Redsyn

I actually prefer the screw in handle because the bend in the handle which I was told was a "power" handle design. I do not think it effects the smoothness of the reel. It has less chance to fold up under pressure. I have a shimano Ultegra which has the same style handle and it is super smooth. I also played w/ the saros few weeks ago at bps and I was impressed at how smooth it was. Wish I would have also check out the new stradic.

I dont think this affects the performance of the rod at all. How much of it is peeling off? If it bugs you that much I think it has life time warranty so just go to bps or your local tackle store and ask if they will replace it over the counter. If anything give shimano a call and tell them. I'm sure they will take care of you. Me, I wouldn't even care about it. I will not pay a single penny shipping it in and getting a new one. Keep us updated on what the dealers/ shimano say. Mike

Are you sure you dont have the setting wrong? there is a switch when activated the handle can turn backwards. its usually under the rotor/reel.

Whatever reel you get, make sure its got anti-rust bearings because I'm sure you would also try out some saltwater fishing living near the coast in florida and all.

I would love to someday own an expensive watch but I think if I ever scratch it or drop it, I'd cry like a baby. ;D For now I really like my Casio pathfinder. I know its just a plastic digital watch but it has some really nice features. solar power so it really doesn't have to be serviced, atomic time, digital compass, barometer/thermometer, altimeter, world time, and alarm of course. The two things I dont like is if you are wearing the watch, the temperature reading is not really accurate because of your body heat and it doesn't have the tides reading like some fisherman watch.

I had to get up at 5 to line up at bestbuy to get one for my gf's bday. You would be surprise at how many people line up and didn't get it. I can't wait to play with it though. I am making her wait till christmas to open it because she is really into the whole christmas opening presents kind of thing. I however am not so I am going to go to basspro today to get 3 life vest then off I go tomorrow to try out the inflatable she got me for christmas. Of course she said its not fair but I had to explain to her it only has a 30day on water trial. If I dont like it I can return it for a full refund. So for the next month I have to go out fishing more often to see if I like it enough to keep. ;D

can you send a link to their website? thanks

No, they included weekend anglers because sometimes they fall overboard and can't get back on the boat and then result in hypothermia.

The show manswers on spiketv says that fishing is the #1 most deadliest sport in North America because of boating accidents related if I remember correctly. The show is pretty entertaining although I get an occasional slap behind the head from my girlfriend while watching it. They often have hot girls dress in bikini to conduct experiments. I will then have to tell her its for educational purposes only :

shimano core100mg for 70????? you have got to be kidding me. congrats on the pickup. If you paid 70 for it I wonder how much the owner sold it for.

Oh another thing if you decide to buy online, make sure its the new silver/grey colored one. Ebay has a lot of the older model for sale.

I have the 301 and its great for what I use it for, bass fishing and saltwater fishing. the only complaint I have about it is you have to remove the whole handle plate to adjust the brakes. It is very smooth and relatively light. I am glad I bought it.

I wish everyone a happy and safe thanksgiving. Do everyone a favor and dont drink and drive. Mike

Hey guys I just recieved in the mail my first st crox rod. LEGEND ELITE ES70MF !!!! The sale was too good to be true and I wanted to see which rods are better personally. gloomis or st croix. RW talks about this rod so much I had to try it myself. I do have a question for you guys, did any of you have rods that are damage? When I took my rod out of the tube I noticed the Handle (really beautiful btw) has a scratch on it. I called them but the customer service was busy so I left my phone #. What should I ask them to do? replace it or what? What if they dont have any more?I dont think it will effect the performance just that its an eyesore and the fact that this is my new rod i would like it to be flawless or atleast scratchless before I even use it.

I dont have the gl2 or gl3 but I felt that the shimano crucials felt better but not better then the imx of course. Look around for good deals.

Hey thank you guys for your input. since a few of you have had good experience w/ the the SE I think I probably get it. I am going to wait for long Mike's photo and instructions for how to build the floor boards and motormounts. I am not really good with building/cutting sort of thing so if it looks too complicated for me I'll just get the package from SE. By the way can you guys show some of the pictures of how you rig your SE so I can have some ideas as to how I should rig mines when I get it? I would really appreciate it. I do however want to build a canopy when i get the boat. $200 for the canopy is just too much to fork out considering the boat will cost $500 as a package.

Hey guys I am shopping for a watercraft. I will mostly be using it for fresh water pond/lakes and if possible nph bay if I can. I have no driveway/yard/garage to hold a johnboat or kayak or truck to haul it. Also on a relatively tight budget. I am looking into getting the sea eagle 9 w/ the motormount package for around $500 new shipped. This way I can take my gf or dad fishing and still have room for gear and have the ability to stand up and fish if I want to. I was wondering if any of you have experience w/ it at all? Are their better similar watercraft for that price new? Is it hard to row? I will be looking into getting a trolling motor for it down the line. Any comments welcome. Thanks in advance guys

I have the cardiff 301 and I like it for what I use it for. I dont have the citica and it does have the HEG. I think it would be very useful for bigger fishes. The one thing I dont like about the cardiff is you have to take off the handle plate to adjust the brakes.

I think you are going to have to change your screen name soon ;D

I'ver never used the DC. Can you tell me what do you mean it works too well?

Calcutta te models or the regular calcutta? If you want to compare the regular calcutta to the td lunas, I'd say the TD Luna. It feels a lot more solid and nicer with less plastic then the calcutta. But if you compare the TE to the luna..I'm not sure. I have the Calcutta 401 te but dont have the luna. But if I were to get another round reel, I'd definitely look into the luna. Comparing to the respective Calcutta TE sized reels, they are price around $100 less. Go play with one of them at the store...I almost couldn't put the TD luna down. :

Hey guys as you all know recently many of us jumped on the deal to buy the TD-Z at cabelas for $200. Thank you "The_Natural" When I recieved my reels I started playing with them and I noticed that it was not as smooth as i thought they should be and it made this weird noise. Sometimes when I push the casting button and start cranking the handle to engage the reel, it wouldn't fully engage. So instead of shipping it back to cabelas because I really wanted the reels, I went to Daiwa here in Ceritos California (20miles) from my house and dropped it off. They have done the following service to them 1. Adjust drag system 2. Adjust Rotation 3. Adjust free spool system. I'm guessing these are the standard services they provide? But on one of the reels 2 ball bearings were changed. Part # f57-7703 and f79-8402. There was of course no charge because I told them that these reels are Brand New! In fact I didn't even put line on them yet. So the point I am trying to make is if you have any problems with your reels call daiwa and see what they can do. I was thinking about sending them to reel mech for service because I hear nothing but great things about his work. I was thinking I shouldn't have to pay to get a NEW reel serviced. I dont know how much it would have cost to changed those bearings but if I didn't bring it to them I would have to pay out of pocket which I think is wrong. I asked them why would the reel need to changed out the bearings and one of the customer service told me that the bearing has rusted out maybe because it was sitting there for so long. Guys is this normal? A bearing rusting out before it was ever used? Dont get me wrong I'm not trying to bash Daiwa because I really like their products and plan to keep the reels along with my Alphas ito. I am worried that after the warrantee expires and it happens again, I'd have to pay to replace the defected parts. Any comments welcome.

I'm glad you guys had such a great time. Great video and hopefully someday I will be able to join you guys.

d**n you > I was looking for deals on the shimano speedmaster 201 for bass/light surf fishing. Now I am expecting 2 TD-Z105HL soon. I've always wanted a TD-Z because sooo many members say it is one of the best. Before it was over $300. for one so it was too expensive to me but now I spend 400 on two. :-? And no I'm not going to use my TD-Z for surf fishing.

I've recently got a shimano speedmaster= Curado 7:1 for $147. on ebay and I'm sure you can get a IMX loomis from fatfishfarmer for around $190 or so.