Goose52

Today I retired my last Sigma spinning reel (the 040 with the line on the spool in the photo). None are left in front-line service, and I don't expect that I will need them in reserve. From warriors to relics... I bought most of these in the mid-1980s and fished them into the early 90s. A few were fished off and on over the years since then. When I retired three years ago, I bought a few more to fill-out the collection and put them to work. All still work and have been reeling in fish the past 3 years (except the 3 saltwater reels). What was their downfall? None have instant anti-reverse and they just started feeling a bit "clunky" after using more modern reels. Also, the fiber drag washers were getting a bit compressed, making the drags a bit sticky. Otherwise - they were good to go. One of the 040 reels (top row on right) reeled in my 9.06 LMB PB! Most are headed for display in my den - a couple will be on eBay. Thanks Sigma clan for the faithful service!

There's just something comforting about saying that you have "x" number of miles of line...

Maybe even a couple seasons!

Yes.

I would have normally followed the convention of using regular YZ Hybrid on BC reels, and Ultrasoft on spinning. BUT, like many of us on the board, I took advantage of the killer deal on Ultrasoft at $25/1lb spool at "The Longfin" - I now use Ultrasoft on both BC and spinning - it works great on both. I'm now obviously committed to Ultrasoft since I bought over 25,000 yards of it ...

I like those dark colored bass - great fish! I like the background in the photo as well. The Glades were my home waters in the 1960s - reminds me of the old days...

Yeah - great coloration on that top fish for sure. My fish up here on the plateau hardly have any green "racing stripe" at all...

Gettin' jiggy with it! Another 7 or bigger is in your near future for sure...

I don't recognize the background in the photo...................otherwise, I'd be thinking you had snuck onto one of my lakes and caught what we call a quality fish...

Lots of jon boat owners on this board so they might check in. Meanwhile - check out www.tinboats.net

Not sure what the economics would be for the rod manufacturer, but a middle-ground between no warranty and a lifetime warranty is a ONE year warranty. If there truly is a manufacturing defect, it would typically show up within the first year of use. Most rod problems in the long-term are usually caused by the angler - handling dings, doors, ceiling fans, lifting fish, etc., not the fault of the rod company. Of course, offering any warranty then opens the door for disputes between the company and the angler about whether rod breakage was the result of a defective blank...or misuse/mishandling by the angler ... which takes a lot of time/effort by the company to sort out. Still, one year seems like a long enough period for the rod to be proven as free of true manufacturing defects...

I have 50 to 75 yards of flouro on top, backing underneath. The amount of flouro is determined by the quantity on the filler spool and the intended use for that reel. A 150 yard spool I might divide into either 50 or 75 yard increments, a 200 yard spool might be divided into 3 or 4 increments, a 125 yard spool into 2, etc.

I eyeball it with nylon mono or copoly. With expensive lines like flouro or braid, I'll actually measure it out. I usually want from 50 to 75 yards of the good stuff on top, backing underneath. If the filler spool is, lets say, 150 yards, then I'll decide if I want to divide that into 50 yard or 75 yard increments. I have a 100 foot driveway and set pylons at each end of the driveway. If I want 50 yards (150ft) of flouro/braid, I tie it off to a pylon and walk out 150 feet (1.5 driveways) and cut the line. I tape the cut end onto the reel, wind that up, then tie on the backing and fill the spool. Then I tie off the end of the backing to a pylon, walk everything out around the pylons, and remove the taped end of the line from the reel. Back to the first pylon, use an arbor knot to tie the backing to the spool, wind everything back on the reel. Almost takes longer to type than to do. Result - your expensive line is precisely divided to get multiple respools, and the precise amount of backing is installed. Don't need an extra reel or extra spool...just some space.

Hey A-Jay - "Micro" has Special Mate boxes. Don't know if he has that big one or not. If he doesn't check in on this thread, send him a PM.

I'm lovin' all these wintertime catches. Ain't soft water great !

Great start indeed! Congrats...

Wow ! That represents about 5 years worth of 'bigguns' in my lakes...

Absolutely correct. I guess most of us didn't realize that BPS has re-engineered the reel and released a new model for 2012. It now has an aluminum frame, different centrifugal inner and outer pins, and an external adjustment for some of the centrifugal settings. External appearance is different as well (the lips are gone!) BPS is obviously committed to this new braking system.

Hey - you got to start somewhere...and a bass is better than a skunk! Congrats on the start of your year...

Wow - 12 bass in Illinois at this time of year.................VERY cool!

Hey Dwight - I don't have 100 years left so I know the reel will outlast me for sure...

Store only - and I would think there won't be any left in the stores pretty soon.

Well, it's certainly an outstanding piece of machinery and just a perfect size - with an IPT that is practical for a number of techniques. I normally wouldn't buy a reel in this price range, but I had some mad money and just bought it. It's just a nifty reel - for some reason it reminds me of the 100+ year-old pocket watch I inherited from my great grandad - the reel just drips quality.

The 50. Palms like a dream and makes my (originally my Dad's) 'ole Ambassadeur 5000 look positively gigantic...

WOW - someone sure likes the 50 size reels !