Scorpio

Get a Daiwa ProCaster 100HN. It will cost you under $50 and is a great reel to learn on. Braking system is great and works as well as any I have tried.

Just felt the need to bring this post back to the top in case some of the younger (or older) guys on a tight budget needed a reel, and missed the first go through. When Raul bragged on it, I thought I would give it a shot. Don't miss out, get one now. In a nutshell-- This reel is fabulous. I own TDZs, Steez, Core, Chronarch, Pixy, Conquest, Alphas, etc. I am not saying the ProCaster is better, but the performance on these reels sure makes you stand up and take notice. The two fixed inductor Daiwa reels I have used (the ProCaster being one) both performed super...maybe Daiwa should look into that a bit more. As was previously stated, the reel casts with very good distance under control (reminds me of the distance and control I used to get with my old green Curado). And for under $30...it IS a no brainer.

In my experience, an anti-theft jack can only be removed by a fred.

I don't have much luck with swim baits for smallies in the rivers I fish, although the Swim Senkos have worked to a small degree. Maybe swimbait success for smallies is a lake thing?

As stated in the last 3 posts, the CC is a much better reel. It wins in just about every category against the Winch. I will not say it is perfect, but it is very good.

The Palomar has worked great for me.

...Or you could buy the Scorpion 1000 XT (6.4:1 ratio), or wait to see if Shimano brings the Scorpion to the US.

It has been said many times before, but I will add: Pflueger President

I use flouro leader with all my braid applications. Using the Alberto knot really helps also.

It' so bad that I think I just re-purchased a reel on this post that I sold last year.

If you picked the "under" on Carrie Underwood's version of the National Anthem, did you win?

WOW. Great fish!

I like a short rod for working x-raps.

I use mine for spinner baits and shallow cranks.

I do very well fishing senkos wacky with a jig head in the Susky.

OCC... All the hate. Can't we just all get along.

I see they are a sponsor. I did a search of the threads and nothing came up. Experience with these anyone?

Great idea RW

I have the STX and the Winch. I love the STX, excellent reel. The Winch is just OK with me.

Any other experiences with the Record?

That is a hard question because I think they have been made by different manufacturers over the years. I bought several a few years ago and they have been OK. I bought two last year and both have had issues with guides coming loose, etc.

Do any of you have experience with the ABU Record reel? I am reading mixed reviews about this reel. THANKS P.S. I have already read the TT review.

How is the Core 50 for light baits?

Mystery solved. I just called again. Only the lefties were $77. The righties are $112.

He said he checked it twice. $112 is still agreat deal.