SirSnookalot

http://www.raleightacticalsupply.com/catalog/product.asp?pid=100204&ret_id=1377119

I agree with 0119, Shimano hasn't met my durability standards, I'd only buy a stradic if the price were about $120 for 4000 size don't think the reel is worth more than that. I don't compare out of the box performance with a reel used in continually over a period of time. I have to factor customer service and availability of parts. If a reel passes my saltwater use I have no fear of it being a good freshwater reel. 10 or 12# bass don't test a reel over time, how many that size will one catch on one reel. I do believe Finor is under the Zebco/Quantum banner these days.

Short answer...............yes

No question in my mind. Are some jig heads better than others, sure but even the cheapest are more than satisfactory. I make many of my jigs on a Walmart round 1/8 jig head, I catch a lot of bass and peacocks with them. It's well known I'm primarily a saltwater fisherman, flukes on a jig head is one of my main staples, I use them everyday. As of late my favorite jig is a Strike King redfish jig 2/0 hook, I like DOA's too, but i a pinch I use 1/4 oz Walmarts, they do not let me down for snook, tarpon and jacks, we get some size to these fish, they aren't shabby in the fight department either. No one lands every fish that jumps, but if one knows what they are doing they will land more. Do we not have people flattening out the barbs these days?

3 days 3 tarpon, my 4th in the last 2 weeks,not too shabby. My first 2 poons were juveniles about 20#, a real fun size and my 35 incher a few weeks ago was super, but all pale in comparison. This morning about 15 minutes before sunrise my fluke gets rapped big time, 4 jumps in the first 10 seconds or so, instantly I knew I had a nice tarpon. I had one thing going for me, the current was only about 6 or 7 knots which is slow for the inlet as the tide was nearing change. My new 7'6 Star mh rod, saddled with a Cabo 40 reel loaded with 20# PP and 30# leader was up to the task, question being was I. After a 25 minute battle with about 6 runs that question was answered, yes I was. I get this magnificent beast along side the seawall, being as the law requires tarpon over 40" not be taken from the water, I want a photo op. Too big for a pier net so this fellow throws his cast net over, 3 of us could not lift the fish, I break it off and that's that. I think maybe 70 or 80 but who knows for sure, a great thrill none the less. A little topper on the day, an hour later I land a 40" cuda.........child's play, lol. This soon to be 69 year old will be back again tomorrow, to try and do it all over again, yes I'm a bit sore.

There is no scientific evidence what's the most durable, we can only address our past experiences. I don't think too many small reels used in freshwater are going to wear down or need repairs, unless you are banging out 10# peacock bass every single day. My 3 Supremes have never needed any kind of service, nor has my medalist and arbor used in saltwater. That is a claim I can't make for other brands. I have had constant issues with some brands, for the most part the reel failures have had nothing to do with saltwater elements or size of the fish. For some reason people seem to think a stronger max drag is important, I did at one time myself. Conventional wisdom tells us to set the drag based on the mono pound test, braid relative to mono diameter, the drag with 10# line shouldn't be more than 3#, no need for 12-14# of drag. The tighter the drag with lighter line and a heavier fish on only increase the chance of the line breaking.

For sure. Especially with spinning gear the ratio is not as important as the inches per turn (IPT). Unless you are fishing faster moving baits the ipt is not so critical, many bait types are fished slow, pause and jerk and jigged. I personally move some lures with a gentle sweep of my arm and reel up the slack. I could give examples of where a faster retrieve is beneficial, at this juncture it may be more information to digest than needed.

I agree. I prefer Mepps, they seem to last much longer than a roostertail, I use them quite a bit for peacock bass. Goose's tip about bending the blade is pure genius.

Yeh, but your only 4'6" tall.................lol, same height as me.

Am I to assume this man is an overhead bridge (rail) crane operator? When I was in the scrap business I had all sorts of heavy machinery, including cranes. A crane operator is one of the most important jobs in a plant, both from a standpoint of safety and an intricate part of the flow of a production line. Management needs to know what's going on, in the end they can be the ones held liable. Since none of the coworkers stepped forward and you didn't actually witness the event, the question remains was he intoxicated or was it a malfunction with the equipment. I have witnessed cranes malfunctioning many times, cables snapped, braking system not working properly, human error from both the operator as well people on the ground. You say you got the news from a truck driver, I've been in literally hundreds of plants, truck drivers usually are not allowed inside a plant, many times not even on the loading dock, only inside their own trailer. This driver may not have seen what happened. I'm not taking sides or defending anyone, but you need proof of what really happened. Based on the track record you have mentioned, we all are assuming the crane operator is guilty and probably is, but you don't know for sure................yet. Only you can decide what is is the right course of action to take, I personally would report the incident. If in fact it is equipment failure the company needs to address it, human error needs to be addressed as well.

The only unfavorable opinion I had on charter was right here in Florida. Myself and my 2 son inlaws went on a sail fish charter out of W. Palm, the mate insisted on setting the hook and he lost few sails for my son in law. He was on vacation so I was perturbed, quite often when I'm on charter I take my own gear, no one touches it but me.

A good catchy name does help with product promotion, also a name that instills confidence that the customer is getting a quality product that will produce. How about..............Ultimate Bass Jigs I make my own jigs, they catch fish as well as any I've bought.

I would suggest putting a shim under the reel foot. I would not suggest locking down the tightening ring with a pliers, you may crack it or make it difficult to remove the reel. I have rods that have needed a shim, now they are perfect. I just re tighten the ring as needed, it takes no time at all.

The problem has to be taken up with the local union president, being a steward you should have easy access to him, assuming it's a man. When safety is involved you are not ratting, you are doing your duty as steward. Your unions dues is what makes the union run, their role is negotiate contracts for the membership.

It speaks to how good he is at landing fish and understanding the principal of drag, he could have landed the fish with any brand line.

Like this ?...............Exactly what I run away from, I'll go for the blow up on top.

It's the line. Highly unlikely to have a nick on the first guide, even if there was one I don't think a nick would cause line to wrap around reel or guide, it may sever the line.

Pray

I'll feed on the top and get smashed by a 30 pounder, which is exactly what happened to me both this morning and yesterday.

It's your money and your choice, for a small freshwater reel both are ok, neither are what I would say are exceptional. If I were to stay in the Shimano lineup I'd buy a symetre. Not the first time I've checked them out but I did again the other day, the symetre felt smoother than both the fj (which is not as smooth as my fi) and the ci4. At present I own 2 stradics and 2 spheros, each one has suffered the need of repair quite a few times, not saying they are bad reels, pretty good when working right. Now a days I look at customer service being a key factor in reel decision. I've waited weeks upon weeks, some times parts are out of stock and b/ordered for an extended period of time, that is not worth it for me. I just got one of my fi's back yesterday, pretty fast this only took 3 weeks, I now have send my other fi in. Take a peek at supreme xt, $112, my Pfluegers have never needed service.

First question, it still under warranty? If so send it into Quantum, turnaround time is 48 hours for freshwater reels and 24 hours for saltwater ones. I've become a believer of sending my reels back to the people that made them, unless it's a minor repair that a local can do.

If I were in the Pembroke Pines area I would not be focusing on bass this time of the year, you'll catch plenty anyway. I'd be strictly targeting peacocks and I'd be using spinning or a fly rod. Being primarily a saltwater spinning fishermen, the salt season is just starting to happen.

Bravo

Last time I liked the Raiders, Stabler was at the helm.

You don't fish in saltwater. I'm not about to pop for a pair of Van Staals when I cut braid just as easy with a bic for free.