I don’t notice a difference in wind knots between traditional and k style (angled guides like kigan) guides, but k style sheds tip twist a bit better. But in my experience, most wind knots come from line twist (function of lure retrieve and any swivels placed in front of lure) or loops on the spool (often from not snugging line on spool up before starting a retrieve). Like Zika said, angled (k style) guides might give you a bit more distance and less tangles. Matt Straw who writes for infisherman magazine has been writing some nice pieces on this in recent issues. Longer length means greater tip speed and cast distance. Maybe if you’re fishing bulls it’s different because you need the power to end fights quicker, but I think lighter braid handles better more of the time, and is sufficient for almost anything where sight fishing is at play.Īlso, all else being equal, 7’6” or 7’9” will outcast 7’. My current pref is Diana jbraid 8 grand, but power pro super slick and many other 8+ carrier braids will be similar. Sometimes I fish 8lb or even 5lb if distance is paramount. I now think 20lb braid is overkill for anything inshore, annd heaviest I spool is Fins 40g 15lb, which has diameter really similar to 10lb but not quite ans supple. I have yet to have a red break 10lb braid, which mostly has straight (unknotted) breaking strength closer to 20lb. I think more important would be going down in #test.

Just comes down to what you feel like holding for 8 hours!

My pref are the USA made st croix legends, avids, and especially the victory at their price point, but my friends catch as many fish as me on the cheap shimano terramars, and I’ve always though the falcon coastal was a bit underrated. Everyone will have a different opinion on spinning rods, probably because there are very many that are very good and while yes inflation has come for them a bit, I think it’s actually been pretty minor with a lot of “trickle down” tech to lower priced rods (and which admittedly are usually made in China or Korea).

All star spinning rod