Pencil Pusher

I just found out the rebates will be available for reels purchased from any Authorized Shimano dealer. Also, in addition to the Curado and Citica, there will be a $20 rebate on the Cruxis.

I have heard that Sportmans Warehouse will have the same deal: $50 off Curado's and $30 off Citica's beginning Dec 1. SW does not have online ordering though. I wonder if Shimano is changing the reels again. Seems the only time they reduce the price is when they are changing the reel.

Actually, Reelmech did set us straight on this in a previous post, thats where Dave and I got our information.

DSV does not mean "Deep Spool Version". D = series, S = Saltwater, V = Version. DSV has a solid spool not drilled.

Be careful sticking it through the window. The wind will whip it around when you're moving and if it bangs against the window frame, it can damage the rod. It probably won't be noticeable until you do a hard hook set and the rod snaps like a match stick.

You just answered a question that was posted a while back: "what is the advantage of collapsible rods?" . Seriously, get a Plano Bazooka rod case (or similar) and carry your rods in it while your traveling. You will have to take the reels off and re-rig whn you get to where your fishing. There is no other way to safely carry those seven foot rods in a small bed truck.

I don't see any misrepresentation in the ad. The reel says "Pro Qualifier LTD" and the rod says the same thing. The ad also states in big letters "Limited Edition". The photos are not of the "Pro Qualifiers" in the catalog and both the reel and the rod are described differently than those in the catalog. The fact is that "Pro Qualifier" is a registered trademark of BPS and they can put it on anything they want. The fact that some one is PO'd because its not what they want it to be does not make it misrepresentation.

The Browning reel is a BPS branded product and is comparable to other BPS reels in the mid to upper range. The regular price is $149 but has been on sale several times this year for $99. I have two of them. I haven't fished them heavily, so I can't give you a "long term" evaluation. For the time I have used them, I will say that I am pleased with the perfomance. IMHO, the Daiwa Megaforce is in no way a comparable reel. It is a $65 reel everyday and in no way can it match the Browning. I can't give an opinion on the rod since I don't have the new Boron rods. I do have some older boron rods, Browning and other makes, and like the sensitivity and feel.

That Cardiff on Ebay is a first series 101, not a 101a. From what I have read, the newer "a" Cardiffs have some upgraded components and are much better reels. I don't have any of the first series but do have four 100a's. Shimano didn't continue making the left handed 100's when they upgraded the line.

There is not a 101a Cardiff. The difference in size between the 100 and 200 size is the same as the difference in the Calcutta 100 and 200 if you are familiar with those. My cardiff is the same size as my Calcutta 100. I compared my Calcutta 100 and 200 and there is a significant difference in height but they are the same width.

Bass Pro Pro Lite Finesse baitcaster $99.

I would say most people prefer LP since there are a lot more LP's on the market than round. I use both but actually prefer a round reel. I have fairly long fingers and I just feel like I have better feel and control using the round reel.

As of 2007, there are three reel companies with dual centrifugal and magnetic cast control: Pinnacle, BPS brands (including Browning) and Pflueger. The profiles, side plate release and other key areas are identical in various models of these reels. All these reels are made in Korea. The internal components are likely spec'd differently, but it is obvious that these are all made by the same manufacturer. It is a known fact that BPS and Pfueger do not own any reel manufacturing facilities. No one you talk to at BPS, or for that matter Pflueger, is going to tell you who makes their reels. You have to figure out for your self based on the best evidence you can uncover. Also, to the best of my knowledge, Shimano makes their reels in their own factories and does not manufacture for any one else any longer. Daiwa also manufactures their own reels, but does manufacture store brands or special models for certain large retailers (Cabela's and Dick's for sure). Abu also manufactures special models for large retailers. Abu still manufactures the round reels in Sweden, but contracts with a Korean manufacturer for the low profile reels.

I bought one spool of Power Pro to try out. It did the same thing; green stuff and the line was stiff. Last spool I'll ever buy, there are too many good braids out there to mess with this stuff.

I have the 100 sg, 1000sg, Mag 250 sg, Mag 150 sg. I also had the 10 sg but sold it. The 2 digit reels had bushings instead of ball bearings, the three digit reels, and the 1000 had ball bearings. The Bantam 100 was the first Shimano reel and the first versions had wooden knobs, the last ones had the Paddle knobs. The 1000 was the top of the line non magnetic reel. The 250 was a wider spool version and had higher line capacity. However, my 250 has an aluminum V-spool which is a rarer version than most. During the 80's, a number of the reels came with a graphite V-spool converter which snapped onto the aluminum spool.

I just saw a cheap Zebco rod the other day with a split grip. I'll bet that when the new rods hit the stores in the spring, there will be a lot of inexpensive rods with split grips.

When I started Bass fishing, the Texas rigged plastic worm was what I used 90% of the time. I think it was because I had fished with live bait (worms and minnows) as a kid and was pretty impatient if I didn't get a bite in a few minutes. So, I would slowly drag my bait a little ways and wait a few minutes for a bite, then move it again. So fishing the T-rigged worm was kind of the same thing: throw the bait to a likely spot and slowly move the bait waiting for the tick or the line moving then "cross their eyes". It just seemed like a natural way to fish.

Bass Pro has deleted those from their web site; they were on there last week but now they are gone. I went to bothe BPS stores in DFW this week and the selection of close out Avids was pretty sparce. They did have some of the new one's and they are nice. I would say that the only way to find them would be to go to big sporting goods stores and look for them. Also, keep an eye on Ebay, they should start popping up there from some of the stores.

Western Bass was a Pro tournament trail primarily in California, Nevada, Etc. At that time, the Bassmaster tour was primarily on Southeastern lakes. The Western Bass Grand National was that tour's equivalent to the Bassmaster Classic.

McCoy Mean Green

DSV has a solid spool; the 100dsv has 3 ball bearings instead of 4 on the 200d.

Decided to try this this morning. It didn't work, I walked out with a shiney green Loomis Frog Rod!!

dsaavedra, if you really read reelmechanics's posts, what he is telling you very diplomatically is DON'T use those fresh water reels in that brackish water. Unless you service them absolutely correctly, you will ruin them. Why do you think they make salt water specific reels? It's because they have sealed parts and componets that are designed for salt water.

Just a couple of clarifications: ABU was one of the first to come out with graphite frames, the others were Shimano and Daiwa. The graphite frames were only used in the top of the line reels for all three, the graphite frame was the hot new thing in the mid 80's. The Shimano 2000GT and the ABU Ultra Mag Plus were the most expensive of the respective lines. Lew's Speed Spools were initially made by Shimano. These were the first reels ever made by Shimano. Shimano decided to manufacture their own line (the Bantams) and Lew Childre severed relations with Shimano. Lews then contracted with Ryobi to manufacture the Speed Spool reels. Evidenlt;y, the agreement with Ryobi was a little different because Ryobi sold reels under their name the were virtually identical to the Lews, except Ryobi use the deep V spool instead of the U spool that the Lews had. Shimano never bought out Lews. When the Childre family sold the company, it was sold to Brunswick and became part of the Zebco, Quantum, etc group.