J Francho

OK....mea culpa.

In my years working retail, whenever some actually purchases ANYTHING more than $100, they want to "see it" nad get their hands on what someone else now owns - it's a bit of human nature that salespeople in the know will capitalize on for more sales. If you like your Carbonlite, then so be it. I don't own any, never will. But I probably won't call you an "UNEDUCATED" buyer, LMAO @ aavery. Maybe you guys don't remember me selling a dozen Curado 200Es for $80 before the holidays. I know exactly what they are, and what the three Chronarchs I own today are. The great thing is there is so much gear out there, you can fish what YOU like, not what I like. As far as the "plastic" star drag goes....the upscale CU50E had a plastic drag as well. Personally, aluminum is every bit just as cheap as polycarbonate, but that's just my opinion.

I'm 40, and used some of that gear as hand me downs. I still have some of it, for sentimental reasons. But modern gear is leaps and bounds better, and that's what I think you'll find most use.

Not from what I saw flying off the shelves this past weekend....no one paying $200 for a BPS/Pure Fishing/Whatever over getting a Chronarch basically for $140.

Are you sure you want to compare the inner workings of gasoline pricing with Shimano's retail pricing strategy? I REALLY don't think you can make a comparison, or want to go there.

Hooligan's source is the same as mine. He is in charge of ALL US SALES. What he says is the correct info, not what some pro staffer or sales rep made up. You have to realize this is a real small industry, and there are many that in fact have the real poop on what is up. Some even post on this forum.

All things equal, a lighter bait can be retrieved slower. I don't really consider size of the bait when spinnerbaiting. Size, style, color of blades, and weight, yes.

Definitely take a look at the Lowrance Elite 4 series. Persoanlly, I cannot go without GPS. I actually pick that feature over color, which also a big plus.

A really big part of what I like about Ragetail baits - beyond the fact that they work VERY WELL - is the level of support Steve puts into these. Many guys would sit in their shop, and tinker with baits, send them out to "pro staffers" and then have a marketing department translate all that into sales hype. This isn't hype here. The dude goes out, figures out the rights and wrongs with the baits, gets them perfect, and shows you how to do it all, and the results he actually gets! I mean, really - where else do you get this?

That works, except I like my Zillion on that rod.

Several horror stories. Since I've settled on a system that works, I'm hard pressed to change it.

Get the Boca Steel Shield Hybrids or the Smooth Drag Hybrids bearings for those reels. I have Bocas in a Sol, Smooth Drags in a two Sols, Alphas, and a Calcutta. Great bearings, easy care plenty of spool speed in REAL WORLD fishing.

199.99 - $30 for a trade in reel - $30 Shimano mail in rebate = $139.99. I think the trade in ends today or tomorrow - check your local store. You bring a reel in for them to donate to kids, and they knock a certain amount off the reel you buy.

Ergonomics weren't great for my small hands. Handle felt "lopsided" if that's even a term? Hard to explain. It didn't feel smooth at all. Reminded me of a much lesser reel. I'll be honest, I'd buy a Premier first. This wasn't a "demo" model either. It was really light, and if that's what you after, they did that well. It's pretty cool looking too.

Fortunately I was born with some common sense. Hasn't failed me yet in my 40 years.

No one is forcing you to do it. You can pay more somewhere else.

FYI, Mike's is in Canada. I find it faster and easier to order from US sources.

People that play games on the highway. Someone tailgates me, I just get over and let them by. No point in screwing with someone that is probably already upset.

What is shady was all the broken reels and garbage people were bringing. What I brought were old, but they were 100%.

This "threat" has been around for years. We use RFID to track expensive printing parts in warehouses. This is great technology. You can't get the CVV or the PIN off the card - you still have to steal the actual card for that. Here's a little more: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/pickpocket.asp

You could call ahead and check on their inventory. Besides, it's for charity - nothing shady there.

Nope. Came home with three new Chronarchs. =)

That's what my Lucky Crafts look like to northern pike.

Tie 'em up with some Cortland Toothy Critter leader, and you can "finesse" for pike! That stuff has saved me hundreds in bite offs.

I VERY STRONGLY DISAGREE with points 1, 2, and 4. A good rubberized net shortens the battle and the stress, while protecting the slime coat. I even keep the net on the deck, and land smaller bass right there. The fish I pictured above was almost 5 lbs., no broken jaw when handled correctly. Leaving the hook in the fish is a HUGE no-no.