Chris,
Thanks for the input on tippets.

TUSA is now recommending only 6#, and selling only 4.9# (Frog Hair 5X).
I assume at one time they did recommend 7#, implying that a few rods didn't handle it well.

I was curious only to the extent that it might provide some insight regarding rod design. But it is becoming clear that tippet recommendations appear somewhat arbitrary, protecting the manufacturers more than the rod.

I know that poor technique is probably responsible for more broken rods than tippet.
But I am hoping for some "apples to apple" criteria that differentiates rod capabilities.



I liked your suggestion: "The only way to know what the rods can handle is for a bunch of people to catch big fish and for some people to break rods because they used too strong a tippet."

I had the opportunity to stress test an Amago using Frog Hair 4X, which they claim is 6.2#. I was brutal. I tried to "point the butt at the fish", seldom looked at the bend in the rod (scary), just hauled big fish back and forth to wear them out. Didn't break the rod. I did break the tippet.

I'm inclined to stay with 4X, or less.

None of which help make a decision on a 43MF.