SirSnookalot

I would agree.

I do use a duolock with ball bearing swivel but has nothing to do with freshwater fishing. I never use a snap swivel or barrel swivel. Even the Walmart barrel swivels are fine for leader connectors but there is virtual no rotation to them in when in the water. They do need to be changed as they will corrode and weaken but out of the package they're plenty strong, I have friends using them for kingfish. A crane swivel is next on the list, more rotation than a barrel but still basically a leader connector. I buy most of mine by the piece at my tackle shop for about .16 per. Then there are power swivels, they are pretty good and offer a lot of strength in a very compact size. Last is a ball bearing swivel, which are the best of the bunch. I buy spro and sampo but not really convinced they are any better than an off brand, some of the larger sizes come with welded rings not split rings. At times I may use a duolock with spoons but I don't like any more hardware than that, reason for me that extra inch sometimes can save a cut off from a toothy fish. Most spoons I use wobble back and forth, since there is no 360 degree rotation I don't see the need for a swivel. Spoons like a Clark, J-spoon and Drone spoons turn over a lot, swivels may help reduce line twist but I wouldn't use anything but ball bearing.

I use them all the time for leader connectors, lures will always get a loopknot.

A boy scout would know how to land them on any spinning reel, hehe. It isn't the brand or the cost of the reel that lands larger fish, it's know how. 20# + fish in Florida is nothing unusually, quite often we catch them on 2-3000 size reels. Match the reel to the rod and the target species, when that 30# fish hits, that's game on. Actually that's what I'm hoping will happen.

You can always use a leader for the times you're fishing clear water. Unlike many I do not use a long leader, keep them about 18-20", at that short length there is very little stretch, but just enough for me.

My 2 4000s are on the clock too, 1 has run the limit of repairs for me and the other may get repaired one more time if needed. I do like the performance of the reels but the downtime and customer service haven't been great experiences. If I'm on first name basis with customer service, I'm dealing with them more than I should be.

Nope. Will be no difference in performance and doubt you will notice a weight difference.

Not a comment on the performance of their reels, which is pretty good, but customer service is the worst I've encountered by far. Parts can be a problem, 2 new very popular reels and just look at all the parts not available at this time. Stella FB isn't even listed on Shimano site. https://fishshop.shimano.com/vip/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441848263 https://fishshop.shimano.com/vip/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441848376 I have 2 older stradic fi, lots of parts for them are not available at this time either. https://fishshop.shimano.com/vip/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441848263&SKU%3C%3Esku_id=1689949372103513 The question to be answered is this, does Shimano not stock enough parts or do these parts wear down so much they can't keep up with the demand.

Quantum is very popular, just not with freshwater fishermen here in South Florida. Salties love em.

It doesn't make a whole lot of difference, buy the one that feels best on your rod and gets an approval from your eye. Bass are not going put much and and tear a lot on your reels unless you'e catching 10# every single day, if you are then spend more than a $100.

Read my signature line.

HAHAHAHAHA !

I absolutely love my Cabo 40 but that is the smallest reel in that series, @ 14 oz it wouldn't be my choice for some rods, like a 7' med. Mine is on a 7'6 mh Star max lure wt 2oz., it's near perfect on this set up. I'm real interested in checking out the Iron 30 and Smoke 40, don't think I want anything lighter.

I have one brand that is my favorite but they do not make certain lengths with the lure parameters and powers I want.

On a good bite about anything is going to work, on bad bite is when you are going to learn that a particular technique is effective for that situation. There is a double edge sword, over confidence on a good bite or no confidence on a bad bite. The best to time learn a new presentation is the next time you go fishing.

I fish nothing but braid and spinning with any lure of my choosing for anything that has fins. Finesse and power are cockandbull terms, put a lure on and work it the way it should be worked, nothing more to it.

I'm in the camp of having fun is the only thing that counts. I do believe I am versatile fisherman, I can't even think of all the different species I specifically target. I fish boats, jetties, beaches, wade, fish canals and ponds too. I cast, troll, drift fish, use fly rod, catch my bait occasion, I'd say that's pretty versatile. I do have a weakness, I stay with the lures and methods that catch fish for me, don't try new things too often. That said if I'm catching fish everyday maybe it's really on strength, I know my waters.

Have a couple of nagging ailments that I've been dealing with for year or so, I have not responded to treatment. I also haven't missed more than 10 days of fishing in the last year which may be a contributing factor. I'm taking the bull by the horns and going to a neurologist. Regardless of what the prescribed course of action will be, I will not stop fishing until the fall mullet run is over. I'm lucky my ailment does not affect my casting or reeling in fish, other activities do put me into some discomfort. I live for the bait runs, not much in world would keep me away.

I'm right with Tom on this, I will not buy a rod without a foregrip. For my brand of fishing a super light rod or even perfect balance isn't overly important. Don't know exactly how much weight is saved with a split grip, that savings would not guide my decision in a purchase. I wonder how much cork really costs, not to a private individual or even a rod maker that makes a handful of rods, but the manufacturer. A company producing a large quantity of rods year in and year out is going to be paying a wholesale priced based on volume, it isn't going to be all that much money. That said a few bucks saved on each rod just adds to the overall profit to the company, plus split grips seem to be in vogue. If or when split grips fall out of favor full grips will be made by everyone again.

I've had very good fortune with my freshwater rods, but not near as good with my saltwater. I do rinse my rods off after each use, there still is a corrosion factor, I've replaced many guides. I'm picking one up today from the tackle shop.

BPS is pretty good about this kind of thing. Tips are about 5 bucks and other guides run about 8-$12 depending on the size.

Yep ! For me there is only 1, it's a rod that casts like the wind, a med spinning has the backbone to handle 30# fish, cork looks as good as the day I bought it, which was nearly 10 years ago. I have 7 of them, 2 boat rods, 4 inshore and a light action I use for bass fishing. That's a Hurricane Redbone, may not be the "best" rod but it sure is my favorite by far. These rods have never failed me. A portion of the price is donated to the Cystic Fibrosis foundation, which is plus for me.

Never hear of gator snatching a dog from a boat. I don't think I'd take a dog on a boat that had carpeting.

The video is nice for demonstration but I'm not sure it depicts real life fishing. I can only assume that in the demonstration there is no reel drag. Any time there is a fish on the line capable of bending a rod to the proportion as in the video that fish is pulling out drag for sure. Not only does the drag take pressure of lines and knots it does the rod as well. One just never knows what is going to strike, I have landed many 100#+ fish striking a 25 lb heavy rod many times, with rod nearly doubled in half. The drag is what landed the fish and the drag is what keeps the the rod from breaking. I do not target fish like that with a small rod, but things happen. My rods are not $300-$400 that I use offshore, that 25lb rod cost me 60 bucks, never wore out and it's still going strong. I've never had any rod wear out just from catching fish. Fishing with heavy no stretch line with a locked down drag you're pushing a rod past the limit it was intended for, no wonder some of them break. The rod hasn't failed, the fishermen pushed the envelop too far.

A cracked guide is no indication of the rod itself, I'd personally go into a tackle shop and get it replaced on the spot for $5, or buy a tip and put it on yourself.