Aaron

Get the Calcutta, you won't regret it. I currently have a 100B that is awesome. I am looking for a 400 right now for my future swimbait rig. You should check e-bay for some deals. I was bidding on a Calcutta 400 yesterday that went for $127 or so.

Thanks for the help. I got new Ceramic spool bearings and new Carbontex drag washers in my Ambassadeur 5600 his weekend. I had a little trouble getting it back together but I finally got it. I can't wait to fish it.

Another big boy, XXXL "Mens medium? I wouldn't wash my truck with a mens medium t-shirt." -- Tim Wilson

I have a Colombia River knife I really like. It's very light and has a pocket clip. Very good knife. I also have a Ka-Bar folding knife that is very nice but a little heavy for carrying around in my pocket all the time. I can't comment on the SOG knives yet but have head very good things. I do have a Seal Team Elite on the way though. I would recommend the Columbia River knives. Also, either Filed and Stream or Outdoor life did some testing awhile back and the Columbia river knife held its edge longest of the ones they tested.

I saw it today and it was AMAZING. I got to see it in IMAX on a 6 story screen. They had to warn us about motion sickness before the movie.

Is line color/visibility an issue when fishing swimbaits? I was going to use Trilene Big Game on my swimbait rig and I already have some but it is the bright green color, will that matter?

Just keep practicing and eventually you will get it down. Also, start saving up to upgrade your equipment. The stuff you have now is good but as you start getting better good equipment will help improve your performance.

I am replacing the spool bearings on an Ambassadeur 5600. The bearings I bought are only shielded on one side. Which side should I have facing away from the spool? Shielded, unshielded, or does it matter? I have looked on-line and not found anything. Any help would be appreciated.

lbs. is not a measurement of mass. mass is measured in g, kg, etc. Weight (lbs) is a force. I think the container + fish + water would be 25 lbs. Isn't that how tourny weigh-ins are done? Container of known weight plus fish equals new wieght. New weight minus known container weight equals fish weight. This sounded good in my head, don't know how it will come out on screen :-?

I would think you would get a longer casts out of it. However, as a trade off you have to have a "smarter" thumb and be able to control the spool.

Those are some nice lookin rods and that Bass bait is amazing! Lookin' forward to the release of the rods. I just ordered some Mattlures baits and need a rod to throw them.

Has anyone seen this yet? I am pumped about. I'm going Saturday to see it in IMAX.

Scratches on my reels don't really bother me. I bank fish a lot so my reels tend to get beaten quiete a bit. However, I still try to take care of them best I can. I have bought quality equipment and I expect i to be able to take a beating every once in a while. Besides scratches add character.

Thanks for the info RM. I know the Calcuttas are great - I have a 100B now. Just wondered if I my get lucky and find them discounted in the future.

I don't really have a problem with mine, but then again I don't have a lot of finesse jigs. Interested in the solutions though.

That is a good quality line but the Ultra Soft version is the one that works so well on spinning gear.

The 2500's are ideal for most bass fishing applications IMO. I have 2500 Stradic that I love. The Symetres are 69.99 at Cabelas right now.

Does anyone know if Shimano is planning on releasing any new Calcuttas in the near future? I am seriously considering buying a 400 for swimbaits (among other things) and was wondering if I should expect new Calcuttas out soon or the current models to be discounted.

I was alaways curious about that as well. But now that the only email I use is hotmail I don't worry about it because I can select an email without opening it.

I haven't experienced burn out yet. I don't go just to catch fish, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and getting away from everything. I go a lot of times and don't catch anything or just a few fish, but I am still glad to be out there and not thinking about work or school.

I was at the Cabelas in Rogers, MN last night and saw some similar jars but did not see the same lures as Glenn posted. I think they were 19.99 a jar.

I agree, they are some fine lookin' rods. Can't wait to see them in store.

Out of the two you listed I would get the Sahara, but if you got the extra $20 get the Symmetre. I haven't fished any of them but have held them in stores and the Symmetre is a really nice reel.

You could possibly use a gun oil such as Remoil or the Hoppes oil. Not recommending just a sugestion.

Go to Wal Mart and ge the Okochobee Fats tackle bag (the big green one). THis things has tons of storage space in it, when filled it can be quiete heavy. I replaced all the boxes with Falcon boxes.