stkbassn

Road Warrior made a good suggestion, try to exchange the reel and see if this fixes your issue. If so that's great. If not, I would say there are better options in that range if you aren't set on Lews. I would suggest the Tatula, $89 and $99 isn't that far apart and I've paid $99 for all of my Tatulas. Keep in mind,MSRP on that Tatula is $149. Awesome reels for $99. Also, that Pinnacle reel can be had on Ebay for $70, free shipping. From the reviews it sounds like a winner. I haven't owned one but looks promising in that price range . You might be able to pick up a Shimano Citica G or Citica E for around $100 on Ebay as well and I can say without a doubt both are great performing reels.

Trust me, I know guys that have that philosophy but when I can get my gear in 2 days rather than wait a week or 5 business days and sometimes a weekend on top of it, it's less than the cost of a beer or a dollar a day...I always say "well, that's just one less beer at the pool hall " but then I drink as much as normally would. LOL. Not much thrift or patience I'm afraid. I'm working on it.

My wording might have been confusing there. Yeah, I just cut the rod glove off. I messed with it for a while and just couldn't get it back through so I just cut it off the rod. I stomped on the pieces several times afterwards like a mad man. LOL.

You have the right idea for sure! Enjoy the baits sir!

Rod Glove, it's all I can find locally and works well. I like the one's with colored patterns to match my rods. I had one where a guide pulled through somehow and I had to cut it off to remove it but it was probably my fault. I've had no issues with any of them other than the one. They're good quality from my experience.

Pay the $5.00 2nd day air shipping, you won't be sorry. If you accept the free shipping you can expect 5 business days of waiting. I never do the free shipping when I can pay $5.00 and get it in two days.

My fishing partner hangs them up all of the time. There are plenty of opportunities to do that but I don't let them hunt , I just reel slow and steady in open water and do well without bumping into a thing except for Mr brown lips

Nice John,looks awesome! Congrats sir.

Have you never heard of Hot Rod Johnson? KVD wouldn't have a prayer against the man..lol ..Bait Shop is the most amazing movie ever if you count absurdly silly as amazing...ha! It's funny at the very least .joking about amazing. . I'd like to see a pro documentary. .life of a pro...an intimate look into all aspects of being a full time angler...that would be cool.

We fish them at a lake managed for smallmouth that is also stocked with trout. It's funny over the years we've had trips where they choked a Hudd but most of the trips we missed more on the top hook than we actually hooked. Haven't missed many there on an Osprey line thru with treble so I'm thinking a stinger hook would have put some more fish in the boat based on how they thumped it hard but didn't get it. This year I'm considering trying the decoy treble assist. Does anyone know anything about this product? It looks like a winner. I might paint the wire if that's possible or necessary but it looks solid. Is there another pre-rigged stinger out there? I can't find one. Thanks guys...

Congrats. Be sure to review it once you've had a chance to get it on the water and put it through the paces. It will take some saving for me in order to pick up one of those or a Metanium but eventually I will. I don't need it but they are awesome looking reels.

Thanks to everyone who responded. Some great info and recommendations. I appreciate you guys. Now I just need to dig deep into my wallet and let the bait monkey do what he was made to do. LOL.

I didn't mean to imply that I wanted a "clunky" reel. The clunkiest that I own if you could call it that are my Chronarch 100B's but I wouldn't trade em'. I have a Metanium 2005 XT and it's a dream really. I love the Curado's , Tatulas, Chronarchs, etc. I just noticed that the capacity on those seems to be higher than some like the Steez, new Metanium, Aldebaran? (spelling might be off there..) If none of those reels will limit my casting then I might pick one up. That's mainly what I was getting at. Of course there is the Scorpion 200 that's like the Curado I....but I hear there isn't much of a difference save some handle bearings?

Thanks for the reply guys. I suppose really long casts aren't necessary for a lot of applications. I guess I've just gotten used to my 200 sized reels and 100 sized reels that hold more line like the Curado. I've had my eye on some of the higher end Shimano offerings and will probably buy one in the near future. Does anyone have a recommendation for an all purpose reel, 6.2:1 ratio or close to it? Thanks again guys.

Why does it seem like most of the high end baitcasters are "finesse" casters? I guess I don't understand why I would pay say $300 for reel that holds not a lot of line but might cast a 1/8 oz bait or rig. Why not just get a decent spinning reel for this and never worry about casting distance or backlashes? Why not more 200 sized or at least 200 "capacity" reels in a 100 size on the higher end? I'd be more inclined to purchase some of the big ticket reels if this was the case....do they perform the same duties as some of the workhorses like the Curado? I'm just trying to get more educated on the subject so any input would be welcomed as long as it's not insulting or smart arse.... Thanks!

Shimano Curado I on Ebay or Citica I on Ebay...both priced below retail on there and both awesome. I've owned the Curado I and handled the Citica the other day in the store. It made me want one. The Tatula Type R is another suggestion or the regular Tatula. All winners

The Denali Kovert spinnerbait rod is 6'9. Good length for distance and also good for throwing to targets up close.

I am quite sure a spinnerbait rod will do the trick if you have one. Just buy two spinnerbait rods and rig one with a chatterbait and one with a spinnerbait. I'm going to pick of the Denali Kovert spinnerbait rod for my chatterbaits. I handled it in the store the other day and it's pretty darn nice for the money.

One of his many tricks....he likes to let you think you have control. Pure evil.

My Walmart isn't the greatest either but they do carry War Eagle spinnerbaits and they have good prices on plastics. Dicks here isn't great but I always leave with something when I go. I just go to Sportsmans Warehouse 90% of the time or order online.

You should also check out the Strike King Naked Rage Blade...it's pretty awesome. I've caught some good fish on it! It comes pre-rigged with a plastic shad and includes one extra. You can also change it up and put whatever you want on it. It's a fun bait to throw.

Never spent 250 on a bait and won't until I get a Megabass rod or two. I'm saving for those. I've spent nearly $150. There is a bait that I'm buying within the next two weeks that's $90 though...and I won't lose it

Handled the new Citica I yesterday in a local store and I must say I am impressed. Love the grips, the look, and the feel of this reel. Most impressive Citica yet and I loved the Citica 200E. Still do. The Curado I is hard to beat for the price it can be had for though. To me, no point in buying a Citica until they get much further away from each other in price. But then again, we like what we like and there aren't really any wrong choices if we're happy with what we have or get. Enjoy.

I paid $140 for my El Raton. It's not a cheap bait but does a nice job. I don't have a rod to throw it on right now. Looking for another rod for larger baits. Just picked up an Airrus Copperhead on Ebay that should service the smaller baits well.

Might buy one when they hit Ebay. Best price you'll find I'm sure. If it's sub $100 on Ebay I'll get one for the heck of it. Might surprise!