Stasher1

In this area, the Lowes stores are typically cleaner, have wider aisles, and cater to a slightly different demographic than Home Depot. I'll hit a HD store if I'm in a hurry or they happen to be on my way home, but they're never my first choice. No Menards around here.

As I posted a couple threads down, the Abu Black Max is available from Walmart's site for about $26 if you select store pickup during the checkout process.

If anyone is interested in a Black Max, they're available for about $26 on Walmart's site right now if you select store pickup during the checkout process. I need another reel like I need a hole in my head, but a new reel for $26...

Had a Dan Wesson. Beautiful gun with an incredible trigger, but the sharp edges everywhere and light primer strikes made it okay for range use but completely unsuitable for carry. I had four other 1911's at the time, so I just traded it off instead of having it fixed. Kinda regret getting rid of it sometimes when I look at my utilitarian ORM Colt 1991A1, but function > fashion.

Yes. As I said earlier, I have no interest in range toys. M&P9c "First Responder" package with night sights.

I can't speak for anyone else here, but I can own any handgun I desire, and I choose to carry a $400 M&P. Guess that makes me sheep, as well. Baaaa. The most desirable pistol to each person will be determined by their needs and/or wants. For me, a match pistol is a completely useless trinket. I've owned range toys and safe queens for years, and they did nothing but take up space in my safe. At this point in my life, my guns are tools and not toys. I have no interest in "BBQ guns", and really don't care who is (or isn't) impressed by my little 9c. It's been scratched, gouged, laid on while working under the truck, covered in dust/dirt, has obvious holster wear, a dusting of t-shirt lint, and sports some nice rust on the rear sight from sweaty southern spring/summer. It's not flashy, but I have complete faith in it...and that's far more important to me than the price tag.

Along these same lines... M&P9c (my current edc) and an M&P R8 I've owned LOTS of handguns over the years, from a $90 Sundance .25 to numerous $1K+ 1911 varients, and I found my "forever" gun when I bought my 9c. Perfect combination of size and capacity for me, easily concealed, accurate, and 100% reliable so far. As for the R8...well...the thought of it just makes me smile.

IMO, if rod breakage due to transporting/traveling is a serious problem for you, you'd be better off investing in a higher quality two-piece rod than a cheap one-piece store brand rod. With that said... Warrantees are great and all, but if you're breaking rods in doors, ceiling fans, etc, that's not a warranty issue. It didn't break due to a manufacturing flaw, It broke due to a careless act. That's nobody's fault but your own.

It's my understanding that the current "sale" inventory actually belongs to a liquidator, not Gander Mountain. That's why they (GM) won't warranty them and won't accept returns. I have have also read in numerous places that the prices on these "clearance" goods are basically full MSRP, or very close to it.

Unless something has changed, Browning has little to nothing to do with fishing products. Iirc, BPS has exclusive rights to market fishing gear under Browning's name. You really need to post your sources, because you're simply regurgitating the same misinformation that's been floating around the 'net for years. Working at BPS doesn't mean you know anything at all about their manufacturing and/or sourcing.

M&P9c in a Looper leather IWB holster with a spare mag on the weak side. I also have an Alien Gear holster that's a decent backup, but I'd never recommend them to anyone. I had a problem with my order and had to involve my CC company to get it resolved. Decent product, but questionable business (imho).

Great guns. I've owned an early P-01, 40P, and 40B. For those new to CZ's, these three guns are kind of a "set". The P-01 and 40B are wildly different guns, but the 40P is (or was) built using a P-01 frame and a 40B slide with a plastic spacer added to the recoil setup to make it all work properly. Very interesting handgun, and extremely accurate.

According to news reports, Gander sold the inventory to a liquidator and some stores will "reopen" with all new inventory and scaled down product lines. The primary owner himself released a list of the 55 stores (out of 160) that will stay open about a month ago.

Thia is why you pay for everything on a credit/debit card. If Gander won't make it right, you contact your card company and request a chargeback.

FWIW, a 5" Senko on a 3/0 ewg hook weighs about the same as a 7" Powerworm t-rigged on a 3/0 ewg with a 1/8 oz weight. Your typical wacky-rigged 5" Senko will weigh about the same. Well within the range of your average casting setup.

She could try wearing latex or nitrile finger cots, but it's cheaper to simply switch to a different line.

The fact that the problem is occurring on all four reels tells me that the problem is directly related to the way they've been treated, stored, and/or serviced.

Then you need to get out more. Zebco's higher-end spincast reels (Bullet, Omega, Delta, and even the 33 Platinum) get excellent reviews from just about everyone who has actually used them. The only folks talking trash are the ones that are worried about how they'll look to other anglers with a spincast outfit in their hands. I've owned an Omega Z03 since shortly after it came out, 33 Platinum since '07, have a Delta due to be delivered within the next few days, and may pick up a Bullet this summer just for the hell of it. The Platinum had a minor assrmbly problem when it was brand new, but customer service was on the ball and had replacement parts in the mail right away. It has been flawless since then, and the Omega gas been flawless since day one. Admittedly, I don't use mine for bass, but they've had no problems with decent-sized cats and panfish. I have added two more Emmrod Packers to my collection in the past week or so, which means they'll be seeing even more use as "spur of the moment" fishing setups to keep in the truck or in the panniers of my motorcycle. Omega Z03, Delta ZD3, Platinum 33...

I used two clothing rods and some Velcro cable ties to carry my rods inside the Suburban I used to own. Cost me about $30.

Honestly, outside of ergonomics, I don't have a single complaint. It's a bit large to palm like a baitcaster, but it's butter-smooth, casts well, and has decent drag performance. It's also pretty d**n good looking, imho. I'm contemplating picking up a Bullet for the new Emmrod, just for the higher retrieve rate.

Yes, it's a spring. The rod's power is determined by the number of coils on the spring. Neat design that allows you to cast it like a traditional rod or hold the lure, pull it back, and "slingshot" it out from under overhanging limbs. All this Emmrod talk got me thinking about mine, and I wound up ordering another one from Walmart.com for less than $40 shipped to the store down the street.

Thanks. It's taken a fair number of decent-sized cats over the past few years. It's not fancy or lightweight, but it's dead-nuts reliable and breaks down into a very compact package.

Emmrod Packer with some sort of bullet-proof baitcaster...like an Abu C3/C4 or a Calcutta. You won't be "sport fishing", so sensitivity isn't paramount, and the Emmrod is about as sturdy as you're going to find anywhere. Mine, with a Zebco Omega Z03...

I have two pair of Spy "Dirk" sunglasses, one with dark grey non-polarized lenses for my daily motorcycle commute (polarized lenses don't play well with the shield on my helmet) and another pair with bronze polarized "Happy Lenses". Both pair were bought brand new, and neither pair was over $40 shipped to my door.

It also allows you to work ahead in some classes, so you can knock out a couple weeks worth of work over a rainy weekend.