kickerfish1

With the red stain you are half way there! Just add a few red aftermarket parts like this to give it that custom look

Just a follow up...Apparently they are Kishima hooks which are similar to VMC but a JDM version.

In addition to all of the above info provided I will also add the hooks are very nice. From what I can find through research is that they are some super sticky hook made in Japan.

One of the reasons I hate braid an only use it for frogging and heavy slop fishing.

Shimano will not keep the price of the Curado and Citica the same. Either a new 200 sized Curado is on the horizon which is my guess or the Citica will drop some in price. Both situations could be likely. Lews only competes with Daiwa and Shimano for the under $200 market. Once you get above $200 I would venture to guess majority of the reels purchased by fisherman are made by Shimano or Daiwa. With Daiwa having a retail price of $130 on the Tat CT it does have the upper hand on Shimano there. Perhaps Shimano may adjust prices to compete more favorably with Daiwa. Daiwa has the base CT at $130, the Type R at $180 and the CT SV at $200. Prior to the price drop on the Curado I series they had 200 I at $180 and 70 I at $200. That is a $50 difference between the 200I and Standard CT. Buy them on Ebay and the cost of owning a workhorse Daiwa is much cheaper plus the palming/frame size is smaller. I would venture to guess I-Cast will bring a few new pieces from Shimano designed to counter various Daiwa Tat CT offerings.

Hmmm... In theory a larger spool would allow better line lay and line management and should result in slightly longer casts. However I run several 1000 sized reels with 6# line and feel like I can cast them just as far as my 2500 series reels. I too don't need the additional line capacity of the 3000 sized reel and if I did it would be 1/2 full of backing.

Nice! I will be looking for you to edge out Rich Froning in a close one.

With shakeyheads I am able to fish the deeper, slower and they are always fished on the bottom. Ned rigs can be fished on the bottom but I tend to swim them somewhere between just barely off the bottom to the middle of the water column.

Congrats Jeff! Didn't know you did Crossfit. I have a friend here that used to train and teach classes at the Omaha location. I am back to a 3 day a week workout regiment for about 4.5 hours total during the week after a year and a half of health issues. It is my goal to try to compete in a few years.

ALX Zolo B Maeatro with a Stadic FK. Finally got around to getting some photos of it.

Good baits, good hooks, good colors, and the prices are just under what lucky craft charges. For all things considered I am a big fan as I think you are getting a really nice quality bait for the money. I have only used the jerkbait and the spybait but will likely be trying more in the future.

Not for me either... Had a chance to cast a few custom builts a well known builder with a website had done. Was not overly wowed by anything about them plus depending upon how the rod is layed down on the deck or stored in a locker it just isn't for me.

To my knowledge no such rod exists as a NRX 844. You are probably thinking of a GLX. As far as what reel to put on a NRX 843... I would say you would be fine with about any smaller to medium sized reel. I have custom built MHX Hi Mod MBR 843 that I use a Core 50mg7 on. Use it for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, weightless plastics, and lighter texas rigs and jigs 3/8 oz and less. I usually fish 12# fluorocarbon on it and the setup does a lot of typical bass apps well. I would say you would have no issue running a 50 sized reel on it. For a newer Shimano you may look at a Shimano 70 sized reel in either the Scorpion or Curado flavor. Should have no issue locating one within your budget.

Hmmmm... one is a Shimano low profile reel and one is an Abu. Get the Shimano. Abu hasn't made a great LP reel since the Gen 2 Premier IMO though some like the MGX.

Nice preliminary review! So many nice new reels surfacing it is hard to decide.

Traded in the older CI4s for the new ones eh? Looks snazzzzy! Have you fished or back yard casted them yet? It is just nice to see reels without red accents and another reel that utilizes the MGL spool.

I would be waking up to if I was holding a fish like that. Nice work Blue!

Simply amazing!

I use both. Anything 3/8 oz and up is easily done on casting gear. When the weight drops under 3/8 oz I use a ML spinning rod or sometimes a light for reel small rip baits. Line size is anywhere between 6 - 10#.

Love the stealth look! Nice modifications!

Ohhh! El' stellar senior!

I haven't paid attention to the number of bearings in reels for decades. Once you get a price point like Curado and above bearing count is pretty irrellevant IMO. The others have said it best ...quality and placement is far more crucial.

It's ok Kyle...I dont use the "other white meat" either.

Custom built by the mob!?

We all have problems. Jigs are kind of my thing just like how some guys collect the pre rapala wiggle warts and some guys like their fancy swimbaits. Around here jigs year in and year out generally account for the biggest % of my "larger" fish.