curtis9

I've never had issues getting parts from shimano. They have a great website and keep parts in stock for a ton of reels.

It's a bit outside of your budget, but I have the same rod with a stella 2500. Balance is excellent and reel is amazingly smooth. With the new Stella coming out I was able to pick up the reel for $450. You may be able to find it for less in the next few weeks as they go on sale.

I use the plano FTO terminal tackle box. It's $13, and I find it to be a perfect box for hooks and weights. http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=410217

I have 2 of the original Mettles. They are fantastic reels for the price. I haven't had any issue with either reel.

They were pretty far off, since it was a Ranger 188 with a 115 and a Tracker 175 with a 60. I think the Ranger was ~22k. I don't remember what the tracker was priced at. I also saw the Phoenix 920 or 921 (I can't remember which). It looked to be a bargain at $64,000.

I went to the boat show in Greenville, SC a few weeks back. They had a Ranger 188 and a tracker 175. The Ranger looked to be a lot better boat. It just seemed to be a more solid boat. I don't know if the 178 is the same. I have a 2004 Tracker 175. I've been happy with the boat, but would love to upgrade to the new Ranger. The Ranger also seemed to have better attention to detail than the Tracker. For example, the console on the ranger is shifted off the side of the boat to give room to lay rods on that side of the boat. On the tracker, the console will block rods from laying on that side of the boat. The ranger has cup holders built on for both passengers. The tracker doesn't. The ranger also appeared to have a much better trailer. I'm not sure the additional features are worth the extra money, but comparing the boats side by side, I was much more impressed with the new Ranger than I was the tracker.

Can you use the SonarCharts feature to add contours to lakes that aren't currently mapped?

Do a search on their ebay name. If it comes up with a reputable store, it's probably safe to buy from them. You may actually find a better deal going directly through the dealer website instead of ebay.

I bought a rep sample at the end of last year. They ended up shipping a new rod from the Shimano distribution center in Charleston instead of sending the demo rod. I would recommend taking the discount.

What rod do you have planned for the stella? I impulse bought one earlier this year, and then convinced myself I needed a new rod for it, so I then impulse bought a nrx.

I was using a mettle, but have now switched to a curado 100b. I haven't had any issues with the small reels

I have a quantum QX36 5 ft UL. I got it for $35. I use it mostly for throwing crickets at bluegill. I have a Sienna 1000 on it. I think it's perfect combo for what you are looking for. http://www.quantumfishing.com/products/2350/QX36.aspx

I'm hoping the 50s come out later similar to the E series.

Here are some more photos and info on the reel. http://www.*.com/Shimano-Curado-I-Reels-p/shimano-cui.htm&Click=7721

I have a st croix ltb 6'8" mxf with a stradic 2500fj that has been my all purpose spinning rod. You can pick up that combo for $430 retail price. If you wait for a sale you can probably get it for around if you want to spend more in the rod, you can get a nrx demo rod for under $400, and match it with a cheaper reel. I just picked up a 822 syr. It's a very versatile rod for light baits. It's the only spinning rod I carry majority of the time now.

Take a look at the line diameter on their website and compare it to what your currently using. I think their line diameter is a little larger than typical. I use 6lb Yozuri on my spinning setups and 12 on casting.

I use 40lb suffix 832 on a core 50 for pitchin. I think the smaller reel is perfect for this application.

I have a Abu veritas schooling rig rod. It's rated for up to 3 oz, so it will give you a lot of opinions on bait size

I think that's correct, but that's an extra $30-40 to by the gears, plus cost or time to change them out. I'd like to see the other gear options available stock.

I'd like to see a 5:1 and 7:1 gear ratio in a new 50 sized curado. I'd also like to see them offer tuning options, like spools and handles.

I think curado 50e was always $199. They didn't change the price when they changed the color and the name. The 200e increased from $179 to $199.

I've been fishing that same combo most of the year. The avid is a fantastic crankbait rod. Gander mountain has a good sale on st croix rods now. Combined with a coupon code you should be able to get the rod new for ~$135 shipped.

If you are considering a dobyns, I'd recommend giving them a call to get their recommendations. Tell them the baits you want to throw and they will recommend the best rod for you out of their lineup.

Of the rods I own my dobyns dx 744 is the most versatile of the bunch. Tip is light enough to throw smaller baits but the rod is heavy enough to fish larger baits. I have a core 50mg on mine with 40lb suffix braid. It's an awesome combo

I assume the rod is the mh fast, not the crankbait rod. The rods normally go on sale a few times a year during their rod riot.