adam32

I agree. The new symetres have a bushing instead of a bearing on one side of the drive gear. The older symetres had bearings on both sides. I'd like to hear the reasoning behind that from shimano. Also a 39 dollar trion or 59 dollar president has a bearing in the handle knob, but a 179 dollar stradic doesn't. Go figure.

I just retired my old black and gold daiwa advantage, one of the best reels I've owned. The sol and fuego were great reels to.

Wasn't trying to attack you. I just want to point out that there is a HUGE difference between the mojo/premier and the avid on up.

You said you've only used the premier and mojo. Thats like only using a G loomis gl2 and saying G loomis rods aren't that impressive.

If i could find them for 100 bucks I would grab as many as possible!

Where are you finding those for 100 bucks?

What rod in the 100-150 dollar price range is better than a legend tournament bass????

I love my avids! They are light, sensitive, built well with good guides, and the look good(no crazy colors or silly graphics). I have new doubles of every one I own just incase they change them. I actually have three 7'6" medium light avid spinning rods, two still new in plastic. My absolute favorite spinning rod! I've also owned mojos and premiers. Wasn't impressed by any of them, and definitely wouldn't recommend them.

Premiers are made in usa. I'm not a fan of them though, along with any st.croix rods below the avids.

I've tried a ton of fluorocarbon lines, including vicious and red label. Invizx is the only fluorocarbon I will use anymore.

Well look on the bright side, you could have bought a sustain and been much more disappointed. It has the same idle gear.

I'd put the topwaters away and fish a hair jig, tube, or erie darter. Don't be afraid to let it sit on the bottom 30 seconds or even more without moving it.

The bass pro catalog has been worthless for the last three years. No specs,full color charts, or full listing of rod models etc.. They just want you to get on their website. My bps catalogs go directly into the garbage now where they belong. It's a shame because I used to love getting my new master catalog in the mail each year.

Those Christie craws are my favorite muddy water jig trailer! Glad they will be available somewhere besides walmart. Anyone know if yum is keeping the craw papi? I really hope they haven't discontinued them!

What was the water temp?

I use braid for small shad raps with a 7' medium light spinning rod.

I have a 4000ci4+. It's definitely not to big for bass fishing. It only weighs 9oz, which is less than most 2500 size reels. It has more cranking power. Plus it has better casting distance and less memory issues with the larger diameter spool. If anything this reel will balance better on most rods compared to the 2500ci4+.

Daiwa ss 1300 for spinning. Daiwa Zillion (the discontinued model) for casting.

×2 McCoy mean green

When I wade for river smallmouth I usually use straight braid. I use it mainly for the extra casting distance I need sometimes for spots I can't safely wade close enough to. I've never used a leader and I've caught lots of 20+" smallmouth in clear water with straight braid. A super clear lake may be a totally different story on line visibility.

Here's a link that shows the graphite body on a sustain. http://www.stripersonline.com/t/883551/taking-apart-a-shimano-sustain-10000-fg-question

For Casting I'd definitely go with the bucoo. For spinning I'd pick the carbonlite because for some odd reason falcon decided not to make a medium power fast action bucoo spinning rod.

The bucoo is a great rod! The Jason Christie rods I've handled all seemed extremely heavy compared to the bucoo.

Nope. They both have an aluminum frame/sideplate with a graphite body.

I agree. The sustain is not worth the extra money. Take the handle,spool,and rotor off and it's identical to the stradic fj. Only difference is the worm gear is made from a lighter material on the sustain. I've had all three of these reels and none of them are really that smooth.