Goose52

I've caught one combo - a spinning rod/reel. Cheap gear - not worth saving (for me). I propped it in some rocks with the rod tip pointing up - couple hours later it was gone..................

I am using a St. Croix Rage 7'11" heavy-mod/fast for 10XDs as I already had the rod on hand when I bought the crankbaits. Were I to go out and buy a rod specifically for 10XDs, the Dobyns Champion 806CB seems to have a lot of fans. The Dobyns and the Rage have the same power & action...but the Dobyns is said to have a somewhat softer tip that might help launch these big baits better than the Rage. Here's a couple of recent "rod for 10XDs" threads you might want to check out: What Rod For A Huge Crankbait? What's Your Rod and Reel for 10XDs?

No doubt that Records/Ambassadeurs can last a long time I'm wondering, however, if you rounded UP to get to that 75 years number... Significant Abu Garcia Milestones (from http://www.abugarcia.com/Our-History/AbuGarcia-our-history,default,pg.html ) 1921 – AB Urfabriken is founded as a watch factory in Svängsta, Sweden 1941 – The first Abu Garcia fishing reel, the ABU Record® is introduced

Hey Hootie - I got my Ted Williams 400 spinning reel new in 1959. How about you, did you get that reel new or used.................................................

Another pic of the fish grip clamped on the lower lip. Couldn't have got the fish in the boat without it...

Ted Williams 400 - 1959: I still take it out about once a year - catch a fish with it on its 60s-vintage solid-glass rod, then put it back on the rack. It still works, catches fish - usually about the same size bass as I caught with it when it was new...

The JDM Conquest (2000) is functionally the same as the Calcutta TE-GT. The GT models were available in three sizes (50, 100, 200) and had basically the same internals, bearing count, etc. as the equivalent Conquest sizes. The Conquest essentially just had a higher "trim level" similar to a higher trim level of a car. The Calcutta TEs (200, 300, 400, 700 sizes) had a lower bearing count, didn't have a ported frame, and in the only common size with the TE-GT - the TE-200 was a bit heavier than the TE-200GT. The differences: CQ has a forged handle / TE-GT has a stamped handle CQ has a forged drag star / TE-GT has a stamped star CQ has clicking spool tension knob and drag / TE-GT has no clicks CQ has a ported palm-side sideplate / TE-GT is plain/unported I think that's the basic differences. I have TE-GTs in all three sizes, I have CQ-2000s in 50 and 100 sizes. I don't notice any actual performance differences between the the CQ and the TE-GT equivalent model.

More quality bass caught on that one trip than I've caught in the last FIVE years! Congrats !!!!!!

Extremes generally aren't the lightest stick around, but I've never noticed any objectionable amount of tip heaviness...but I usually don't fish them much for bottom contact anyway so balance isn't much of an issue for me. All my on-the-water experience is with the Extreme models that are now two generations old so I can't really say how the just discontinued series fish, and of course haven't seen the new ones at all. Looking at the BPS web site earlier today - it looks like all the $59 close-out Extremes are gone (on-line at least). Glad I got these travel rods when I did.

SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE..........................................................................!

In that case - you need to "collect the set".................................................

Well, there's just "something" about that 50-series form factor that is addicting. Palms extremely well, they're solid reels, have perfect line capacity for what I do. I have four reels on this platform (3-50E and 1 Core50) and really like them. OTOH, I've been fishing a Scorpion 200 (Curado I) for the last few days and am finding that I may have an equal attraction to that form factor as well. It also palms very well, has X-Ship and VBS braking, and is a VERY nice reel as well. It has more line capacity that I need but that's not a big issue. I'm thinking that I may not be buying anymore of the old 50-series platform reels (unless there is a killer close-out deal on Core 50s sometime in the future... ). Haven't fished a CI4+ so can't comment on that.

Nylon covered & embroidered hard case, compartmented nylon rod sock, expected workmanlike performance that you get with the Extreme rod series. $60 each, free shipping. Pretty good deal...

Great advice Hootie! (I would have responded sooner but I had to knock off a six-mile walk this morning first... )

Thanks Hootie but the nearest BPS is 95 miles away - I don't go there very often. Anyway, I have 3 10XDs now and that's enough for such a specialized bait.

When I first bought a 10XD, the only rod that I had that could handle the weight was a Rage 7'11" heavy mod-fast. It works well enough that I haven't considered shopping for perhaps a more optimum rod. The 8.0 Squarebill is big but only 3/4 oz. Seems like it could be thrown on all sorts of MH Mod or Mod-Fast rods.

BPS also has a pretty fair deal on 10XDs - $7.97 - but only two colors... I already had one of the colors...and ordered the one that I didn't...

5" grub rigged and presented as described by Raul = result:

I bought a number of Extremes of the previous model when they were on close-out about 5 years ago - for prices ranging from $39 to $59. Good, serviceable rods at those prices. I've got quite a bit of use out of mine. I don't have any interest in the current regular-model Extremes that are being closed-out...but several days ago I did buy two of the Extreme three-piece travel rods (one casting, one spinning) that are selling for the same $59 - an excellent value for a travel rod that includes a rod sock AND a hard case... BTW, the new model Extremes are already showing on the BPS web site.

Yeah baby - you got it posted... OK - here's a checklist: Line on the spool - check Reel on a rod - pending Fish slime on the combo - pending

Wow - when did they start (perhaps I should say resume) sending out goodies? I've been a member on this go-around for 6 years and only got the little tackle bag on the first year and then a decal on subsequent renewals. I mentioned "resume" sending out goodies as I was first a member of B.A.S.S. back in 1968 ('69?) and they occasionally sent out a lure to the members (field testing so to speak). My Dad is a charter member and thought it was a good deal and bought a membership for me just after the charter membership period closed. I renewed the membership once and then went on to other life events. Still have the patch they sent me in '68/69...

Here's a PX-R pic to tide the thread over until Travis 23 gets his pic posted...

Those are the gears I had seen for the CQ100. I didn't realize that they had made them for 50-size as well. According to their specs - it takes a 50 to about 25-26 IPT - a very usable number... I can't understand why Shimano couldn't offer at least one more ratio from the factory - it would just be two more parts (drive and pinion gears) to make and keep in inventory...

A higher-speed gearset was made for the old CQ100 (6.something) but I've never seen anything for CQ-50s. It would be great if Shimano offered at least two gear ratio options in these reels from the factory...

Thanks. Minimal storage impact was one of the planning criterions. I was originally going to hang the boat from the ceiling. It was actually my wife's idea to store the boat on its side on what she calls "the canoe hutch." Smart girl...