Hands down the curado is the best baitcasting reel on the market right now and has been for a few years. But be sure not get any rod until you check out the Castaway line of rods. They make a rod for any situation. For what your looking at doing I would look at the soft touch series. I use the STM7 its a 7ft medium action graphite/fiberglass composite rod matched with a curado. I use this rod for buzzbaits,crankbaits, spinnerbaits and even a lil rippin. It also works well for popper style topwater baits. I have seen these rods in that hands of a lot of friends and I have not heard a complaint. Be sure to check one out. If you happen to be in the California Delta area I would be glad to let ya play with one for a day.

John Lake
Cataway Pro Staff
www.castawayrods.com