trevor

Yep, they were polarized, authentic Oakleys. I was impressed with them until I looked at the world through 580!

Oakley Half Jackets. I actually had two pairs of half Jackets, and thought they were the best...

Ugh I had all these cool pics of them but they're too large to attach. >

So, I needed some new sunglasses. I got one Christmas gift this year, but it was a good one! Costa Blackfin Sunglasses. Tortoise frame and Blue Mirror 580 lenses (glass). I'll give a little review. These were a combo gift from my Aunt and Uncle and my grandma. They arrived early so that I could have them for our family trip to Florida. My aunt ordered them direct from Costa to ensure authenticity. Upon opening the box, I found a very sweet little case, a cleaning patch, and of course, my babies. I opened the box at night, so all I could do was admire them and wait until next morning.... Next morning I go outside to have a look around with my new shades. The 580's are the top of the line and supposed to do marvelous things for your eyes. But at such a high price, are they really that much better than a pair of Strike Kings or Oakleys? Just by looking around in my back yard, it was hard to tell how good they were. First day fishing in Florida, I was so excited to get them out on the water, especially around the flats. My expectations were pretty high for these glasses. I am going to just say I have owned and used Oakley sunglasses as well as Polaroid, and used many others. The Costa 580 absolutely blew away anything I had ever used before! No contest. Nothing even close! In my mind, they are totally worth every penny, and I'll never be able to look back. I brought along my old Polaroid glasses to compare. While flats fishing in 2 feet of water, I could see bottom out from the boat at least 4 feet farther with my Costas compared to my Polaroids. Incredible! The lenses are absolute perfection. I think many people (including myself) don't realize the distortion cheaper lenses cause. The Costas cut so much glare and make so much contrast... I just cannot say enough for them. Fit wise, they fit beautifully. The grippy nose and temple really help keep them from moving around too much. And they have a lifetime warranty based in Florida, so that's good too. Obviously, would highly recommend these glasses.

I use on for braid and one for mono or fluoro.

Actually now considering a Soron Now you're talkin'!!! Which one, the SX or the STX?? That's gonna put you over the $100 mark, either way you go though. Not on ebay.

Actually now considering a Soron

I just have handled (and own one) the cheaper Gander Mountain Rods. But I think American Rodsmiths makes them. Whoa your profile picture looks like mine.

I like Gamma better than Yozuri, but those are the only ones I've tried extensively.

Any impressions/feedback on the President XT from actual owners of the reel? Is the carbon drag quality? I'm thinking about treating myself to a nice creek reel for fishing medium size creeks, and want one with a drag that is really smooth to protect light lines, but I'm not gonna spend $100 to do it! Also, is it a direct drive handle?

Can't comment on this aspect of them as I close my bails by hand.

I have on. Imagine an really light Ugly Stick with Cork grips and even softer tips. They have light wire guides without inserts.

What size Abu Garcia spinning reel is comparable to a 2000 Shimano or Daiwa?

The Avengers are decent, that's all I own Okuma.

Have you ever fly fished for carp? Waded the shallows, see one tailing? Made the perfect cast, only for him to turn up his nose at it? Then made a perfect cast, seen the barely detectable take, set the hook, and watched 30 yards of line zing off your fly reel in 5 seconds? http://carponthefly.blogspot.com/ NICE! I bet you consider them a sport fish, don't you?

The only difference is some guy labelled half of them "game fish" and the other half garbage. And lots of "junk" fish, including carp, will readily take artificials if presented correctly. http://www.flyfishersrepublic.com/tactics/fishing/carp-on-the-fly/

Have you ever fly fished for carp? Waded the shallows, see one tailing? Made the perfect cast, only for him to turn up his nose at it? Then made a perfect cast, seen the barely detectable take, set the hook, and watched 30 yards of line zing off your fly reel in 5 seconds? http://carponthefly.blogspot.com/

Tore it down this afternoon to do a thorough cleaning and see if that would help. I found that the screw securing the oscillating slider to the main shaft was loose, so after I had disassembled and thouroughly cleaned it, I tightened it down solid. Now there's no clicking sound.

That sounds like a pretty good deal, but the reel is so cheap I could half buy a new one ( I got it on close out at a local shop for around $30)! I actually service all my own reels. But for that price I will definitely consider any more expensive reels I own if they ever need repaired.

I have a Daiwa Regal XIA (not the new model). When I reel it, it will make a clicking noise when the spool is in the highest position and in the lowest position. Is this fixable or just poor quality?

Uh..... carp?!

I took this on my boat. I would use my seamless background but everyone takes pictures with it. I wanted a more "in the nature" shot. I don't know if you know what that means but i just wanted something different. Yes i only used 1 speedlight with umbrella camera right and a white board as a little fill reflector behind the reels off camera. Yeah I actually like the carpet background.

That's good to know. I was just assuming they were both the same corrosion resistance. Thanks!