The_Natural

The 100d was such an improvement...I'm thinking the HEG gearing ruined the 200d. Take a 100d and add a larger spool and voila! A light weight Curado 200. Now lets talk about that $200 price tag

I feel that lighter weight reels/combos have a decisive advantage in jig and worm fishing. For me, it's not necessarily the extra weight of holding the rod at the 10 o'clock position all day, but making my jig dance and hop with my wrist. I can make my jig breakdance when I am holding a featherweight combo. Couple that with the hypothesis of mine that a lighter weight in your hand will allow your hand to feel and absorb more vibrations (nothing scientific here!). For moving baits however, it doesn't make a difference...and it may even pay to have a heavier reel. It seems to me that my aluminum framed reels are smoother under load and have more definite cranking power. I'm holding them in a downward postion so the weight really doesn't affect me working the bait.

The Skeet Reese Revo has only been available at select online retailers for a week or so. So your buddy ordered, received, and reviewed the reel in that time?! Not saying it isn't so, just keeping it real.

I like my Powell's the best of my middle market rods, although I admit it is a close race. I own GLX's, IMX's, Avids, Carrots, and Powells. The Powells are light weight split grips that actually balance well. This is my choice in the middle rod market. However, there is something to be said about finding an IMX on ebay. Last year you could buy IMX's all day long for $160-$175 from FatFishFarmer's ebay store until someone alerted Loomis headquaters that a retailer was selling them well below MSRP (yep...somebody really did that). You can still find IMX's on ebay for under $200 if you look around.

Did I mention they are good lookin'! I'm not being sarcastic either. I really dig the orange blank...the market needed some flava!

I've fished with mine for 2 months now. Compared to my GLX's.... On a scale of 1-10... Weight 10+ (lighter than any rod I have held) Balance 10 (VERY balanced...floats in your hand) Guides 4 or 5 (I hate these guides...seems to produce friction) Sensitivity 7 (middle rod market good, but you can't discern different bottom mediums or anything)

I have that reel....very nice reel regardless of price.

+1 Get you some Toray made BPS...comes out of the same extruder as the Superhard at half the price.

I've got a couple of Core's matched with Carrots. The Carrots have red winding checks and the reel matches perfectly.

Yep...just thinking of getting something I don't already have

I'm seriously considering it.... http://www.***.com/descpageRLCABUGAR-AGSRR.html

The Lake Fork Tackle Spoon is identical to the Joe Spaits spoon; Kelly Jordan is on LFT's pro-staff, and they basically copied it. I'm speaking of the shape and thickness of the spoon, not any of the doctoring like paint or prism tape. You can get the Spaits Spoon with prism tape or paint; one is not cheaper than the other, they just produce different effects. Color provides, well...color. Prism tape provides color and flash. In the Ultimate Match Fishing episode, Kelly was using a plain chrome spoon....no tape or paint. He caught over 25lbs in 6min...no exaggeration. Boyd Duckett said he had never seen anything like it.

It is the 'Big Joe Flutter Spoon' by Joe Spaits. I believe Kelly helped design it. The only place I know where to get them is on Lake Fork where Kelly Jordan is a guide (or was a guide). You can order them from Lake Fork Marina. Just ask for Cameron...he'll take care of you. www.lakeforkmarina.com Here is a video of the Joe's Flutter Spoon....check out that roll on the way down! http://lfmfr.com/2008/01/12/the-big-joe-action-shot/

Jigs and worms...Mg50 Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, and Rip baits....Zillion

They should work fine. I pitch routinely with my Alphas. Heck, I've pitched just fine with my Pixies as well. I think drag is a little overrated.

I have a GREAT day on a local lake with the rootbeer/chart Little John. It has a tight, searching wiggle that will work under a lot of conditions. I picked up a bunch during the Spring Classic....they were $8.99.

I LOVE my Cores. I also considered the Mg7, but I didn't want to settle for another boring silver reel that could be mistaken for an Mg50. The good 'ol US of A definitely got the hotter reel of this release. I wonder if their was a switchup at the factory . Anyway, handle bearings will run you under $20 if you want them, and you get a reel with a sweet paint job and red anodized spool.

It's pretty significant; I'd throw down for the IMX.

Lookin' good! I'm more into contemporary designs, but I can respect some nice work.

I already busted Tackle Tour's balls about this. It is clearly a joint effort between the two to drum up interest in the new Curado's release. Here is what I posted on their message boards... "I had to chuckle when I saw the 'Spy Shots' and article...like some random person was on a hillside or in another boat, and for some unknown reason had an inkling to snap pics of a reel another angler was using. Tackle Tour also just happened to be the one and only site he decided to give the pics to as well...how lucky are you guys?! Seriously though, it screams 'joint effort' between TT and Shimano. It's a good idea to drum up some interest in it's re-release though." No response from the staff. It's not a rumor Reelmech...it's a joint collaboration doing everything except spellling it out. Shimano Flew the Tackle Tour gang out to Mexico for a nice vacation to test out the Shimano Core and Cumara rods. *sigh* Not sure if I can trust the TT Shimano reviews anymore. This was pointed out a while back by some other members. I don't think Consumer Reports would let Toyota fly them out to Cabo to drive a new Camry, and it should be the same for any independent tester.

...but you will have to wait until ICAST for specifics. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanospyshotgreenreel.html

+1 Seems to be quite a few new big worms this year. The Yum Big Show, Zoom Magnum Speed Worm, etc. I've already purchased both of those...love me some big worms 8-)

I will say the highest quality spinnerbaits I've fished are the War Eagles. I haven't seen any other manufacturer hand-tie the skirts with copper wire like they do. Although, as said sometimes cheaper baits outfish them. War Eagles are just another tool, and you can't have only one socket in your toolbox...no?

I'd just send it in to Daiwa, or have a local reel repair take a gander at it. It could be something really small and it would save time versus being without your reel while you wait for Daiwa to fix it.

You can still buy the original speed worms, just not everyone carries them. Tackle Warehouse stocks them...