castaway

I would like to think I am on the Daiwa bandwagon, but in reality, I like the old TD1 and the Millionaire reels which have been discontinued. :-[ Probably I would have to buy a Luna if I were to buy a new Daiwa, but its probably the old Millionaire with a new name ? :-/ Ivan

Ditto. Ivan

Ebay is the way to go, Raul knows his Japanese reels, alot of times they seem to be at a better price than what the domestic reels go for.I set a price, bid on hundreds of reels until I finally get one for what I am willing to pay for it.Its a great winter project,in time , you will find some unexpected super deals, right now is income tax time, bad time to be trying to get a great deal. ;DIvan

Congratulations on your new gear.I also fit into the calico reel collectors club. ;D Unless the Cabelas Prodigy reel has changed, it should be the same as the Pinnacle tetra.The Tetra I have , is an outstanding reel for the money except, I have too many other reels I like to use instead. When you get around to collecting the Pfluegers, I have a president and a Trion that I don't really have room in the boat for any more.The President is really a great reel, I haven't got used to the gear ratios being as fast of a line retreive as they are.I prefer 26" line retreive , or less, but I am not always correct. ;DIvan

Congrats on the new outfit. I love my Revo S, but in all honesty, I think the Metanium XT may be the nicest reel I have.I had to trade 4 tornos to get it, but I still have the Revo S,a Torno 3006HSI,4600c4, CS3500 I.A.R. Rocket, Tournament Pro TP3000c, 5600 black Max for abu Garcia reels.I still have more Daiwas than anything, but I am going to hunt a few more Shimanos down for good measure. ;)Ivan

Fenwick would give you 55% off towards on the next Fenwick rod purchase if you broke a Fenwick rod that wasn't covered under warranty.I am not sure if that still exists, but it did state that on the warranty card from one of my Fenwick rods.It was for moot, because I have never broken a fenwick rod yet. I have a HMG 6'Medium pistol grip that is one of my favorite topwater rods. The pistol grip is funky looking, but it fishes nice.Ivan

Its not out yet, but here is the link . Dodgeguy posted this a while back on another site.I just took the time to remember it was at tackle tour. Ivan http://www.tackletour.com/reviewise2007pg3.html

A domestic trendy version.A Magnesium framed reel for under $100.00 for the not so rich and famous. ;D Ivan

After Raul spark my interest of such knowledge, I am under a self tutored apprenticeship to learn more about the colorful limited edition reel types.I am guessing the top picture is a Daiwa Megabass Ito reel and I think the second picture is a Daiwa TD-Z.The 3rd is Shimano Sephia. :-/ Ivan

I use needle nose pliars , rather than split ring pliars.For those Oval split rings, I use a tip of an old willow leaf blade to keep the split ring opened enough to start onto the lure eye.Once the split ring is started, I remove the blade tip and complte installing the new hooks as cart mentioned using the needle nose pliars toturn the split ring if needed. Ivan

I bought the 6'6" Heavy HMX rod last year at Gander Mountain, but I have never fished it yet. I got it for $29.99 in the clearance rack is the reason I bought it.I bought a 6' MH HMG Carbon veil rod as well then, but just recently traded it away,I hate the guides they use on the rods.In saying that, it is just a personal preference thing,because guides on the HMG rod worked fine.Ivan

Yep they are a rattle trap type bait.Bagley used to make a Shad A Lac trap bait much like the Bill Lewis Rat L Trap,but they had a inserted eye and a different sound to them.I still have 2 shad a lacs left from the old days.Ivan

Well as usual I am a week from having enough money to buy a worm rod from Fat fish and he is pretty much sold out. :'( Can anyone tell me if he will have more rods in soon ? I am looking for a worm rod for throwing senkos and small plastics like a smallie beaver, Yamamoto tube, 6" worms with a 1/8 oz. weight.I am steered in the IMX MBR843C direction, but would like to hear your thoughts.I would like to wait and get a GLX from Fatfish if I can get one ? I most likely will be putting the Metanium XT on it with P-line 12 lb test Evolution in case that makes a difference ?Ivan

Its easy as heck, just unscrew the chrome thumbscrew on top of the reel and then flip the side plate open to gain acess to the centrifugal weights inside. I have a Revo S model.In my opinion, it would be difficult to find a better reel in that price range. Ivan

Take it back and trade it in on a Shimano anyway. Ivan

Just curious as to what your go to bait is ? My go to bait is a 5" Kalin grub on a 1/8 oz. leadhead. I primarily use 3 colors, Smoke, motor oil/ red flake and bluegill color. :)Ivan

If your willing to travel to Bath, NY, I have a small boat that can get us out on the water to catch smallmouths. There are some really good smallmouth fishing as far as numbers, but they aren't real big.I did catch a 6.4 lb smallie 3 years ago, but usually 5 lbs is a really good smallmouth here.This offer stands for anyone else as well.I will be out there fishing anyway. ;DIvan

The Bomber deep flat A , or a Storm wiggle wart catches alot of smallmouths, but I don't specifically crank for smallmouth.

Cotton Cordell Minnow spots.

I have used 12lb test and it works very well so far.If I were to find something negative about it, the color is difficult to see, but it casts extremely well, handles great and is very strong line. Ivan

I use a beach towel to tear reels down .If in doubt, put the parts in sequence on the towel as you take it apart, but once you do a few, its a peice of cake.Happy Birthday as well. Ivan

There is no wrong way to fish them.I like to peg a sinker about 6" up the line, , green pumpkin,Florida Five-0 is favorite color, I don't split the tail on them as they can be fished that way.They also make a little otter size now. Ivan

Your the King of new tackle.Let me guess being a Vet, your qualified to give the Baitmonkey a booster shot ? ::)Congratulations, those are some great choices, those Ugly otters really smell, don't they ?. ;D Ivan

Congratulations on your new stuff.Hope its not just the beginning of a long buying spree. ;D Ivan

They were both made by Manns.I still have a few of the Vampire baits.They had a vlack nickle blade color that really put out alot of flash. Ivan