flechero

It was only a couple years ago that the Abu 5.3:1 reels were labeled "High Speed" How quickly times change. ...lol Allatooner, my advice to you is to look up the ipt (inches per turn) on your spinning reel and compare that to the ipt of the 5 and 7 curados... don't get caught up on the marketing hype, go by the actual numbers.

I like it. Mine is very smooth. I've been using it mostly for small swimbaits (Matt's BB, etc.)... I can't comment too much on the casting since anything will cast 1-2 oz baits just fine. The few minutes of casting "normal" baits went fine as well. I also bought mine through an ebay store.

If you used it previously, whether for a few minutes or a few months with no trouble, I SERIOUSLY doubt it was anything but a user caused event. (no offense, but 99% of breaks are user caused) You probably had dinged or nicked that spot unknowingly. Fiberglass rods are a little more durable. :-X

Thanks, RW! I hadn't thought of asking Castaic for replacements. I have read a lot of reviews of those baits getting torn off exactly as those are. I bought them a long time ago and never intended to replace them for that very reason. But free replacements would be nice. ...lol Worth asking about. Uncle Leo, I'm not actually upset, I get to buy a new blank and some more swimbaits! ...lol I was sad for a few minutes when the rod broke, mostly because I had told myself not to do that or I could break it. I should remove the angry face on the first post.

He is there as a commentator...

Glad you guys are ok! If you do the stringer or any snagging hook trick from shore you'll probably just hang it as well. You should at least get a cheap 'regular' PFD from wal-mart to use for today or tomorrow to get your stuff back. Then keep it as a spare or loaner. (I'd actually get a vest instead of a coast guard type, so if you ever have to use it, it's comfortable) Got any friends that are divers? edited to add: don't forget to send your reels straight to ReelMech, after asking him if there is any immediate treatment required.

I couldn't agree more. Seems the "richest" people in the world, don't measure it in dollars and cents.

I only use spinning gear for light line (under #12) applications. I normally keep one spinning combo in the boat and have a spool of #8 and a spool of #10 for it. The type of bait doesn't matter to me, it only gets used if I need to scale down line size. (or if I need to cast a super light lure into a stiff breeze- which is rare)

Went out last night to throw some swimbaits... about 5 casts in, I hang a tree. No problem, I have a lure knocker- but it came off the rope almost immediately. (it's brand new and I never thought to check the factory knot!) So now I have a swimbait and a lure knocker hung in a tree. I tell my buddy that "this is how rods normally get broken" as I wind down to the tree and start working it. SNAP! oops! There goes the new swimbait rod. Out of frustration, I decide to call it a loss and break the line. It's XT and I can't immediately break it. So I decided that the bait and knocker were worth a swim. Strip down, enter water, retrieve the (Matt's) swimbait and knocker but the line is still wrapped in the tree so I bite it... only to remember as the line goes limp, that the end of my rod is still in the tree. No salvaging those guides! Fast forward about 20 minutes... (and using the other swimbait rod) I get a vicious explosion on a Castaic platinum wakebait- only to "lose" the fish 2 seconds into it. I come up with only the head of my bait. Fast forward 10 minutes later with another bait, same thing happens. I guess I was due for an "off" trip but I just never expected it to be that far off! Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose....

Al, If I were you, I would also PM Randal (if they don't respond).... because I know they are in Ga and have been known to chuck a swimbait or two. ...lol I have a number of Matt's baits (I like the baby bass best) and they work well. You might look at the mission fish also, to fish in/around weeds and cover. I hear the baby Hud's are also top notch... but I won't be able to confirm that for a couple weeks. ...lol Glad to know you are home safe and sound!!!

I had both reels until a month or so ago... for your purpose the 50MG is the better choice, no question about it. The MG will handle the lighter baits better than the premier, plus for those lighter baits and lighter line, the 50MG has the more appropriately sized spool.

There are a ton of good rods around the $100-$125 mark. Action- I'd get a fast for those applications. You might also look at the Shimano and All Star rods in that price range.

Another great looking build!

This thread should have been deleted, not moderated. Lots of bad and info and assumptions made.

right on Gene, I just found this on The High Road:

I only looked up by that and got to the S&W forums... it stands for something because not all of them have it and apparantly it is a marking that was common on some models. The serial # will be the key, as I noted.

I googled "Smith & Wesson CTG" there is a lot of reading... try the smith & wesson forums first and they can date the gun by serial number and with a pic probably give you an estimated value.

I have the all red Fuego and it's worth every penny and more. It's the best spinning reel I have ever owned or used, but I haven't fished a Stella yet. Buy one and see how you like it... you don't have to buy everything in bulk! ....lol

Congrats! Love it when a "risk" pays off!

Loomis became great by addressing the market proactively not reactively. Fiberglass and low modulous graphite rods were catching fish just fine from the early 1900's until the 1980's. I don't think current ownership will allow much risk taking with the brand name.

Funny how certain things stick in your mind... you got a black Alconite (BFAT). Now do you think that I remembered unload the dishwasher yesterday? ;D

Jay, Thanks for the detailed info! Much appreciated! Looks like I get to do some more shopping... I hope you get a little off the monkey! ...lol No problem Catt, you are right on in that we can learn alot from the swimbait experts.

Burley, just step up and have a rod built on a Loomis blank. It's not that much more expensive and you'll have a rod that even you can't complain about! ;D Rewind things 12-18 months and there were like 4 rods made with split grips and 2 of them were JDM rods. Loomis was cutting edge for years... now there is a big corporate parent to reign in the spontaneity. I'm sure you will see it, just not on the front end of this craze.

Looks like you executed the tiger wrap perfectly! Nice work!! I might have suggested wal-mart!

The MBR784C IMX was my worm rod for almost 15 years... It's a great rod. It will fish most spinnerbaits pretty well also.