The_Natural

A lot of folks will say custom, and I can't argue against it, but I can offer some counterpoints. For your fireblood....a Steez 6'8" Compile-X spinning rod would be bad to the bone....a combo to be reckoned with.. When the Steez Compile-X rods hit the USA; they actually dropped in price. These same Steez rods we consider expensive were actually $600-$800 rods in Japan, and were lowered to bring them closer to what the USA's top offerings cost. I wish my 7'1" casting model Steez Compile-X rod was faster in action, but the Steez 6'8" medium-light spinning model is a different animal, and extremely crisp....it borders on extra fast. It's my favorite spinning rod I've used to date for drop shot, shakey heads, and finesse plastics. With that said, the best feature is the warranty. I mentioned this last because although a warranty is important; I don't believe in 'settling' on a rod just due to a good warranty. When I stepped on the tip of one of my steez spinning rods last summer...I had it exchanged the same day at Cabelas....no questions asked. When you combine a top-of-the-line Japanese spinning rod with a lifetime over-the-counter warranty....it seems like a no-brainer. FYI...this is why I also shop at cabelas exclusively....everything is 'over-the-counter' when you purchase from them.

Both rods are very light and sensitive, but I'd go with the Fuego for the grip alone. I own a Fuego and two 6'8" Steez Compile-X spinning rods. The Fuego uses the same reel seat as the Steez, and it allows you to hold the rod in front of the reel. I feel it is a huge advantage, and due to the obscene balance advantage; I can give my baits incredible action. I'll have to take a pic to show you what I'm talking about...maybe I can get my wife to do it. The Zillion rods offer a lot of rod for the price....and I am super impressed with mine, but it's spinning cousin, the Fuego....is even more impressive for the money. It is very close to my Steez Compile-X spinning rods, with Steez just being a hair lighter.

I don't have a go-to rig per say, but if I could catch bass any way I wanted to; I'd use my Lamiglas XMG50 (it's a medium) paired with a TDZ 105h. Berkley Trielene 100% fluorocarbon in 10lb is the line, and a Lucky Craft Fat CB BDS 1 is the bait. A moonsault cb100 is a close second for the crankbait I chose, but the bds1 generally gets better quality fish.

That surprises me. I know you own a lot of Revos, and are well in tune with abu's magnetic braking system, so we'll leave the braking systems out of this one. Compared to the Revos, the Zillion just feels more solid and tight to me....it just seems to exude that Japanese precision like a swiss watch or something. I guess this is why there are more than one reel to choose from in the market . BTW...we need to fish. This weather is killing me....I'm free whenever. Let's go....you can even bring your Revos 8-)

Just to clarify...you are referring to a rods power; i.e. medium, medium heavy, etc. referres to the power rating. Fast, X-fast, and moderate would represent a rods action. To answer your question; there is a pretty wide margin in each power rating between manufacturers. There is no standard on how a manufacturer rates their rods. To further confuse things (sorry ), fast/X-fast rods are generally deemed more powerful than moderately fast rods by most anglers. This really isn't true....an X-fast blank's power is just moved closer to the tip so it feels 'stiffer' and more powerful. You can have the same blank in a moderate action that has a limber tip, yet shows it is a heavy powered rod a little ways down the blank versus up front like and X-fast. Hope that makes sense

I don't know about inserts killing sensitivity (although I could see it), but the main thing with inserts is that they fall out. Not all of them fall out right away...but they all do eventually. I tried to save money and buy some lake fork tackle tungsten weights that had inserts...and I was sorely disappointed. Tru-Tungsten weights are just more expensive to manufacture; if you don't use an insert you have to lap (polish) the inside of the weight to prevent line damage. Couple that with Tru-Tungstens seemingly indestructible finish makes them worth every penny. Value can only perceived by the user I guess, and I definitely feel I get my money's worth.

Screw-in bullet weights can impede hooksets. Using an offset round bend or straight shank can help overcome this.

Every one of my Zillion jig and worm rods will be getting a 7.3:1 this year. Getting slack in quickly is crucial in hooksetting....especially when a fish picks up your jig and is running toward you. Also...getting your bait back to the boat quickly to repitch can equate to a lot of extra pitches/casts in a fishing day. This is especially critical in the early morning hours....say 7:30am to 9am. You need to fish fast to take advantage of times when the bite is the strongest. Missing a fish and getting your bait back out there quickly is another reason. Basically...for jig and worm fishing....the faster the better.

I'm still waiting on my first big M crank

The wives of rich people that don't work. In Southlake, TX (the closest larger town from me) where we do our shopping and such....is the most affluent town in America. It has a median income of $188K...more than any other city. During the day...young wives drive around in the Bentleys and aston martins, and just shop and get pampered. It makes me roll my eyes, but I realize I shouldn't hate just because they have it better than me.

I won't list a bunch as to try an outdo anyone, but finding frequent good deals just takes work and persistence. That is the reason I have the equipment I do and always have something for sale.

Not bad lookin' for a round reel, but looking at that handle assembley....I bet it rolls downt he same assembly line as the Pfluegurs and Revos. Abu is Swedish no more I'm afraid....

Companies that are going under don't spend money on new product releases. Just for fun, if they actually did go under; I'd spend no less than $500 on their worm weights to make sure I had them for years to come.

I bought two of the Blue PT Tour Editions last year when they went on sale for a $129, but they were just too bulky, heavy, and loose. It just didn't feel tight and precisely put together. That is generally why I buy Diawa's, but the new PT seems like it was built by a different company....or factory at least.

Well yeah...to state the obvious. Dude this was laaate Saturday night when I started this thread; I was just venting. This seems like the perfect place to bich about your wife to me, but I could be wrong. Actually asking for marriage advice would indeed be pretty comical. However, some folks posted some words of encouragement, and that was nice.

Cabelas gets it back

The new PT is solid; tolerances seem on par with my zillions. I was impressed playing around with it at Cabelas. I like the lower line capacity, and I'm just always game to try a new reel. Still not sure....but I'm debating it.

It's hard to give tips, because every reel is different and you have to tape off different areas for different reels. It just takes practice I guess. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I will say you need an airbrush to get any sort of quality paint job.

When I say 'left'...she just went to her friends house...she didn't move out of anything. We got into it today when she got back, because she claims what I heard wasn't what she said (go figure). I'm over it! Thanks for letting me vent....

I'll be the judge of that B2 clone! The B2 is one of my favorite baits, and accounts for my PB. I'm finally getting around to finishing some cranks...maybe we could swap some baits.

Well...there is one other thing 8-)

+1000 This is old news. Shimano does this to prevent a BPS advantage over all the other Shimano retailers. I don't think Shimano is against charity or anything like that....they are just trying to keep it fair for the smaller retailers.

How did you get to practice with them?! I dig Ike...our IPOD's probably have similar music, but he has better moves than I do. He does need to shave that crap off of his chin.

d**n, just kick a man when he's down why don't ya! Crap...I thought she did?! That's all I've got!

I'm generally not a very sensitive guy, and in the past she has said some drastic things to get some passion out of me. However....whether it was just to get my attention or not...she works with this guy. It will always linger while she works with this dude.....and I'm generally not the jealous type. When I sober up tomorrow, I'll be embarrased I even posted this....makes me sound like an attention hore.