ChiCityBasser

This is true with the Outdoor Channel and Sportmans Channel getting the fishing shows that were cancelled on espn.

Gonna go with KVD

I recommend the Daiwa Exceler or Cabelas Prodigy reel both should be less than <$80 online.

Are you referring to the grey prodigy reel from the last couple of years or the new this year model? I have one that is a couple years old and would love to have it upgraded.

I have the Kistler Mag TS crankbait rod but I also have a Cabelas Prodigy PDC705-1 7' MH/MF for cranks as well. The Prodigy is now on sale for $59.99 and the Kistler rods pop up on ebay quite often. The new Kistler MGCRR70 is going for around $159 and it's the same blank as the previous year crankbait rod per Trey Kistler.

I'll have it cleaned before I hit the water with it and thanks for the heads up.

I ordered the Exceler 7.1:1 reel after the success with the 6.3 version. I haven't had any problems with it and again it casts well down to 1/4 oz.

Just picked up a Cabelas MagTouch MGTS69DS 6'9" M/F on sale for $69.99

I have the 6.3 model and it sat around for a month or so before I decided to put it on a reel and give it a try. I purchased it after reading a article in BassMasters and both the spinning and casting models were picked as better buys under $100. I was surprised and impressed with the ease of use. It casts well down to 1/4 oz cranks and has been very smooth. True at 8.8 lbs the drag is considered to be weak compared to some other reels but I haven't had a problem feeling like the reel was overpowered. Check some back issues of BassMasters to find the article. I was impressed enough to be considering the 7.1:1 model as well and found it for less than $70 also.

I noticed the Prodigy rod was on sale for $59.99 when I was online today as well. I paid that amount for my spinning model a couple months ago and glad they gave you the new sale price. They also have the new Prodigy Micro rods on sale for $79.99 and its very tempting to pull the trigger on it.

The Daiwa Exceler is a pretty good value and comes in 4.9:1,6.3:1 and 7.1:1. You can get it for around $70 with shipping included at poor fishing online. I have the 6.3 and it casts well down to 1/4 oz cranks.

Happy Birthday and enjoy the reel as it looks like a pretty good choice.

Great choice and let us know how you like the rod.

I have a Mag Touch that I use as a spinnerbait rod and just picked up a Mag Touch dropshot rod and they are great rods. Very sensitive but some people don't like the rod grip but I haven't had a problem with it slipping out of my hand at all even when its wet.

Then buy elsewhere if you think it is BS. Many things, like fishing equipment, car electronics, and other items come out with new equipment in February and March. A company may mail out catalogs with information on those items for their first catalog of the year which they want in peoples hands as close to the time it is being released as possible. Sometimes manufacturers cant get it done in the time they expect to which causes problems for the stores. Everyone goes through it. Generally your higher selling stores are still going to get that stuff before anyone else. ie Bass Pro, Cabelas. This is true of the new catalog items as explained to me by the Cabelas staff. They don't get the new things from the catalog in til usually the end of Feb or middle of March. Sometimes they get some things in sooner but most times its later. The Hammond Cabelas has the new Abu Veritas in but only had a few. They also had the W&M Skeet Reese rods in but only a few. They had none of the New Cabelas rods in yet or new lures and things. Only a matter of time though...

I have 4 of the XML rods and they are great rods but I like the split grip and the new models don't have the split grip if I remember correctly. Waiting on the Hammond, IN store to get the new prodigy micro guide rods in so I can take a look at them. I'm leaning towards adding one to my collection for this year after getting my hands on one. Yes they are the $99 also. The prodigy micros are sweet looking! What's the sensitivity diff. between prod. and xml? The xmls I would have to say are more sensitive but they are the for different techninques than my prodigy. I have a couple of the Rig & Jig model xml rods and a ML used for finesse techniques. The prodigy I have is one of my crankbait setups. It performs well in respect to that technique.

I have 4 of the XML rods and they are great rods but I like the split grip and the new models don't have the split grip if I remember correctly. Waiting on the Hammond, IN store to get the new prodigy micro guide rods in so I can take a look at them. I'm leaning towards adding one to my collection for this year after getting my hands on one. Yes they are the $99 also.

The Quantum PTi-A series of spinning reels is considered to be heavy compared to other reels. I have a Catalyst PTi-A (grey model) which weighs 11.8oz and a PTi-B (burnt orange model) which weighs 10.4oz. The PTi-B is a smoother reel but of course the A models can be found on ebay and clearance from some places at great prices. Both are great reels though and I haven't had any problems.

I noticed your in Chicago, are you shopping the gurnee store? thats the one i work at and most of the new lures are in now and the JM series II just came in. Most everything new will be in by the classic starting feb 25... Yes I do shop the Gurnee store during Classic time but live far south so I hit the portage store or the bolingbrook store as well. Couple years ago I made the trip from Chicago to Gurnee for a reel my brother wanted. The store was out of stock and drove him to the Portage store which was also out of stock. Then drove him to the Bolingbrook store which only had the display model. He got his reel though

I don't know what the weight of the rod is but I don't have a problem fishing it all day.

The Cabelas Prodigy PDC705-1 fits as it is a 7' MH/MF 1/4-1oz lure weight rod and in your price range. The Abu Garcia Veritas VRC70-5 may fit also at 7' but it is an M/MF. Check on the site and do a price range check and then pick out rods you might like and compare them as there are many that will suit your need. I have the Cabelas Prodigy paired with a Prodigy reel for the same purpose.

Alot of the items in the Spring Cabelas catalog and the BPS catalog aren't in stock yet. As one of the salesman explained the new items probably won't hit the store til late march. Sale items go quickly if its a good deal and from my experience even if its still listed on the site it doesn't mean they have it in the inventory of that particular store or any warehouse. Luckily I'm only 10 min from the Hammond Cabelas so I can just order and have the items sent to the store without the shipping charges. I understand your frustration but I haven't had any problems with Cabelas.

Right now I have 2 casting crankbait setups and a spinning crankbait setup. I have a 7' M/MF Kistler Mag TS with a Daiwa Exceler 6.3:1 and my other casting setup is a 7' MH/MF Cabelas Prodigy rod with a Cabelas Prodigy 6.3:1 reel. My spinning setup was a 6'6" Daiwa D Force fiberglass rod with a Quantum Catalyst PTI-B20 but the rod will be upgraded this spring to a Cabelas Prodigy 7' M 2pc for traveling.

I have the Exceler 6.3:1 and its a great reel but don't have any experience with the 4.9:1 model. I've been using the 6.3 for shallow and medium diver cranks and it has handled very well down to 1/4 oz cranks. I like it so much I'm getting the 7.X:1 model during the reel trade at BPS at the end of the month.

I like my Quantum Energy but my Cabelas Prodigy made by Daiwa and my Daiwa Exceler spend more time on the water. I like the Exceler enough to be picking up a burner model in a couple of weeks.