I got this combo specifically for Red Snapper fishing here in Florida. We just had one of our Federal Red Snapper fishing weekends and I got to try this new Squall II 30SD (star drag) out. The rod is very light, stout at the butt and a fast tapper to the tip. This is preferred for live baiting with the fast tapper so the bait can pull on the rod tip without exhausting the bait, keeping him lively longer. This is also allows me to track his movement and predict a strike by seeing him get nervous simply by watching the rod tip. A stout rod tip is tougher on the baits movement to feel or predict as well as weakens them to a shorter life span. The Squall II reel feels so much lighter, well balanced and so easy to manage while fishing. The spool is braid ready so you do not have to add mono backing then add a line to line knot which eliminates another failure point. With 7 bearings and the HT-100 drag system this reel fights bottom fish so smoothly without skipping or jerking making it a smooth retrieval no matter how hard your retrieve. together this is the best snapper bottom combo I have in my arsenal.
