J Francho

Yep, steelhead just have bigger fillets. Snacktime!

What changes have they made to offer quality that is close to what Shimano or Daiwa currently offers?

Eh...no thanks. Get you one of these: http://www.brinkmann.net/Shop/Detail.aspx?category=Outdoor+Cooking&subcategory=Charcoal+Smokers+%26+Grills&sku=810-5304-E&id=291

Only proves bass can be conditioned, if the reward is food.

I smoke cure thin sliced strips of winter steelhead until they are like jerky. I like mango habenero or teriyaki marinade. The key is low heat.

I'd much rather use a telescopic rod for heavy cover than a two piece. A telescopic rod basically has the blank sliding within another section of the blank, just above the handle. The Kistlers and St. Croix LTB rods I have used were plenty sensitive, and they compressed from almost 8' to less than 7', so they fit in the rod locker easier. You can see where the two sections join on this Kistler, about 8" above the reel seat. This rod folds up to 6'6". Very convenient.

I've used all those reels, except the Quantum, and I wouldn't crank with them. Too slow. I use a Daiwa Sol.

I don't think so. I don't just fish ponds either. I'm weighing the pros and cons of adding either SI or an Aquaview to my rig. I have far more in tackle, electronics, and other gear than my boat is worth. I'll cast another vote for the trolling motor mount for the OP. You'll be able to go from boat to boat with this unit, relatively trouble free. The only thing I'll add, are you sure about the bass buster? I looked at similar boats, jons, and canoes. I settled with a fishing kayak. I'm much less limited in choice of water than if I went with another craft.

mmmm....that's usually what happens when you just name 7 lures. One of them is bound to be right. ;D Like Catt said what are the conditions? How do you know they are even there? Might be more a prespawn or summer spot later in the year. I kind felt the same thing. Good thing is, just about ANY bait in his bag will work, and he'll be able to tell if the fish are there in about 20 minutes. Hard jerkbaits for the upper reaches, and as you go deeper, finesse jigs and a small drop shot worm.

B&E Fishing Tackle is probably the best local store around. No, it isn't perfect, and it doesn't primarily cater to bass anglers, but pretty much has everything anyone would need to catch fish in my region. Plus, Paul Roberts knows the place, LOL. ;D

I prefer to replace with Owner ST-31 or VMC Inline Eye. For crankbaits, its just much easier to replace before you hit the water. If you have a hot bite on one bait, and the hooks get dull, sharpen away to keep fishing. When you get home, replace.

I don't know anyone with arms long enough to flip 35 feet. Pitch, well that's another story.

Beef jerky, or smoked fish. Water. Some Carb source.

Shimano Ace Grease - the bike stuff? Never tried it. Their Star Drag Grease is fine for Baitcasters, their Permalub fine for spinners. Reel Mechanic's Lithium Gold Grease is one of the best, as is his oil. Bantam Oil, TG Rocket Fuel Yellow Label, TD-Z oil, are a few of various grades that work well. Reel Mech and Bantam Oil are probably the best all purpose oils.

Maybe, Micro. Its a little "big feeling" in my hands. Though, I've really become accustom to smaller reels. Even a Fuego or Revo feels somewhat big in my hands...too many Sols and Aphas. Some reels just work for some, and others just don't. As to the original post, its ridiculous what this guy had to do to get a useful tool to work. My advice, fish a brand new reel like you stole it. Any issues, take them up with the maker. After the warranty is expired, have it cleaned by a pro. You'll get a reel back that is better than when it was new.

I spoke too soon, I typed that, took the garbage out, and its freaking snowing, LMAO. Next time... :-X

It didn't help that it went OT with discussions of Senkos and red hooks.

Lighter, smaller, nicer components. Look at this way, the difference between a Citica and a Curado is in the spool, some gearing options, and two knob bearings. Its always been that way. I love it when guys say the Curado is "smoother" because it has more bearings. Toss in an aluminum main gear, magnesium body, and cost of materials starts to creep up. Add in margins at each step to the retail shelf, and you start to see the where the disparity in MSRP comes from, with seemingly little gains ion performance. My question is, why ISN'T a lower end reel from some other makers close to their higher end models? Ahem.......Zeb-COUGH-Co! ;D

I don't think we've had more than an inch or two in the past week. Talk about flipped!

Most everything I've tried came pretty naturally. Each new thing I learned opened new doors to more fish. As a kid, all I did was crank deep water. When I learned how to tie a Texas rigged ribbon tail worm, all the weedy haunts were now available to me. That's just one example. Hollow body frogs, something I only started throwing a few years ago is another. Total slop, unlocked. I even use these in open water now. Probably the hardest thing to learn was the jig. It takes concentration to learn. Problem was, I wasn't sure what I should be concentrating on, LOL. Then I fished with a jig man, and now its probably the bait I throw the most.

Not to get too far off topic, but.... John, I've been using Reel Butter oil and grease for a couple of years with no problems. Certainly nothing like what you've experienced. What you've described has to be a contamination issue. Please do not take offence. I am not questioning your competence. If I didn't service my own reels , I'd trust you to do "em for me. But, if your lube turned into black goo, it got contaminated. Back on topic: It's been my policy to take a new reel out for a spin. Do a couple of days on the water to make sure everything is OK. If not take it back for a swap or refund. If it checks out OK, I'll tear it down completely, clean, re-lube and pronounce it good to go. I used to tear a new reel down before ever using it. After a refused warranty claim, I was forced to alter my process. A lot of reels come with way too much grease. I've heard it said that many of the parts are coated with grease to hold them in place during the assembly process. Makes some sense to me. I bought a new E7 last spring, and it was excellent right out of the box. Even better after a complete clean and lube. I would not hesitate to buy another, and probably will when I next decide that I need another reel. Sorry, man I totally disagree, and will add Abu Garcia Silicote to the Wall of Shame. Its not a contamination issue, its a heat issue. The grease doesn't stand up to heavy use. It breaks down after a week or so. This is what the parts look BEFORE they go into the US cleaner:

I don't understand what you're saying. do they not work well together? Meaning you'd be better off putting either on a hot dog than in your reel. And its true, it is preference. I've used Hot Sauce and Reel Butter, and I prefer NOT to use an oil or grease that turns to black skudge in a week.

The most UNREALISTIC fly fishing I've ever seen. Good movie, but the fishing scenes were pure fantasy, and caused a deluge of nancy-pants wannabes littering the trees in my streams with dry flies, LOL.

I was referring to the color of the rod in the OP. Not long ago, there was a big rush to find an orange or black reel to pair up with the Carrot Stix. Now, other than the old stradics, where have you seen a production white reel? Put one of these on it....

Ardent Reel Butter is the mustard for Quantum's Hot Sauce. Turns to black goo in a week.