tnt2671

guy's i wasn't in any way trying to stir up any commotion and i apologize if it goes that way.

i think the price point reels have just gotten that much better , 100% agree on anything finesse or hd, thats money that needs to be spent , i'm talking daily drivers.

lately i've been rethinking my setups and let me start by saying i have always had higher end fever, i owned and still own a lot of the newer shimano jdm ( scorpions , ci4's , met's etc) but lately i've been leaning towards using my 70.00 diawa exceler's ( the new gen, taken apart cleaned up and properly lubed) and honestly i think i enjoy my fishing more than ever. they put fish on the boat and the bank just as well as my expensive stuff, gear ratio choice and casting ability honestly isn't all that far apart , brake adjustably and consistency is set it and forget it , drag is smooth w/ great hold ( no problem on a "38" northern today , pulling like a tractor) , palmability is perfect for me and lure limit's are not even a factor as i fish for bass , pike etc so never throw anywhere under 1/4 oz. i have just been fishing the heck out of them w/ out worrying about dropping , stepping on , soaking , scratching, breaking or servicing and all the other stuff thats in the back of my head when i'm fishing a higher end, now don't get me wrong it's nice to hold a feather light smooth as glass higher end reel and i like most people become gear heads when it comes to our equipment but i with out a doubt am having more fun and focusing more on my fishing than ever before using the everyday cheaper reels on a good rod. would i get rid of my "good stuff" , no, but don't think i'll ever spend the money i have in the past when i can buy a sub $100.00 reel that i'm just as happy with. Am i going crazy lol??

what he said , i bought a couple of the new lews lfs reels and several other sub $120.00 units and sold them all to buy a couple more excelers! are they the smoothest most refined reel , no , but for a workhorse reel with a brake system that is easy to set up and dead on consistent and will throw down to 1/4 oz lures and even a little less w/ no issues they just straight out work and for the money you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal.

the new gen daiwa exceler or lexa can be had cheap both great workhorse reels or even the tatula ( if you like the way they palm) all these can be found sub $100

the kistler for less than $100 is going to be hard to beat. i now own 4 of there rods and i don't think you'll be disappointed . i did have an issue w/ my klx spinning rod but its on its way back to kistler and should be taken care of , all of my casting rods have been flawless.

the kilter pro series rods are a steal of a deal at $98.00 you will not be disappointed ! i have h3's , klx's and just ordered a 7"3 heavy pro series from tw for the 98 dollars , fished it today , 11 smallmouth on both frogs and some t rigged senkos and the rod is a beast , plenty of rip w/ a nice sensitive tip. honestly if i hadn't already purchased some of there higher end stuff would buy a complete lineup of the pro series!!