I agree with Bad Luck Guy-keep the H2O reel and concentrate on which rod you want. 6'6" to 7'0" MH all purpose. You should take a look at the TFO rods, along with the ones already listed, and priced at $100, looks like a great choice.

Really? How do you skip it under docks with a baitcaster? Doesn't it just overrun as soon as the lure hits the water the first time. I didn't think it could be done. Spinning reels are easy to skip, no backlash.

Check this out.

Skipping

Yeah... I am not THAT good at skipping, but can skip a bit... I dont have boat docks to skip at the main lake I fish tho...

So I got a nice suprise today when I got home from fishing. My wife went to BPS and bought me a new Pro Qualifer. After my original post I stopped looking at reels and started reviewing rod selections. I figure I'll return the reel and upgrade the rod for my H20. Any suggestions in the price range of the PQ? I've reviewed the Vendetta's which seem decent, and several all-star rods. I also got a pm about a Kistler Skeeter Edition ROD, but I can't seem to find this rod on the web.

Academy has there Rod Riot going on this week. Can save some cash on a rod.

Academy rod riot began today! Picked up a falcon hd for 50.00!!!

I was just there yesterday and no one could tell me when the rod riot would start. thanks. how are those falcon hd's? good rods? for that price i may get 1 med and 1med hvy.

I have about 6 Falcon rods. They are good rods but I broke one on Tuesday. Can't say it was my fault but Academy will take it back. I have the Coastal series and a few Classics.

I have about 6 Falcon rods. They are good rods but I broke one on Tuesday. Can't say it was my fault but Academy will take it back. I have the Coastal series and a few Classics.

You are going to go crazy trying to decide what to get. I tend to agree that the rod is more important than the reel. I have a couple of Citicas and they are great reels. IMO they are the best value on the market. Although the H2O mettles have an awful lot of supporters.

I would highly recommend that you buy another rig...even if it is another Mettle and Shock. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that setup. Having a second setup will make your fishing time much more effective. I bank fish exclusively, like you, and I always carry at least 2 rigs with me...sometimes 3.

If you are interested, PM me and we can fish sometime. I would be happy to let you throw my rigs if you want. The setups I usually use are a Citica w/6'6" M Falcon Lowrider, Citica w/6' 6" MH TFO. I also use a Quatum Burst w/6' 6" M St Croix Triumph.

I am constatnly looking at new equipment, but don't really need it.

i think a reel is much more than line holder, completely disagree with that statement. i am in your shoes right now, no boat and can only pack so much gear so having 2 or three rods is all that makes sense to me, but i wont buy junk. for 200 bucks you can get get yourself a used green original curado and a nice shimano rod. those curados are tanks and will last forever or get a citica 200e which you can pick up for under 100 bucks. sure i caught fish with my uglystick and quantum hypercast reel, but my gloomis nrx rod feels things under water that i didnt know exist, like transitions between rock sizes and difference between sand and gravel. but what it all comes down to is what can you afford and what you like. there is alot of rod advice out there and its too confusing. everyone has an opinion. so i say go to your local tackle shop and find combos that you like then go home and search online for the best deal or find them used.

It is super light and my bigger 5.1:1 spinner bait reel fits nicely on it... I have yet to fish it, but certainly you can't go wrong with anything Falcon!

SD, if you're looking for an all-around stick, I'd stay away from the Vendetta that you mentioned earlier (or at least the MH, since it seems like a very stiff MH). I recently picked one up, and I originally had mono and tried to use it for spinnerbaits and hated it. I threw some braid on it and tried it out with jigs and t-rigs and love it. Of course braid is going to help the sensitivity, but it really is a fantastic rod for slow-moving baits. Good backbone and great feel with jigs & t-rig lizards on braid. But as an all-around stick, I think you can do better. Just depends on what you're looking for, and that's just my $.02.

I would go with a 7ft medium Vendetta. This is simply just a fantastic rod, and it is SOOOOO comfortable to hold!! Good sensitivity and very reliable. I have a 6'6 med and love it, my good friend just got a 7' med and he really loves it! But if you wanna save money you could just get another Lightning Rod Shock, they have a rebate going right now, I have one of these also and love it!!