John G

Are you using braid. I know that braid digging into self will cause a lure to stop during the cast.

I read it on Tackletour. I think that I have maybe read more into it than I should have. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimcalcutta12vsd.html

Isn't the Conquest lineup being discontinued?

Shimano Conquest 50.

Citica 200E

I also prefer two bearings but the single bearing per knob in my Curado 50E is fine for me. It's amazing what 1 bearing versus no bearings at all feels like. I ordered the big knobs like your Curado 200E had. I assume you meant the 200E. My Citica 200E's just got Hawgtech Handles and I am doing away with the little knobs and putting the bigger Power Grip II knobs on them. I will buy a reel like a Calcutta 50B with no bearing at all. I'll just buy a handle for a Calcutta CTE100 GT like I did for my Calcutta 100B.

Knobs are a big deal IMHO! I just ordered 10 Power Grip II knobs for a Chronarch to put on most of my Shimano's. They are a steal at less than $3.00 apiece. I plan on buying 10 more just to have in reserve.

Kinda old Thread but I just saw it. I did not like the feel of the drag in my 100B so I sent it to Mike at DVT and he replaced the drag washers with the Carbontex Drag Washers and now all is well.. I also have an older silver Calcutta 100 and a Conquest 100 and I had a CTE100GT. The drag on the 100B was a totally different feel than the other three 100's. It felt like you had to tighten and tighten just to get any kind of decent drag. With the other 100's, the drag got stronger the more you turn the drag star but you don't really have to get their drag stars crazy tight to get good drag pressure.

Have you thought about a Calcutta100? My Calcutta100's throws light baits just fine.

I usually put more line on than required (bad eyes) and then I end up having to strip some off because I can't pull out the spool.

I have GMC Sierra Crew Cab and my rods ride up front with me. I open my passenger door and I put the buttend on the passenger floor mat and the tips go to the back. The longest rod that I have is a 7'5" flipping rod and it fits fine. A passenger would ride in the passenger side rear or drive a separate vehicle before I put my rods in the bed.

I ordered a Conquest 100 from Japan Tackle on Thursday morning, Eastern Time Zone, and it was at my door step the following Monday morning. Talk about service!!! Buying from S. Korea was a different story. I just bought a new discontinued JDM Shimano Calcutta 50, a silver one with gold highlights off of eBay, it took around 2 weeks to get here. I got the reel yesterday and it was worth the wait,

Hype? Maybe they are just great reels! I got my first Shimano baitcaster in 82 IIRC. I was around 12 years old at the time. It was a brand spankin new Shimano Bantam Mag Plus 250SG. If it was hype that made me want a Shimano then so be it! I got my first one and I never looked back!

Shimano Citica 200E

I don't make a habit out of casting with a spool that is only 2/3 full but I believe you will get less casting distance if you do. I say that because I backlashed real bad one day with my Curado 50E and I had to cut a bunch of line from the spool. The spool probably wasn't even half full but I remember not being able to get near the distance with the near half full spool as I was with a full spool.

Happy Thanksgiving Mike! Thanks for the quality service and upgrades to my reels this year!

Any thoughts on this leader material? I went to DSG today to get some 20# Red Label and they were out of 20# so I bought 25#. They had Blue Label and the Yo Zuri in 20#

You can never have too many rods or pistols IMHO! I do value the Glock19 that I carry everyday more than any rod that I own!

Maybe I am missing something but why not just use a shorter leader and don't reel the knot past the tip before you cast?

I have a few Loomis rods and I like them a bunch. Not saying that I would not like another brand either but Loomis is all I have bought in quite a while. The IMX's are very nice rods. My IMX's are the MBR-844 and the CR`723. My GLX's are the MBR-842 and the MBR-783. My GL3 is a CR-723. The MBR-783GLX is more sensitive with bottom contact baits than the MBR-844IMX. If I had it to do over again, my 844 would have been the GLX version. Folks on here will tell you that for the money that you will pay at a store for a Loomis IMX, there are better rods to be had for a cheaper price. I will tell you.................don't buy it at a store. Buy on eBay if you are comfortable doing that. I just bought a BCFR894 Mosseyback from eBay so I can't tell you about that yet.

I haven't found braid (when I used it) to be any harder to fix than mono if you backlash. I was also hesitant at first but it's no problem. I use a Uni Knot for everything.

My favorite Mikeybalzz video!

Shimano Calais CL-100A......I sure do regret selling it!

Will a 1000 to 2500 bass size spinning reel handle a 100# Tarpon?

Just out of curiosity, why 6'10" and not 7'? The only 6'10" rod that I have had experience with was a G Loomis BCR803 Jig N Worm rod.. It was a very nice rod and it was a Med Heavy with an Extra Fast tip. I didn't care for the Extra Fast tip. A lot of people like that tip but I didn't. 2" more in rod length gets you a Loomis MBR843. That is a MedHvy with a Fast tip. I don't own it but I do have 3 others in the G Loomis Mag Bass line of rods and I like them all. The 843 gets really good reviews on this Site and while new ones are pricey, used ones in very nice condition can be had for under $200.00