The_Natural

Well...I'm a Pline CXX guy. Anglers line choice is more broad than even rod or reel brands I think. One thing manufacturers have not overcome is softness versus stretch and abrasion resistance. You just have to prioritize...and my priorities are strength and abrasion resistance. Memory is overrated in my book; it disappears after a few casts. If you like Gamma Copolymer, try the McCoy's Mean Green or McCoy's Xtra Clear...very castable with pretty good abrasion resistance. A lot of guys on TFF use it. For fluoro...you won't find a bad review of the new Trilene Professional Grade...Berkley nailed it.

Yeah, but you can't fix your hair using the side of your reel 8-). That could come in handy after a long run ;D. About the polishing...I did polish out my TD-Z's to a high gloss, but they were a matte finish. Aren't the Revo's finished with a lacquer? You can polish out any reel that is a matte finish, but it obviously won't help a reel that is already glossy. Beware that you can polish off the writing on the reel as well, such as the 'Team Daiwa' logo and TDZ insignia. I used a lightly abrasive/fine cut car polish (megiuar's professional series swirl remover 2.0).

No ito stamp, but Ize' spool and tuned rotor... No arguing what Mr. Ito does with his reels...but 7 out of 10 reels are silver metallic....the purple alphas have the best paint job of any reel on the market IMHO....regardless of price.

I purchased about 20 packs last season when academy clearanced them out...mostly breen, which is almost identical to the color roadkill. I haven't had a chance to throw one yet, but I played around with one in the sink, and they look great. I'm a little different than most...I rig my beavers with a Chompers 'rock walker' jighead when pitching most of the time. You get hung up a little more, but the bite to connection ratio is 100%. Even 'samplers' get hooked with that exposed hook.

Durability isn't an issue between Shimano and Diawa...both have proven to be bulletproof and reliable for over a decade. I like the precision of the Diawas, but I can't argue the Shimano's proven track record and reliability. It's just what you prefer. BMW vs. Mercedes; Pick your poison. After fishing both for a few years, the higher end Diawas just seem more refined, but if someone disagreed; I would'nt have an argument. It's just preference. Buttery smooth versus ridiculously tight tolerances...you make the decision.

If you can score a few of the Shimano $50 mail in rebates...you could have some Curado's for $100....Hmmmmm. :-?

This just proves everybody's opinion and experience is different. Not to back up Roadwarrior...but I have only used Yozuri regular...and I thought it was pretty soft and castable. Granted...I am a Pline CXX user. Some say Pline CXX has memory...it does somewhat...but I find it tolerable (hey...it's not trilene XL). Then again...some people can't drink scotch on the rocks 8-). Pline CXX is the barbed wire of fishing line. A recent test had the 10lb breaking at over 22lbs!

XPS fluoro is anything but El Cheapo, no wonder why you are pleased with it, it 's manufactured by Toray ( Japan ) for BPS, it 's really Toray Super Hard Strong with a different label and at a fraction of the cost. Yep...I'll add that I also use the XPS fluoro. That and the Trilene Professional grade make up my fluoro arsenal. Raul is right on...the XPS is indeed Toray...and the Tackle Tour test proved it. It tested almost identical in all areas as the Toray super hard strong. It's a great buy...

I'm not sure what pumps are...I guess you have to own them to be 'in the know' ;D. Seriously though...went out again today, and these rods are excellent...among the top in the middle rod market I believe. The only difference in the Judy Wong and the H3 Titanium rod is the reel seat and guides. You get a blank that comes with a $199 rod for $69. I'm a Loomis guy, but I appreciate a great deal, and these rods will serve a few purposes. My only gripe is the 6'6" and 7' rods share the same length of trigger handle. So obviously the 6'6" Medium is awesomely balanced... mbr783c like, while the 7' MH feels like it needs a longer trigger handle to balance it out. Anyways...pretty impressive blank, without even considering the price. This rod has the same blank... http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_76888_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6 Here are the rods on sale at Academy...they just lack SIC's and a gimmick reel seat (who holds the trigger handle while jig/worm fishing?!) http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90408_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

Berkley Professional Grade Fluoro...as limp or more so than FC Sniper with more abrasion resistance. I purchased a couple of 2000yd spools of it from Tackle Warehouse I liked it so much. I haven't read a bad review of it yet.

I'll just go ahead and +1 that post. B2's, BDS 2's, RC 1.5 & 2.5's, and H&T HT 1's and 2's. The Zoom wobbler is one of my killer baits as well. I purchased some Rapala Flat DT3's and Fat DT3's as well, but haven't fished them. My Bomber model B's have gotten little use...glad to hear they are producing (MAN do they ever have an exaggerated side-to-side wobble!). Really I've got too many I throw to list, but those are some staples. I need to order some of the WEC E2's in Turquoise bream...been meaning to do that for a while. I have no doubt they will perform as well as my other WEC's.

Need a new rod? Don't have a lot of cash, but want a higher-end rod? Go to Academy. They have the the American Rodsmiths H3 Titanium 'Judy Wong' rods on sale for $69...regularly $149. I purchased 3...tried one of them out today, and found them suprisingly sensitive...comparable to my St. Croix LT's. The H3's boast an 87 million modulous blank and alconite guides. I dig the purple blank...some might not. Bought them yesterday...caught a chunk on one of them today...a good test. They really are a nice little rod. I plan on using them for jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, and buzzbaits.

Low Budget Hookers is right on...just fish your favorite bait. What do you do when you are hungry?! You eat whatever is in your cabinets. It may not be your favorite food, but it is there...and readily available. When bass are heavily feeding...color and bait selection are at a minimum.

The Zillion hands down. I prefer a 'solid' reel with power for crankin', and the Zillions aluminum frame and 90mm swept handle is where it's at as far as power reeling. I do use a pair of TD-Z 103p's right now, but will say my original Scorpions (not the mg) were some of the best cranking reels I have ever used. I still want to buy two more regular scorpions and put bassart 90mm carbon handles on them for ultimate cranking. Ultra light weight isn't a must for cranking...your reel is pointed down towards the water most of the time...taking the weight off of your wrists.

Well...look at it this way; if it was 'made in America' it would cost $300. I've held the Cumars at Cabelas...they are impressively light and balanced. I'm curious about the sensitivity. They feel hollow to me. Not a bad thing; I'm just curious about it transmitting vibrations. I loved what I held at Cabelas...

You better not speak without your attorney present Redline, or I will be forced to put you in front of the Daiwa posse's board of directors . I hear ya...Shimanos are better than most...but we are representing Daiwa's here 8-)

Yeah....just return it. Even Hondas break down every now and again .

Hands down the Reaction Innovations 5.20 double wide Beaver in 'Big Texan'. Next would be the Paca Toad in Bullfrog...

The Pointer sure has won a lot of tournaments, and is a staple in every professional anglers tackle box. I'm sure the vision excels in a few circumstances...but just to give you an answer I will say no.

I liked it so much I purchased a 2000yd spool of the 12 and 15lb. I think it fishes like Sunline FC Sniper with better abrasion resistance. Awesome stuff...

I agree...Quantum has it's fans...this reel isn't Quantum's top of the line by any means. The Tour Edition reels have somewhat of a following. Much different than a reel that looks more edgy than the Tour Edition PT while having less features.

Yep...Marketing 2043 at OU . That's d**n near all we did was a case study every two weeks. That reel will probably sell just because some will think it looks like an expensive reel for $99... yeah I hear ya- you can take the kid out of college but you cant take the college out of the kid- dang I remember the papers I typed for those d**n case studies... So what the hell happened to BSU and OU this year! I thought I'd see the sooners national champs and the Broncos in another BCS bowl well maybe next year. I know we are getting OT, but we'll kick West Virginia's arse...especially now their coach is going to Michigan. I read your post...and I immediately thought..."Somebody's been to college " No other way you would know what a case study is.

I've got two Hickey's on the way...but it will be a while before I fish them. My reels are 'winterized' until it warms up. The Hickey looks like it has the identical lip angle and bill as the wobbler...only in a flat design. We'll see...you know I'll take pics when they arrive . True to what Stringjam said...their are custom bait manufacturers that are as good...but the WEC's with Ed's signature and date just earn a collectible badge that others don't have. I told Craig at BlackJack to start doing the same...why not create a legacy and some collectability out of your baits?! That is what Ed Chambers does...it's his unpredictability and innovation as well that gets attention. They do catch fish...we know that...but I honestly think the kid in us comes out when it comes to some of the WEC's and their scarcity. I'm sure you collected baseball cards as a kid

Yep...Marketing 2043 at OU . That's d**n near all we did was a case study every two weeks. That reel will probably sell just because some will think it looks like an expensive reel for $99...

Zoom (WEC) cranks have been around a while. The founder of Zoom, William Edward Chambers, hand paints every bait, and is known as one of the best painters of all time. Each bait has Ed's signature engraved in the bill, along with the model and date it was made. He makes them in batches, with no schedule of what he will produce or when he will stop making it. The baits he hasn't made in a while...baits that were made as late as '05 (Z-flat, Z1, Wobbler, etc.) will fetch $30-$60 on ebay. I purchase mine from Peepers Baits... www.peepersbaits.com