.ghoti.

Isn't it odd how perceptions differ? That would be why we all need to take these type of comments, and reviews, with a grain of salt. My opinion only really matters to me. Your opinion, based on your experiences, matters to you a lot more than mine. Rightfully so. As long as we don't feel we have to get in a whizzing contest about it, it's all good. There are too many people online ready to go to war over such silly stuff. It's only fishing. You make a valid point when you note that I've only had one Tatula in my hands. It could have had something wrong with it, or had been improperly cleaned and lubed. In fact, considering who I borrowed it from, that would be a distinct possibility, now that I think about it. I thought the reel was solid; just felt strange to me. I don't get that feeling from the SS SV.

Two nearly identical casting rigs. A Kistler Helium LTA 7' ML-MF with Alphas 103 A Tatula 7' ML-R with Alphas 103F I use these for any small unweighted, or lightly weighted plastics. Two identical spinning rigs. Steez 7' ML-F with 2004 size JDM Certate I use these for anything under 1/4oz total weight. Line depends on where I'm going, seasonal considerations, and target species.

If you've you seen my post in the "Show off your stuff" thread, you know I'm a Daiwa fanboy. I din't have a Tatula, and after fishing with one for about 30 minutes, I won't be buying one. Don't care for the hollow, geary feel of the thing. As far as the T-wing systems goes, I'd call it more gimmick than innovation. On par with their twitchin bar thing from a few years back. Just another old guy's opinion, if you will. ( a nod and a tip o' the hat to Hootie)

Old is being wise enough to know the statement "the early bird gets the worm" really means the worm should have stayed in bed.

Ditto

Very nice thing to just dig around and find. Good looking combo.

Nice collection of custom sticks, Capt Bob.

Looks like a Sol, with a different handle, spool and drag star.

I use it for trout trips. Four pound test on whatever spinning gear I'm taking. Otherwise I have no use for it.

Thought you just might recognize something in that pic.

There are three main aspects to this discussion. If the high price is due to quality hardware and construction, then the bait may very well be worth the cost of admission. A bait that tracks well, hits the depth it should, doesn't break the first time you bang it off a rock, has hooks that don't need to be replaced and sports a durable finish is a worthy investment. If quality control is what's driving the price higher, well that can be a good thing as well. I don't mind at all paying extra for a bait I know will perform, right out of the box. In reality the cost of manufacturing the rejects, and the QC process itself is factored into the cost of the good baits that make it out the door. I have no problem with that. On a different note, if what you're paying for is an expensive, multi- step, detailed, lifelike finish, I'm not interested. Fish do not have the neurological capability to process to amount of data required to "see" that level of detail. I'm not saying those baits won't catch fish. I'm saying the bait needs to be more than a pretty face to stay in my box.

Two to three inches of visibility would be dirty water. With two to three feet, fish can see well enough you don't have to hit them in the face to get their attention. Green pumpkin is good, PB& J is better.

Now that's funny.

I think it's time for a new rule. I propose this. The first person to mention Bigfoot loses the argument.

What tends to be in kits is a couple of good colors, and a bunch of colors that don't sell well, so they get rid of them as part of a kit.

Yes, Sir Snook, you are an idiot. From a charter member; welcome to the club. You're in good company.

I don't know about your garage, but there's definitely a black hole in mine.

A St Croix Avid MH is functionally equivalent to most other manufacturer's heavy. I don't have, and have never held a Premier, so I can't compare.

I'm close enough. To upgrade from what I have would be to spend a lot of cash for not much gain.

In my quiver I have three 7' medium power, fast action rods. If I took only those rods on a trip, I could fish 95% of what's in my tackle bags.

Very nice Mick. Me like.

When you first posted this I really did not care for the color of that blank. Seeing it with the burl grip installed has completely changed my perception. What color for the wraps?

The Team Daiwa starting lineup. Back row: five Fuegos and an SS SV Middle row: five Alphas and a Viento Front row: four Zillions and two TD-Zs

You know why they call it golf, don't you? Because **** is already taken. Stick to fishing. You'll live longer.

Shooting them is a waste of time. They are too stupid to notice that their buddies are dead, and will keep coming. Been there, done that.