Tywithay

I've seen a lot of saltwater guys coat the inside like that to prevent water intrusion. Don't know where you got it from, but it's also a possibility.

The 50 will cast slightly further, but not enough that you're going to be amazed or anything. You're looking at a few feet at most.

I had a ham sammich today. Tasted better than a fishing rod.

You don't have to lube the brake drum that often. I used mine for about two months solid and only oiled it because it was winter time and I was bored. If it's not squealing, it doesn't need oil. That whole deal has been completely overblown because of the little cards that came in the boxes, which were translated wrong in Japan, according to Shimano.

Core 50 is a $369 reel. The Curado shouldn't compete with it. I don't think you can buy another reel for $180 that beats the Curado though.

You might have to dial it in again if he flushed the bearings, because they're probably a little faster now. Any decent reel should be able to sling 10" worms quite a ways though, they are fairly aerodynamic in flight and have a good bit of weight to them.

That's an awful lot of reel on that little rod.

I think it's the best value in the Shimano lineup. Similar to the Chronarch Ci4+, with baits over 3/8oz or so. Feels a little more solid than the Chronarch CI4+ as well. I actually like the new casting system and frame better than the old Core 100's, though the Core 50 still feels a little better but not by much. If you like the Chronarch CI4+, I think you'll really like the Curado.

Most of mine are $10-$25 a pop. Adds up over time.

What happens when a 30lb flathead grabs your crankbait and the hooks rip off?

I actually like grease in all my bearings, except the spool bearings.

I had one a while back, but sold it a few months after I bought it. I thought it felt like a glorified Premier, or STX. Same basic reel, just had the lightweight frame. It's far from a finesse reel, and it's not really meant to be one.

I've found the longer rods more difficult to cast in most instances, because they're very whippy. I like the shorter rods because I can just quickly flick my lure out there. Rarely going for much distance when I am fishing ultralight anyway.

Yuck. Looks like that crappy ardent butter grease too. That stuff will make anything move slowly, as sticky as it is.

I knew there was a reasonable explanation.

I was thinking the same. Daiwa originated the swept handle design. I guess the flat knobs are what he's referring to?

I have an ultralight that I use for bass all the time during the spring. 5'4" UL with 4lb Super Natural. I've caught hundreds on it.

I caught an 8lb on a 5'4" UL with 4lb Super Natural. You can turn the head on anything if you have the drag set properly and give it time.

Order from them almost exclusively, been nothing but fantastic. Usually get my order in 3 days. They have some of the best prices, and best of all is free shipping. I say, order with confidence. (I believe they're closed until after New Years, so you may have a longer wait)

That site has a lot of great information. His stretch test, however, doesn't tell much. He only uses 2 different kinds of line, and they're not even premium lines. It's true that fluorocarbon does stretch, and more than mono in some instances; there are several that stretch as much as 7-10% less than certain monofilaments and fluoros though, which is a big difference.

I don't use it because I fish around rocks and zebra mussels a lot. It has nearly zero abrasion resistance. I think I had it on for all of about 10 casts before I stripped it all off.As far as good line, I like 8lb Tatsu or 8lb Super Natural, if you prefer mono. Both are very clear.

How is Sniper better than Tatsu? They're almost identical in stretch, but Tatsu has better abrasion resistance, better knots, and it's more manageable.

Yep. The more stretch, less sensitivity. The line will be more manageable and knot better the softer it is though. Sniper is middle of the road, as far as stretch.

Line sensitivity is almost solely dependent on stretch.

I've never had any real issues with it. It had too much memory for my liking. I don't know if the red helped or hurt me any, but I've since moved on to mostly clear lines.