ChiCityBasser

No problem and I've only had one fish hit on a square billed crankbait and spet the whole time I was out fishing the jerkbait. I fished the jerkbait on spiderwire ultracast flouro braid with no flouro leader.

My brother has the same line spooled up and uses it all season long and hooks up plenty with it.

I was out sunday with the air temps here being around 67-71 degrees but water temps still pretty cold. I was trying out the Storm Jointed Minnow Stick/Madflash in a pond I fish at times. I caught 12 with the largest being about 2 LBS and the smallest being around 7-8". The lure was almost as big as the 7" and he had the back hook engulfed. Caught them ripping it out of the grass or on the pause and start. The color was the Blue Steel Shad http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Hard-Baits/Crankbaits%7C/pc/104793480/c/104732280/sc/104284080/Storm8482-Jointed-Minnow-Stick174-MadFlash/1164665.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-hard-baits-crankbaits%2Fstorm%2F_%2FN-1100320%2B1000004779%2FNe-1000004779%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104284080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104732280%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104732280%3Bcat104284080

Had some luck on the rapala clackin crank in Helsinki Shad the other day

The new site layout is great and I love the way it allows you to interact with other members now as well.

Check out the Daiwa Exceler as others have recommended

Check out the Quantum Catalyst Pti-B in the 10 or 20 size.

I use Daiwa and Cabelas reels also along with my Quantum products. I also have a Shimano reel and my experience with it hasn't been pleasant at all. I also had a bad experience with the BPS Quantum exclusive reel mentioned her earlier and returned it for another Quantum reel and that reel hasn't given me any problems. I currently have 6 Quantum reels in both casting and spinning models with the Smoke to be my 7th Quantum reel and I'm pleased with them all. None has ever given me a problem or failed even when purchased used off ebay. As someone says everyone makes a lemon and thats the nature of production and manufacturing. When someone asks for an opinion I give it based on my experience with the product as best I can be it good or bad.

Glad he was able to return the reel and get a full refund. I was in Cabelas today and they have a Smoke 101HPT in a display case with a couple of other higher priced reels. After reading the comments and seeing the pics I asked a salemans to let me take a look at the reel so I could really look it over. The reel had None of the problems or flaws or bad machine work like those displayed on the reel pics. The handle and drag star and also the knobs were all machined as you would expect from a reel in this price range. It is ultra light and I like the matte finish of the reel as well. I put it on layaway and it will be paired with either the Prodigy Micro rod , the Smoke rod or the Cabelas XMLTi rod I have already with the recoil guides.

Bill Dance TV just did a show that was on yesterday regarding color choice and stated what Vinny said as well.

I checked out the frogs at Cabelas as one of the salesmen recommended it as well as the cranks and the lipless crawdad trap. I didn't get the frog but did get a couple of the cranks in the gloss paint job after reading up on them on tackle tour. Seems they had more success with the matt finish in clearer water and the gloss finish in stained water. Most places I fish are stained so trying the gloss cranks when I can get out.

Fishing University TV just did a show on the lures also. Sounds like the concept might work pretty well and added 1 to my tackle box as well but haven't hit the waters with it yet either.

Ok I would go with the Daiwa as my second choice as well.

Quantum Smoke. Daiwa Zillion, Revo Premier or Quantum Tour Edition are all good choices.

Nice looking rod and let us now how well it performs. No Academy sports up this way to take a look at them.

Since you are limited to Dick's or Gander I would take the veritas as well. They are very light and have read many good things about them. You might also want to check out there store brand rods as well. Dick's has the Tec Spec rods by Field & Stream which are normally $59 with a $10 off coupon. There are a couple people on the board that have fished them and like them as well. They are technique specific as well. Sure Gander has its own rod brand as well.

Agreed, every company has their blips, it just seems like Quantum has far more than others. Did he actually use the reel for fishing or just want to inspect it and yeah quantum has had plenty of blips in the past as guys have pointed out on the forum.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also. Are you guys talking about the Quantum kv100cd kvd signature series reel, in black? I purchased this one from bps last year on sale for like 90 bucks, nothing but problems for me.... keep getting line breaks on the cast bc the line gets stuck in the side of the spool and housing.... still have the box and its in great condition, a year later do you think I can return / exchange it? Yeah that's the reel and I had mine maybe 2 days before I returned and exchanged it for the Quantum Catalyst.

That reel is always on sale or clearance at BPS as it is normally $100 but usually on sale for $80 and sounds like a better deal during the BPS classic. If you are interested in a quantum reel I would go with one of the PT series. I had the same issues with the BPS reel as I got one and never felt smooth after some time on the water. I cleaned it up and returned it and got another quantum. No problems with that one or any of my other quantum reels.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also. twas Seems any of those "bargain" store reels always have issues. Had the same problem with the BPS exclusive spinning reel and returned it for the Catalyst PTi-B I originally intended to get but settled for the BPS reel. I returned the BPS exclusive reel after some time on the water with it and got the Catalyst. No problems in the 2.5 yrs I have owned and used it.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also.

One of the KVD cranking rods might be a good deal from BPS. They come in the lengths you are thinking about and can be found on ebay for about $125.

I've been to both bass lake and deep quarry and no they don't let you park on army trail anymore and have to do as we did last time out and park at deep quarry and walk over to bass lake. I got out yesterday to a little park district lake in indiana but no luck on jerkbait but chance to get a feel for a couple of rods and it just felt good being out.

MH F is a great for bottom contact applications. That rod length is also good for jerkbaits, topwater and traps. Like Skunked said, very versatile. As for reels, just pick your favorite in your price range. Read a ton of reviews, research what other people are using & why and just make your own decision. I have (2) Curados which I love but also have a Revo Winch and just ordered a Quantum Smoke. Zillion is a really nice reel. For me it wasn't $100 nicer that a Curado; same with the Revo Premier. I agree with the suggested techniques also. I'm a Quantum guy as well but I have a couple of Daiwa Excelers(6.3 and 7.x) and I also have a Cabelas Prodigy which is made by Daiwa. Read the reviews and get your hands on some of the suggested reels and go with what feels good to you.

I've made over 300 purchases on ebay and most have been fishing gear. There are some great deals to be had on both new and used gear and never had a problem with any seller. As others have said check the feedback on the seller as they want to keep selling and keep there feedback high and ask questions if you aren't sure of something. I got my Kistler 7' Mag TS off ebay for $75 including shipping. It was used but in mint condition. There are some deals to be had and most are worth checking out.