Shimano_1

Have no desire to own one. Nothing against them or people using them. I like what I have and have no need for a computerized reel. As stated no need for anyone to justify it either way. If you like em buy em. I do just fine without em

Not sure about dicks but most of the price matching applies to brick and mortar stores. You didn't do bad on it tho I'd fish the heck out of it and enjoy! Then if you want another check out sportsman's outfitters

20 is too thin for what a bait caster is designed for. Digs in to itself a lot more than the thicker line. 50 is like 12 lb diameter and setup right it will cast as far as you ever need it. I never fish less than 50 on baitcasters.

The mp can be had for 119 on sportsman's outfitters

Yes I have a cple and for the money they're hard to beat. Smooth, work as well as most and affordable. I use one for a topwater rod for walking baits and poppers and another for a frog, buzzbait rod

I'd go with the lews if it were me. They just work and I'm basically all lews at this point

Senko, jig, beaver

If you like your lews why let anything sway your opinion? I've had bad experience with daiwas myself and have quit fishing them but obviously tons of people prefer them. I love lews reels and their customer service is considerably better from my experiences than any other I've dealt with. I honestly could care less where they're made if they are good reels. Tons of hate about quantum as well and I've had great experiences with the few I've owned.

I disagree with the 100 being built better or feeling better. Its a fine reel but I always preferred the tatula or fuego ct over it. Just felt better built, smoother and a little quieter. Obviously everyone doesn't agree but I'd go fuego or tatula ct. I had one 100 that was as slick as any reel I've owned and then had about 3 more that weren't half as slick as that one.

I use 15 lb braid to 8 or 12 lb fluoro leader and I always tie the knot where the braid is the part thats clenching down on the fluoro and I've never had those issues 1 time

I've always preferred motorguide myself but I've ran both with very few problems. The ultrex is sweet my buddy has one but there have been tons of problems reported from them as well. I would probably go for the tour pro if it were my money and hope its trouble free. Maybe they've got the bugs worked out on the ultrex as well. The cable steer on the tour pro would be a decision maker for me over the xi5

X2. Ive owned a few of the older stratos boats and was quite pleased with the performance. I was oblivious to the wood used in them tho. I wouldn't purchase another boat with wood in it if I could avoid it and at your budget that shouldn't be a problem. Believe ranger quit using wood way before stratos. Id do my homework and find a good solid wood free hull then the compression checks etc on the motor would be next order of business. At 15 to 20k you can find a super nice boat if you take your time and search. Good luck

Yes that reel. I bought it to specifically throw a weightless senko and it wasn't up to the task. My tournament pros and speed spools cast them quite a bit further than the custom lite. We fooled with it for 2 trips trying to see if it was just hard to dial in and it just couldn't do what I needed it to do. Love lews but wouldn't give you 100 bucks for another one let alone 279. No more reels without aluminum frames for me. Maybe I got a bad one but it just didn't perform in any aspect as good as the other lews I have.

I love most of lews lineup. Have several tournament pro lfs, and a cple custom pro reels. Recently tried the new custom lite and was very disappointed. It functions but its loud and sloppy feeling. Sent the reel back for a refund. Lews customer service is excellent so I'm sure they'll make it right but I personally have decided I'm not buying anymore without aluminum frames. Id either get my money back on it if you can or get in touch with lews. I did have one tournament pro g that had a funky side plate and lews sent me a new one no questions asked. Good luck

I use them quite a bit. They're definitely longer than the 7.5 and fairly close to the same thickness. I like the size a lot. Good in between size when a 10 is maybe 2 long and the 7.5 isn't enough

I don't think you did anything wrong but like others have mentioned I'd guess the guy just didn't wanna be bothered. Doesnt mean he was thinking he's a pro or being a jerk, some people just like their alone time. I deal with the rigors of everyday life all week. When I get on the water I want to relax and focus on fishing. I wouldn't likely be rude but I'd rather not be bothered myself. Just use it as a lesson learned and in that regard it was a positive experience.

pad crasher exclusively for me, regular and popping. I like white, leopard frog I think, and black.

I've noticed the same trend in the lakes i fish. Used to be all about spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Anymore i don't throw much besides plastics post spawn. Still do well pre spawn on jerkbaits and crankbaits but I'm sure this is partly because the pressure hasn't cranked up yet in the spring. I just had a wonderful weekend fishing and every fish was caught on plastics. Buddies tried everything and we all ended up throwing the same plastics. Never really dawned on me that the pressure was the culprit...and it may not be...but it sure makes sense! Thanks

no experience with any of those boats but they're all respectable brands and I'm sure you'll be satisfied with any. I think people turn their noses up at trackers and they're super nice boats. Buddy has one and its well made and fishes well. Lund has built a reputation making high quality aluminum rigs. I would take into consideration the dealer distance for sure but wouldn't let that be the deciding factor. Id go look at all 3 and im sure you'll favor one over the rest. The foot of beam would absolutely be nice and would help in several ways. Good luck

I would second the bulldog if you can find one. Kind of designed for that type of shallow running boat. Id browse craigslist. Lots of guys selling some good ones as they replace with ultrex for the spot lock. Probably going to be doing the same thing myself in the next few months. Good luck

I'm a welder and have access to aluminum materials...but still would most likely use wood. Its just a hassle to have to weld or bolt everything together and cutting, grinding aluminum is no fun. I would do like the post above and make sure I sealed the wood well and it will last many many years.

pretty sure I use the 4/0 vmc for that size and the 3 for 3.8. Doesn't have a really wide gap but I've had good luck with em

I don't like braid a lot admittedly. I fish it on my spinning gear because it behaves so much better for me. On casting gear I just like every characteristic of fluoro over braid. I keep one with braid for frogs and buzzbaits. I hate the sound of braid through guides, honestly don't like that there's no stretch at all. I like to swing when I get bit and in my mind I can see me snapping a rod or tearing a fishes mouth with braid. If I were down south punching mats or something I'd use braid for sure. Other than that I prefer fluoro. Everyone has their own tastes tho so use whatever u prefer

I put them in plano boxes. Never seem to have a problem with them warping or anything negative. Been doing it for a few years.

Black and blue jig, spinnerbait, chartreuse black squarebills and a blue fleck power worm.