probably is my casting ability! I've got 2 fox stratos fs10000's spooled with 12lb korda adrenaline and am using diawa missions, 2 3/4lb tc. I personally think the rods are the problem. great fish playing rod's, but in the short time i've had them, i've always felt they did'nt cast very far. my old rods i never really noticed any trouble casting to wherever i wanted to. they were a fox warrior xt 2 3/4 tc i've now set up as a marker rod, and a 2 1/5 tc prodigy i now use as a spod rod, with a small spod! btw. figured i dun need a big spod at this time of year! the diawa's were a slightly early christmas pressy ;p tried to part exchange them but it just wasn't worth it. besides, i bagged a 29lb common at farlows with them so how bad can they be! when i'm on speaking terms with my bank account i think i'll buy a couple of prodigy sx's 3lb tc for longer range work, and keep the diawa's for closer/smaller work. they are nice rods, and i'm quickly but surely realising that there just is'nt one rod can do everything.