Kyle46N

Yes! They are very light. I was actually going to go with the 200 or 300 series. The other bonus of buying from Academy is that this is their brand, and no one else sells it. Other than the ocassional Ebay seller. So Academy will replace the reel with a new reel if you had anything go wrong. Same with their rods.

Just checked it out on Power Pro's website. Looks like it's only for 50 lb and up line. I guess that's where it would be most valuable.

Patrick are you from up north? I only ask that because Academy is a southern chain sporting goods store for the most part. With that said, for those who shop at Academy, know about H20 Express fishing tackle. It's Academy's line of tackle. They are known for putting out quality equipment, in many cases similar to name brand tackle, at much lower cost. I have not had a bad experience with any of their tackle......I've owned several of their rods, own their all weather gear/bib, have quite a few of their lures (cranks, topwater, etc). And if you google H20 fishing reels, you will get hundreds of reviews (mostly positive) on their baitcasting reels. But very little on their spinning reels. Their spinning reels are a little newer. If I'm not mistaken they came out with baitcast reels first.

Funny you mention their rods. I use two of the inferno's now for ultralight fishing. GREAT rod for this application. Finding quality unltralight rods can be tricky, and I just recently stumbled upon these at Dicks sporting goods. But these are super sensitive at in the UL version and have the perfect blend of backbone, not too much so you can sling a 1/16 oz jig, but not too much of a noodle either

That's great info! Seriously, just reporting on your experience with the Maxim helps me. It's probably a safe bet that the quality of the Maxim indicates the Motive is probably just as good if not better....especially with the carbon frame. I have a Lews High Speed tournament and a Pflueger Supreme both on the way, which I haven't used either yet. So I will probable get a feel for those before I buy another spinning reel. I don't need too many spinning rigs.

Just looking for anyone's opinion that has used the reel. It has a lot of appealing higher end specs, but was hoping for some feedback. There's not much in the way of reviews online in regard to this specific reel. Thanks!

I can't say enough good things about Trilene XL. I only use it in 6 lb test for ultralight applications, but that's been for 15 years plus. I have had it hold up against numerous big fish while panfishing....from big cats, big bass, big carp, etc. I've never used it for bass fishing as I am predominantly braid for that, but if I were you I would have full confidence in it for the application you mention.

Anyone used the Sunline Basic FC from Japan Lure Shop? It's very reasonably priced for Sunline, but I can't find any reviews on it.

Instead of waiting on TW to get them in stock, just pay 2 dollars more and get it from Spro.

Ding ding! Great idea. Thanks!

I'll add that I learned to throw baitcast on Citica's. They were great, but since then I've loaded up on Lews reels, Tournament Pro's. I know for a fact, and of course this is hindsight, that my learning curve would have been easier with the Lews. Citica's are great reels, don't get me wrong, but for that price point, you can get lighter and smoother reels.

I noticed they were missing on most of the websites too. I was looking for current prices as I'm going to list the two that I have on ebay and wanted to know what the used prices were going for. Found my answer on ebay.

I think this hypothetical test would open up the eyes of some of the name brand guys, IF certain lower price point rods were used in the test. There is a wide range of quality variation in the 100 dollar rod category. So, it would have to be the quality rods at this price point be tested against the $200 plus rods. Because lets face it, there are certain lower end rods that you would be able to tell are lower end the moment you touch it.

He's a really good guy.

Thank you! Saw your post 10 minutes ago, and bought a reel 5 minutes ago. That was too good of a deal to pass up. Supreme 8230 on the way.

Really can't explain this one. I've experienced the exact opposite. I pretty much never have backlashes with the Lews, unless I caused it by hitting something with the lure other than the water. I have two Citica's that ocassionally backlash though, so not sure.

Throw a swimbait with a good tail thump and you will be fine in murky water. And like mentioned, throw it on a weighted wide gap hook. Unless you are in open water, then you can get away with the regular jighead.

Love it. Caught a big bag my last day on the Potomac last fall with this same setup. Fishing in a shallow creek that was more like a 2 foot deep flat, with a narrow 3 foot creek channel running through it. Just keep criss crossing the channel with that bad boy, and that's where the big fish were. Lots of 4 pounders. Then a front hit, and that was the end of the shallow bite for 2014. Can't wait to throw it again this spring.

I almost pulled the trigger on that same bag about thirty minutes ago. Instead I went with a Mustad waterproof boat bag. Kind of had an epiphany in regard to the boat bag. Water proof being the biggy. I can throw 3700's in there, which most of my tackle is in, and then throw in whatever soft plastics I want....all the while I have a safe place to keep electronics...like camera's, phones, etc. We'll see how it works out.

Thanks for all the replies. I think the consensus is BB1 Pro for cranking and for applications needing more line. I think I'm going to go with the BB1 Pro, if nothing else to mix up my reels to cover different applications.

Great rods and great return policy!

It's a good reel for sure. I have a STX gen 3. It's still in good shape over 3 years later. Held up good for the first year and a half in saltwater too. I don't have any complaints with it. At it's price point, I like the Lews TP better....but that's not what you asked. Based off it's own merit...the STX is a great reel.

I own two of the Lews Tournament Pro's and I love them..yada yada. I'm about to buy another reel and it's between the BB1 Pro or another Tournament Pro. Does anyone own both? Or has anyone used both? Opinions? One better than the other? Things to consider? I don't have a specific use in mind with this next reel, could use it for many applications. Thanks!

I miss Academy here in VA. The stores in Texas used to put all their crappie/panfish lures on sale every winter. Usually around 50 cents a pack. I literally have hundreds, maybe thousands of Southern Pro or Kalins curly tails in chartreuse shad, acid rain, crawfish, silver n blue, june bug chartreuse, and several other colors. That was 5 years ago. I fish for crappie year round...in addition to everything else, but I really don't think I will have to by panfish curly tails again....ever.

Most of you probably have not heard of them, but the best combo of durability and tail thump is the Matrix Shad. It's sold by a gentleman in Slidell, Louisiana. It's huge all over Louisiana and Mississippi. I've fished them in the salt for the past few years. Kid you not, it was not uncommon for us to go through 40 trout or more on one bait. And trout have teeth by the way. And the tail thump is so pronounced that you feel it on the retrieve. They are about 4 inches, maybe just shy of that. Great colors too. Perfect for the Alabama rig. Better thump than all of the above baits, and more durable by far. http://matrixshad.com/shop/category/matrix-shad-2/