FishTank

I have worked in printing for about 25 years, most of it on the computer side of things. I have used both high end Macs and PC's. They both have their place and I use them as different tools for different jobs. My personal preference for working on print files are Mac's, the high end models. They are just better no matter how powerful a PC you have. I use PC's to process mail for USPS, run daily work correspondence, and anything involving Microsoft programs. As far as how long they last..... Most of the Mac's I have used last at least twice as long as PC's. For instance, I have two Mac Pro's at work one for print files and the other for video. One is two years old and the other is twelve years old. I have never had an issue with the two Mac's. I have replaced my PC's about every two to three years, with only one lasting five. I have had hard drives go out, video boards, fans, processors/mother boards, and power supplies. Typically the Mac's I get cost about $3000-$5000 (crazy) and the PC's are usually the highest end Dell Workstation out at the time (about $2000-$3000). I have also used an Alien Ware laptop (died after 2 years) and my current at home computer is a Mac Book Pro from 2014 (everything original).

I have no words....

That's some straight up crazy stuff right there. But wow, that's an awesome collection. There was a member here that posted some photos years ago of his walk-in closet full of just tackle and I thought that was huge. This guy is on another level.

True. But if I couldn't get anything I would be good for awhile. To prove your point, I have a G. Loomis 903C CBR on the way. It's a different rod from anything I have or have ever fished. We will see how it goes.

I think I have enough stuff to fish for at least one life time, maybe two.

I have rods from St. Croix, G. Loomis, Abu Garcia, 13 Fishing, Quantum and Fenwick so all over the place. I do have a preference for rods made in the US with quality workmanship.

I have 6 110's. I have not ever broke one. Some are 12 years old. I have replaced the hooks before but that's it. I fish one of them at least once a week. They have always produced for me. I am not saying it's the cause but I do recall years ago before they changed the eye direction of these, I saw few of them breaking on braided line.

I have the Bantam and it would be a good reel for this. It's frame build and weight would be a great advantage with this heavier rod. Another choice and I have not fished it but if it acts as advertised..... Daiwa Tatula Elite Flip and Pitch.

I would get the IMX 843C or 844C. Both would be great rods and very versatile.

This might be helpful... and a good reel.

I have both and like both. With your budget you can get a Curado > great all purpose reel. Easy to use and set up Or.... Daiwa Tatula SV TWS or maybe a Tatula Elite. My choice would be the Tatula even though I love my Curado. You really can't go wrong with either one.

What rod was it exactly? What kind of line? Was the rod held straight up and the line pulled down? More than likely, like stated above, the rod was probably cracked/compromised prior to your test.

I got the 60 6.2:1 and it's big but pretty smooth.

I had the Mach Crush and returned it to Dicks. I didn't even fish more than one day. It checked all the boxes when it came to bad things I dislike about reels. I do however have the cheaper Carbon Fire and for what it is, it's not bad. No complaints so far. It does what I ask of it but it doesn't cast far, the brakes are hit and miss, and it's not too smooth under load but these things are minor when you compare it to the price I paid. In the price range you are looking at though the Shimano SLX is best choice I have seen so far but I have worked on a buddy's BB1 Pro and it too is a nice reel.

I have been using the Calcutta 251 for years and last year I picked up the Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast. It's is oddly amazing for a big reel and it makes the Calcutta look like a toy in comparison. It's more of a musky reel but I have used it for bass and its almost laughable.

It's not bad. Some of the boat ramps we go to, go from shallow to deep quick and the ramp gets slimy during the summer. They do a better job than most but are not perfect. I think it's the vibram soles. I tried the Keens (Newports and Rialtos) as well and returned two pairs before I bought these. Luckily I bought them at REI and they are pretty forgiving on the returns. One pair pinched my pinky toe and the others were like ice skates when wet. I liked the Chaco's I had years ago but they were a pain to get all the straps done properly and when they got wet the straps would slip loose. Also, I didn't like how dangly the straps were but they were comfortable. One downside to the Tevas, my wife makes fun of the tan lines I get.

With the Strata Sandals.... think super comfortable, lots of arch support that you can customize, stable for a day standing and a sole that feels like it should be a hiking boot. I have worn these in a kayak as well and have gotten them wet multiple times.

For fishing shoes/sandals on the boat.... I have tried several over the years... Sperry, Keen, Chaco, NRS, Birkenstock, OluKai, Teva, Merrell, etc.... Here is what I have settled on..... Cold wet weather> Muck winter boots Not so cold> Asolo TPS Hiking Boots. Almost warm> Vasque Breeze Hiking Boots > best overall boot, not to hot not to cold and breathes well Hot Summers>Teva Strata. I have tried and liked a few Chacos but these are the best I have found. Comfortable and some what slip resistant.

I have the Curado K and it will be just fine for a medium rod not sure about a ML or L though. I would prefer a lighter, more finesse type reel for that type of fishing.

I don't know if the line will help with smoothness but it's worth a shot. I have tried Sniper in the past and it's not bad. I never noticed it effecting the smoothness of a reel though. As far as the reel that is second from the left, it's an Antares 19 70A Left. I ordered it from a store on eBay in Japan. I paid $360 minus a $50 coupon I got for signing up for PayPal Credit so $310. It is, so far, beyond belief. I have never fished anything like it before. It's so smooth, it feels invisible.

I like both Daiwa and Shimano. It's kind of hard to help choose one for you. What are you intending to use it for? What rod are planning on putting on? If you are going high end, the Daiwa Steez SV TWS or the Shimano Metanium.

I picked my second one up from the same guy on eBay. I definitely got a good deal. I have paired it with a St. Croix Legend Glass and use it for crankbaits. I also put 13lb Sunline Defier on it and this line is amazing. Best cranking line I have ever used. I wish I would have found it sooner. Also, nice collection you got of Shimanos. If you ever want to branch out, the Daiwa Steez SV TWS is an amazing reel. In someways, I like it better than the Antares (any of them). The Antares has the amazing look and buttery smoothness but the Steez has a better feel for functionality.

Love it so far. I have fished about 6 times since I got it. It did need a lot of work though. I have replaced the brake ring, 4 bearings, the drag washers, the main gear and the pinion. It did look perfectly new on the outside but the guy that owned it before me probably fished this as his only reel. The insides were toast. Yesterday I was out on the water for about 8 hours and fished it for about 3 of those hours. I only caught one fish though. My only complaint is that it maybe too solid and too smooth. It's so effortless that I sort of loose some of that connection I like to have with the reel but it casts a mile and smoothness is off the charts. I will be probably be using this as a topwater/jerkbait reel.

How about the Shimano Curado K? You can find it sometimes on Amazon for $160 and I think Academy will match their price. Its a great reel, pretty basic but well built and it would be great for someone new to baitcasters. Also, I would start out with some cheap mono for line. Trilene XL or Stren 10lb would work out great just in case you have a monster backlash.

Was the gear whine on the cast? If so, did you oil the brake ring after each use. Not all it seems but a few the Shimano reels I have purchased will easily develop this sound after a few trips and all it needs is one drop of oil on a q tip rubbed around the brake ring. I think there is a yellow warning sheet in the instructions that has the info on how to do it.... But since it's gone. I have both the Curado DC and the K. Both are great reels. I tend to like the DC better but if you don't like the sound of the DC, then the K is also great. For me the DC is smoother, casts further, and it will also casting into the wind when properly set up.