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I was perusing BPS baitcasting page and see all their reels have been made-over. Looks like some of them are Pflueger-like, others look distinctively Quantum-like. There's a new "high end" Johnny Morris, the Gold Series. BPS Baitcast reels

Thanks for the responses.

You are kidding, right? Complaints about the Stradic's bail and gears have to be among the most common complaints I've seen, regardless of brand.

The HSTA Super Tuned is an impressive reel. I'd buy one in a minute.

That reel looks good enough to lick.

I'm wondering what the best reel lubricants are. I've been using Abu oil and grease for years, but am wondering if this is the best lubricants to use. The oil is rather thick, but it has a relatively high viscosity. Would a lower viscosity oil (used more frequently) result in significantly better spool bearing performance. The red oil that came with my Daiwas seems significantly thinner than the Abu oil, but the manual recommends a drop on the spool bearings after each outing. So, I'm wondering what oil you folks use for your bearings, and while you are at it what grease you use for your gears.

There has been three versions of the STX. The first STX that came out had the regular frame and HPCR bearings. The second had the same frame and SS bearings. Now the STX with the Xcraftic frame and HPCR bearings. I think the SX has always had SS bearings until they produced the version with the XCraftic frame with HPCR bearings (though you may be right). The other sad possibility is that someone may have placed an older SX in a new box.

There are specialized osteopaths. Osteopaths that work as primary care physicians, and those that specialize in orthopaedics (among others). I would suggest the latter. I don't have anything against chiropractors, but they are only qualified to treat the spine. Despite whatever they advertise, they are not trained or qualified to treat any other portion of the body.

I didn't know Abu made a 2 speed 6500 C3. Must be a bulky reel. With all due respect, I'd skip the deal. C3s are great reels, but this one already sounds old, no pictures, serviced 2 years ago... My gut tells me you'll be getting a beater. I'd spend a wee bit more and buy something more modern (and more verifiable) on ebay. Better yet, wait until March and buy a new reel at Bass Pro (if there is one near you) during their Spring Classic Ree-Trade-In promotion. You can buy a $4 reel and trade it in for a substantial discount on a new reel.

My 15' semi-v jon planes with a 15 hp with me and my 13 year old son, all our gear. Takes a minute ot get up on plane, but it's not a problem for me. For that boat, I'd probably go with a 25

Muddy, I'm an insurance adjuster that handles injury claims. I see your condition a lot. I have the opportunity to read the medical records of people that have injuries and conditions lile yours, read the records of the various medical providers they see, and assess the outcome of that treatment. After all the years I've been doing this, one type of doctor stands out in my mind as having a consistently positive impact on the outcome of conditions like yours. For only $25, I'll tell you what it is. Only kidding. In all seriousness, I have been impressed by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Doctors of Osteopath are real doctors that have gone to medical school. They can perform surgery and prescribe medicine. They often do manipulations like chiropractors, in concert with medicinal therapy. They don't focus solely on the injury, but the injury and the whole body, with special emphasis on the muscular/skeletal system. Often times DOs will be partnered in Orthopaedic practices. I've reviewed (and I'm not exaggerating) thousands of injury claims of all types. DOs seems to have a very high success rate with getting folks back to functioning, pain-free levels. If I were in your condition, I'd seriously consider seeing one. http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_whatis

Since you said "preferrable" I assume you'd try something other than wood? If so, try the Ima Roumba. It's a very effective wake bait. http://www.***.com/descpageCRANKIMA-IRC.html http://www.tackletour.com/reviewimaroumba.html

It's a great reel. I had a Johnny Morris Elite which is substantially similar and that was a fantastic reel. The Patriarch seems even nicer. You can't go wrong with a Patriarch.

Burley, I don't know anything about the TVA. Do they supply power in Virginia?

I have a few older round Abus that I will occassionally fish with.

I really like those Advantages, too. I don't have any but may treat myself to some Daiwa spinning reels in the future. I really like the Sol spinning reel, too, though it's a wee bit expensive.

I don't have any of those you listed. But I do have some Rattln' Vides and some other lipless Hardcores. My experience with Yo-Zuri lures has been very positive. I hope to try more of them and will keep those you listed in mind.

Welcome all of you!

I've noticed that a great many folks from countries other than the US rarely post outside this "International" forum. I can tell you that I (and I doubt I'm the only one) enjoy immensely reading posts from our international members. I find myself looking at old posts, over and over again, just to see the pictures and read the experiences of you folks in Europe, Japan, Korea, etc. Please, come on out into the other forums. Let's talk about fish, baits, rods, reels, cultures, etc. Your contributions are not only appreciated, but we all look forward to them very much.

Some of the lakes in SE Virginia are brimming. One lake I fish frequently was 8-10 feet low in October is just about overflowing now.

New Revos with the XCraftic frame have XCraftic in big, bold letters on the top of the box. I can't find anything on the reel itself that differentiates an XCraftic Revo from a Revo with the regular aluminum frame. They look exactly alike to me. As far as the bearings go, I think the HPCR are still a type of stainless. Take the spool tension cap off both reels and you will see the difference in the bearings. The one with HPCR will be open and you will see the little balls in the bearings. The older reel should have a shielded bearing and you won't see the little balls. Little balls. Tee hee hee.

Go ahead, stay in the hood. While you're there, see if you can grab me some hubcaps off a '85 Ford T-Bird.

A new HMG for that price is a steal. I have 6 HMGs (4 BC and 2 spinning). They are very light and super sensitive. Very comparable to the Avid except they have Fuji Hardloy guides. I get mine for around $109 (msrp $120) and think that's a great price. For $70 I'd buy as many as I could.

Abu is using their X-Craftic frame on all the Revos now. It used to be only on the Inshore. Abu claims it is more corrosion resistant, but I never had a problem with the regular aluminum frame. And, as Burl said, they now use the HPCR bearings. The previous bearings were shielded stainless steel bearings. The HPCR bearings are open. I can't tell a performance difference but the HPCR bearings emit a whine when casting you don't get from the shielded stainless.

In the world of frog fishing, my favorite is a small 4" frog made by the The Wright Bait Company. http://www.thewrightbait.com/4__frogs.htm I'd characterize it as a finesse frog, if there is such a thing. Rig it on a 3/0 EWG or Owner Twist Lock. It has a great little action when buzzed.