shortbasser

You will surely get a whole boat load of advice on both reels. I own 5 of the Revo STX and never have owned a Shimano. So I am quite partial to the Revo's. My advice to you would be to look at both up on the BPS web site and look at all the reviews that have been posted for both reels. I did notice that the Shimano has 5 bearings and the Revo has 9. A little bit of difference in price and both have rebates running. Shimano has the better rebate. I found the best price for reels (both) on a site: http://www.baitnhook.net. Got my last Revo from them and the service was quick. Shortbasser

About 2 weeks ago. My buddy and I caught 12 LMB to 2 lb. Caught a total of 17 fish that day. Not bad for a chilly Jan. day and a good start to the new year. Shortbasser

That is an incredible price for the Fish Eagle XML rod considering that I just paid $139.99 for mine this week. Shortbasser

Just got my new 2008 model XML this week and they dropped the "60 million Modulus" off. No sign of it for this year. Shortbasser

I got caught up in the noise they made when it hit the market too. Now it is my "go to" line for all my BACKING. That is all it is good for. Horrible to cast and then it gets brittle and breaks ! > Shortbasser

The Brown truck just delivered my first Cabela's rod yesterday. It is a Fish Eagle XML. I am quite happy with the feel and construction of the rod. 2 things triggered my purchase. The weight kit and the fact that it just happens to have a 25 year warranty. I wish I could tell you that I had it "wet" already but temps in the 20's don't push me out the door for the water. I did grab the 2008 version that is just a tad bit different than the 2007. Both are on sale. It will have a Revo STX mounted on it when I head for the water. So far so good. Oh, for the folks that order rods. This rod came packed in a solid poly rod shipping tube, Packed in a cloth rod sock and wrapped in foam to keep it from crashing around in shipping. Survived the trip in super shape. Shortbasser

I compete for fun, but sometimes $$$ is involved. A couple of marina tourneys a month from spring to fall. Average of only 15-20 fishermen. More fun than $$. It does help the gas bill and appeases the "bait monkey" if/when I get lucky.

Just picked up an Abu Garcia Revo STX from Baitnhook.net for $174.95 Usually $199.99. Shortbasser

I have heard nothing but good comments on the Max Series. Several folks on here have bought and like them. I don't own any. All of mine are the "big bro's" (revo STX). Here is a thread for ya. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1200375275 Shortbasser

I've had mine several years and never had the arm pop out. I keep it in the boat and have even re-spooled on the water a few times. Not too crazy about using it for spinning rigs but it sure is quick on baitcasters. Shortbasser

Yo-Zuri 3-D Flat Crank. It runs real shallow. Has a lip on it similar to the shallow shadraps. Loud rattle and tight wobble. It has been putting fish in the boat for me. Even in less than 50 deg. water 2 weeks ago. Shortbasser

Revo STX from baitnhook.net. $174.95. No sales tax, They're in NJ and I'm in Va. $8.98 flat rate shippping and I got it in 4 days over this past long weekend. Shortbasser

I have been using Gamma Fluorocarbon for all my bottom draggin' for about 3 years. Less memory than several others I tried. Spooled up with Suffix Elite this past year for the rest of my fishing. It works just fine. Plan to continue using those 2 lines on all my baitcasters. Shortbasser

Just noticed that the Pro Qualifier BC reel is still listed on BPS web site BUT it says "sale" alongside it which would tend to make a person believe it is going to be gone soon. No sign of the Trion though. Noticed that BPS has upgraded the Pro Qual rods this year so maybe the reel will come along later in a "new and improved" model. Shortbasser

I made a suggestion regarding some of the Revo problems folks were having some time in another thread. I had an opportunity to contact Abu when one of my STX reels developed some "pitting" in the cross piece in front of the line guide. Sent them an email asking what might could be done. They promptly answered it and said ship it back to them ASAP that they had not seen that problem and were quite concerned. I was about to leave on a weeks fishing trip but shipped it anyway thinking it would get back in time. Well, I got caught by a holiday. Called them and the gal asked if I needed/wanted an immediate replacement. My reply....YES. Got it the day before I left and have had no problems since. Abu Garcia customer service is quite interested in the performance of their new reels. They told me they want us fishermen to stay happy. So I would suggest that anyone with any sort of problem with any Revo series get hold of them and I feel certain they will make it right. I am so happy with my STX's that a 4th one is sked to arrive tomorrow. I did think about getting a Premier but not too sure I would be happy with one. The weight doesn't bother me. So for another $60 I get 2 oz. less weight and 5 less bearings. The spool is different too. I too wonder about the drag on the Premier. Have not been able to find a firm figure for it like they listed for the STX. Supposed to be the same Linear system though. ?? Maybe I will zip an email off to them and ask for the details on the Premier drag. I'll post their reply for all to see. Shortbasser

I had to have a couple holes patched in my seats this past spring. Took mine to an anto Top and upholstery shop and they did a great job. Its a heat process and doesn't show on my light gray upholstery. Make sure you find a reputable shop. I have a friend who does upholstery and he steered me in the right direction. LrgMouthCatcha----Your not that far from me. If your interested, PM me and I will hook ya up with the name/address/phone nr. of the folks that fixed mine. Shortbasser

*** has all 3 of the new Max series. Black-$49.99, Silver-$59.99 and Pro-$79.99. They are running FREE FedEx shipping on orders over $50.00. They do have an "air" option but didn't see a cost listed for that. Did not see anything that said guaranteed Christmas delivery but there is an 800 number so they can no doubt fill in that "blank". It does state that if they receive your order before 2:30 Pacific standard time that it will be picked/packed that same day. They are located in Calif. so would guess it would make it in time. Those prices are consistent with Abu's MSRP on their site. Keep an eye out for the "monkey" when you get there. Lots of "toys". http://www.***.com Shortbasser

I always use a trailer hook on my buzzbaits and most of the time on spinnerbaits. This will give you a better shot at hooking up with "short" striking fish especially if your "burning" a buzzbait or a fairly fast retrieve on a spinnerbait. My hooks of choice have always been Gamakatsu. I probably have some BPS trailers in my tackle some place but now I use the Gammy's. The eye on a trailer hook is big enough to accomodate any spinner/buzz bait. I rig mine to swing free but have rigged it with the tubing over the eye in the past. To each his own I reckon. 2/0 or 3/0 is a good size. Add them to your "list" and hope they show up on 25 Dec. Shortbasser

Looks like it has hit the market. Found it on the Cabelas web site this evening. Available in Right and Left hand model. Priced at $259.00. No sign of them at BPS as yet. Shortbasser

I was a Quantum Energy reel user for a good number of years. When the new Abu Garcia Revo reels hit the market last year I became and instant convert. I now own 3 of the Revo STX's. To say that I am happy with these reels would be an understatement. The STX just happens to be cheaper than all of the 3 reels you mentioned. You can find lots of threads on here about the new Revo series. Most folks that own them are super satisfied. I had to send one of the 3 back to Abu Garcia last week at their request. I found some pitting in the metal frame and whipped an email to them. Got an answer in short order. As of yesterday I have a NEW reel on the way to me. I called them to get a status update and when they found that I am off on a fishing trip this weekend they got hot and shipped a new one FEDEX. I will have it Fri. So far I am happy with the reels and really impressed with the customer service. You can also check out the review on the new Revo series at Tackletour.com. Shortbasser

Those are Quantum E600PT reels. I have been using them for several years. Notice the finish rubbed off one of them. That has been a problem for them from day one. I now have 3 Revo's and am quite happy. Slowly replacing the Quantum's Shortbasser

Here is something that might work a bit better than the Mercury chart. Take a trip to the Yamaha website and check out this section: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/perfbull.aspx You can punch in all the info from your boat and motor and get the info you need on the different prop combinations for best MPH/MPG/GPH. I run a Skeeter with a Yamaha 200 HPDI and have called Yamaha customer service with a few questions and they were quick to answer. Shortbasser

Airborne Angler, That is quite a find on that price. I have never seen it that low. Also noticed that the "nut" has a brass insert. That is quite an improvement. Hope you don't get a surprise when you order it and find that price is a "typo" and should read $15.95 vice $5.95. Good luck, Shortbasser

That rats nest you have under the good portion of line is going to cause you problems. Also make sure the spool is full. I know there was a pamphlet/booklet in that box with the reel. It has good info on how it functions and how to set it up also. Learn to cast with your wrist and forearm. There is no reason to be extending your arm from the shoulder to cast. That just causes you to lose accuracy and of course here comes another backlash. Hold your elbow against your ribs. Practice and patience are keys to learning to use a baitcaster and you won't be needing all that spinning gear once you get it down. I happen to have 3 of the Revo STX's and I love them. You might also look into some line conditioner. I use KVD's brand and it will help with the backlash problem. Hang in there and remember to adjust your settings when you change lures. You will get it just like the rest of us. We were all rookies once ourselves. Shortbasser

Motorguide sells a Ninja prop wrench kit. The kit includes a prop nut, 2 pins and a wrench. M/G part nr. - MGA050B6. It is available from Bass Pro Shops. Their part nr. is 593-696-00. It sells for $15.99. I have never seen this kit at Walmart. You can probably find it at a M/G dealer also or at least the prop nut and pins. The plastic wrench holds the pins. I keep spare nuts/pins onboard all the time. Never know when you might have an "oops". Shortbasser