The Saltiga all the way. I haven't done much tuna fishing lately but the times I have, the Saltigas have really come through. With 50lb spectra, you'll have a ton of line capacity. I like fishing a short topshot. If I'm lazy I'll start with a 25 yard spool of fluorocarbon and fish it until it's down...

I've been using them as trailers. The smallie beaver on a 3/16oz finesse jig is killer!

The answer is simple. You grab one now, then buy the new one when it comes out.

Those are some beautiful cranks.

Good tips there. I'm fishing the new Suffix braid for most of my stuff. I still can't justify spending $40 a spool for the lighter braided lines.

The 6'8" Medium Power, Fast Action is a nice rod. It's one of the lightest power baitcasting bass rods on the market.

A spinning rod built around a Sage 000 might be interesting. No idea how the action on something that light would be though.

I've had my eye on the new Patriarch spinning reels but with a $200 price and no where around here to actually see one, I'm a bit hesitant on pulling the trigger.

Do you have to do anything to the bearings when buying them then installing them or is it as simple as removing the old ones and putting new ones in?

I have a 704. It's definitely a step down from the Champion series but still a good rod.

Do you have an REI near where you live? I'd suggest stopping by their store and talking to the employees.

I was thinking how nice that new finesse Alphas would look on a Cumulus.

Why such heavy gear? I've only caught crappie twice. One day was with a jig and bobber on 2lb test, the other time was on a vision 110 when bass fishing.

I had no idea this existed. Does it work well? I might have to try it out.

My first high end setup came in 2 pieces as well. The tackle shop I would end up working in a few years later tried to sell me a Calcutta 400 but I just couldn't justify spending that much money on an reel and settled for what I still considered way too expensive, a Catalla. I don't really know what...