as the connection between braid and leader. Very slim, very strong and Flies through the guides. I use seagaur abrazx and p line tactical, I'll have to try pounce

I have their bfs spool for my tat 80, works well, no complaints.....

About a year and a half ago, I bought a tatula 80 8 speed for $90 and a matching gomexus shallow spool for $30. Arrived at my door in 12 days, perfect condition. The vendor was in Japan, (Not a jdm reel) Use paypal, safer!!

New, both rods and reels. Casting reels JDM or Amazon Japan, although I found great deals on ali x or ali baba- be carefull! Most tackle shops in South Florida are geared for saltwater, but do have freshwater rod heavily discounted. ( Loomis IMX Pro- $160! Can't be beat!)

I don't know anything about shimano rods. I use a Dobyns Fury ML fast, 7'. Rated at 1/8 to 1/2 oz. About $130. I have a 2000 size reel on it. I use it for small cranks, light jig, small paddle tails. Open water or light vegetation. Great rod, performs well. Brings in Florida LM

20 lb 8 strand, especially 832. Its slick and smooth, will go through the guides better. Add floro leader, can't be beat.....

That super duty is a beauty!! I have a SD1SHL, is mine the same as yours?? Mine is left handed....

I put 120mm carbon fiber handles with power knobs on most of my baitcasters. My "problem" is pulling in big bass through heavy Florida vegetation. I want the extra torque that handle gives me. I certainly don't care how it looks on the reel!!

Braid with flouro leader for everything, spinning and casting, except straight braid for frogs and big game mono on an old curado/all star worm combo- for old times sake!