ChiCityBasser

Just got the rod and had it out and it is incredibly light with my Quantum Kinetic 20PTI-B and very good sensitivity as well.

I agree with you on the Prodigy and have one myself and even better when you can catch them on sale for around $80. It's a great reel.

The Symetre is a nice reel and considered it before getting the deal on the Sahara. Out of the three its a great reel

I have broken one rod in my short time fishing. I got the lure snagged and instead of opening the bail and releasing a bit more line to try to work the lure loose I used the rod. It snapped and it was all my fault but Cabelas did replace it no questions asked. Live and learn and never again would I use the rod to free a snagged lure.

The couple I have and have used had pretty good action to them

I have used the shad and love the action on them and just picked up some of the craws and can't wait to try them also.

The difference between the PTI-A & PTI-B is a weight reduction on the PTI-B and I think the bearing count changed. I have an older Catalyst PTI-A and the newer Kinetic PTI-B and it is much lighter and also smoother than my Catalyst. You can pretty much pick any of them up off ebay a bit cheaper as well. I think Cabelas also had the Tour Edition for $119 as well

I have a couple of these myself but have never caught anything on them and guess I will be reading the article and pulling them out this season.

i've tried the shad with no success so far but think it will get better once the water temps get up a bit. After seeing all the comments on the craw I guess I will have to make a trip to Cabelas tonight to pick up some.

Gotta go with the Quantum Energy

I don't have any experience with the Shimano Stradic but I have handled the New Quantum Catalyst PTI-Band it is a very very smooth reel. I have the Shimano Sahara and the New Catalyst is every bit as smooth and much lighter and smoother than last years Catalyst PTI-A which I do own and fished with all last year. I also have the New Quantum Kinetic PTI-B and its a great reel also. I picked it up after initially getting the Quantum KVD during the BPS sale and tried it out a couple times and it never really felt that smooth. I went back and traded it for the Kinetic and glad I did. Catalyst gets my vote as well just my .02 cents

I've had lots of xuccess with the XPS lures and pick up a couple everytime I'm in BPS and you can't beat the price.

Check the rapala website or the Feb. 09 issue of North American Fisherman. They have an article on using both the Clackin Rap and the Xcalibur One Knocker and they recommend fishing it like a jig.

I agree with you on the rentention pond fishing out in Will county

Welcome to the board and nice to see someone else from IL

Welcome to BR and yeah I think its going to be a tough spring also. Good to see someone else from IL on the board.

Just picked up one from Joe's Pond for $39.74 shipped to my door

I just picked up the E761PT LH off ebay for $68 and guess myCabelas Prodigy will be in the flea market soon. I already had a Quantum Accurist PT which is very smooth and if this is just as smooth I won't be needing another B/C for awhile.

I was looking for one also and checked there site and seems most of the dealers listed at least for my area were either Wal-Mart,K-mart or Target. I checked several in my area and none had them in stock. One of the mom pop stores did have them in stock but not the one I wanted but the site says u can have the dealer order the rod. Didn't see them at BPS or Cabelas.

I have wondered about the difference between 1 and 2 pc rods myself and good to read some of the answers. All my rods are 2 pc and as someone mentioned for ease for transportation is the reason I use 2pc rods. All my rods have balancing systems made for them as well with the exception of my Cabelas Mag Touch. I will be getting my first 1 pc rod this year as well just to try one out

Good to hear the reports on Braidwood and might be getting there this coming weekend if the temps aren't too low

The Bargain Cave is were I have gotten most of my deals from Cabelas. Either online or in the store

Only other place you might find them cheaper is on Ebay. BPS was clearing them out but they were slightly. I see Cabelas has last years Tour Edition for $119 and haven't seen those any chearper anyplace

I haven't used a President but I do have the Sahara 1000FD and its a great little reel.

Nice looking fish