22hertz

I bought my first baitcaster a year ago, a Curado I and have nothing to compare it to except older Shimano spinning reels. For the price I paid I'm very happy with it. Something I notice is some guys equate (plastic/carbon) light weight to cheap. You can get light weight by using expensive metals and processes which does feel more solid and premium but it raises the cost. If good quality plastic or carbon is used in non-stress areas it allows a lighter product at a lower cost. I understand this and I'm OK with it. Some people want to feel the premium in their hands but you have to pay for it, and Shimano offers that if you're willing to shell out $400.

I fished Monday morning and caught only one striped bass. While I cant complain since he was a good size and gave me a good fight the bite seems to have slowed down. It rained today so who knows how that will affect things. BTW I have one lure that seems to work great and nothing else is working. Last week when the bite was strong there were some guys out there not catching a thing while I was catching them left and right so I have definitely found what is working. Anyone else having any luck out there?

My Curado 200I fits my hand like it was made just for me.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I like to know which companies stand behind their product and which don't. This will likely influence my next reel purchase.

This article may help you decide further if a bearing upgrade (and which type) would be worth the cost to you. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/supertune-baitcaster.html

I fished all week and was having great luck until Friday. I don't know what changed but rain moved in along with high winds when the bite slowed down. I was lucky to catch one fish each day (Friday and Saturday) Hopefully things return to normal soon. I caught 7 stripe bass Wednesday and lost what would have been a personal best (making 8 if I had landed him) at the shore when my line broke and the bass took off with my favorite lure. I estimate the weight about 35lb striper caught on 10lb test Pline Floroclear. I should have dragged him to the shore instead of trying to pick up the line to hoist the fish over the sea wall

is 9MM loud enough

It can suck at times, but I have found a few spots that are OK. If you ever decide to go to the red top fishing 'island' the best spot is fishing the NE side (1 or 2 o'clock position of the island) Ive also had luck fishing a place where you cross the bridge and pass the visitor? center on the left and somewhere on the left there is a road that passes a soccer field (or something like that). There is a boat ramp there and a small dock on the left. It says no fishing allowed but there is a large flat there where I killed them a few times. Also had some luck crossing the bridge, parking in the park on the right across from the boat ramp, walking over the hill and down to the cove. Variety and a challenge can be fun and more rewarding when you succeed

Hey buzzed, how is Allatoona doing right now? I never had much luck there except for a few times. This time last year I would get out to the fishing 'island' at red top about 6AM. I could catch only one about every other or third trip, but when I shine my high powered flashlight in the water I could see fish swimming around all over the place. Has the fishing there picked up any? If you go to that spot early in the morning say hi to my little water moccasin friend that likes to hang out on the bridge side of the walk way stretch by the opening in the rocks

I went night fishing March 30 & 31 and caught a lot. Using live bait, fishing off the bottom. Fishing was slow until the sun went down, and really picked up both nights as a breeze started blowing creating chop. Once night and chop started I could throw the bait, count to ten and would get a bite every time. Caught many different species. Good times

Here is my advice for a budget of $150 Buy a spinning rod and reel. Spinning gear will allow you to buy higher quality for a lower price. Spinning gear is necessary in some situations. For example I have been fishing the shad lately and throwing a small lightweight jig to catch them. No way could I throw the jig on my baitcaster. You can also throw into heavy wind. You can cast at night etc... If your budget has to include line and possibly some tackle you will need to budget for that to get setup. Don't assume rod/reel combos are the best deal. Do your research and wait for sales. Spend your money wisely. IMO Pflueger (like the President) makes some great spinning reels for the money. Go put your hands on a lot of rods and find what feels best in your hand. Dont overlook house brand rods (BPS, Cabelas) as they often have rods made by the same places that make name brand rods and they go on sale often. They usually come with a more hassle free warranty as well. For line, I have used braid for longer than I can remember so I cant give an objective opinion on braid vs anything else. I can say I don't like Power Pro but do like Sufix. I have caught a LOT of fish on a spinning rod and reel so don't get too hung up on this vs that. Buy the best quality your budget allows and budget for everything you need before spending a penny. Wait for the sales that will come like this: http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/rod-reel-combos/spinning-combos|/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105791580/pflueger-reg-president-reg-cabela-s-tourney-trail-reg-split-grip-spinning-combo/1325675.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fspinning-combos%2F_%2FN-1102843%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105791580

You need to specify what your budget is and how you plan to fish. I prefer my baitcasters but a spinning setup will allow you to throw any weight lure making it more flexible. Tell us your budget and you'll get specific recommendations. Do you live near a Bass Pro shop, Cabelas, Academy Sports?

I was hoping someone had already completed this swap and knew of a place I could purchase only the handle portion and knew the parts would swap over. Direct from Shimano the part is $13 but I'm not sure if everything will swap over, also Shimano shows the part is OOS. For anyone reading and interested Shimano calls this part "HANDLE SHANK ASSEMBLY" and is part# BNT4827 There is also the complete handle assembly "HANDLE ASSEMBLY" and is part# BNT4851 and cost $33 You can find them here: https://fishshop.shimano.com/vip/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441851010&SKU%3C%3Esku_id=1689949372207951 As for why...I'm tall and have long hands. The natural arc of my hand bending at the wrist is a bigger circumference than the smaller handle provides. I'm finding while cranking I tend to put a side load on the handle often from my hand bending to compensate for the smaller handle which is causing a not so fluid cranking action. I hope that made sense.

Will all the stock Curado parts swap over to the Metanium handle? Who (not ebay) sells Shimano handles?

I want a longer handle for my Curado I 200 I don't need flash and fancy just the cheapest option for a longer handle.

Fishing is inconsistent right now. I went yesterday and didn’t catch a thing (along with everyone else there. Two guys there said they were fishing the day before and tearing them up. I went March 15 and March 17 and had lots of success.

That past two weeks I put my hands on every rod selling in my area from 5 different stores. I had a budget of $100 because I refuse to pay more than that for a rod. Out of your choices I liked the Duckett the best and (the Ghost) was my second pick. The Falcon Bucoo was my top choice but I couldn’t find one without a flaw in the blank. There are several stories of these rods breaking and I couldn’t find one instance where Falcon took care of the customer, so that put me off buying a Bucoo. I found a Lowrider on clearance for less than a Bucoo and still was hesitant to buy a Falcon. I ended up driving to Cabelas last and came across the Cabelas Tournament ZX rod. I initially didn’t look at the store brand rods but the last day I looked at every single rod and the Tournement ZX was similar in feel to the Bucoo with slightly more backbone, more guides and a better grip. I also liked the guides being closer to micro but not quite that small, the one year no questions asked warranty AND they are on sale for $70 I am very pleased with the rod and for $70 I’m going to pick up another for my spinning reel.

Not sure if serious... Your fishing line got wet and you think it may be bad?

I'm in the market for a casting rod and after looking at several I like the feel of the Falcon Bucoo. One reservation I have is the multiple user accounts of these rods breaking and the lack of warranty. I looked at 4 Bucoo rods today and each had a tiny flaw in the blank. One had what looked like a finger nail impression in the blank under the resin coating. If you own or have owned a Bucoo rod did it break? If so did Falcon take care of you? Does Academy Sports still do the over the counter swap?

After trying several brands and types I like Suffix Performance braid

I have been fishing Allatoona the past month and have caught nothing. Allatoona is the worst lake Ive ever fished.

I dont care other than I prefer a black rod. I am considering a Duckett Ghost for my latest reel purchase but really dont like the white color...

Your googleFu is better than mine. I cant find this reel for less than $179.99

The price has been changed back to $179.99 I called TW today and they said that price was a mistake that they have now fixed. Congratulations to those that got the reel for $139.99

I've been exclusivley using braid for years for its sensitivity and strength, but I keep reading fish get spooked by braid because its visible. Anyone have that experience? Maybe I should switch back to a clear line this season. Ive been fishing 5 times this year and only caught one fish (and no other bites). Im not sure if the lake Im fishing is slow or if my line is the problem.