Steve1357

What's your budget?

One question, is this your first baitcaster? If so, I'd get a 1/4lb spool of Berkley BigGame 10 or 12lb test and get your thumb trained and the reel adjusted to how you like it. This spool will give you 1200-1500 yards of quality line to learn with. Then I'd work on getting better lines, though I still use Berkley BigGame line. It rarely happens but yesterday I had to respool, I caught a tree branch on the cast, zing!

One good deal I've used the last two years is Berkley has a $5 rebate on two spools of their Big Game line, limit two rebates. It has ran from January to the first of September both years, watch for the rebate on Berkley's website, not the store, and of course you can buy it from any store.

I assume you picked up the newest line. My story is I still use their "older" line and love it ( I have plenty left). But this summer 2009, they now switched to Suffix making it and I haven't tried it yet. I don't remember the original OEM. I really loved their high visibility yellow for worming and jigging, but they don't carry it anymore and it appears Suffix isn't going to make it. In summary, I've used Suffix line in the past, so I don't think you'll be disappointed if Suffix is their OEM. Let us know.

Just noticed with the new model Extreme reel out, BPS has their old model Extreme baitcasting reels for $39.77 online.

Received a prompt answer today, the arbors are no longer available. Back to backing....

I'm guessing but to me, it sounds like your poll question is asking what we think are the best cheapest reels. If you want a cheap baitcaster, the BPS $29 MegaCast baitcaster is identical to my Shakespeare Axiom/Agility/Sigma series, just different bearing count 3/4/6. Parts are interchangeable. I have them all, simple to disassemble and reassemble. I can throw them all a lot farther after removing the grease and using oil in the spool bearings. jmho

Thanks all, I've contacted Pure Fishing Garcia and I'll post what I get back.

I have several Ambassadeur 5000s, after throwing a lot of line away, is there like a spool spacer or different spool that can be used so that instead of loading 200-250 yds of line, it would only take 100 yds or so? I've tried the old braided line loaded underneath trick, but thought there might be a different way. I haven't seen anything searching around so far. Thanks

Only success I have had is spinnerbaits on top and plastic worms weightless dragged off of the logs, rocks, and bank into the water. Try a topwater, twitch it and let the ripples just about disappear each time. Annoys them more than anything I think. Bream should peck the worms, yanking off the tails to let you know it isn't dead water...

I thought I'd try some of this new braid line. Was looking around the Internet and saw Spiderwire has a $10 rebate on two spools. Went by Academy here in Arkansas and they have it for 20% off, though I didn't see it listed in this week's sale. So you end up getting it for almost half price after rebate. Rebate is good until 9/5/08 and lists up to 2 rebates per household. Walmarts here has the same clearance deals, some lines for $4 and $5 and worm hooks less than half price mostly.