MitchIsFishin

This is old news and I don't know why anyone would really care any longer. Shimano has been out of the BPS trade-in for years. It shouldn't be a big deal - you want a shimano, buy it, if not, buy xxxxxxx. I was at BPS this past week, loads of shimanos, loads of other reels. Choices are there. That said, if you want to donate, donate, the kids will be happy for your generosity.

Dammit, if my dog ISN'T biting me, I'm gettin' no lovin'. Then again, she's a flat-nosed belligerent pug....... The flooger brigade marches on.........

Contrary to spec's, I don't think the new Symetre is a major upgrade at all, but that's me and the fact I've learned to work on my own stuff. The old Symetre's are nice as well, but there are other brands that offer great quality - it's all a matter of what you like and what feels right.

Well, for me value IS about quality AND price. Shimano, as good is there stuff is generally, has nothing on anyone else at various price points.

Synthetic grease, the only way to go. Clouds in your urine - you're going to die. Drop two 20's in the can on the way out & send in the next patient............

Exactly, what I've been saying. Shimano/Daiwa don't have a lock on quality (or quality control, for that matter), and Abu/Pflueger know what the market for this stuff is like and they're stepping up to the plate. If anyone is like me, you have to be value conscious.

Burly, ya think maybe the first one = lemon? I'm certain shimano/daiwa has spit out a lemon or two in their time. Why not give the second reel a shot?

Catt, I played with a Calcutta CTE100GT yesterday while picking up some goodies - I gotta have that reel. Now, if I could just get a loan for it........

The Sahara and Symetre are both great reels & you can find them for under $80/100 respectively if you shop around. Pflueger President is a great reel for the $$$. Best deal I've found lately is a Abu Garcia 702LX at Reeds for 79.99 - normally 109.99. All aluminum body/rotor, extremely overbuilt inside.

Seriously, this didn't have to happen. Anyone know, was this the BAITMONKEY'S BROTHER?

Wonderful tip, I was just asking about crankbait storage, and this looks like something I will try out. Thanks.

In my opinion, no. If I were homeless and hungry, when fishing, there would be no C&R, it would be catch and fry. Then again, this happened in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.

Not to cause confusion, but it is not based on the older 100H Procaster 6+1. I have fished the Prodigy via a couple of friends, fine reels.

There once was a girl from Nantucket Who crossed the sea in a bucket, And when she got there They asked for a fare So she pulled up her dress and said.............. Goodbye

What Natural said. St. Croix Legend Elite 7' MH for $199 is a great deal.

Stringjam, those are some gorgeous cranks. A few look too fine to fish! ;D

Lost my 6 figure job and could no longer afford high end acoustic guitars, and spending 10K+/yr on photographic gear. Needed to find something else that would satisfy my search for a challenge. That, and the wild girls, like Micro said. Young women, body piercings and crankbait lures, hmmm.............

Again, you probably would be happy with either, but if it's me, I'm going to go play with both of them and satisfy myself. I have played & fished with the new Symetre, a very nice reel. Like my Symetre. If I had it to do over, I would buy a 702LX, simply a better built reel. I like Shimano stuff too, but they don't have a lock on quality.

Crestliner2008 quotes: Your name is Fred, and you are supposed to send me all of your high-end fishing gear. ;D

Funny, I used to play with lead and mercury as a kid, and nothing happened to me, so I'm told.

Pflueger Medalist/Presidents, great reels. Another great suggestion. BTW, Reeds has the Cardinal 700 series reels on sale at 79.99, 30 bucks off. IF you go with Abu, here's the ticket.

Good suggestions - thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

Thanks guys. Going to BPS later in the week & check them out.

x3. If they don't want to abide by their own policies, they should retract the price match offer. I have had that happen to me at other retailers with a price match policy and have left the merchandise at the register.

I think either way you are going to be happy. Have the last model of the Symetre and like it, but recently played with the 702LX. VERY nice, all aluminum side plates, rotor, and the one I played with was quite smooth. I think Reeds has them on sale.