KB Fisherman

Shimano is among the very best reels out there. Their Curado is a long time favorite for many anglers, and they last forever. Got a buddy of mine who has a Curado and I can see how it has such a strong following. It may be a bit steep, but your money is very well spent. Quantum is pretty good too, if you don't have that kind of money to throw around. I got a Accurist PT and an old Iron IR120C my grandpa gave me. They definitely hold their own, but I can see why people might hesitate to get a Quantum. They used to have very shotty quality control, and I mean that as in one reel is not built the same as the other. Paint peeling and parts going out was a constant problem for some people, whereas in other cases it was a great reel for the price. They've definitely improved on it, and I would gladly buy another Quantum if I had an extra rod lying around. Overall, if you're serious about having the best on the market, get a Shimano. If your someone who doesn't have hundreds of dollars to shell out on fishing gear, Quantum is the way to go.

I understand this reply is a year after this post started, but I think people would still benefit from this, as both the Pro Guide and Tourney Trail poles are a steal for what you pay. So here's my two pennies. The Tourney Trail is the higher end model of the two. It's lighter, and it feels a little more sensitive than the Pro Guide. Now, that doesn't mean the Pro Guide is a bad choice. They're both amazing rods for the price. At my Cabela's, the Tourney's are actually cheaper than the Pro's, so I picked a couple up. They're both the IM8 versions and the Pro's were IM6. I got a 7' Medium and a 6'6" Medium for a Quantum Accurist PT and an Abu Garcia Silvermax. They're wonderful setups considering the price. Even though they are last year's model, I love them. I think they're on clearance due to labor day and holiday sales starting here soon. So it'd make sense for Cabela's to slash the price by 30-40% to make room for the new products. The real price for the Tourney Trail is like $80-$90, but I got the both for $80. Pair this rod with a sweet reel and you'll never regret it. Cabela's fishing gear has always been good in my opinion. I know Daiwai makes their reels. But I have no idea who makes their rods. If I had to make a guess, I'd say St. Croix. But again, that's a really wild guess. Regardless, either one you get, your getting a huge bang for the buck. The Pro Guides are good too, I just don't have nearly as much experience with them as I do the Tourney. They are fairly sensitive and have a decent weight, but I would rather have the Tourney just because of its ridiculously light weight. You hardly notice your holding a 7' pole when using it. However, if you like a pole with a little heft, nothing wrong with the Pro Guide.