3crows

At some point it becomes OCD, kind of like clock speed used to be a big selling point in computers and then megapixels in cameras and then neither continued to be relevant so much any more.

I think the idea being that it is superfluous and redundant or obsolete if given a good drag. And Shimano, a leader if not the leader in the industry, figured that out ahead of the other folks, as usual. Soon all the cool kids like Daiwwoo will be copying Shimano yet again. J

Some spinning reels do not have that capability like the Shimano Stradic Ci4. There is no anti-reverse lever.

I use a Falcon Weightless Worm rod and a Shimano Curado 70. Works fine. I have a Stradic CI4+ on another Falcon spinning rod and it is nice but prefer the little BC rig for finer control.

The HG is 6:1 and the non-HG I see on-line and elsewhere is a 5:1 gear ratio, and a different color. The HG seems to be a rare bird. Well, it is Academy so it cannot be really rare or special but it does seem to be a nice reel.

I just picked up two of these (2500 model) at Academy. There were two, I think accidentally, in the mark down bin for $39.96 and a few more in clam shells at $49.XX. The reel is blue and silver, has a 6:1 speed gear ratio and is decently smooth for a 3 bearing reel, it is Shimano after all. It feels like a cheap version of my Stradic CI4+. So looking online, I do not really see this reel anywhere. Is it new, discontinued, a distributor special, mostly non-USA market? I plan to use them for light inshore saltwater and freshwater kayak bass fishing. I hate ruining nice stuff in saltwater and of course what goes into a kayak does not always remain in a kayak nor come back with the kayak ;). Anyone else have these? J

And you made my point by taking offense to exactly what you did on FB. So you have done exactly what you accused others of. Maybe get a little sense of humor going and be not so serious. Just as you did not like the comment about "cheap junk" though it was clearly teasing, others might not like being told they waste their money buying and using quality equipment. See it works both ways.

You admit you were flippant. That is probably why you were flippantly answered. I think people should use whatever they like, if cheap junk is their thing, why not! Being flippant of course.

Try to avoid the two piece types (Pelican for example) as they often split apart at the seam. A fully rotomolded hull is a better choice.

I use a Yakima rack with the Yakima J cradles. I have carried my 15 foot long OK Scupper Pro across the country and all the way to Key West several times with absolutely no problem.

Falcon JC Drop Shot and Finesses rod with Shimano Stradic CI4+. It throws Ned Rigs perfectly fine, small chatter baits and other fun stuff like little weightless worms. I am using Transoptic 6 or 8 pound test mono.

I was fiddling with reels today in the store and noticed exactly what you are talking about with the Lews. My Shimanos do not do that so I noticed it right away, a spongy feeling.

Our Cabela's is always well stocked. I am not a BP fan.

I am using a Curado 70XG for Senkos and such as that.

Cannot speak to the Daiwa but my new Curado 70 is smooth, fast and casts light lures easy and far.