upnorthbassin

It's not holding it's value really....the Lews have always been cheaper from the get go. They MSRP at $199 but they have been on websites and on ebay for the $150ish range since they came out. It probably has to do with the distribution channels they go through. There are minimum advertised pricing arrangements, etc etc. So if they are both MSRP @ $199 but you can get a new Lews for $150 from 100 places online...the actual value of the Lews is lower but you paid less so it's a wash in the end....as long as you don't pay MSRP for it. I like both reels but if I would still choose the Lews even if they both were the same price.

I think it's the other factors that influence it the most. If you like baitcasting gear you can't really load up the 4lb mono and let it fly. You can't exactly throw a jig w/ trailer that weighs 1oz combined on an ultralight spinning rod. Not to mention the environment....you will have a tougher time around line wrecking structure with lighter gear. There is an in-between though where it's not a 10 minute fight but also you're not going to water ski a 5lb bass either.

Just got mine in the mail today. You can immediately tell it's not like other braid. It's real smooth....you can tell it has a coating on it. After running it between my fingernails with some pressure it makes it feel rougher and the color becomes lighter....but even then it's still pretty smooth compared to most braids. I don't think that would have any effect on the integrity of the line of course. It's on the limp side but not extremely limp like some braid (that might be nice for the smaller diameter lines on spinning gear). I can imagine this line being quieter due to the slickness of it. Interesting stuff. I can see myself liking this line although I haven't had the chance to really test it just yet. I wish they'd let you do 2 samples per household because I'd like to try the 12lb on a spinning reel too.

Best inexpensive spinning reel around. Also they have free shipping on reels right now. They also have the Shimano Sahara 2500s for $49. Both great deals. They have a couple of decent deals on rods too but nothing too exciting.

I have a Lews TP and love it. It's very impressive even when put next to reels that cost more money. It's super light and smooth. Definitely a winner. I also have a Dobyns Champion series...but the 763 and it's a great rod. I think you're on the right track 100% with this one.

I bought the 763 from them when they were getting rid of them. They had a 703 later on but I didn't snag that one. Great deal on a great rod. I like mine a lot.

Somewhere secretly Pace is smiling. I have no evidence to support this though. The shock might get you though. It's not every day that you win anything let alone that.

Lews TP for $135 is a great deal. I got mine for around $150 I think. Put it on a powell diesel glass rod. What a great reel. Great rod too (and cheap). I love that setup. I am going to fish the heck out of it this spring.

Robert, they still have them right now. I just checked. When it says product not found, just click the picture of the mag down below and you can add them to the cart. If anyone else ordered these and hasn't got them yet, have no fear. Mine came in the mail yesterday and all is well. There's a few sites selling some thermold 30 rounders for $15 or so if you wanted those. How about this. PMAG 20 rounders for $20 in stock http://pkfirearms.com/AR15_Magazines/177/c act fast (they also have 30 round usgi mags for $25....kinda pricey but they are in stock)

If it has to come from BPS, I would get the Compre CPS68MHC. It's a good all around rod spec-wise and I think the compre line of rods is pretty good. It's not too geared towards one type of style. Not too long, not too short, not super heavy power but not super light either. It's perfect for someone new because it's pretty versatile. It has a warranty that he can use in-store in BPS if something goes wrong. I don't really know what BPS has other than what they put on their site which is why I chose that one. I have to buy online from them because the nearest one is 3 hours away.

I'm ok with ads in magazines as long as there's good content in-between. In reality, they practically give you the magazines for next to nothing. I get a few magazines for $0/year....100% free. That's hard to argue with. I also get multiple magazines for $5-$10 for 1 or 2 year subscriptions. Take that and divide it by 12....and heck..you really don't pay hardly anything for them. I'd be ok with at least half of it being ads or even more at that price. I kind of like the ads to see what new stuff is out there and the pictures in them are usually pretty good (even the pictures of the product in the ads). True the internet is faster and easier to pinpoint exactly what you want but I like being able to have a magazine kicking around the browse through. You can keep one in the car or pack it into a bag to read somewhere, etc. I also prefer to read on paper instead of a screen. My wife has one of those ereaders and I would much rather have an actual book.

Cheaper than Dirt (an absolutely horrible company) is selling pmags for $99.99. Not kidding.

Just ordered some D&H 30 round mags from this site and they still have some in stock for $19.95 http://www.kesselrings.com/servlet/-strse-8825/DH-AR-dsh-15-MAGAZINES%2CDH-MAGS%2CAR-dsh-15/Detail They sent me a tracking # the next day but I haven't got them yet. Sure they are kind of expensive (just like every other place selling mags now) but not nearly as bad as a lot of places. Plus they don't charge $15 for shipping like a lot of places are right now so it kind of evens out. D&H are pretty decent mags and have the gray magpul followers in them which is nice. I'd rather get some pmags but they keep selling out in minutes and I keep missing them.

Oh, and take a training course or 2. They cost a lot of money but they are fun and you'll learn a lot. Some of the introductory ones provide the guns so you can use them in the class before you buy one and see what you like. Take a general type of one because some are real specialized. I've spent a boatload of money on them but it was worth every penny. I've met some nice people at them and learned a bunch. Plus, you do a ton of shooting at them so you're going to get better just from the practice.

That may have been true many years ago but with technology the 9mm bullet design became much better. Looking at ballistic gel tests there's not much difference between a hot 9mm round (think +P or +P+) and .40S&W. A .45 even isn't really that much better compared to the others in the overall spread. I like all those rounds and I own guns chambered in them and reload for all of them. Compare a pistol round to a centerfire rifle round and there's a big gap. Compare a 9mm+P and a .40S&W and it's marginal at best if any. Stopping power for any service caliber pistol is adequate. I would buy whatever gun I shot best with rather than choosing because of caliber. Either a 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, or 357SIG, etc...they will all do the job with the right round. Just make sure you get a round that is designed not to penetrate as much and get a plan that would make it less likely that you would have to fire in the direction of something you didn't want to put a bullet into. The canned answer is "get a pump shotgun". Pump shotguns are great and I own several. There's one problem with them though. Short stroking a pump shotgun under stress is very common. Go to a 3 gun competition and see the guys who shoot pumps. These guys train a lot and shoot a lot more than you're average person....but at some point one of them is gonna short stroke one of those pumps. If that can happen to them it can happen to you. If you miss with your first shot you may not even have time to rack in another shell and if you short stroke that, you are in big trouble. Also suggesting a 20 gauge isn't much different than a 12 gauge. The 20 gauge shell holds less lead but the guns are usually smaller and lighter so the recoil ends up being pretty close in the end. I have 20 gauge guns that are more punishing than some of the 12 gauge guns I have. 00 buckshot will go through drywall like it was a piece of notebook paper. In fact, despite what a lot of people think, a .223 rifle round will not penetrate a house nearly as easily as most shotgun and pistol rounds (frangible rounds exluded). There's a myth that shotguns are harder to miss with but that's silliness. Look at a shot pattern of buckshot from an 18" pump gun at 10ft. It's pretty much one hole. If you are going to shoot at someone in your house and miss....you will miss just as easy with a shotgun at close range. At that close range the shot isn't going to spread much at all if any. I would get whatever pistol you're most comfortable operating and shooting with whatever safety features you feel comfortable with. If you use it right, it will do the job. Think about using a round that won't penetrate barriers as much as others. If you like dogs, get a dog and have it trained. A pistol can be used in small spaces, it's easy to keep close and easy to operate. It can fire multiple times without reloading and nothing is required for it to keep firing other than pulling the trigger.

Yeah, I like that rod a lot too. It's inexpensive so you don't high end components on them but they are really good for the money. I almost want to buy a second one because I like this one so much.

I think there's more variety in the GLX line. That being said...I would really like a NRX 853. If someone else is buying, I'll take a GLX 843CBR to go along with it too!

I'll have to say Bassmaster. FLW is a well put together magazine but I like some of the monthly columns that they run in bassmaster better. They both could be better in a lot of ways but they are pretty good.

Anything with ammonia in it will take the sting/itch away from most bug bites....or at least make it better. Windex has ammonia so that's why it works. If you look at commerical products like "After-Bite"...the only ingredient in them is ammonia. But on to WD40. It has it's uses but not in fishing. In fact, it's not really that great at anything but you can use it for a number of things so it's pretty popular. It's not a very good lubricant at all. It's not that great at preventing rust compared to a lot of products. It does penetrate ok and displaces water but there are better products out there for those uses too. It's popular because it's kind of a jack-of-all trades product that can clean something and fix a squeak for around the house. I can't think of any piece of fishing gear I would use it on though.

I ordered one but I haven't got it yet. It seems like an interesting line so I'll be giving it a try. I have never used their line before so we'll see.

I think the Supreme XT is a great reel. I especially like the 9230 size. It's the perfect size for most bass fishing and it's crazy light. Mine sitting next to shimano 2500 size reels make them look super bulky. I like the Shimanos too but I really like the XT. It balances great with these newer rods that are extremely lightweight also. The only thing I don't like that much is the eva knob. The shape of it is good and I like eva...but on the knob it's kind of odd.

I checked ebay with no luck. I might have to give Shimano a call and see if one of their other model knobs fits.

I'm just not a fan of the T knob lately on these size reels. Anyone know the part # for one of their other models that will fit? Of maybe an aftermarket one that's not a bunch of money?

I really like Yozuri Hybrid 6lb on spinning reels but braid is hard to beat too. In fact, hybrid is just a great line all the way around and it's CHEAP. You can get a 1lb spool of 6lb hybrid for $25 shipped to your door from some places. I would pay more for it but it's just an extra bonus that it's that easy on the wallet.

They should come out with models that have LED lights in them and automatically turn on the week of Christmas.