Ballpark Frank

Micro's assesment is 100% correct. I have had the S, SX, and STX. I still have the S, and bought another one yesterday. The reasons behind me getting rid of the SX and STX are personal, nothing to do with the reels themselves. I prefer a larger reel and tend to use Abu rounds. My daughter is the Revo S girl. She is 8 and can cast a mile with the S using 1/4 to 1/2 oz worms, spinners, and jigs. The centrifugal brakes are more effective, but do not allow the distance(by fine adustment) with light lures that the magnetic brakes do. The centrifugal brakes take a little more effort to adjust, which means removing the sideplate to postition the weights on the pins. This should not be much different than your Curado, I think. As far as the SX vs. STX, I could not tell an appreciable difference between the two. The STX had a little more "bling" factor, but the bearing and spool differences were not discernible. The only Daiwas reels that I can comment on are the Exceler and Megaforce, so I won't offer an opinion on that. I would say(my opinion only) if you plan on using lighter than 1/4oz, I would get the SX or STX.

One more thing, the Shimano posse( in particular roadwarrior) have been helpful to me when I have asked about Shimano products. I purchased my favorite spinning reel due to it, a Symetre 2500 Rear, that I absolutely love. The thing is that I asked specifically about two different Shimano reels. The responses were excellent and appreciated. The peculiar thing is that not a single comment came from another brand supporter telling me to get this or that. Well, I am cancelling the Quantum posse(still in the G.Loomis though). I think I might start a true Zebco posse, devoted to 808 propoganda.

roadwarrior and bass brat, I made that post after declaring the Quantum/G.Loomis posse. I was trying to make a point by posting that, but I guess the point is lost on the Shimano posse. Several members got my point when I made those posts, most did not. I was mirroring what you guys do everytime someone asks about non-Shimano gear, "don't get x-brand, get a Curado or Citica". I respect your choices, but do not agree with them. This thread demonstrates the mentallity about gear on this forum. roadwarrior, here is a great example, note the fourth reply http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1188280926/8#8 Well, nevermind. You guys keep telling people to buy gear they don't ask about, and some of us will keep trying to help them with their actual questions.

Ok, 5/6 is great for panfish and small bass. I recommend getting a small selection of poppers(maybe 6 in sizes 8-10), several wooley buggers(sizes 2 to 4 in brown, black, and green, have a couple with small brass bead heads), and then a small trout dry fly assortment. I am saying around 20 flies in all. All of this can be purchased at Walmart, Dick's, BPS, etc. That should be plenty of flies to start out with. For a leader and tippet, I would use a 4-6 feet section of normal mono in 4-6 lb test. No need to have separate leader and tippet for bass or panfish. Just go out and practice fishing(casting) with the different sizes to get the feel of them. The poppers will be a little more difficult to cast, then the wooley buggers once they get wet. To dry them out, make a few false casts before getting them back in the water. To fish the poppers and wooley buggers, just cast out a short distance and strip the line about 6 inches at a time. For the trout dry flies, just cast out and let them sit on top. Most panfish can't resist a bug floating on top. When a fish takes the fly, use the rod to put pressure on them. If they take off, don't tighten the drag or hold the line, let the rod do the work. Fly-fishing for panfish and bass is a blast. The main thing is to work on the cast. Go fishing to fish, practice casting to cast.

Same here, except I went to Gander Mountain. Since my daughter loves the S so much, I was going to set her up with another rod and reel, so she could throw plastics and spinners without having to go through line cutting and such. The only place around me that had one is Walmart, but those geniuses threw out the box, papers, oil, and wrench when they put it in the display case. I tried to get the manager to knock off a little, but to no avail. I ended up just getting one off eBay for $80 new.

First off, what weight rod and line are you using. That is the most important part to figuring out which "flies" to use. Bass flies and poppers require line and rod in the 6-8 weight range. You can fish smaller panfish style poppers and flies on lighter weights. If you step up to the BIG bass flies(I don't mean for big bas, just these flies are huge) like Dahlberg Divers and Streamers, you may need to step up to a 9 or 10 weight. These big flies are extremely wind resistant and require a heavy line to cast them. Post back with some more specifics and we can try to help you out. Fly fishing was my main way to catch bass for several years, and I still love slinging those big bugs around.

There are some great combos out there in your price range. BPS and Cabelas have several that use their branded rod with a reel from a known manufacturer(Shimano,Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Quantum). Gander Mountain also has some good combos. If you have one of these three stores around you, go there and put your hands on them. The salespeople at most of these are knowledgeable and can help a great deal. Usually if you tell them your budget, they will help you decide on what's best for you and try not to make you spend more.

I haven't got to see one in person yet, none of the stores around here have them. They look alot like the new KVD model. They do look good, but agree with above, some Daiwa ideas are on it. The swept handle and crank/gear bearing housing do look eerily familiar.

Yep, a long way. I hate that Boyd Duckett and Derek Remitz didn't make the cut. Remitz was a favorite to win and didn't even catch a limit on either day. I guess shows that even the pros have skunk days. At least my 2 favorites, Gerald Swindle and Greg Hackney, are still in it.

EXCELLENT 8-)

I might. I just gotta get a Chevy first , just trying to stir the pot to see who bit. Looks like I gotcha. I drive a 90 Volvo 240, that I am plenty happy with, so it might be a few years. I do have a 96 S-10 though.

Now that sir, was a totally unbiased post wasn't it. I don't think the word "unbiased" is known on this forum.

yeah, I understand that, but to get performance out of that mustang, what other options do you have. ;D

I am pretty sure that "wheezing" sound is coming from the centrifugal brakes on his reels. That sound is always present to some extent on centri-brake reels, even Shimano. All of my Quantums and Abu rounds, make that sound. I have actually grown quite fond of it, and miss it when I use a magnetic brake reel. As for distance, everyone(including myself) talk about thumb control on the spool. Yet, I rarely see the pros truly thumbing the spool, unless they are flipping or trying long distance casts. There is no way that KVD can fling those spinnerbaits like he does(thumb up, not on spool) without using alot of brakes.

Red, you mentioned the Black Max. I bought one a couple of days ago. I have a Silver Max combo that was given to me at Christmas, that I really like. I wanted to compare the two reels. I like both of them equally well. So what if they have graphite frames, I don't plan on Sturgeon fishing with them. They seem to be really good reels for not alot of money. I know that Gander Mountain and Dick's have Silver Max combos for around $70. They have a Silver Max with a 6'6" MH Berkley Lightning Rod or a Silver Max with a 6'6" MH Silver Max rod(which is a renamed Abu Garcia One rod). The Silver Max rod is what I have. I like it alot. I do not have any All Star rods, but have used a couple of the new Instinct rods of my friends. They seem to be excellent rods for the money. Anyway, for a $100, you should be able to get a good combo and possible some baits too. Good Luck.

I know this will sound crazy, since I can't really tell a difference in the GLX and IMX. I have both GLX and Mossyback in the BCR series, and I can tell a distinct difference between the BCR Mossy(more sensitive) and the MBR IMX. I think it may be due to the BCR blank being a "stiffer". There is not a discernable difference(to me) between the Mossy and GLX though, but then again they are not the same rod. The GLX is the 852 and the Mossy is the 803. I would really like to fish a GLX 803 beside my Mossy, to see if I can actually tell a difference. If I were the poster, I would try to find a way to fish one rod(specs) in both blanks to truly decide which one.

I have a Silver Max and a Black Max. I like both of them equally well. They cast well, are smooth, and so far durable. The Silver has more bearings, but I can't tell anything different. The only noticeable difference for me is the "click" drag on the Silver. They also have a little "bling" for those that like that. These reels are good budget minded reels, and should serve for awhile. They honor the MAX moniker well. I am thinking about getting a Pro, so I can have all three models. Here is my Black Max on a G.Loomis GL2, that I used yesterday for short pitches from the bank. I performs very well for it's price range.

Guys, I am just trying to make a point. I like and have Abu Garcia, Quantum, Daiwa, Shimano, Plueger, Shakespeare, Berkley, Zebco, St.Croix, G.Loomis, BPS, and Browning gear. I am partial to a couple of these brands, but I do not try to shove them down people's throats. I like to try different brands and have been satisfied most of the time. One example is my Shimano Symetre that I love, but if someone asks about a Cardinal or Dimension, I am not going to suggest Symetre. It is so annoying on here to see a question that asks about specific gear that does not include Shimano, and then the posse shows up. They insinuate that if the person doesn't get Shimano, they are wasting their money. One post a little while back asked specifically about Abu Rounds and $80, within 15 minutes, a posse member had posted they should save their money and get a Calcutta. The posse has even suggested the Coriolis(one of the best paperweights that Shimano has even made) over the AG Max series. Now, if someone does not specify, heck yeah, say Shimano all the way. Understand that some people want to be able to purchase 2 good setups for a decent amount of money, not one reel that they may or may not be happy with. I know alot of you did not start out buying Shimano Curados and G.Loomis GLXs. You were just like me and others; you had a Zebco 33 combo, or Lightning Rod and AG 5000. And these served you well until you could afford better gear. The point is that whatever gear someone gets, a least it is getting them on the water and fishing. Which is why we are all here, right?

It depends on what deals they have on Quantum reel and G.Loomis rods, or I won't be shopping with them.

Quantum always gets their rebate checks out as soon as possible, they have the best costumer service in the industry.

I wouldn't even consider either one. You should get a Quantum Tour Edition PT or Energy PT.

G.Loomis all the way.

You must buy a G.Loomis crankbait rod(CBR783C) for crankbaits and a G.Loomis Mag Bass(MBR783C in GLX only) for spinnerbaits. For reels, the only option you should consider is Quantum Tour Edition PT's. Too get the most enjoyment out of fishing, you must cough up the cash. ;)

I am now going to start a Quantum reel and G.Loomis posse. Anytime a poster asks a question about any rod or reel that does not include Quantum or G.Loomis, I am going to recommend them. I will also insinuate that they are wasting their money if they don't purchase Quantum or G.Loomis, because all other gear is inferior to these. :

I knew the Shimano posse would show up, a poster asks about Quantum or Abu. Ya'll just gotta say Curado At least you did eventually recommend a reel he asked about.