Chance_Taker4

The Gen 3 SXs that I had I bought on the day they came out. It may have been that they were too new. AS for the casting My SX would go about 20-25 yards and the spool would stop. My Tatual I can cast 35-40 yards and have to stop the spool from spinning. I started using Quantums when I first learned baitcasting. I like the bulge especially because I have big hands and wide fingers. This is the same reason I like the Tatula the spool is wider and easier for me. The grinding sounds like the gears but it doesn't effect casting so you could be on to something. Abu Garcia just keeps going down hill. And I still haven't found the reason for the bad reputation for Quantums. They are overpriced for sure but the product they produce is competitive stuff to me. The Smoke should start at $150 not $200 and the EXO should start at $200. I believe they are using KVD name to up their prices. The mix between centrifugal and Magnetic that quantum put in their Smoke 150s and EXOs are great just as great are the brakes system in the BPS Carbonlite reel. If we are talking just magnetic brakes the Tatula wins hands down and just centrifugal brakes I would say the Shimano Citica has the best set.

The Gen 3 came out in the End of 2012. The Gen 2 cam out I believe 2008. And the Gen 1 came out in 2006.

Weightless T-Rig is the most productive then Whacky.

I think everything goes on the backburner when it comes to golf for me. However if I have only limited time I would rather throw a quick line in the water or ride my motorcycle.

I wanted to post this thread in hope to help people during their buying purchase or just give knowledge of the reels. First I want to tell everyone that I am partial to Abu Gear. All my rods and reels were Abu until this season. I bought a new Daiwa Tatula and traded for a Quantum Smoke and Exo. This is just a review of all 4 reels and what I liked about them. Abu Garcia Revo Sx. I have used this reel since they came out. I absolutely loved the Gen 2 but was really disappointed when I got a hold of the Gen 3. The Gen 3 just seems like when they tried to reduce weight they did it cheaply. It feel cheap and all four I had/have the gears grinded when I would cast and reel it. I tried to greese the gears and it helped a little but it just wasn't as smooth as the gen 2. It has the top of the line drag system and bearing but the little stuff seem to be a non consideration. It does still have great casting distance and I do have 1 of the 4 I bought and use it all the time. Daiwa Tatula. There is not much I can say about this reel but amazing. It is the farthest casting reel I have used. It is also the smoothest. It is not as light as the SX but the weight distribution on this reel makes you feel like you are only holding a rod. I find this as a plus for this reel since it is the "heaviest" reel of the 4. It is quiet, smooth and I can't say enough about the casting distance. It doubles the distance I get with the Revo. This reel is great for crankbait fishing. Quantum Smoke. I traded my SXs for the Smoke I have and the Exo because of all the negativity Quantum has been getting lately. I wanted to try these out and see for myself. I have the Smoke 150 with their new ACS3 brake system. I found this brake system better than a reel with just magnetic or centrifugal reel. It casts a little farther than SX but nowhere near the Tatula. It is as quiet as the Taula but not as smooth. This is a great reel and when I have the extra cash I will buy a couple more of these. Quantum Exo This reel is the most expensive of all of them and I feel that the price is for the gimmick that is the "exoskeleton" design to cut weight. It is the lightest of the reels but not by much actually it weighs the same as the BPS Carbonlite reel but costs $150 more than the Carbonlite. It casts as far as the Tatula but it has the same problem the SX has with gear grinding. The grinding makes it slight difficult to reel in and makes you have to work to get your bait as far as the Tatula. The brakes in this reel are the same as the Smoke however they are set inside the reel instead of with a dial. This real as a new drag system made with ceramic and carbon, and steel. I really like the drag system in this reel. A general break down in my opinion would go like this: Brake: Quantum Smoke/Exo Drag: Quantum Exo Feel: Daiwa Tatula Castability: Tatula Smoothness: Tatula Quietness: Quantum Smoke I would rank these reel as such: Daiwa Tatula ($149.99) Quantum Smoke 150 ($219.99) Abu Garcia Revo SX ($159.99) Quantum Exo 100 ($249.99) Feel free to post your opinions on these reels or how they compare to other reels. I did not compare any Shimanos in here on purpose. Every thread I read about reels have so many replies advising to get a Shimano reel. Personally I don't see how they are "better" than other reels. My preference is Daiwa or Abu Garcia. As well I would buy more Quantums in the future I don't see where the bad reutation they get comes from. I believe new Quantums are better than New Revos.

That's gotta be the best technique ever to ward of people getting to close!!!

Go in a storage unit since I live in an apartment with no garage. I have two units one for all my fishing gear and a general purpose one Before I got the units I would just sit them in the corner of my living room behind my recliner.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/traffic/motorcycles-running-red-lights-its-the-law-sometimes-b9984295z1-221369311.html http://ohioriders.net/index.php?/topic/9810-lane-splitting-not-addressed-in-codes-or-statutes/ The last link is a forum that discusses the law in Ohio. Nothing from the government because it has never been addressed as right or wrong in the state. Police advise not to lane split but you cannot be pulled over or ticketed for it. Top link shows you can run a red light after you stop and the sensors do not pick up on the bike. Passing cars at red lights are discussed in the forum as well. They are all safety precautions to help bikes not get hit while stopped. In Ohio we don't have to wear a helmet or eye protection if 18 years or younger, and we can put headphones in to listen to music or GPS. We also don't need mirrors on our bikes. The laws are a lot like Wisconsin were I got my endorsement and lived for a few years.

If the Convergence is available get that. I always advise against lightning just because I have broke two of them on fighting fish. The first one was a 6lb Largemouth, it snapped the tip off and the other broke on a 10lb Cat which three guides broke off halfway down the rod.

Rod- Shimano Clarus or Convergence, Abu Garcia Vengeance Reel- Pflueger President or Mitchell 300 Pro Line- 15# Power Pro brain with a 12# flouro leader

I unfortunately am guilty of this more often than not. When a boater comes in an fishes the bank I am standing on and trying to take my fish I will ask them to move. If they don't I start fling crankbaits at them. Not smart but I get fired up to quick. I blame my hockey roots for that

That setup is good to learn on the only suggestion I would have is if you practice and don't get the hang of it right away keep practicing, Also If it is difficult to get used to that particular reel, Bass Pro makes a Bionic reel geared specifically to learn how to use baitcasters. It has a "smart cast" technology that really keeps the backlash down. My wife couldn't use a casting reel to save her life. I bought her the Bionic about a year ago and now she can dial in, tune, and throw any kind of baitcasters.

I have to disagree to some extent and take offense. I am a Sport Bike (crotch rocket) rider. And I can say that when I'm on it they four wheel drivers are the inconsiderate ones. I have been in more close calls from drivers "not seeing me" or totally disregarded that fact I have a right to the road as well. Motorcyclists get a bad wrap for following the laws made for us. Yes motorcyclists have there own laws (allowed to ride through red lights, split lanes when traffic is backed up, ride past cars to the front of the line on a red light), and these laws are what drivers complain about riders. Now back to the topic. I am a bank fisherman as well. And almost every time a boater sees me having success they swoop in and take the spot from me.

I think there was a misunderstandment on my post. I didn't say you can use "any" bait whenever you would like to catch fish. I said all baits catch fish at some point. Spring- Spinnerbait, Jerkbait Summer- Cranks and Plastics Fall- Plastics, cranks, spinnerbait Winter- Lipless cranks, plastic, Jig That is how I fish my baits and it works quite well for me. However when learning I threw cranks every time I was on the water no matter the season until I was confident with them. Then I moved to plastics, spinnerbait, etc, etc. Until I figured what baits work well in what conditions and season. I never threw an A Rig and never plan on it. I feel that they are more dangerous to the fish.

Plueger President, Daiwa Legalis, Mitchell 300Pro, Lew's Tournament HS are all better than Symetre unless you are a Shimano fan then nothing beats anything from Shimano . But I can promise you that if you pick up the Lew's Tournament HS reel you would not regret it and never look back. P.S. I have replaced the two Symetre I have with the Lew's Tournament HS and Daiwa Legalis. Lew's is by far smoother than both reels.

0 Bass and 2 Nice Catfish from Lake Erie. 1 cat was about 8lbs and the other 10-11lbs. Small for Lake Erie standards but big in my book.

A lot of people are partial to Shimano so you will get a lot of advice for them. Here is what I would suggest Spinning Setup Rod- Abu Garcia Veritas $100, Abu Vendetta $70, Bass Pro Carbonlite $100Falcon Bucco $100 Reels- Lew's Tournament HS $80 Daiwa Legalis $60, Mitchell 300pro $60, Plueger President $60 Casting Setup Rods- *** Black $100, Abu Veritas $100, Duckett Ghost $100, Denali Jadewood $100 Reels- Daiwa Exceler $100, Lew's Speed Spool $100, Bass Pro Pro Qualifier $70-$100, Qauntum Accurist $100 If it was me I would I would get a cheaper Spinning setup like a Vendetta rod and Lew's Reel. Then use the extra money you save to get a Daiwa Tatula $160 reel and a Danali Kovert $119 rod to make an amazing casting combo. The bold words is some of the equipment I currently use now.

My reaction may be a little different but I get real confident and a little egotistical. But it is because my wife is a big city girl who didn't know what a fishing pole was when we started dating. Now that she is getting outdoorsy 9 out of 10 trips she is with me sun tanning in the back. And everytime I catch a fish weather it is big or small, she gets super excited and thinks I am KVD , Even though I am no where close to him or really any tournament anglers ( you guys are amazing at this sport) So when I start catching big fish or a lot of fish she thinks I belong in the HOF of fishing. Even when there is a discussion about fishing she buts in and tells them I can out fish anyone because I just caught 30 fish (less than a pound each (: ) The confidence she bestows in me especially when I have a good day just makes me feel confident and gives me a little bit of an ego until a kid comes and out fishes me the next time.

Almost anything you throw this time a year will be bit on. Just remember to match color with water (darker the water the brighter the colors, the clearer the water the more natural colors). Also do not get hung up on all the baits when to use them and how. I learned from using one at a time. Every type of bait will catch them at some point. The easiest thing to do is decide on one bait only. Just throw the one bait until you can catch them consistently and feel comfortable. Once this happens go on to a different bait until you gain confidence. Once you get confidence in each baits then you can decide how you want to catch them as well as find out which baits works best at which time.

I was throwing around 35-40 with my bps carbonlite reel but now that I use the Quantum Smoke I got a few more yards out of it. I know this because the farm pond I fish is 43 yards across and with the smoke I have been able cast onto the other shore. I use 12lb mono in my Smoke and 15lb Flouro on my old carbonlite.

BPS XPS Professional Tourney Minnow Chrome/Blue Back Daiwa Tatula on a 6'9" Denali Kovert

I'm from Ohio and can say normally when I am on the water I see others using only spinning reels. However I have one Spinning reel and 8 casting setups. This may come from the fact I am a power fisherman wanting to cover as much water as I can with cranks, spinners, jerks. To where as the other guys are throwing weightless plastics, drop shots, spending long periods of time in one area. I also am only bass exclusive fisherman, I don't like to fish Walleye, Pike, Muskie however, I love perch fishing.

I love my Tat it is smoother than my Revo SX and I can cast it farther.

Not many I have great fisheries right by my house but my small list is Ohio Michigan Tennessee

Denali Jadewood or the Kovert. The Kovert IMHO is the best rod on the market for $150 or under. But if you want to stay at around $99 then go with the Jadewood. The Jadewood has been out longer and has more technique specific models than the Kovert as well. But a 7' MH Kovert would be my first choice.