mrpao

The 2500 and 3000 usually have the same handle length. Probably around 55mm long. Usually only the knobs are different. I believe the single barrel type knob from shimano only runs around $2 or so. Remember to get the knob cap also.

The 100 and the elite share the same frame. I have an elite and it does cast good. It would be a good jerkbait reel. I don't have the regular tatula 100 to compare it too.

Honestly from what i can see in the pictures, it shouldn't be an issue. I usually use clear nail polish to remedy minor epoxy issues. Cheap and easy fix on guides and wrappings.

I have an aldebaran on my expride 6'10 and use it as my jerkbait combo. Awesome combo.

As long as the line lay is good and even , you should be fine. Make a few cast with it to see if it remains level on the spool.

I've had one since summer and like mine. It's a light right at 5 oz. I have mine mounted on a old model poison adrena 6'10" med light. Super light combo. I've only used it for lighter topwaters but could see it working well for other techniques. No issues with mine so far but I baby my equipment. I feel its equal in quality to my Hypermag and Pro TI.

In ponds, I've caught trout on spinners, small crankbaits, crappie jigs and Berkley trout powerbait. My best two would be small crankbaits and powerbait. Small days they want the small crankbaits. Other days, they hit the powerbait better.

It seems like some of the newer layouts are not as user friendly. Not sure why tracker would change a good design for one that's not as easy to use. I have a tracker 170 with the rod locker in the middle. It fits my long rods with no issues.

I bought the same reel. Spooled mine with 8 lbs daiwa j-braid. I had to oil the bearings because it was loud on the cast. The knobs are riveted and have alot of play, so I changed out the handle. Fished with it twice so far. Not bad at casting a 1/8 oz shakey head with small plastic worm on it. It's a nice looking reel for only $50.

I still have two core 50's that i use in my lineup. Along with two aldebaran mg7's. Still love those reels. In fact, i still love my older shimano reels. But the new ones are nice too. Yes the bantam mgl and 20 metaniums are sweet reels. Heck, i like them all. My wife says I'm obsessed. She's right.

I would just buy a nice rod rack and display the combos for sentimental reasons. Today's tackle is much better and easier to use.

Thats a goldfish. It looks just like mine in my garden pond but much bigger. Mine are only about a pound or two, though. And mine are considered big. Unfortunately most of my goldfish caught some kind of disease and died off.

How does the size compare to other round reels? I love round reels and thought about getting one but wasn't sure about the size compared to my other reels. I like smaller reels.

Get both. Make the tackle monkey happy.

I find that my daiwa reels are a little more finicky than my shimanos. I can pretty much set it and forget it with my shimanos. My daiwas take alittle more to get it dialed in. I also find the paint on daiwas much easier to scratch up. Shimano's paint seems more durable. I'm also not a fan of Daiwa's SV spools. I like a faster spool. I find both are equally smooth. But daiwa makes a much better looking reel. Most shimanos, I find kind of plain and ugly.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices. They are all good reels. I've been liking my custom lite slp. Very light weight and cast pretty good. I was throwing topwaters with it until lately, due to it getting cold.

Usually shimano considers the spool assembly the whole complete spool. But call to be certain.

No. The FL spool is long stroke and the line wont lay correctly on the FK spool. Stella FJ spool will fit on the stradic FL. Stradic FK spool will fit on Stradic CI4+. From what I've heard Stradic FL and Vanford can interchange spools. I'll try it once i get my hands on a Vanford.

Has anybody ordered a rod from Asian Portal? If so, how was it shipped? Any extra charges from them or customs?

I've caught snook in the past on jerkbaits. They'll hit a topwater too. I've normally caught them early in the morning or towards the evening.

Definitely some species of darter. There are many similar species out there that are hard to tell apart sometimes. Usually easier in the spring time when they have their spawning colors.

When i get hung up, i usually use a lure knocker to got it loose. I usually try the clip on weight type first. That will often knock it free. For more expensive lures I'll also try the lure hound type lure knockers with the string. I almost always get my lures back with this type lure retriever. Bladed baits will get hung up sooner or later. Even on bare bottoms, there's always something there to snag your lures. But they are great fish catchers so i always have one tied on.

I say go for it. Might as well try out new things to see how they are. If it last a season or two, then you got your money out of it. I told myself I would never by a Kastking. Well I just recently ordered a Kastking zephyr to try out. I figured for such a cheap price might as well try it out. If I don't like it, I can always sell it and get most of my money back.

How far will you be hiking? From me limited experience with waders they are not particularly well suited for walking long distances. I always got sweaty in them and there is a chance they could get a hole from thorns. For just shorter walks it shouldn't be a problem to walk in with them on.

Berkley seems to have a habit of renaming old products to give it a new life. An example is Berkley big cat line is a rebadged berkley big game mono. Also I believe berkley nanofil is the same as spiderwire fusion from many years ago. It was just that fusion wasn't available in lower pounds weights. I still have a few spools of old spiderwire fusion and they look and fill the same. I guess that's Berkley's way to come out with new products without doing R&D. Just renaming old stuff and the people will buy it up.