I am still new to fishing havent fished in over 30 yrs and wow when I did start back what a shock it was! I have invested in a couple new reels and need some input from some pro's on what rod and briad I need. Man this Braid issue has my head hurting. Been trying to figure out the amount and how the manufactors come to there figures and pretty much have come to the conclusion there really isnt a math equation they use.

1) I bought a Cabelas pro guide 1000 which I paired to a 5'6 cabelas fish eagle UL rod. Thinking on just running Mono on this one maybe 4# or should i move up to 8 or 10# braid? This rod is just for small trout bluegill etc....

2 My main go to rod and reel for everything freshwater and saltwater. Bought a Cabela's Salt Striker� Inshore Spinning Reel 2500. Now for the rod I have a academy ethos 6'10 MH 8-17# line. Should I use this one or buy a 6'6 or 7' M rod. As far as salt water I will only be doing a couple trips a year. The reel can hold 170yds of 30# Braid. Should I use 30# or go lighter?

3) I bought a Cabelas salt stalker bait feeder in the 4000 series or 40b i think they called it. This one I got for bigger catfish, strippers and bigger salt water fish. Should I use a catfish type rod or go with a MH reg rod? want to stay in the 6'6 to 7' length. I m fishing from a Kayak. Braid for this one 30, 40 or 50#?

Cabelas has a sale right now I bought my 12yr old a cabela 7'M catfish rod for $18 today. I can get a whuppin stix salt water rod 7'M for $27 but it is hugh as far as the handle etc... Just dont know if I need a rod that big. WOuld a reg ugly stix gx2 in MH work?

Thanks for any help or advice.

On your cabellas pro guide 1000, I'd put braid on it. Probably 10 lb power pro braid. With such a whippy rod, you will have some trouble setting the hook with the stretch of mono.

You should be good with a 6'10" rod for everyday use, but I'd prob lean toward a medium spinning rod for a 2500 series reel. I use 20 lb braid for my most used spinning setup. I like power pro.

I like a regular MH rod for cats and stripers, but I'm not near as serious when I fish for those guys.

Hope this helps!