Krappiehog

I bought a Plano line box and I spool up out of it.. Line off the bottom of the spool. It has stopped all my problems! I seen a video by Aaron Martin and he has a large cardboard box he spools out of. Spinning from under or off the bottom Baitcasters from over the top.... Has worked great!

I have or had Lews, Abu, Shimano, pfluger, browning... And my favorite is and I keep coming back to Shimano. I just put ceramic bearings in my Shimano and abu, and my Shimano's are so much smoother. All my spinning reels are Shimano, 4, 4 of my baitcasters are Shimano's and I will slowly replace the rest with shimano's. I will tell you my Canean is very nice, it is a granite frame, but put a set of hawg tech bearings in it and you have a reel that is as good as anything you will pay 200+ for I promie you that!

Here is the problem even with ethinol free .... They all use the same trucks, so your going to get some in any fuel you run. The only thing you can do is use a quality additive and maintain things. The marine industry is going to have to step up a little on there fuel side to compensate for the crappy fuels being produced today. I work in the automotive industry and I have never seen so may problems with seals and catolitic converters as I have the last few years with the push of ethinol. I have always run sea foam it is a awesome cleaner, and it works great. Use it couple times a year on EFI engines and your good to go. Keep your normal additive to combat the ethinol and you should be good, but running the high grade runs cooler anyway, so it sure want hurt anything,

Don't wait on me ! It's probably gonna be abot a year... I have decided to pay off my truck &, I'm close. I have come to this decision... I am limited on dealers in my area... But the tracker pro guide V16 T looks like my choice. Unless I just find find something I been missing. I need a boat with room, I got 3 boys and fishing around a console is not worth all the hassle. I don't care to have huge HP, SO THE 60 will fine. So I guess I'm stuck with a merc unless I can find a independent dealer that sells tracker and sells Honda or yamaha. I'll be honest, Honda is my first choice, yamaha, and Suzuki or Mercury... I hear good things about Suzuki. I just don't have a dealer close. And it stinks trying to get parts... So Honda, yamaha, or merc are my choices... And in that order! Lol The v16t has pretty much everything I want in a boat. I want livewell, rod locker, and some storage... With the boys I need stable! My boys don't sit still, never have, so wider is better! I been fishing out of a old 35" wide glass river Jon, that's fun some days, I will tell you. It is 20.5' long but w/o width length is nothing. I had a bass at P2, w/200yamaha, was smoking fast.... And cost $$$$ to run, no more of that! Fish don't care what I'm running, nor do I so for me it's just about the fun... I don't tournament fish real either so what I will do will be with my son, and it shou.d be fine.

Take this for what it's worth, I have a friend that is a boat sales man, I am in the same situation as you looking at the same type of boat. He tells me e tec is a problem engine and to say away. He recommends merc for speed and yamaha for fuel economy. They are a merc, yamaha, evenrude dealer. The E's have always been harder to work on I think. So this was ok with me. I have had older E's and they been ok, but moving on today I am looking for a long term buy so I am looking for the most trouble free motor I can buy.

As I read I chuckle a little... Doesn't anyone really know? Some are one the right track, like added R&d cost, it's a hobby or luxury... But have you ever looked at the parts inside a marine engine? Have you ever wondered why the old 2 strokes lasted so long? The engines are built better. Car/truck engines use a sleeve type bearing, but marine or at least the old ones used all roller bearings. There's is quite a large price difference in the base cost of the the bearings as well and the set machine set up for the rod caps and journals. And as long as those old bears get oil and don't over heat they are going to last! They were made with all good quality chrome. You will also notice they are sitting in water all the time so everything has to corrosion resist, and they try to use metals that will resist electrolysis due to metals alkalids or calcum in the water. All this goes into R&d as they try to make sure they build a tuff engine that hold up,the crappy fuel regulations the EPA keeps pushing with ethonal, in with a gas engine is not designed to run with added maintance... theres a reasone race cars use it and street cars don't! Making engines lighter, also means using a alloy that is stronger, a and that means trying to match metals that have similar expansion and contraction rates so you don't have issues with gaskets blowing and bolts pulling threads like some of the auto makers have with there great ideas! All this adds up, and yes add that to a luxury and you get $$$$.$$ X2! No hobby is cheap, if you do find one let me know cuz I sure would like to know how keep my wife off my back! Lol

Yes and bad idea to reel up into tip... Ask me how I know! LolBut abu is top notch! They don't play! They just back it up results! One of the best companies I have ever seen! I will always buy abu, or at least till change there policy of understanding and putting customers first!

I have most of the rods folks have listed here... My 13 is very nice, but my go to rods have become duckett ghost hands down! I am not sponcered by and have no affiliation to them..... I love, love love them! I really got interested after watching Bassresource video's.... Lol They are light well made, and uber sensitive! Like nothing I have felt! I will say this Abu makes a nice rod, they are great if you have a problem, one of the best companies I have ever delt with, one reaso why I have 4 Abu reels! Duckett is no slouch, week ago I broke a rod, had 6 mo or so.... So out to garage to get receipt when I realized it was a heat transfer and was black and could not read! Said well stupid time to buy a new rod, but I called them, spoke to William in warranty, said no prob, gave me instructions and 20 bucks latter I have a rod shipping to me! Hey guys I know some get all bent, but here was the bottom line, they will warranty I had to cut out the section of the rod with logo and specs.... Send it and ck form 20 for s&h.... 20 or 100 for a new rod... Let me think, not rich so 20 sounds good! Folks I stick close to those that take care of me, treat me right and I in turn spread the word about how easy they are to work with, and how great they are! I love Shamino reels, have a crutal rod, no probs, all my spinning reels are shimano's. Bait casters are abu and Shimano. Best there is, I put duckett in the same category. Let's face it stuff is gonna break, and when it does I want folks that stand behind what they say! Duckett's are my favorite rods, actions are great, tips soft and allow for great feeling and castablity. My 6'8" mh is my or has been my go to rod as I only have 3 duckett's, and if possible that's the rods I fish for casting... Once I get all casting rods bought I will get a spinning.. Well maybe, I have spinning rods by 13/ ***, love it, very similar to duckett's in weight and feel... Abu vetaris also nice but is stiffer with less tip then duckett's or 13 in same weights... Still lite rod. I hope this helps...

I say this only because I have bought many rods the last 2 years.... I have settled on Duckett's. I have had many and still fish most as i am slowly replacing my rods with all duckett's. I had one break, they are great to deal with. I am buying ghost, may step up to a micro, but I have seen no need to spend more. I live the ss guides. I am not a guy known for following the trend, I was always interested in them, but was hesitant to buy. I am glad I did! I always thought "feeling the bottom" or I can feel the grass... Was a load of bs till I started using them.. I can now feel soft bottoms, gravel and when I get too something. I finally feel bites. I have a 6'8" mhour was my first rod as a all around rod, and the rod I go to almost all the time anymore... If I can fish it I will, they are SOO light! I loved my denali but it's a bit heavier... That wS the first rod I could feel the bottome and the bit, it's 130.00... You may consider it. I have a 7' med cranking rod, kinda light in action, but shay baker advised me to step up 1 wieght from what you normally would. I like for my smaller cranks and smaller traps... Up to 1/2 or so... I just got a 7'6" XH for jigs, mainly cuz 7'3" h was out of stock.... But it wil throw lighter jigs as the tip is every soft. That's what I like most about all the rods, they have the tip,you hear about and I don't have to snap cast and I can loosen up my reels and not worry about a nest I am new to bass fishing, new to bait casters, but I have picked it up pretty quickly. I have bought all kinda rods, from cheap to higher end say 200 After many videos and many talks, I tried duckett's and have not looked back. I have. A *** *** the is nice also, one of my go to spinning rods, but my choice is duckett's hands down!

We have both, orra s and symetre... Both good, but shimano is smoother, and better feel, and drag is a little better. I don't think u will go wrong either way.

Being an owner of lews and shimano, i will tell you my lews is very nice spinning reel. Drag is smooth, reel is smooth.. But i have a shariah and a symetre...you will not be disappointed! I got mine at BPS outlet store, due to a damaged/ cut box, brand new for 60.00! Talk about a steal! That reel is awesome! Now i have owner a few different brands, Abu,daiwa , lews , shimano, quantum... And the cheap ones... Daiwa is junk, customer service is even worse! As for the others i know abu service is second to none! I have not had any reel problems other than daiwa. I own mainly shimano spinning and lews bait casters . But i would buy shimano given the choices .

I have been looking for a shimano spinning reel, I have a Sahara and love it, have had a few others and have always been great! My question is what's with the packing, is there a difference from the one in the box vs. the one in the plastic? I ask because it seems the tackle shops have the box version, but larger retailers like Walmart carry the plastic package. By the way my Sahara was in a box... Better quality? That's the question I pose?!

UPDATE !!!! GOOD , NO GREAT NEWS !! i was so impressed w/ abu's customer service & the young lady that helped my, i wrote them a letter, rather i typed it cuz my hand writting is horrible! lol short of it, i had said inthe letter how great they are & the lady that helped me.. and i had said the rod was not as sensitive as i hoped but that was a different thing... lets face it i bought a lower end rod, & i got what i paid for... it works great, fishes great, is a Veritas, no.. is it 100, no .. well i got a call yesterday from Abu, a wonderful lady by the name of Lori called me... telling me they got my letter, thanked me for it & then, .. get this proceeded to tell me that she my letter, seen the comment about sensitivity and wanted to make sure i got 1] the correct rod & 2] i was happy, if not she wanted to know how to fix it!!!!! WHAT a follow up, this is unheard of !!!! Let alone asking me if they could fix a problem that was not related to in anyway what i even wrote the letter!!! I told her i was not looking for a free upgrade, nor was that my intention! i just wanted to thank a company for doing what they said they would do & doing it with loveing care! Lori said thats not what she thought at all , but wanted to make sure all was well & i was happy. i told her i bought a lower end rod & could not expect more than what i paid for & the new rod was sweet over all, it did exactly what its made to do. i'm not complaining, & if i wanted a better rod i should have paid for one! PERIOD! we had a nice talk, she was great! IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT ABU GARCIA, DON'T ! I have been looking at a few different brands, but unless its a product made by Pure Fishing i will think twice about buying it ! You may do the same! my buddie said G Loomis is not even close to that , and look at what there rods cost! i am telling all i know, spread the word, folks need to know who will take of them & make sure they are happy when spending there hard earned cash! I am still shocked about this! james.. aka trouthog

i been using berkley solutions on my spinning gear, its great !!! i have had no problems at all .. i will be trying the casing next ... at 5.99 a box its well worth it... i made a bad cast into a tree on ther river, w/ 6# it started to cut into my hand before it wold break ... i been using for trout, very small & limp.. great stuff ! update.. i put the casting line on my lews.. just as good as the spinning, strong, have fished in cover, rocks & docks, hung it a few times, no abrasions, & i use the mouth method, to check it... u can find every little spot.. just run line through you mouth over your tounge... learned from watching Xtreme angler.. this stuff is cheap & awesome

i have 2 of the ss1's i love um... its what i learned on... i reel left so i will have to bump up when i go for a 7:1:1.. i have not been disopointed in lews!

thanks guys for feed back ... i dont normally blast some one on the net but they got a true story filled on on my google review!!!! i just told the truth.. the 1 important knows the truth!!! The good Lord always takes care of us if we try to do right. Abu is gonna take care of it... i'm very shocked.. they were great about it when i called this am.. said they undersatnd about indepndant tackle shops.. not the first story like this & appoligized to me for his poor customer service... now thats how it rolls.. i was not happy about 2 rods in 2 wks.. but they sure made me feel better. i was think never agin buy Abu, but after this i'm rethinking that for sure!! *** I WILL NEVER SET FOOT BACK THERE AGAIN .. & trust me.. folks are gonna hear about it... i am in a small town in northern Ar.. i am finding that more and more folks have had this problem with the store.. but its my fault for putting up with rudeness prior & going back. I have tryed to over look things as i have grown up, & give the benifit of the doubt.. but this was just too much !

depending on what u are fishing, i hate problems!! so for me 200 is about the normal for rod & reel .. that seems to be where i end up to get good stuff. i just bought a spinning reel, Shimano Sahra.. its AWESOME x 10!!!! best money i have spent in a long time.. pair it with berkley sensation for spinning & you are in bussiness! i use this on all my spinning gear, and i have tried a lot of line! finally one with little to no memory!

my first was a Lews ss1hl the speed spool.. its wicked!!! i love it, just bought an other one 10/12.. bought first one in june, & have used a lot since, at least 2-3 times a week untill aug. and every weekend since june as well.. some days as much as 9 hrs.. my next wll be a tournoment MG, i need a 7:1:1 in left .. i looked at every caster out there, i m not a brand guy, but i do know you get what you pay for, so going too cheap was not happening, i took a chance on Lew's & have not looked back. my fishing buddy is an older guy. he loves the c3/c4's.. they are very nice, but too big for my. i dont find them comfortable. but as far working , casting .. very good reels. but they are heavier then the lews..

Thanks I been looking to tie some! Great info!

And we are back again with a rod problem... Got replacement like I said, been in a rod holder in a rod sleeve/cover till yesterday and during the start of night fishing trip I start hearing a screatching type noise, went on for about 15 min before it started to show up on the line. Just learned what a tip on rod was missing insert after about an hour of fishing sounds like.. I'm starting to think this hole thing is a plot for me not to learn catch fish on a jig! Lol .. To make matters worse store gave me everything but my receipt and there not helpt this point.... So I emailed abu to see what they say. I hope I don't have any problems with my reel! So lesson learned no more shopping there. A little dissspointed in rod, I have same rod, but older when was orange in spinning, and all has been good. Sometimes when it rains it just pours... Bright side is if nothing else, I get to buy a new rod! Any suggestions for a good rod under a 100...? In case I have to buy new one, not real confident in this one right now.

I have 2 of the SS1L and they are awesome!!! I started bass fishing about 6 mo ago. This was my first bait caster. I have one on a 6'6" falcon HD med that is kinda a all around, topwater, cranking til i get some more money.Falton is nice, i prefer the open back reel seats. The other is on a is a Abu 2 nd gen. vengeance 7'. So far i have not fished it, i got it and on first cast it exploded about 10" from end as i loaded the rod behind me a hour after buying it... But the reel seat is nice and feels good i the hand, is very light. Going tonight and hope to get some time on it. I have looked at the Les American hero 7' and 7'6" mh and that is a sweet rod! If i were going again is but that one .

OK. follow up.. i did get a new rod.. but i will never use that shop again. even when i went to pick up the new rod he was a jerk.. very short to me. but thats ok, i have 2 other places that are happy to have my business, and treat me way better, not as close to my house, but thats ok, being treated with respect is worth it! by the way i am useing a Lews ss1L folks they are bad to the bone!!!! my first bait caster, and i have just bought the second one .. they are sick! i love um!!! thanks for all the help guys !

well get this... since i had it an hour... i called the shop, he said bring it back .. i got up early this am & did. I walked in showed him & he said " you stepped on it" ! i said no sir, i swear oon on my family, it was in the rod holder. i dont know why, the owner of the tackle shop looke me in the eye and said and i quote " i dont care what you are telling me you stepped on that rod, they may not warranty it, but they may i'll have to call and check on it for you" .... my buddy, came in & bought stuff, i spent almost 170 in the store... and a few months back i spent over 200 on a rod & reel in his store... and he has the nerve to stand and tell me i am lieing to him, hell i called him from the lake the second it happened.. he told me how great there warranty was. i was so shocked buy this this am. I asked if he would allow me pay diff on a diff rod so i could get back out, se said no ( with a sarcatic voice) i cant do that. I work in customer service, i'm in the warranty business, im on a phone 8 hrs a day helping people. I know what customer service is and this darn sure was not even close to how you treat a person, not in life nor in business!!!! i'm not rich, i have kids, and some times i go to look, deam or see what the latest baits look like up close & that sould be ok. I buy when i can and i spen as much as can with folks that treat me right, just ask my wife that is always yelling at me!!! lol This was unacceptable treatment. Owners take note if you want to loose business this is how to do it, unless your business is so good you afford to run off customers!!! TAKE NOTICE! sounds like i will get a new rod, from what you guys say, and i hope so! i'll let you know.

Hey guys im a new guy,, been fishing about 6 mo.. Guy i work with has been helping me and taking me out in his ranger teaching me. Im 34, work hard and buy all my stuff. So i do take care of it. I bought a my first set up from my local shop cuz i worry about buy a used sword! Lol! Went out last night and have been using a med 6'6" falcon hd since June as my starter setup paired with a lews ss1L. Love this reel! We do a lot of jig fishing and my med is just not near what i need. So i decided to buy a rod.. Same shop i said i have a budget, reel base be a Lews ss1L. But i need a rod.. Around 50... He recommended a Abu vengeance 7' mh... Felt nice. Now everyone says including him says u stepped on it.. This is Gods HONEST truth guys. I met my buddy at tackle shop like we so ever sat night. Got it all fixed up i took it straight off counter and up it on my passenger side rod holder like i do ever sat night on his ranger R73 and went hit the lake. We hit 4 spots and threw crank baits, my buddy looked at rod , but we put back and started fishing... On the forth hole we had some deep suspended on a brush pile. So i said ok jig time.. I tied a 1/2 oz jig on and got a feel for the new rod. I slowly razed it back cuz it was a lot stiffer and i was not sure how it would cast, we re close to bank. As soon as i started the cast and loaded the rod i heard something i never heard and my buddy said what was that, it was like the rod went limp... I said i have no clue maybe jig hit the rod and i should reel up... Try again and limp so i pull down and start looking at it ... Longitudinal splits about 4" about 8-10 Down the rod.. I was like what the heck i never made a cast happen! So i called the tackle shop ... It's been maybe an hour and he say how did that happen i explain above in short and he says u had to have stepped or kneeled on it... I said no it's been in a rod holder the trip until now! He says well bring it back I'll send it back.... Guys i am honest, my buddy was there, i did nothing, I'm not here to bash Abu, i have this same rod in spinning and my son has and Orr S combo... But I'm not confident in the rod, i know anything amass produced can have a flaw, but this is a first for me.. I have read a few like this, mostly tip problems which make think folks damaged them or tried to swing bigger fish in.. Am i just being paranoid? Should ask to pay the difference and step in to a Lew's or falcon? Thanks

this is an awesome place, love the lake... but hard is an understatement! lol man we fished sat night.. 4 fish by my buddy all 14" or less.. he has fished this lake 30 yrs.. and he knows it.. hes helping tech me, not much right now.. we joke.. lol i hooked up a drum! my first, it was fun.. it hit a 1/2 oz jig.. i was just happy to catch something.. they just bumped my cranks all evening till dark.. dark came & nothing.. then the drum about 1030-11 pm.. thanks guys for the input.. i have never been that far north RW.. i may have to give it a run once i get my boat out of the shop..