SWMIBASSER

Nice stuff!! Everyone killer tackle. I'm going to be building a Revo this winter. Not the most popular reels to trick out but it seems if you look hard enough you can find some cool stuff.

IMO $100 is the line that when crossed quality goes up a bunch. With that said, the best bet for a really good rod, is to find a more expensive rod, used in the flea market section and go that route. IMO

That's a VERY aggressively priced reel in the Carbon Pro. I hope they don't skimp on quality components to come in at that price.

My thoughts...First off you pay dearly for the superior warranty. Lifetime means you have a rod for life. Period. I've not used the IMX/GLX. Only technique specific. While the technique specific rods (Shakey Head, and Mossyback for example) aren't the lightest or most sensitive, they do rank pretty high. For me the biggest advantage to Loomis aside from the warranty is a selection of lengths and actions, to fit your style and technique exactly. And when compared to other off the shelf rods, their is no comparison. Their selection is second to none. I also like the fact that many Loomis rods when compared to similarly rated rod from other companies are faster....An XF from Loomis IS XF but an XF from others is like a F from Loomis. Search the flea market. While not the blingest Loomis made I just got a Mossyback BCR 853 for $160 including shipping and it's like new.

The problem with those reels, is that they are really wide on each side of the reel post. To me anyway, that makes for a really uncomfortable feeling reel.

That hook holder on a drop shot rod would be perfect. Since it would be holding the weight and not the hook...When not used on a D/S rod I see your point. Seems to be in a odd place.

im not sure BPS makes that reel any more. Yeah I notice it isn't on their site anymore. Odd as that real always got great reviews. They got that one right...

Either I haven't been paying attention, or there hasn't been much talk about the Lamiglass Excel. I used a few Lamiglass Musky rods growing up and the quality was beyond excellent...At least that's how I remember it.

I'll bring up a reel most of you will automatically dismiss as junk because of the other reels being discussed....... Strictly performance wise, you will NOT be dissapointed in the BPS Pro Lite Finesse. They are not heavy, nice smooth drag very smooth, very compact, and best of all, for this application, the braking system is great. The reel can cast small weightless lures with ease. I like it enough I might pick up another just to trick out, and put on a BCR 852.

If they are still out I might get one to trick out a bit. Maybe one of the available carbon handles for other reels will bolt on. Maybe a repaint and some bearing upgrades....

I'll say that based on feel alone, the BPS rods take a big jump up in quality once past the $100 mark.... When I bought my BPS Elite rod I looked at the Pro Qualifier and Signature series and ended up going for the bling and cool factor of the recoil guides. Which honestly I think they are worth it. Either they add tons of sensitivity and reduce weight a bunch or the Elite really has a great blank.

I've looked at them, and they seemed nice....But I've never fished with them, and that is all that really matters IMO. With all that said, I'm going to send you a PM...

THAT is cool

You know if they were to build that reel in a 7.1 also it would be my favorite reel. They are great. Smooth as silk, very sturdy construction, very compact. I was using it for weightless 3.5" wacky rigged senko's alot of the summer and it worked great.

I slapped a daiwa viento on mine but im looking to buy an abu revo inshore with a power handle. The black widow 2 looks really cool with the matching accents. Those Lamiglass rods are one of the best looking rods made IMO.

I'm probably the only one to notice the BRE Z car in the poster in the background. Someday I'll pick up an early Z car. If there are any still around.

I really shouldn't post this without double checking my info, but last winter I was going to build a rod, and found that the RX8 was close in price to both Lamiglass and Rogue.... I remember Rogue selling blanks really cheap comparatively

This thread has been interesting, entertaining, and worst of all inspiring. I think after all the tricked out reels I've seen, I've been inspired to build one myself.

I've got a 7'6 Johnny Morris Elite...With the recoil guides, split grip etc, that I'm looking to sell... Could be a way to get an extremely underrated rod and save some $$

What is the difference between the JDM Abu reels and the regular old Abu Revo reels we are all accustomed to? See link. http://www.brooklynbillstackleshop.com/zpi/zpi_abu.html

Fishing line can either vary, or people do certain things differently or SOMETHING. In using 8lb yo-zuri Hybrid, on a SMALL spool spinning reel I had less manageability problems with the Y/Z than I did with even Trilene XL-considered a "spinning line" So with that said I don't see any reason 'to' switch to ultrasoft. I assume the Ultrasoft has more mono and less Flouro?

I agree...I picked up the 7'MH for my brother for his b-day and got the opportunity to fish it some. It is alot of rod for the $$ IMO.

I'm currently selling an excellent rod in the flea market area for not much more than your budget. If you have any Daiwa, Pflueger or Abu reels to trade we could work out a deal to get you well within budget.

The last few posts only help to solidify my statements. With so much hear say, and guessing, and no definite facts it's hard to choose these blanks over well known blanks