putting together a heavier set up. pitch, light punch, A-rig, giant-ess swimbaits etc.

[Darth-Baiter]

okay.  mostly light-punch and pitching a bigger presentation into the thick stuff.  thanks to a member here on the forum, I am dipping my toe into a better (than I am used to) rod.

 

I am leaning towards the Daiwa Tatula FP (PF?).  thinking 30lb braid to start.  thoughts?  I am in no hurry, since winter is coming on..I can wait.

 

or Lews SP PRo?...I have a Curado 200 I can put into rotation, but what fun is that?  just kidding..I think it would work.  I kinda want to see what the shallow spool thing is all about. 

[casts_by_fly]

I wouldn’t go lower than 50 braid and might go to 65.  I run 50 lb 832 on my equivalent of what you’re doing but I’m not in super heavy vegetation like I see guys fishing on the delta. Thick lily pads are about my heaviest. 
 

I’m using a falcon expert amistad for this.  It’s the regular heavy not the xh. 3/8-2 oz rating, 7’3” fast action. I use it for medium to heavy pitching (3/8 weight plus plastic or 1/2 oz jig on the bottom end, plastic plus an ounce on the top end).  I use it for 6-7” keitech SIF.  I’ll throw the smaller yum Alabama rigs with 3.3” keitechs and about a half ounce of head weights.  I also throw frogs and toads in the slop with it. Great rod overall.  Maybe a little light and short for the bigger swim baits, but I don’t fish them enough to warrant anything bigger. It’s great as a heavy pitching rod.

 

in your case, I’d throw the curado on it to start. That would be a good fit and choice, especially if you go mono/fluoro. 

[txchaser]

On the reel, the JDM Zillion HD is a workhorse, and probably costs the same as the PF. Similar big handle too. I had the PF, I think I traded it off. I just use a regular zillion now as the HD went on my frog rod. 

 

If it's really thick stuff you'll be sadface with 30lb braid. 

 

I think just using something you already have until you figure out what you really need in a reel is likely the better path. 

[Hammer 4]

Bump the braid up to 50, 30 isn't gonna cut it in the heavy stuff. Trust me on this one...?

[T-Billy]

Rod: Ark Tharp "King Cobra" 7'6" H F or "Guntersville Special" 7'11" H F. Either is fine for pitching/punching, but the Guntersville is better for A-Rigs and Swimmers with it's more parabolic action and longer handle. Lotta rod for $129. 

Reel: Lews Super Duty. Tough as nails, long casting, plenty of drag, good spool capacity for bombing A-rigs and swimmers.

Line: 40# 832 works great for me. 

[Catt]

Diawia Tatula TTU731MHFB 

7' 3" Medium Heavy Fast 

Rated for 1/4-1 oz

 

I use it primarily for light punching with a 3/4 oz weight or jig. 

[Tatulatard]

12 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

okay.  mostly light-punch and pitching a bigger presentation into the thick stuff.  thanks to a member here on the forum, I am dipping my toe into a better (than I am used to) rod.

 

I am leaning towards the Daiwa Tatula FP (PF?).  thinking 30lb braid to start.  thoughts?  I am in no hurry, since winter is coming on..I can wait.

 

or Lews SP PRo?...I have a Curado 200 I can put into rotation, but what fun is that?  just kidding..I think it would work.  I kinda want to see what the shallow spool thing is all about. 

Shallow spools are all about low rotational mass from reduced line capacity.  This is beneficial when casting and pitching lighter weight baits.  It is not beneficial for umbrella rigs, heavy bait pitching and swimbaits.  I would get something like the bass-x 710 but in a higher st croix line if for a punching/umbrella/swimbait rod.   

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewstcroixbac710hf.html