from factory OK to it works for me

I catch a pile of fish on them here in florida! Excellent bait, I just wish rapala would make a heavier version, you play hell trying to cast them in the wind.

I'll tell you a cheap(er) way to go to cast shad raps.

Buy a Daiwa Costal Inshore rod CL701MFB (I think) provides the 7' length and whip you need. For a not too expensive reel, get a Pinnacle Inertia ISP10, and take your pick of premium lines. I like 8# Suffix.

I can cast #5, 7, 8 shad raps, xraps, Daiwa Shad Masters...

The beauty is, it is finesse cranking and they'll all feel like monsters. I have put together two of this combination of rod and reel just for this purpose. On any given day in NC if you can't figure them out, pick up a Shad Rap and go find rocks and docks. I got tired of respooling spinning rods so mush just to throw Shad Raps.

My last go to for light cranking is an older (mesh looking blank, foam handles) Team Daiwa light cranking rod that telescopes to 7'6" along with a Shimano 100 Curado and 6-8# Suffix. This is great combo too if you can find the old rod. And the reel will be 3X the price of the Pinnacle.