Delaware Valley Tackle

We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing. Go for it.

Both are Pure Fishing products and generally speaking ABU Garcia gets more marketing and their prices are higher on a feature for feature basis. The Pflueger spinning reels, especially from the President and up are hard to beat bang for the buck wise.

Look for a Heavy power rod, but with some tip so it will load and cast well. You don't want a broomstick like Flipping stick. 7'6" again, to aid in casting. The heavy power will help get them out of the cover when you encounter it as will braided line.

Not sure on the AR switch, but why not just pull some line off the drag and position the rotor where you want it?

The weave and texture are sometimes different on the Carbontex compared to stock carbon fiber drags. Granted though that the difference will be much less than over say, dartanium etc.

It's not the drag rather the spool drive coming disengaged. The cost of service here is $22 plus parts n shipping. I wouldn't junk the reel over what you've described.

Yes and one coat only.

I'll use it as a before n after promo on my website!

A good solid work horse reel.

In a way they do, but some of the claims of production rod makers are over the top. Casting distance and accuracy improvements achieved with micro guides are real, but ancillary to the sensitivity and frequency enhancement.

The Pflueger President is possibly the best bang for the buck there is for a spinning reel. I'd skew the budget toward the rod and pick up the highest end St Croix etc that you can afford.

Unless you want to really open your wallet, the 50/51E Shimanos are about as good as you'll get for finesse baitcasting. A rod that loads properly is still the biggest piece of the puzzle though.

You have a very generous budget for a round reel. If your heart is set o one of these it comes down to personal preference and design features. Personally, I'd be looking at ABU C3, C4, Cardiff or Calcutta and spend the rest on baits.

Yup. Not only are there all these variables, there's the biggest one: the user.

Making sure the reel is clean and lubricated correctly, and adjusted properly is a good place to start along with making sure the rod loads correctly. Too heavy or soft of a rod will have a negative affect in casting accuracy. Develop a nice, smooth casting stroke. Let the rod do the work. When you practice, remember casting is much like throwing a ball. The cast will go where you look for the most part and release point is critical.

These reels are similar enough that it comes down to features and preference. Shimano has a neat "Compare" feature on the website that lets you see multiple reels side by side. Neither will blow the other out of the water.

A full spool (not overfilled), softer/lighter line, larger arbor, longer rod and appropriate power rod for the bait weight each aid in casting distance. Change any or all as conditions allow and you should see improvement.

Drop-shot is really just a terminal rig that can be used with whatever combo of line, leader, weight and bait that's suits conditions. At what point you call the rig a "Bubba-shot" is a matter of perspective, there's no hard/fast definition. A heavy drop shot used to punch mats works well when the bite's aren't coming on the initial fall.

Have these boats typically been beat to death? I'm sure they're maintained to get through the year but knowing they don't have to make it last a lifetime I can see them being run HARD.

I fish ML spinning tackle regularly for bass both in and outside tourneys. I might fish a light 8' float and fly setup if you do a late season tournament (38-45* water).

No, what would happen is the prices of used cars would increase as supply diminished and demand increased. At the same time new car prices would lower for the opposite reason. Eventually the benefit of buying used would lessen as the price between new and used narrowed. This exact scenario would never happen of course anyway.

My canopy sits on my head and when I'm not fishing it doubles as a hat.

^^ I agree. I won't even buy a brand new car anymore. The depreciation is throwing money down a hole.

Small creek fishing you might get away with it, but in general I agree that ML is a better choice.

There is some debate as to whether the "flip out" of the hook cased by snelling is an advantage or a hinderance. I'm not 100% sold either way. I have trouble visualizing how a straight pull on a straight shank hook is a problem.