Brett's_daddy

Thanks for the Type R info. Not crazy about the 8.1:1 ratio as I'm looking for something more of an all-around ratio like maybe a 6.3 or 6.5:1 range.

Okay, here are the prices for these reels that I'm looking at if that helps people justify one over the others... Shimano Curado 201i = $179 - $25 gift card...Total: $154 Lew's Tournament Pro = $129 (on sale)...Total: $129 Daiwa Tatula 100HL = $93 (he's matching one of his eBay auctions)...Total: $93 That's why no Chronarch's or Team Golds...those are $200+ reels so we're not talking apples to apples when compared to the others I listed. I'm not sure about the Tatula 100 Type R, what's different on it from the 100HL besides color scheme?

Okay, now that I have my rod taken care of (at least my initial rod thanks to the extreme generosity of a fellow member) I am free to focus on the reel. Here are the top 3 reels I'm looking at: Lew's Tournament Pro, Daiwa Tatula 100 and the Shimano Curado I. All seem like excellent reels but each have their detractors as well. For the Tatula people say it's big and heavy which doesn't necessarily bother me as much but it limits the amount of rods to choose from as only so many are meant for bigger, heavier reels. The Curado has long been an industry standard bearer but I've heard of people complaining that this new model develops a whining noise when reeling (one poster thought he had a lemon and returned his initial reel and got another but after 1 hour it started doing the same thing)...don't know how this can be fixed. As for the Lew's...I honestly am having a hard time finding anyone with a legitimate gripe about it...everyone seems to love them, even if they are brand loyal to another reel they can't find many faults with the TP. This is the last post about reel selection for me (I promise...lol) so if the people with experience (especially with the new Shimano Curado 201i since that is a late entrant into my decision process) with these reels would chime in that would be awesome!!!

I know it's probably foolish but I'm a little hesitant to buy used equipment from people I don't know...sure, I'll pay more for new but for me to know I'm the first one to use the reel and have a warranty for it that just gives me a piece of mind .

I checked the Dick's web site and they don't sell the Citica I but they do have the Curado I...would that be a reel to consider also? I just want to make sure that whichever reel i get will be "beginner friendly" as I have zero experience with a bait cast reel and need something forgiving so I'm not constantly back lashing and getting frustrated .

I would say I have medium/average sized hands. I don't think I'll be palming the reel as it just doesn't seem natural to me so more than likely I'll have most of my hand under the rod with just my thumb and maybe a forefinger up top near the reel so I'm thinking palming might not be as big an issue for me.

Okay, may have the rod issue settled for now so that leaves me to concentrate on a good reel. The ones I'm thinking about are the Lew's Tournament Pro, Daiwa Tatula 100 and maybe a Shimano Citica I...what's the consensus on these reels? I know from previous posts that the Tatula and TP are really close quality-wise...should the Citica I be lumped in with that group or is it an inferior reel?

According to a poster on another of my threads (St. Croix Mojo Bass) he said that they have Rage rods for $89 shipped at the St. Croix store online OR if you call the store directly they will sell you 2 Rage rods for $100 with a flat $19 shipping charge...seems like a good deal, is it? I'm still leaning towards putting most funds towards a reel but am willing to at least entertain good deals on rods when I see them.

Done .

Anybody know when the end of season sales begin at tackle stores (both online and brick and mortar)?

If I go the buy a better reel route I'm looking at the Tatula 100HL or the Lew's Tournament Pro (on sale for $129).

I am talking about a bait cast setup. I actually bought an Abu Garcia ProMax combo for $50 but it's a righty reel and even though I'm a right handed person I cast with my right and reel with my left so I'm selling the reel. Do any of you know anything about the rod that comes in this combo? It says Abu Garcia Pro Max on it, is 7ft. long, MH with a fast action. I'm wondering if I should replace right away even though there is only about a month left in the season where I live up here in Vermont OR if I should just get a decent reel like a Lew's Tournament Pro or Daiwa Tatula 100, mount it on the rod I have to get my feet wet so to speak? I'm thinking more along the lines of what NathanW is saying where a reel is more of an investment that if properly cared for could last me many years so maybe get one that I won't feel the need to upgrade in a year instead of settling for a lesser reel now so I can get a better rod...maybe get a good reel now and use the rod I have and then maybe for my Birthday in April ask the wife to get me a better rod. I also wouldn't mind replacing the rod I have now with something inexpensive but decent like the Lightning Rod Shock to use as a temporary rod which can be relegated to backup rod status when I get a better rod. As far as looking for good deals on used reels, I know there are some good deals out there but I generally prefer to buy new so I know how the item has been treated as i will be the first to use it...plus a good warranty gives me a piece of mind . If it was somebody I knew who had a good deal i might be a little more inclined to go the used route but I don't know of any friends with a good reel they're looking to get rid of. Decisions, decisions...I do appreciate any and all help you can give this bait cast noob...lol.

Okay, I've been doing so much research and question asking on different rods and reels that my head is literally spinning. Is it wiser to get a really good reel and a decent rod (like maybe a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock) that doesn't cost too much and upgrade the rod later if necessary OR would it be wiser to start off with a good quality rod like a Duckett Ghost, Dobyn's Fury, Mjo Bass, *** Black etc. and get a lesser but still good reel in the $80ish dollar range? Thanks for being patient everyone and answering my million questions...lol.

Mostly a bank fisher with only occasional boat forays.

I'd be using it for a variety of baits: buzz baits, top water, senkos/craws, small swim baits and crank baits. I am also thinking of getting a Daiwa Tatula 100HL reel but it seems like finding the right rod to fit this reel may be a challenge because of it's size/weight. I too really like the Dobyn's Fury but am unsure if the Tatula would be a good match for it or vice/versa.

Okay, is the SCII blank really an upgrade over previous models with non-SCII? The new 2016 rods have it while the 2015 don't, you can get the 2015 rod for $89 TYD from the St. Croix store...just wondering if that's a good rod or it would be wiser to spend the extra $20 for the new rod with the SCII? Still haven't decided which rod to buy but this is definitely one of the ones I am looking at (others include *** Black and Dobyn's Fury).

Unfortunately I only have a Dick's Sporting Goods nearby and they just have the Duckett Ghost in stock so I can't really compare it to anything else.

Okay, it's looking more and more like I will most likely be getting a Daiwa Tatula 100HL, I really like the Lew's Tournament Pro but the cost difference is almost $40 so that definitely is swaying things towards the Tatula. My question is, which MH rod for around $100 pairs well with a Tatula? The ones I'm thinking about are as follows (but feel free to add something): Duckett Ghost *** Black St. Croix Mojo Bass Dobyn's Fury Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I'm using a variety of lures...lot's of 1.5 crank baits but also lot's of plastics (senkos' and craws) too as well as some top water, buzz baits and small swim baits. What would be best for a variety like that? I can't afford to have like 6 set ups like most people on here so I need to have a good all-around spinning setup (which i'm happy with what I have now) and a good all-around bait caster setup.

Okay, I won't profess to know much about rod action...what I really want to know is if for example a cranking rod has a moderate-fast action yet a casting rod has a fast action would I be able to throw spinners, buzz bait, senko's etc. with a cranking rod and have them perform decently and vice versa, could I throw crank baits with a casting rod and be okay? Right now i have a 7ft. Medium-Heavy spinning rod with a fast action which I've been using for everything so I don't really have anything to compare it to and see if using a rod with a moderate-fast action would make my crank baits perform any differently. Are the differences universal (i.e.-does the same apply to bait cast rods and spinning rods)?

Okay, what would the best all-around gear ration for a bait caster? I use mostly crank bait and soft bait with a few top water and some buzz baits and swim baits mixed in. I'm thinking the 7.0:1 and higher speeds might be too high and maybe the 6.3 - 6.8:1 might be better but I don't really know. Mostly a bank fisher with the occasional boat outing.

I don't think I'll be palming any reel...just doesn't look comfortable to me, will most likely have my hand underneath the reel with just my thumb on the reel itself. I'm actually thinking maybe the Tatula HSL isn't the one i want as it has the 7.3:1 ration and I do a lot of crankbaits (well, i use cranks, softbaits, buzz baits, top water, frogs)...should i be looking at the HL with the 6.3:1 ration instead? Whichever reel I get I want the best all-around gear ratio.

Well, the good Dobyn's reviews I saw were on TW too...that's why I kinda' wanted to see what people on here think of the Dobyn's Fury rod.

I've been reading A LOT of reviews on TW for all of these rods and it seems many of them have broken on people, that kinda sours me a bit when I read that. Now I realize that every rod probably has a chance to break at some point but the reviews I've read on the Dobyn's Fury all seem positive with no one saying their's broke on them...what do you guys think of this rod? Obviously this rod could break under certain circumstances too I'm sure but it is nice to read a rod's reviews where everyone seems to love it and nobody mentions anything about breaking.

Thanks for the tip Sneed...I checked it out and it's not there anymore plus I need the HSL which is the left-hand version.