Redsyn

wow it looks sweet. Mind listing the components and how much did it set you back?

I'm just wondering which model of curado were you disapointed in? The E series? Care to explain why? I've moved on to all daiwa LP baitcasters recently but I've always wondered about the Curado E.

I dont know anything about hunting or guns. I do however have a $35 spinning reel on my $260 dropshot rod. I didn't pay retail on the rod of course. The drags are smooth and the reel is smooth. In a spinning reel what else do you need? Oh thats right I have 15lb braid and 4' FC leader. No line twist on the braid and it gives me extra sensitivity.

The spool was loose because maybe the spool tension was on a loose setting?

Just remember only the calais 100 has the HEG. Also depends on which braking system do you prefer. If you were to get the calais wouldn't the chronarch D5 be better? weights less then the 2 reels and has HEG. Priced right in between the two. I havn't used that reel but you should atleast take a look at it?

A used g loomis IMX ;D You can get one for $100 less than msrp if you look around and sometimes less. What is the price range you were looking to spend? Any specific baits you throw a lot more of that you plan on getting a loomis for that may require the extra sensitivity? traditional or split grip? foregrip or non?

Ask your local reel repair person how much would that part cost to fix. Then call shimano to ask turn around time. I think it was $25 for baitcasters + 10 shipping back to you and add the shipping cost to get the reel there. Shimano ususally replace the parts for free and would just charge the servicing fee. Then see what is more logical for you. I agree w/ reel mech to "contacting a Satellite Warranty Service Center closest to you for their turn around time...." I dont know how much it usually cost but the tackle shop I go to is $12.5 for servicing baitcasters + parts. turn around time usually 1-2 weeks.

In that price range I'd definantly look into the powell rods. I dont have one but everyone that has it says great things about it. Or you can look for used rods.

I have to agree w/ getting a quality rod and what ever money you have left over for the spinning reel. I have a gloomis dropshot rod which I mount a reel I got in 2002 for $35. It's a jdm lower end shimano reel but the drag still works great and the retrieve is smooth so I never can get my self to upgrade it because its just a spinning reel. Load it w/ 15# braid and a FC leader and it makes the setup even more sensitive. Casting reel is a much different story.

I have found that placing it in my room in a drawer under my fish tank is a great place to store my reels. I suggest you do the same and send them over ;D I would not put it in the garage because it is easier to get broken into. I would have it in the house.

Just called and ordered 2 thanks for the heads up guys.

Do you guys know if I can order over the phone and have them ship it? I'm in california, no gander mountain here. :'( I would love one of those lefties

This was my first ever baitcasting reel I have ever bought due to recommendations from members from this site. At first I thought nothing special about it until I got other baitcasters and I keep going back to using this one the most because of the cast control and ability to cast light stuff. I have to warn you. You will want to get another one very soon. Lets just say I'm in the process of selling a shimano calais because I recently just got another one of these. :

If you have left hand retrieve reels DO NOT get the daiwa reel covers. They dont fit right. the shimano reel covers are ok but the material is thin. Try to look for some pro gear reel covers in the small size. I know they are for small conventional reels but they fit perfectly for my alphas ito to my cardiff 301 and also can fit my calcutta 401.

What are you planning to use it for and which model citica?

If you are lucky enough to have a west marine near you, GO!!! They are having a clearance sale on their store rods and they are great rods for only $9.44!!!!! Normal price 79.99 which I feel they are worth it but at $9.44, I picked up 7. 2 spinning and 5 casting. If they dont have it at one store, ask them to look up which ones have it and have them ship it to the store for free. I bought so much because I can lend them to friends/kids if they want to fish w/ me w/o spending too much or worried about it being damage or broken. They are not the most sensitive rods out their but use braid and it will help a whole lot. I will use it for spinner bait, hard jerkbait, chatterbait, cranking, and maybe small swimbait fishing. In terms of performance, its no loomis. I would pick up one of these anyday over the daiwa s rods which retail a little over $100.

2X I agree. But only in freshwater situations. In saltwater, depending on the fish and size, I'd go w/ right hand retrieve for conventional reels.

I'll take $190 shipped usps money order or paypal +4%. I will insure it and have delivery confirmation. Its in mint condition, no scratches. I replaced this reel w/ a td ito that is why I am selling it in case you are wondering.

I have a calcutta te 201 and calais 201 forsale if you are interested. Located in socal or can ship on your dime.

You can definantly get a imx new for around $200 online or tackle shops if you know where to get them. If $200 is your limit then I would set that money aside and dont touch it. Every week put in $5. By chirstmas time get yourself that Loomis!!!! : I really hope you end up w/ a rod that you will like. I just know if you start lower end, you'd just end up paying more to upgrade later. Good luck.

I would highly suggest you get an IMX line of rods if you are going to get a loomis and dont want to break the bank. My first bass rod is a imx 843 which I still have and it is a pleasure to fish. The sensitivity is great. I dont have the glx so I can't comment on that. I was looking at the gl2/3 series and was not impressed by the weigh/feel/$$$. I'm sure in that price range there are better rods out their. I would get it used or through ebay if I were you. I wouldn't pay retail just because I like to save $$ and the warranty is still valid as long as it is a loomis. In terms of $80 reel on a $200+ rod, as long as you can get that lure out to where you want it and it has good drags, reels smoothly , then you have no problem. I have a gloomis dropshot rod w/ a $40 8yr old jdm shimano spinning reel and it works great. I have always wanted to upgrade the reel but its still smooth. The drags work great. a little ugly but I just can't get myself to pay more then $100 on a fw spinning reel that I still have to pump and wind pump and wind to get the fish in. I'd rather spend that money on baitcasting reel or rod where I can feel the added performance. Like raul said, dont mount a light weight high performing reel on the rod. When I first started these guys got me to get an Alphas ito as my first baitcaster. roughly 6oz. Now I have 2 of those and a td ito. I am going to sell my calcutta and calais because of the weight. But for some reason I love fishing the less expensive cardiff.

How does the powell rods compare to loomis imx rods in terms of sensitivity and power? I am asking is because they are the only rods I have experience w/. Thanks

I dont have the bcr 803 bcr but I have the imx 783 and 843. The 843 seems it handles heavier lures better then the 783. seems to me that it is stiffer as well and more backbone when setting the hook on a fish. Maybe it could be just me

We have owned the company since 1997 and no changes have been made to the way they do business, build rods or design rods. There are some changes starting at the end of this year. The one affecting you most will be customer service. Shimano will start handling customer service related issues starting soon. I do not have an official date because one has not been set yet. As of right now lets say December 1, 2009, maybe earlier. Nothing will change as far as the Xpeditor Service program or warranty programs. Everything will remain the same as far as warranty processes are concerned. There have been some rumors flying around that we will be taking GLoomis overseas for production. This is not true at all. We have no intentions of changing what Loomis does or taking production to our factories. GLoomis will continue to build high tech rods at the factory in Woodland, WA. They want to focus on being a manufacturer and develop rods as they have done since 1985. GLoomis is a rod factory focused on building high performance rods. This will be the only factory to produce GLoomis rods for both the US and internationally. With Shimano taking over all aspects of sales, marketing and customer service this allows for some growth and has allowed time for improved qualtiy training at the factory. With our assistance in these areas GLoomis has been able to update the manufacturing process and develop more efficient production processes. This means that they will be able to increase production with an even higher level of quality than before. I have been to shimano in irvine for reel services and everytime it was top notch. A lot of times get more than expected. So if shimano handles customer service for g loomis then does that mean if I ever happen to break a loomis rod (which has not happen yet), can I walk into shimano in irvine and walk out w/ a new rod Minus the shipping cost? How is that going to work? Another question is will loomis ever have an upgrade program like st croix where you can bring in one rod and choose to upgrade to another more expensive model by paying the difference?

I have the 301 and I like it a lot. I feel it cast baits better than my calcutta 201 te. Maybe I need to adjust my reel better. It feels really nice and light for its size. I just wish they come in 100 size for left hand retrieve for the newer model. That thing would be sweet.