Bronzefly

I'm not sure if this helps, but with a $200 to $250 budget, there are two reels I'd be looking to purchase - neither of which are at BPS. First would be a Daiwa Pixy. It's a legendary finesse reel for a reason. They can easily be found in your price range - just not at BPS. The second choice would be a Shimano Chronarch 50mg. They are also an absolutely phenomononal reel for lighter lines and can also be found in your price range - again though, not at BPS.

Thanks for the info! I had a Scorpion 1000MG for a brief period and couldn't remember the exact handle length. They often put shorter handles on the JDM versions for some reason. I'm a big fan of some JDM reels myself, but I don't know about this one - especially since you already have the Castaic and don't flip very often. I just found the castaic to be a very one dimensional reel - that switch just seems to get in the way when not flipping/pitching, and it's a fairly large reel as well. I think i'd give some serious thought to something more versatile with my $140... but that's just me. Good luck and enjoy it either way you go!

Definitely! I think a great way to begin building an arsenal is to start out with a few "all purpose" combos. Once you work with them over time, you may begin to notice specific areas where a different tip action, different length, or a different gear ratio would make your chosen technique more efficient. Once you get there, it's a good time to explore some more technique specific options. Let us know how it turns out!!

The scorpion quickfire is the JDM version of the Castaic SF. It has the same drag system as the US Castaic. It is an 84mm handle and has the larger paddle knobs for comfort. Not quite sure why, but often times they quote JDM models at half the handle length - a 42mm handle would be pretty funny! I'm fairly certain that the handle length on the Scorpion 1000MG is 80mm, the same as the US Chronarch 50mg. Regarding the price, that is ultimately up to you. If I had a choice between that reel and a "like new" Curado E7 for flipping/pitching, I'd go with the Curado myself. The Castaic does have the "flipping switch" but that doesn't do anything special for me personally.

There are quite a few good options that will compliment your current arsenal that fit your budget. I would give a serious look at the Loomis MBR 844 GLX/IMX. Not only will it make a fine pitching rod, but will also expand your options when tossing football jigs, big worms in deep water, carolina rigs, large spinnerbaits, even large topwaters. It's an absolutely outstanding "all purpose" heavier action rod. Given your current lineup of rods and reels, I'd go with this rod because it will really fill a wide range of applications. If you look around and take your time, you MIGHT be able to find an 844 GLX for $250, but could definitely find one for a few bucks more. There are other rods that are more technique specific that would work well, but I think you'd be doing yourself a favor by going with the 844.

I fish Guntersville fairly often... it has quite a bit of grass ;D I do not use a leader there, or anywhere with grass for that matter. I tried it and the leader defeated the purpose of straight braid in the nasty stuff. It wouldn't cut through it as well as running straight braid. Only took a fish or two for me to realize that!

I use braid with hollow body swimbaits (basstrix type) on lakes with lots of grass, and I go with 50lb. I could easily switch over to toads or swimjigs on the same combo with the same line. If there isn't any grass, I prefer FC line.

I've been very impressed with the Berkley 100% FC in 17lb for pitching baits, football jigs, big worms, etc. P-Line CXX is a very tough line that hasn't let me down. It does have more memory than some other lines out there, but it certainly is tough!

Good call on the Chronarch! It's a great "pitching" reel and will work fine for flipping as well. Obviously two different techniques. Couple of questions... are you looking for a true heavy duty "flipping" stick, or do you plan to do more pitching? What weight baits do you plan to use most often? Heavy cover? Grass? All important considerations when selecting the right rod!

Daiwa AND Shimano, in no particular order.

Good call! The 854 is an outstanding choice for a wide range of jig and worm fishing. It does great with big worms and football jigs in deeper water, but also is fantastic pitching a 1/2 oz jig into cover. Paired with the right reel, it can handle lighter duties as well.

Trust me, you can backlash with it ;D I'm not exactly sure what "they" say it does, because "they" say a lot of crazy stuff sometimes! I can say that it is one of the best casting (distance) reels I've ever used straight out of the box. The reel does take some getting used to, but it has some very cool features.

I love it. It may be a bit larger and heavier than many of the more popular small and light reels out there, but for distance casting - baits like frogs, toads, and rattletrap type baits, it is absolutely incredible.

They are both "heavy" and "fast" but the BCR is definitely faster, less moderate. I know the MBR will work well for jigs and worms, but I prefer the BCR series for bottom contact presentations.

Heck yeah! The zillions are well built machines for sure. I really like the 50th model for pitching, but the standard 100SHLA would do a fine job for you. They pop up in the flea market from time to time at great prices!

No need to apologize!! I think it's great and am happy you can get yourself a high end reel. I also prefer LH reels for pitching/flipping. I have owned both the older and newer castaic models. While they perform very well, they are large and clunky and not comfortable in my hands. I have fairly large hands and like to palm the reel and the castaic just didn't feel right to me. I still go back to the Chronarch 101D7. I have a couple that I pitch with and really enjoy this reel.

Nice budget! You'll be able to get a SWEET reel for that kind of coin! A few things I like in a pitching reel... High IPT/Ratio - 7:1 Smooth Retrieve Quality Drag Ability to pitch a range of baits well A flipping reel really only needs to hold line and have a strong drag. There are a bunch of great reels in your price range. I like the Chronarch D7 a lot! I actually like it better than the 100 size Core reels. The Daiwa Zillion 100SHA is also a fine reel for pitching, although in stock form, not quite as good with the lighter stuff as a Chronarch D7. Do you have a preference - RH/LH, Daiwa, Shimano?

I suppose if you were throwing a bait like a RC 3.5 in heavy cover with 20lb line, the 844 would be a reasonable choice as a shallow crankbait rod ;D It does make a very good big spinnerbait rod though. Larger jigs, football jigs, buzz frogs, c-rigs... it's a good "all purpose" heavier action rod. Seriously though, not a great choice for most common shallow cranking techniques.

The comment was made earlier, that this movie is visually stunning. I couldn't agree more. I've seen it twice - the first time in "standard" format and then in IMAX 3D. It's worth seeing in either version, but the 3D was incredible. I watch movies for the entertainment factor and this one is 5 star entertaining in my book.

I'd also go with the MBR 843C for your intended purposes. I like the 844 better for 1/2 oz. stuff, but if it's occasional, the 843 will be just fine. The 843 also makes a great buzzbait/spinnerbait rod 8-)

The Powell 806CB is a fine rod for the biggest baddest deep cranks. I toss Manns 30+ in the summer and this rod handles them better than any other I've used. It easily handles DD22's as well. I also like the Cumara 7'11"MH reaction rod - it's sweet with DT 16's and DT 20's, and amazing with a DD22 as well.

No - a steez and a pixy/pixzilla are very different reels. As Jake stated, the pixy was designed as a finesse fishing reel. The Steez is designed as an all purpose bass fishing reel with different intended purposes for the 103 and 100 models. The steez will not perform as well as a pixy with very light lures, lines, and rods. As well, the pixy will not perform as well as a steez with a 3/8 oz jig, 12lb line and a MH rod.

Looks pretty sharp! Performance wise, I'm very curious if it will offer any real advantages over a Pixzilla aside from the higher gear ratio... time will tell!

You are a sick man ;D Stunning collection of very rare pieces... Congratulations!! 8-)

Congrats on that amazing reel! I use mine strictly for pitching duties. I keep 17lb FC on one for slightly heavier cover, then 12lb FC on another when the cover isn't quite as heavy. I have used a braid to FC leader which works out well also. Since you already have the reel, try both out and see which works best for you. I would use different line for plastic swimbaits (size?) than for light t-rigs. Much of it depends on the size swimbait and the cover you're fishing. If you're going to mount it on a CUCX72MH, which is an outstanding pairing, I'd lean toward a quality FC line for pitching or casting your t-rigs. Have to drop a plug... I have a brand new CUCX72MH that I haven't posted up for sale yet