Tywithay

The spool tension doesn't have numbers.

High end rods are every bit as durable, under normal conditions. If you're buying rods just to beat them up, an ugly stik may be the best route. If you buy a nice rod to fish with, it can last forever.

So if you mistreat an expensive rod it's more likely to break? That's good logic...

I prefer a decent graphite rod for bass fishing, even for a starter rod. Ugly Sticks make ok crankbait rods, but are more suited for bait fishing and clumsy people.

Howling wind is just a breeze here in KS. Hard to find a day during the summer when it's not gusting over 30-40mph.

It would work just fine. I prefer the shorter rod for walking frogs, personally.

Quantum is the second most widely advertised brand on the market, behind Berkley. Any lack of popularity is due to quality, looks, performance, or some combination.

The Tatula is a far superior reel to the SX. You can find them for $100 every day and the Type R for $130. I personally prefer the Type R. The looks are better, and I feel that the lighter spool does help casting slightly.

You can find them, if you look around.

Tatula is made in Thailand. The newAbu reels made in Sweden are already available for purchase. Regardless of origin, I've found that quality is more directly related to design. You can make a crappy reel anywhere.

The line does not contact the T-wing at all on the T3 reels. There's a round bar on the underside of the hood that pushes the line down into the bottom groove of the T-wing. It doesn't create any more friction than any other levelwind design during retrieve and has far less friction during casting. I've used mine with mono for over a year, same line the whole time; haven't had a single issue.

The C3, C4, Record, Pro Rocket, and Morrum, are all still made in Sweden.

The KLX is on another level beyond those two.

I actually prefer 20-30# in thick pads. The thinner diameter line cuts the weeds down more easily when you're snagged. I fish too many rocky areas now to use braid, so I've tried frogging with 15lb Tatsu; I haven't broken off yet even in some nasty weeds.

No doubt, I fish in the rain all the time. I do have this weird thought (fantasy?) that I am going to die from a lightning strike someday. That usually sways my thought process.

You gonna melt? If there's no lightning, go for it!

I realize that. That's why I said that there was a translation issue coming from Japan. This was confirmed by a Shimano representative. If it's not making noise, it doesn't need oil; whether that's 5 outings or 50.

It doesn't have to be lubed every outing. There was something lost in translation from Japan. There's no set time frame. When the brakes squeal, oil them. I used my Chronarch for a few months and it never needed oiled.

Craftsmanship. The Curado handle is machined more nicely.

I don't think that the smoothness of the I shows its teeth until you have it under load. It's plenty smooth, but when you hook up, the xship really shines.

Wait until July 4th and get a T3 Ballistic and a ***, Denali Kovert, or something along those lines...something along those lines. At 15% off you'd be right at or a touch below the $200 threshold, but you'd be fishing with a $360 combo. The reel has 60 different braking combinations so it's very easy to get it dialed in and find a setting that will work for you.

Cooked properly, catfish is amongst the best fish in freshwater; especially flathead catfish. The better water quality you catch them out of, the better the flavor. They can all be cooked to where they taste great though. I would gladly take a catfish over a walleye. Only fish I would say I prefer over it would be a crappie.

When I was bowling professionally, my sponsor made me sign a contract stating that I would not sell the bowling balls. My deal was a little different as I didn't have to pay for anything though. If you're paying your own money for something, discounted or not, I don't see a problem selling it. It's not like they're going to sell it for retail anyway; not going to make a huge profit on something like that.

I don't recall ever having an issue with mine closing, regardless of spool tension.

I don't either. Fluorocarbon is non-pourus, so it doesn't absorb any liquids. If it makes people more confident, that's great. I've tested it on several lines against the same line without, and have seen no benefits. If you use good line, memory is not an issue.