Goose52

My 9 1/2' float-n-fly rod fits - but the tip is just about at the dashboard - maybe I could get a 10 footer in the car as well... EXACTLY ! There it is - buy 1-pc rods for your mainline fishing rods, but have some 2-pc rods for travel. I have an ancient 5-pc pack rod and reel in the trunk at all times - you never know when you might be driving around and see some good water (I need to upgrade this rod one of these days - it's about 43 years old!). Then, I have a number of 2-pc rods for cross-country travel when you don't want rods sticking from the trunk, through the back seat, and up between the front seats (or left in the bed of a truck).

I have a feeling that somethings up - perhaps more new product lines and product changes this year. The way that they're blowing out the Johnny Morris BC reel line seems to indicate that they may be introducing a new line placed above the CLs and PQ BC reels. Perhaps another split-grip rod series placed above the Carbonlites. Let's see...

Notice anything new yet? More Carbonlite BC reel ratios perhaps?

I got mine last year on December 28. Should be soon... Just as important as getting the catalog is to keep watching the BPS web-site for any clearance deals that wouldn't show in the catalog.

WOW - I bet that's something for Tupelo! And a Merry Christmas to you and best wishes for good fishing next year! We got a little dusting up here on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee - it's not much, but it was the first measurable snowfall on Christmas in this part of TN in 17 years - more is expected throughout today and tomorrow. My backyard:

Many of us have had to make similar decisions regarding the selection of small watercraft. However, our decision criteria may be different than yours. You're looking at two different types of craft with different capabilities. You sorta have to decide what capability/features are most important to you and then decide which craft best meets those needs. For me, I considered inflatable pontoons, kayaks, canoes, jons, bass raiders, etc. Like Marty, one of my most important requirements was light weight and the ability to car-top. Then I wanted storage, especially "in-board" storage since I sometimes have a grip problem and if I drop something, I want it to fall in the boat, instead of overboard. I wanted something that could be paddled or rowed without much effort, but would also take a trolling motor. After looking at all those factors, I ended up with a heavily equipped canoe (outriggers, TM, sonar, rod holders, etc). Good luck in your decision!

I'm sorta the opposite, when I think of cranking or hear the term "cranking reel" I sorta assume deep cranking as shallow and medium cranks can indeed be handled by 6.x to low 7.x reels without that much effort. A photo that puts it all in perspective - a Mann's 30+ compared to a Bomber 6A (rated at 6-8ft)

Deep diving crankbaits, due to the large diving bills, present quite a bit of resistance on the retrieve. The lower gear ratio reels offer a mechanical advantage that makes it easier to crank the reel. You normally don't burn a deep crank anyway, so the lower speed potential of the low gear ratio is not a limitation. While it's true that you could use a 7.1 reel and just slow down - your wrists may complain about that after cranking DD22s or Manns 20+ or 30+ cranks all day. If you have ever ridden a multi-speed bicycle (10-speed, 21-speed, etc.) you don't use 10th or 21st to ride up hills do you - you shift down to a lower gear. Same thing with the reels.... :

Merry Christmas Glenn and Keri - thanks for this GREAT board! Merry Christmas to all and I wish you great fishing in the new year!

Merry Christmas Glenn and Keri - thanks for this GREAT board! Merry Christmas to all and I wish you great fishing in the new year!

Merry Christmas Glenn and Keri - thanks for this GREAT board! Merry Christmas to all and I wish you great fishing in the new year!

I'm sure that most folks wouldn't consider a BPS PQ "better" than a Curado...BUT, the PQ is available in a whopping 8 models, with ratios of 4.7, 5.2, 6.4, and 7.1 in LH and RH. Certainly a model to fit every need. I use a 4.7 (19ipt) for deep cranking, a 5.2 (21 ipt) for medium cranking and heavy spinnerbaits, and then 6.4 and 7.1 for other stuff. Everyone had their own opinions of the BPS PQ, but one thing for sure, BPS has tried to give you a lot of options on this reel. The other reel companies sorta tell YOU what to use... :

x2 There's definitely something to be said for vehicles (and equipment) that you can use without worrying about what they'd cost to replace, or whether they'll still be there when you get back to the boat ramp/launch. Ummm, I actually do care about whether that 22-year old car is there when I get back from fishing - that car is our "new" car, our primary transportation - our other car is the "old" car at 38 years old ! ;D ;D ;D

As a big-time grub user, I did indeed notice that...

BPS rates it at 10lbs - YMMV. I have 6 PQs but I haven't a clue as to what they actually test at - I probably don't have any of them set at more than 5-6lbs... That other thread might have been talking about the Carbonlite which BPS rates at 8lbs.

I thoroughly review my own state (Tennessee) regulations at the beginning of every season and have a copy of the regs in my tackle bag. I've only fished out-of-state once recently and that was Florida. I had my non-resident license but I'll have to admit that I didn't go over the regs that well. I guess I get lazy since I C&R everything, don't use natural bait, only use one rod at at time, etc. Next time I go down there perhaps I better read up!

I thoroughly review my own state (Tennessee) regulations at the beginning of every season and have a copy of the regs in my tackle bag. I've only fished out-of-state once recently and that was Florida. I had my non-resident license but I'll have to admit that I didn't go over the regs that well. I guess I get lazy since I C&R everything, don't use natural bait, only use one rod at at time, etc. Next time I go down there perhaps I better read up!

I thoroughly review my own state (Tennessee) regulations at the beginning of every season and have a copy of the regs in my tackle bag. I've only fished out-of-state once recently and that was Florida. I had my non-resident license but I'll have to admit that I didn't go over the regs that well. I guess I get lazy since I C&R everything, don't use natural bait, only use one rod at at time, etc. Next time I go down there perhaps I better read up!

Merry Christmas to all and good fishing next year!

Merry Christmas to all and good fishing next year!

Merry Christmas to all and good fishing next year!

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas to all and good fishing next year!

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas to all and good fishing next year!

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas to all and good fishing next year!

Truck, smuck - who needs to spend all that money to go fishing. 22-year old car with 1/4 million miles, canoe, BPS rods & reels = over 1,000 bass caught in 2010. Hey guys, it's all good. K_Mac put it best one time when he said something like up to a certain point, your fishing success can be limited by your gear, BUT, when you reach a certain price/quality point, you're not really adding much to your catch rate due to the increased cost of the gear. BUT - if you like high-end stuff of any kind - fishing gear, cars/trucks, whatever, cool. Just don't maintain that the high-end gear is necessary for fishing success. The thing that gets to me on this board is when someone that is obviously on a budget asks for a recommendation and gets responses for $300 rods or reels. Just sayin... :