Goose52

Good grief - I need to spend more time on the BPS web site - I thought the Tournament PQs were store-only specials and didn't know they were on the web site...

The blue reel was the "Rick Clunn" which was discontinued at the end of 2009. The purple "RCX" replaced it, but other than the name and the color, they were always assumed to be the same reel. Same weight, bearing count, models, and other features. The RCX reels probably are being clearanced since the new BPS "Carbon Black" looks like the same basic reel with some upgrades - 2 more bearings (probably in the handles but I don't know for sure), a carbon fiber handle, click-adjustable cast control knob, and an upgraded drag (14lb). I have 2 of the 2009 RC reels - got them on clearance for $71. They're a good reel, but a bit heavy with a catalog weight of 9.45oz.

The Enigma was briefly discussed in this prior thread. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1293900152/4#4 I haven't seen any other discussion on it on this board and don't know of anyone that's bought one. I'm a BPS BC reel fan but this one doesn't float my boat. The dual-centrifugal system seems complicated and we have yet to learn whether it offers any advantages over BPS's dual (magnetic and centrifugal) braking systems. Plus, the Enigma has a graphite frame that is generally considered inferior to an aluminum frame.

Yeah - we tend to have a gamefish mindset - if I'm targeting bass, and I hook-up with something BIG, and then lose it without seeing it, then I always try to convince myself that it was "probably only a carp or catfish" so I won't be wondering if I lost a PB lunker bass... ;D

I wasn't going to post because the OP didn't mention the PQ. BUT, now that it's been mentioned. $100 regular price, often goes on sale for $80, a whopping 8 models (LH and RH in 4.7, 5.2, 6.4, & 7.1), aluminum frame, 7 bearings, dual-braking system, and probably thousands of satisfied users. I have 6 PQs...

All 11 of my lakes froze over (for the 3rd time) just after New Years. Today, two little "swimming pools" opened up in one of the lakes. They were at each end of the dam in shallow water - the surface water temp was 38degrees. Invested a dozen casts with a jig into each pool - nobody home (or nobody interested!). I don't think big or small baits would have mattered today! ;D

Sure if the price is right - you gotta grab it! BTW - I lived in Fort Lauderdale too - in 1954 - when I was 2 years old... ;D

WOW - that's the second great deal reported at Dick's lately (the other was Fireline braid). I live in the sticks and there's lots of good things about that...but I got no Dicks, Academy, Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc. around. Oh - the last time I was in Plantation there was no Dick's there either, just mostly palmetto scrub...but that was in 1965 or so! ;D

Hey - we all prefer to catch the fish we're targeting, but like you said, better than staying at home...and a fight is a fight! I'm taking some heat in a thread on the General Bass Fishing forum because I said that I enjoyed fighting, and landing, a 37lb grass carp on a medium-power bass rod with 10lb test line. It was good for me. Other folks I guess feel that it's more fun to catch a 3lb LMB on an MH rod with 50lb braid. Whatever floats your boat!

won a spinning reel at the seminar.gotta save some bucks to get an avid for it. Keep an eye on the flea market here...and eBay too. I just got my Avid, new, on eBay for $96. There's some Avid spinning rods on eBay right now.

No pike in my lakes but we have those rainbows - they just go berserk on hook-up - I can tell I have a trout on immediately by the way they fight - great fish. Many folks think bass are stupid - especially dedicated trout anglers... ;D On aerobatics, my 37lb carp came completely out of the water twice and the splash on landing could be heard over the entire lake. Pretty exciting for me. Hmmm - 3 pound bass makes a jump and that's exciting, but a 37lb fish jumping is boring.... :-? Anyway, like I said before, I'm not promoting carp as the king of gamefish. I don't target them, but accidentally foul hook them in the spring when I'm ripping lipless cranks through emergent veggies, and the carp just happen to be there at the same time chowing down. Once I got one hooked-up, I got to try to land it, I want my lipless crank back... ;D

I didn't say that I don't see a difference - I am challenging how the advances translate to significant improvements in fishing success for bass. How does "smooth" put more fish in the boat? : This is sorta like the Volkswagen, Cadillac thing (or pick any two contrasts) - one rides a little smoother, but both get you where you want to go... ;D

Sure. I'm NOT defending carp as great fighters, I'm just saying that if you want to tie on to something big, and fight a fish for a while, there is nothing bigger or harder fighting in MY lakes (4 to 201 acres). Am I still excited when I hook-up with a larger bass in my lakes - SURE - but am I disappointed if I hook-up to a 37lb fish - HECK NO - bring on the fight!

It's sorta funny how we have a "bass" mindset. If I hook-up with something big, and lose it without seeing it, then I always tell myself that it was probably a big carp or catfish, and then you don't feel bad at having lost maybe a lunker bass. On the other hand, my PB LMB is not big compared to some folks - only 7-12, but still, it was a BASS. But it only made two little runs and I had it on the bank in about a minute - sorta a yawner.... ;D

How so? Are we still talking spinning reels? What advance in spinning reels has occurred in the last 20 years that has put so many more fish in the boat that the reels of only 20 years ago should be considered toys... :-? Predominately advanced drag design. A specific advantage is allowing anglers to use lighter line.Today's reels are noticeably stronger,smoother, quiet and reliant! Shimano has redisgned the spool to significantly reduce line twist on some models. 8-) RW - I'm sure you're right - the new drags are better - but it's still a matter of degree of improvement. I was using 4 to 8lb test on spinning reels 45 years ago with success. I didn't use 2lb so I guess I could now with better drags but I don't want to use 2lb. I'm just not convinced that the new reels offer enough of an advantage, for BASS, to put that more fish in the boat. I'm not saying that everyone should go out and buy old reels, I'm just saying that if your old gear is still serviceable, that there's no reason to retire it just because it's old - which is also the reason why our family "new" car is almost 23 years old...and our other car is more than 38 years old ;D The topic of this thread was fishing trends - and the point being made is that many people buy new gear to follow the trends...and that's OK. The new gear may or may not put more fish in the boat. Many other people resist the shiny new toys and just keep plugging away with older, serviceable gear...and that's OK too : It's sorta a family trait I guess - my Dad has a Mitchell 300 that has been in daily use for at least 50 years, has little finish left, and has caught literally thousands of bass and other fish, including a 10-12 LMB. I told him once that I wanted to get him some more modern gear and he said "why, this stuff still catches fish"... ;D ;D

;D

dodgeguy - so what did you think of the Avids? (Got my first one today...) John - did you happen to notice if dodgeguy was carrying any spools of Fireline braid with him ...

I know that everyone has probably seen this photo before, but I'll post it again... Certainly, carp don't fight with the same vigor as other fish of their weight. But the grass carp in the photo below did take me 35 minutes (timed) to land. Every time I would get it near the bank it would make another run and take out quite a bit of line against the drag. This one was 37.1 pounds. The following week, on the same rod/reel combo, I hooked up with another, probably larger grass carp, that took line at will. I hooked-up with that one at about 35 yards out and after 15 minutes saw my uni-uni knot go out through the guides and another 10 yards or so of backing for about 85 yards of line out when he slipped off (he was foul-hooked on a lipless crank - as was the 37 pounder). Not blazing fast runs, just going anywhere they wanted....pulling out line... So, are there harder fighting fish, sure. Are there any bigger fish or harder fighters in my lakes, no. It was good for me. ;D

The new Humminbird 570DI now has down-imaging for only $299 - check out the HB web site at: http://store.humminbird.com/products/410762/570_DI I have the "old" 570 that I bought last year - a good unit with best-of-class screen resolution. Had I known the DI units were coming, I would have waited to buy. :-? This unit is so new that there may not be any board members with real-world experience with it so you may not get any actual reviews on it... And yes, the transducer and cables are included.

I took a drive past all 11 of my local lakes again today - all still frozen.... :-? I got lots of coats, just need some soft water... ;D

Just another pound and you would have had your new PB! Great fish!

SCORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats! That is VERY cool of SK indeed!! I caught a nice bass on New Years day - first bass of 2011 for my lakes I'm sure.............but I was fishing another manufacturer's product............. :

Was he telling you "Daddy, you need more tackle" or "Daddy, take me fishing"!

You bet! I loves my bass (just something about 'ole bucketmouth) but there's some good fishin' beyond bass for sure!

You bet! I wasn't fishing my UL or L rods at the time, but it was an ML spinning rod, when I hooked up with something nice and I thought it was going to be about a 2lb LMB - it turned out to be a bluegill. The little bugger impressed me enough that I had to take a pic and weigh it - 1.17lbs - a nice little fighter indeed. NOW, can you imagine the fight of the world-record 4-12 bluegill ! Anyway, getting back on track of the point of the thread - trends. There is a trend to heavier and heavier tackle for bass fishing, perhaps driven by tournament anglers and cash payouts. But back when fishing was just supposed to be fun, light tackle had a place...................and still does !