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Question. Are R pops like a Pop R or are Pop R's like a R Pop? Now say that real fast about 5 times. ;D

You could ante up the bucks and throw you're name in the hat in one of the pro-amateur tournaments if you'd like to see exactly how a T works or you could start by fishing some local buddy T's. Most of them operate the same way.

First of all, lets clear some things up in this story that this guy wrote into this paper. This does not seem like it was his home. Since he said, "On the first morning of a long-anticipated vacation at a quiet". This writer goes on to say that, "19 high-powered bass boats roaring past my cottage" but then in a following sentence he said the ramp was crowded with DOZENS of boats. I only see 1 dozen in 19. Does he not realize 19 boats is a small field for a tournament and that the majority of these people that were crowding the ramp were probably people just like him, recreational anglers. I would like to know what time he got to that ramp, noon, when you can't find a spot at a ramp on any lake in the country probably on a weekend. To me, this guy was all over the place in his gripe against bass tournament anglers. To me, when I envision 30 yards. Thats far enough away for me to feel comfortable when a guy flys by me at around 50-65mph, not the 30-40mph he mentioned. This guy just has no clue at all about PUBLIC WATERS. One last thing, he mentioned NOISE POLLUTION. I wasn't aware of trolling motors running for 90% of a tournament would ever be an issue. With the big motor on only around 10-15% of a tournament, where is the noise pollution coming from. Probably all those guys crowding the ramps with the ski boats. So who does he have this issue with. THE SKIERS!!! Goodnight and Goodbye. Unfortunately, if this is the kind of perception people have of bass fishing tournaments the part of your comment I bolded suddenly becomes extremely relevent. These are public waters paid for by public tax dollars. A tournament organization is using this publicly paid for lake and launch ramp facility for profit. Tournament anglers are using the same facilities for what could best be described as recreational gambling. Not a problem if the tournaments are limited in some way to allow for ease of use of all water users but when the numbers of T's begins increasing and they start crowding other users of the waterways out then it's natural that something might have to be done. In my state, it's pretty much the norm for there to be at least a couple hundred boats fishing tournaments on any given weekend from Apr. through August/Sept. on our major reservoirs. In the spring especially, that number will increase by twofold. Ramp parking becomes difficult to find. Fishing spots become more and more crowded. Guys fishing T's have one thing on their mind, winning. Things like courtesy often fall outside the zone they're in. Tournament anglers and organizations have to do more than just show up at lakes on weekends and monopolize the resource, they must make efforts to perform public service actions that help the fisheries and make sure those actions are publicized to avoid an even more negative view of their sport. They have to be extremely aware that their actions on the waters can lead to very negative perceptions by those who aren't fishing in a tournament. Excusing that by using the "well, but look at how rude the waterskiers are or the PWC users are" is a moot point. T anglers are the ones that will be under the microscope, not the other recreational users of the lake. Legislation to curtail or ban fishing tournaments would be pretty easy to craft. In my state, a gathering of boaters leaving from a single location requires a regatta permit from the State water patrol. It wouldn't be too hard to limit T's by merely limiting the number of permits handed out on any given body of water for a weekend. This guys letter is how the negative perceptions start. It's up to tournament anglers and organizations to show they don't tolerate behavior thats anything less than common courtesy shown to non-participants on the water. Other fisherman and pleasure boaters paid for the lake and facilities the same as everyone else.

I think those were the rods they used to film the Banjo minnow infomercial.

I see an extended service plan is offered on the reel. ;D Dunno. I wonder what the cost of the circuit board is when it breaks. It doesn't look like there's an override if it goes out on the water or if you would decide not to have it fixed. If I won the lotto I might buy one to see how it works. It might make for a great light lure reel on windy days, other than that, I can think of lots of things $650 could be directed at in my life other than 1 reel.

I believe we'll be seeing more and more reels made with lighter and stronger materials. As for actual reel construction design, I'm not really sure you can do much that hasn't already been tried. Those shoot through the blank rods just mentioned come to mind.

First, It sounds like you don't have your spool tension set right to begin with. It has nothing to do with how many inches per second the bait falls. It has everything to do with setting the control so the spool stops when the bait hits the ground. Second, a Flippin switch has nothing to do with the spool rotation tension or speed at all. It merely changes the way the pinion gear on the spool shaft re-engages with the main drive gear. Instead of having to turn the handle to re-engage the reel you merely release the thumbar and the reel is instantly engaged. The use of the flippin switch is not for normal casting. It's for 2 techniques called flipping and pitching. There is no adjustment for the switch as it has nothing to do with spool tension or braking. You're problems are more than likely with you and thumbing the reel and an incorrectly adjusted spool tension knob. It is possible to let off the thumbar enough with the switch on and line going out that the pinion gear will make slight contact with the main gear but you'll know that's happining by the grinding noise you'll hear.

Hmm... what does a rick clunn combo cost? Sounds like he is representing his sponsor perfectly. While I don't disagree with the concept and I think most people on this site agree as well... I do have an issue with the price range. Anyone who says there is very little difference in a 50MG and anything that fits into the above scenario is either being pad to say it or really is clueless. I fished Abu 4600's all my life and still say there are great, but to say they compare to my 50MG's would just be dishonest. Also very true, but very off topic.... just because someone can't afford a certain piece of equipment, doesn't mean it's not better. The size of a person's budget has no bearing on the quality of a company's product. I couldn't agree more. I've currently got for sale or will have soon the following: Chronarch 100 Curado CU200 BPS Pro Qualifier 1000 LP reel A Pflueger Supreme, 5 bearing older model. ( I may not sell this one) Blindfolded, the difference in the mechanics of the reels is virtually imperceptable. Physically there are differences but not mechanically. The reels are all extremely smooth and feel solid. All the manufacturers are making quality reels. Once you get above around $120 in price the mechanical differences are barely perceptable. The physical differences don't justify the extra money.

All the manufacturers make very good reels. Heck, for the first time in years I've been messing with BPS reels and I've got to admit one thing. Their reels are great. Every bit as smooth and nice as a Shimano, Daiwa, Pflueger or Garcia.

or One Berkley Lightning rod - $35.00 One St. Croix rod - $115.00 The difference in sensitivity? - Hmmm... makes it a little tougher. I went to an early boat show last night. One of the magazines I picked up had an article about the cost of a new rod and reel. None other than Rick Clunn himself stated that once you go over the $150 mark for either, you really see diminished returns. That in fact, for around the $70-90 mark, you can pick up a very nice rod or reel for the price and that even lower end combo's, that price out for around $100-130 can provide a great experience for a new angler. As he stated, dropping $300-400 on a single rod n reel combo is beyond the means of many, many people. You're much better off when you start to buy a couple combo's within your budget that allow you fish multiple techniques. There's nothing that makes me want to roll my eyes more around here than having a new angler asking about what baitcasting rig he should buy as his first with $200 to spend. Invariably the usual folks insist he go out and spend a little more than that amount on more premium gear. They're reasoning? The stuff will last you a lifetime. I think you're better off directing that new angler towards purchasing a couple nice rods, one medium and one M/hvy and let him learn the rods and techniques with it and THEN let him decide what kind of rod is best for a longer term after he's had time and experience on the water.

Go here http://bassresource.com/fishing/bass_boats.html most everything you need to know can be found within those links.

What are they teaching you kids in school these days? : Obviously you're too young to understand what was going on in this country at the time. Maybe you didn't realize this but President Ford wasn't elected into the office of the vice presidency, he was chosen to take over for Spiro Agnew who had resigned because of income tax evasion. Former President Ford hadn't even moved into the Vice Presidents housing when he was told to be prepared to take over the Presidency due to damning evidence in the Watergate hearings that would result in Nixons impeachment or resignation. Talk about someone going from the pot into the fire. Besides over 10 years of war in Vietnam, the publics confidence in goverment was virtually nil. You have no idea unless you were living within that time. Mr. Ford brought a level of confidence back into our goverment. No small task I can assure you. Mr. Fords best accomplishment would be the Helsinki accords. It laid the groundwork for relations with Russia for the future and in it's own way, helped start the downfall of the communist parties deathgrip on that country. As for WIN, truely a gimmich but it's not unusual for inflation to take hold and increase after a country ends a war. And yet the two were best friends after the Presidency. Mr. Carter used Mr. Ford as council during his Presidency. It seems as though former President Carter had a much higher view of Mr. Ford than you and that's really all that counts. The war in Vietnam was a lost cause long before President Ford took over. The S. Vietnamese goverment was never anything more than a puppet of the United States that was full of corruption. You should really spend some time reading up on your American history before posting a comment about a former President you clearly have little knowledge of and yet feel compelled to pass judgement about. Ford was an honorary co-chair of the Council for Excellence in Government, a group dedicated to excellence in government performance and which provides leadership training to top federal employees. In 1977, he established the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. The Institute is designed to give undergraduates training in public policy. In 1999, Ford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton. In 2001, he was presented with the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award for his decision to pardon Richard Nixon to stop the agony America was experiencing over Watergate. He also was a member of the Republican Unity Coalition, which The New York Times described as "a group of prominent Republicans, including former President Gerald R. Ford, dedicated to making sexual orientation a nonissue in the Republican Party So it appears that he was doing a little more than just playing golf. Not that I'd judge a man by what he wants to spend his retirement years doing, Mr. Ford earned whatever he chose by giving a life of public service to the people of his state and this nation. You should have taken some time to research the man before posting what would be best described as disrespectful comment. It's clear you have little knowledge of Mr. Ford or our nations history.

This comes to mind immediately

You must be aware of the shipping charges and consider that into the overall price of an item. I've seen people bid up an item that with shipping included, cost more than they could buy locally new. If a set shipping price isn't listed or a shipping calculator isn't there and there's no mention of it in the description, ASK THE SELLER! As you stated, some guys charge way more than they have to for shipping. Usually it's listed in an items description. As for rods. I can ship a 6ft rod just about anywhere for around $12-14. It's the rods that are 6'6" that throw the shipment into a different rate amount. I ship rods in heavy cardboard tubes, about 4 inches in diameter so I can sell 2 rods at once, and I normally pay around $17.50 - 19.50, with delivery confirmation to most places in the US. One other thing. I shy away from anything with a picture(s) that are too blurry or shot in near darkness to where I can't really tell what I'm getting. If the seller took so little effort to produce a decent picture I doubt the item is in the kind of shape he's describing it.

A few things that I forsee though I think they may be farther out than 2014. 1. Boat design will move towards slightly smaller boats built with new ultra light but strong materials, vastly reducing overall weight. The need for large OB's won't be needed. 2. Motor technology continues. More fuel efficient technology, quieter and more power packed within a smaller block. 3. TM technology continues. Higher power motors needing less amperage to run. The TM will be integrated into the boat, no more big ugly TM mounted on top. MK power drive technology but far more advanced. Possibly voice controlled. Battery technology also continues with better, smaller batteries with higher power the norm. 4. Integrated electronic dashes. No more gauges. It's all built into 1 or 2 LCD dash units with touch pad push buttons. We're not that far off from that now. 5. As Glenn said, improved livewell technology. 6. Trailer technology continues with newer, lighter, stronger trailer frame materials.

Best spinning rod I ever had was one of the original Billy Westmoreland specials. Tennessee handle that you taped the reel too. I've never liked reels seats on spinning rods since I had that rod.

First, you've got way too much line on the spool. The line should be spooled about an 1/4 inch or so from the edge of the spool. In fact, on a 5500, I'd fill it just a shade below where the spool ends flange outwards. I've never spooled line that small of diameter on a 5500 in all my years. I'm not sure how well that reel will handle it. Anyway, try removing some line first and see how things go.

Brazil for peacocks. Costa Rica for Sailfish on light spinning tackle then to El Salto in Mexico Then to the Gulf for Bill fishing and some mahi-mahi action Up to Florida to tackle some deepwater grouper and red snapper then to Norfok Lake in Arkansas for Stripers Then finish off with some smallmouth bass fishing in Minnesota and Canada for Northern Pike. Rest a week Repeat

I'm pretty certain Tracker made their own trailers back in 1984. Not sure what state you're in but I believe you'll need a VIN number for that thing before you can title or license it.

Good point Senile. In the TV business, Sony was easily the Mercedes of Televisions at one time. It was far and away the best. Cost wise, they were nearly double what the competition cost. They were worth it.....at one time. Competition has a way of evening the playing field. Sony is no longer the Top of Class by a mile. In fact they've been slipping the past 10 years and the competition has pulled even. The same could be said for fishing reels and rods. Lots of people don't remember when Shimano first came into the marketplace. The reels were noisy and quite frankly, sort of junky when compared to the standards of the day, Garcia's and Daiwa's. That's obviously changed but anyone trying to tell you that you're not really fishing if you're not fishing a Shimano or a Loomis or St. Croix rod is just kidding himself and you. The playing field has been leveled. At the $100 mark, most of those reels in that category are too close to call. The same at $150 or $200. It's all in the details at any price range. What reel feels best in your hand. Which is most comfortable or has the most features. There's one thing I've noticed in the year and a half of selling used and new reels and rods that I've learned, Bass fishermen are never content with just one rod or reel (rarely) nor is the purchase for a lifetime. Somewhere down the line something new comes along that you must have. In the time that you own that $100 reel or $150 reel or $200 reel or rod, it probably won't break regardless of manufacturer. In fact, you can spend less than those amounts and still have a reel or rod that will get you through several seasons. I'd say most anglers are turning their equipment over every 5-7 years or so or sooner. Buying a reel anymore that'll last a lifetime is silly because few people will want to keep them that long and in any case, 10-15 years (or sooner) down the road you won't be able to get parts for it if it breaks anyway. I'm always a little dismayed when I see newbie anglers on here with a couple hundred dollars or so to spend on a R & R combo and the advice given is often dis-heartening. Telling said newbie that they need to drop the entire wad on a single rod and reel is bogus and here's why. 1. The guy/gal is new to fishing. He/she has no experience in rods or reels. During their time fishing, they will form their own opinions of what rod and reel works best for them. Down the road they will make the change (like I said, the average fishermen changes equipment every 5 years-7 or so). 2. Telling them to put all their eggs in one basket by explaining that a R & R combo is not good for beginners or for fishing or it will make their first rod owning experience less satisfying is bogus. I can go out right now and buy a BPS Extreme baitcaster on sale for $50 and match it with a Bionic blade for $50 or even a Lightning rod for $35 and have a very nice beginners rod and reel that will easily last 5 years. For that $200 amount that new angler can get both a medium and a med/hvy outfit. That's what will make his experience more enjoyable. Having the correct rod and reels for the types of presentations he'll be trying, NOT one outfit that blew the whole load because someone told him that unless he blew the whole load on one rod or on such and such brand, you ain't fishing. 3. I'll grant you that spending $30-50 bucks retail on a new baitcaster will probably get you a less than desireable reel for long term but remember, this angler will probably change equipment in the first 5 years anyway as his experience level grows or something more to his liking comes along. As for castability? I test drove a used Bill Dance Quantum reel once that I later sold. The thing was a $50 retail BPS special. The thing was definitely just as easy to cast as a Shimano and....gulp..... I actually caught my PB, over 8lbs on the thing while using it. ;D Yes, it didn't feel as solid as a garcia or a shimano or a Pflueger but for crissakes, the reel isn't supposed to be one for the ages. You use it, get a few years out of it and move onto better. JMO of course.

Best to learn from? Hmm.. 1. Larry Nixon 2. Bill Dance 3. Roland Martin (it's been said by those who have fished with him that's he's a pretty decent guy on the water). 4. Hank Parker

Why go out and buy a $200 GLoomis or St. Croix when I'm still backlashing every trip?? Because of the lifetime warranty. When it breaks, you can come here and swap your experience with Loomis's customer service department with other Loomis owners whose rods also broke.

Flippin switch as mentioned. Once the thumbar is released the reel is instantly engaged. No need to turn the handle to get it locked in.

I buy and sell alot. Selling, I've only had a couple problems with customers trying to rip me off. Buying, I've only had one incident where the merchandise wasn't what was described. Check their feedback. Anyone having multiple bad responses in the course of several months is someone to be wary of.

The bait clickers on the 6500 are built into the palm plate end of the reel. I don't know of anyway to add a clicker or for that matter, take the parts from a 6500 and put them on a 5500. Cost wise, it'd be just as cheap to buy yourself a 6500 reel. You can easily find good condition 6500's on Ebay for around $40-50 most anytime.