Pencil Pusher

Unless the names have been resurrected for Gander Mountain (which Pure Fishing has been known to do) those are older models. The Iron Hawk was the entry level rod and the Golden Wing was above the HMG. The Golden Wing and the Iron Feather were the top of the line before the Techna AV came out.

From the Loomis catalog: "The magnum ultra light, light tip, strong butt". I have the casting Drop Shot rod that is rated as "Mag Medium". The tip is soft with a strong butt section.

The price they're selling the "D" series at. Kinda like selling last years Honda's.

If you believe those prices, I've got some Ocean front property in Arizona I'll sell real cheap!!! Find the e-store that has them.

You guys are dreaming. The economics don't work for a "better and improved" Curado for $140. If the Curado 200D was priced correctly at $199, then the labor savings by moving production to Malaysia would be about $40 to $50. This based on a statement by a Shimano employee when the D models came out that the Citica 100 was manufactured in Japan because the Malaysia plant did not have the tooling to manufacture the 100 size reels (even the Cardiff 100 is made in Japan, while the 200 is made in Malaysia) and that because it was made in Japan, it should have a price point of $159. So, with that labor savings, the Curaso 200D, if manufactured in Malaysia would sell for around $159. The only way to sell the new E series for less would be to cheapen the components or reduce gross profit. I really don't see Shimano doing either one. My opinion is that Shimano will move production to Malaysia, make changes and improvements to the Curado and hold the price at around $199. I am really curious as to how Shimano will reduce the weight of the Curado (if they do). All that metal they added when the reel was redesigned added the weight, so what will they change. Everything so far is just speculation and I'll just wait and see what happens.

Falcon Cara T7. Great rods for the money.

It was probably GAPEN. The company was founded by Don Gapen who invented the Muddler Minnow fly. The company is now run by his son Dan.

Right now you can get a Quantum Energy PT for $99 at Cabela's. This is a $190 reel and contrary to what the Shimano posse says it is the best deal out there right now. However, if you want a Shimano, several places, including Bass Pro and Cabela's have the Citica on sale for less than $100.

The drag is the "Star" wheel behing the handle, the reel probably came from the factory with the drag loosened. Tighten the drag and the spool should turn when the handle is turned. The instruction sheet that came with the reel should tell you how to tighten the drag (which direction).

Is the drag tightened?

I haven't used them but they have received good feedback on TFF. I don't remember any negative comments about the rods.

Falcon Original Flippin' Special Telescopic: 7'6" and costs $90 - $100 depending on where you buy it.

I'm older'n dirt and I really don't like the lightweight reels. They just don't feel, for want of a better term, "substantial" to me. On the other hand, I like a light rod. Go figure.

Spinner bait, usually blue and chartreuse or blue/white/charteuse.

I'd go with a Falcon Original FC 5-17 "Big Cranker".

Contrary to Roadwarrior's statement, Taneycomo has fantastic trout fishing. There are big Rainbows, big Browns and if your real lucky you might catch a Cutthroat. And yes, you can catch them from the bank. I believe that the upper part of the lake (just below the Table Rock dam), is fly fishing or restricted artificial lures only. Check the regs. Now my little secret about Taneycomo: down by Rockaway beach, the are a lot of largemouth bass. The water is warmer down there. Taneycomo is a small lake, narrow and more like a river, especially when the dams are generating.

The STX has a coated pinion shaft and the infini spool both of which are designed to improve casting; this is basically the differences between the SX and the STX.

I bought some with a Boater's world certificate that was about to expire and didn't need anything else from there. Besides a couple of packages of catfish baits and some panfish worms, I did get a package of Senko style worms. I haven't had a chance to use them yet and I really don't think they will be good for Bass. They are really stiff; I don't think they will be at all attractive to Bass. I'll give them a chance but I have a suspicion that they are going to get cut up into more catfish chunks!

You are correct, but Shimano only made them for a couple of years; Ryobi made them much longer than Shimano. I was under the impression that the BB-1 was made by Shimano and when Ryobi started producing them was when the series was changed to BB-1N. Also, it should be pointed out that the Lew's was Shimano's first fishing reel they ever made.

Ryobi made the Lew's Speed Spool BB1N and BB1L reels and Ryobi versions 5000 and 4000.

I did a little "Googling"; Roland Martin Tounament grade rods are manufactured by Pro Line Fishing.

How about decorative upholstery tacks? Maybe thumb tacks if you can find unpainted ones.

Horse Hockey!!! He asked for good quality INEXPENSIVE, not cheap. There is a difference and you can get good quality without taking out a second mortgage on the house!!

The one that really makes me do a double take is the guy who mount a spinning reel on a pistol grip casting rod and cast and reels with the reel upside down.

You will have a bunch of good lakes much closer than DFW. Belton is right next to Ft Hood and the Colorado river chain of lakes is not far. All of these are much less crowded than the DFW area Lakes. I live in Dallas and you couldn't pay me to fish Lewisville, way too many skiers, wake boarders, and drunks. It is considered the most dangerous lake in Texas. Look up the TPWD website, you can find every lake in Texas listed with information as to location, species, Etc. Also, "Texas Fish & Game" magazine publishes the "Texas Lakes and Bays Fishing Atlas" each year that has maps and detailed information about a number of Texas lakes and inshore bays.