kschultz76

There is no advantage of the 3000 size Shimano over the 2500 size other then the extra line capacity. Line management is no better because the final OD of the fully filled spool is no different, the 3000 just has a deeper arbor. This is an important point that some miss - it is not a larger spool on the 3000 just a deeper spool. I stick with 2500 size because I don't need that capacity, having to spool up that extra 30 yds is just a waste of line to me.

Exactly the kinds of uses I'm looking at it for.

Congrats. Please let me know how you like and such. It's on my immediate wish list. I've read a lot of great stuff about the 744 but that extra length poses some issues for me so I've got to go with the 7' length.

Whatever you can comfortably afford that gets you on the water is a good choice. The Symetre is a quality reel and I think you'll be happy with it.

If you have an ems or Rei near you get a product called tech wash. It's a non detergent laundry product for all kinds of outdoor gear including goretex. The same brand also makes a wash in and spray on dwr application. As noted do not use fabric softener.

Well since tomustang said it I will back him up. The Stradic FJ 2500 is a beautiful reel. If you can find a deal on one you can afford to for it. But the Saros isn't far off from it, and the Symetre is great in its price point. Any Shimano that comes with Xship will also have their line management system so you don't have to worry about that. I believe the Sahara has the line management but doesn't have xship.

Given the options you're considering the choice is easy - Symetre (new front drag version) which is the only one that has xship. Should be a capable spinning real for you. With Black Friday sales coming you might be able to land a Saros for about the same price as a full price Symetre as well.

I don't have any experience with this rod but have been following this thread as I'm interested in adding some Dobyns rods to my arsenal. I can tell you from personal experience and reading many posts here that you're getting quality non biased advice from kickerfish1 and iabass. And I'm sure your buddy will appreciate any rod you can afford to gift him.

Actually I didn't mention the telescopic rod. If you want an Avid to get the Gold Service plan for lifetime you'll have to settle for a shorter rod. That or step up to the LTB or Elite. If you're willing to for go the lifetime plan then you can stick with the Rage since you like the handle. If you want to know more check out St Croix's website, it's all there. Good luck.

I agree with WRB about line watching with other species. I started to learn when drifting weightless night crawlers fishing for trout. I've found line watching with finesse soft plastics key in my bass fishing. If you put enough tension on your line to stand a chance of feeling those subtle strikes you negatively affect your presentation and never actually get the bite. As all have said watch your line where it enters the water, look for subtle jumps, a change in its angle as it enters the water, the line moving off to the side, against the current, or back towards the boat. Then carefully drop your rod tip and reel up slack, if you feel pressure and the line continues to move set the hook and let the fun begin.

Looks like the Avid doesn't come in that length, you could check out the LTB but price will be a fair bit higher.

As DVT said the lifetime warranty is more about covering you for accidents with the Gold Star service plan. That being said if its that important to your for not much more money you can get the Avid series which is the same blank materials/construction but made in the USA with full cork grips, different guide train, and lifetime warranty. The Avids are great rods at their price.

It is a key skill and will catch you more fish. Since I was introduced to doing it my catch ratio went up, and I know I've caught fish I never would have known were there. No matter how quality and sensitive your rods are line watching is a must for this subtle light slack line bites. My dad and wife can't always understand why I hook up with more fish then they do and this is why.

I will second the St Croix Triumph. Not as refined as an Avid or higher, but for the price range I find it to be a quality rod. However, in a Croix if you want a "true" ML as compared to other brands you may have to go for a L power in Croix. A ML in Croix is usually 1/8-3/8 oz lure rating, will be limber but still have a great power in the back one. If you were using it for something like trout it would be too heavy in my opinion for really light presentations like weightless live bait on tiny hooks.

I know you asked about two specific reels, but just wanted to suggest that in that same price range the BPS Pro Qualifier is well worth consideration. You can find many posts here on the forum about its value and reliability. That being said if you're really set on the two you've posted about then go with what you're most comfortable with.

The answer is, it depends. I'm no expert but I recall seeing combos in BPS catalogs for Smoke or Curado reels paired with. BPS brand rod. In this case I would surmise that BPS is discounting their branded rod where they can likely control costs and make a higher margin, in the meantime they're selling two pieces of merchandise instead of just a reel. As many have said the combos are likely to have a bigger mass market appeal for folks just getting into the sport, people buying gifts, etc who may not know there could be an advantage to buying separate, or who wouldn't spend 300 on a rod alone anyway. I don't think I've ever seen combos advertised with mid-higher end rods like St Croix Avids and above or G Loomis GL2s and above, or Shimano Crucials, etc.

Please do not suggest that my post, which you quoted, warranted your negative post which lacked any objectivity. I'd like to point out as well that I did not ask a single question about a Chronarch or any Shimano. I merely stated I was considering trying a Chronarch or a Tatula to try something different. Bottom line is the value demonstrated here in the PQ makes me very hard pressed to lay out more then twice it's cost for a Chronarch. In posting your rant of all you've managed to do is convince me your opinion is worth squat to me.

Darren fwiw, and I'm a rank amateur so take that into consideration, I just demoed a Chronarch 201e7. I mounted it and a PQ 7.1 on the same 6'8" M/XF Croix LTB. With both reels I could throw a weightless 5" Senkos on a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook the same distance. I wasn't scientific about it and could only do this comparison over the span of a few hrs, but was pleasantly surprised when the PQ cast the Senkos that well. I didn't attempt anything lighter then that, and I know a weightless zoom finesse work will be a fair bit lighter.

Since you've already got that taper in the Mojo then I'd agree you should go for the M/F in the Avid to add that versatility. Before I got the Xtreme on close out when St Croix redesigned them I used the Avid for everything. Just fished the Avid a bit more heavily then usual because I loaned the Xteme to my Dad. The sensitivity in the Avid once again blew me away when compared to my Xtreme considering the price difference.

I don't much stock in Shimano bots. Besides I bought the Hyundai instead of the Toyota

Goose thanks again for the valuable info. As seen in this thread many others share your experience of long service and dependability from the PQ reels. As I said I've got four and they all perform well so far. I'm glad it's not just me who struggles with the wind. I just need to adjust the brakes more and train my thumb more.

Either will work. Look at the descriptions on St Croix's website for the LTB series, the Avids will fish very similarly. I have a 6'6" M/F Avid and a 6'8" M/XF Xtreme. I like them both but prefer the M/XF for lighter plastics, loads and casts beautifully, accurately, and easy to impart subtle movement.

This

Goose as all if said awesome work here, great dedication and great info shared. Has made me think about the future of my PQs. I was starting to consider trying something else like a Chronarch or Tatula thinking I would get better performance. But maybe I just need to send my PAs into DVT for some service, then practice practice practice until I'm better at using them. I've found I struggle casting them blustery windy conditions. Sounds like I'm probably the issue not the DBS. Any tips on how to get them adjusted and casting well in conditions, especially with crankbaits and spinnerbaits? I know the rod and other factors affect casting as well. Thanks for your efforts and sharing all your work with us.

Thanks for the response Rooster, you just affirmed what I was thinking and feeling after the demo. I think I just need to practice casting in more challenging conditions and train my thumb more. I'm going to send one of my PQs off to DVT to be cleaned and polished up before choosing to buy anything else.