MarauderYak

Nobody has any production Duckett rods yet, so you aren't going to get a review. None of the anglers using his rods in the Classic did any good. I don't know if it had anything to do with the rods, but it doesn't help their cause.

On top of what's alread been said... I've seen KVD fish a few times & actually got to fish with him a few years ago (Geez, I guess it's actually about 7 or 8 years now that I think about it). NOBODY else makes nearly as many casts as he does during a day. I tried my best to keep up with him & was wore out in less than 30 minutes. On top of everthing else, there's something to be said for just covering the most water. I'll bet there wasn't a bass in that whole arm that didn't see his bait a few times.

Those numbers vary greatly from one series to another. Total returns on the Kinetic casting reel for example run between 7 & 8 percent of total sales. That includes defectives, bad gifts, didn't like, etc. The Citica in comparison runs just under 6 percent. Those are pretty recent stats from a company that clears returns nationally.

Nobody using Duckett's new rods did any good (especially him). Not very good marketing to kick off a new rod company.

While only a handfull of people at St Croix could give specifics about total final cost of a rod made in China vs. Mexico, I can tell you it's not as far off as you may think. Here's why... first, China is constantly increasing regulations, and recently made noticable increases to wages. Second, the rates for standard ocean shipments have greatly increased over the last couple of years. Third (and this is huge), there was essentially a clarification on the application of the tariffs a few years ago that increased the cost of Asain imports (for not all, but many companies). Combine all that with the super highway that's supposed to be built from Mexico City up to KC, and I'd say St Croix is just ahead of the curve.

Sounds like you should go for the new purple RCX... The older blue RC reels were on clearance last month for $71 and change and that was a good deal - they sold out at that price but then BPS must have found some more BUT relisted them on the web at the $89 price. Just a name change. If you notice, most all companies are getting away for having pro's names on their reels/rods. Expect a few to stick around (KVD for example), but most signature series items will go away.

Other than discounted Shimano, what would've interested you?

Thanks for taking the time to do that There IS a ProQualifier BC reel on sale - but it's not the regular production model, but a limited run, light-weight (7.1 oz vs. standard 8.8 oz). The gear ratio isn't specified but I'd bet it's 6.4 or 7.1. It's probably a very nice reel (duralumin gears) but some of us were hoping the new PQ low-ratio (4.7 & 5.2) reels would be on sale... Typical BPS BS. As for their 'sale'... Yeah, doing a special run of an upgraded reel for a lower price is total BS!

You called a store? Choose a store from their website & look at the current sales flyer. Here's St Louis... they're in there. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=163&option=3&template=circular.cfm&catalog=feb1_10_tab&rfx_versioningid=014&storeID=26

The CarbonLite rods are on sale now, but it doesn't look like they will be during the Classic sale which starts 2/26. The Extreme baitcast reel is in the ad for $59.94, and the PQ spinning reel is in there for $49.94. No Shimano reels will be on sale, and you can't use the reel trade-in on Shimano because they won't allow it. They do have a Japanese reel in the ad. The Daiwa Bradia for $149.99 looks to be the JDM version of the Certate. I found it on Japan Tackle... was $340 now $290 on their site.

I wonder if BPS & Abu are having their rods made in the same place? The CarbonLite lengths & actions seem similar to the Vendettas. I'm pretty impressed with the weight and feel of the 6'9" Vendetta I have so I'll check out these new rods when they're available. Those Garcia rods are not made at the same factory as the Carbon Lite. Pure Fishing is currently switching factories for a bunch of their rods, but it still won't be the same factory as the Carbon Lites. The Cumara is made at the same factory as the Carbon Lites though.

The CarbonLite reel is in the ad for $90, but the rods aren't in at all. The CL rods are in the current ad though.

There isn't a correct answer to your question. I've seen the same question asked about casting distance. Keep in mind that inertia would be effected by the mass of the spool AND the shape of the spool. The physics answer is that you could calculate an ideal spool inertia for a particular set of circumstances (rod, lure weight, casting technique, wind resistance, etc). The basic real world answer is that a lighter spool will work better for lighter baits, or baits that tend to slow down quickly when cast. A heavier spool will work a little better with bigger, heavier baits. But in the end, the real difference maker is practice & technique.

First of all I'd say it depends on the rod series. Many of them have split grips for weight reduction. I'd say that's the primary reason. Of course that also presents possible ballance issues. Some of the low end split grip rods are done completely for cosmetics. I've seen some with metal trim that made them heavier than if they were solid grips. As far as sensitivity... If you're touching that exposed part of the handle you WILL feel more vibration transmitted than if that section were covered with handle material. But who is touching that part? Most of my rods are traditional, but I've added a couple of split grips & really like them as well. The blank is way more important than than the handle to me (assuming the handle is comfortable).

They are in the BPS Classic flyer for $149.99.

Their warranty (and pretty much all warranties) clearly states you must have a receipt. I realize nobody likes feeling hassled, but I'd think you'd be thrilled they violated their procedure to get you a new rod when they clearly didn't have to. :-?

If you compare similar models of Pac Bay and Fuji guides you should find similar quality. As I've said before, the reason so many companies have started using more Pac Bay guides is because Fuji had availability issues, and they continually raised their prices. I think they've got the message now as I heard they plan on actually lowering their price on some of their guides now.

I have an ad now. The PQ reels are not on sale, but they have a special purchase PQ with Duralumin gears for $79.99. When a reel is on sale, the trade-in discount is applied to the sale price. There may be some other special offers on G Loomis, Falcon, etc, but they cannot be run on sale because those vendors do not allow sale prices on their product.

I've cast one several times, and fished with one for a few hours. When it's set just right, and you get used to it, it's awesome. But when switching baits & casting in different directions (in relation to the wind), I found it a pain to get it set correctly. And you definately can backlash it. Bottom line for me is... even at the same price I'd just as soon have the regular Calais. For $250 more, no way I choose the DC.

Well, the only one I have quite a bit of experience with is the JM Signature. I own 2 and have fished them quite a bit. From my limited use of the new Midas, it seemed to cast just as well, but the JM seems to just a little tighter/smoother on the retrieve (not much though). I do like a small reel though, and both the Midas & PQ feel a little better in my hand than the JM. Tough call. I might know more later this Spring. I now own a couple of the prototype CarbonLite rods & one of them is going to get a PQ.

The new Midas palms much more nicely IMO. The hump on the cast control side has been dramatically reduced, and the reel is lower in profile. I found it very comfortable, and smooth. Visually I think it looks much better, but I don't like the knobs that were used. They are comfortable, but for me, a little bigger than they need to be.

Those Browning reels are not made at the same factory as the PQ, JM, or Revo reels. Browning baitcast reels have been made at the same factory for quite some time, but the new reels have brand new tooling. I haven't fished any of the new models, but I did cast a new Midas & thought it was quite nice. Watch for a deal when they have the fishing classic in a few weeks.

That's a Shakespeare reel based on their Deceiver that retails for $44.99.

I've sold & bought quite a bit on ebay. I've bought around 140 items & never had what I'd call a bad transaction. A couple of times the item wasn't what I thought it should be, but the seller made it right. I've never bought a reel, but have sold several & always had happy buyers. The main things I can tell you are to only buy from sellers with very good feedback. Anything more than $15 I'll only buy from someone with 50 or more feedbacks & 99.5% or higher rating. And read what their feedback actually says for anything they've sold. Also, read the actual auction carefully & pay attention to the s&h charges. If looking for fishing equipment, don't forget the flea market section here, but there are certainly more things to choose from on ebay.

A sales rep told you that? They are both good rods, but they are made differently... different factories in different countries; different processes; different cloth & components. The modulus rating in rods is sorta like the contrast ratio in high def tv's. It's good for comparing rods made the same way in the same factory, but is worthless for comparing between two different companies (even if one owns the other like in this case).