puddlepuncher

I have a few Cabelas rods and they are good quality for the money, I can imagine the XML would be the same. Never used one but they felt very nice at the store the winn grips were a different feel. I can tell you it would be hard to beat their lifetime warranty. Almost all the feedback I've read about it are pretty much no questions asked, within reason.

Most trout fisherman I know myself included use spinning gear when fishing for trout. BFS gear get's pretty expensive as does fly fishing gear. Years ago I knew a guy who has since won a Peabody award for fly fishing documentaries, and he used spinning tackle a majority of the time when I knew him.

I would never buy a $400 dollar swimbait, not in a million years. Then again if I knew for sure it caught double digit fish...put me down for a dozen.

Thank you! I will check them out.

@MountainMan83 You need to see if they will at least price match another Walmart here in CT. Every store I'm in Powerpro is 19 for 300 yards. You must have been in the anti clearance aisle.

Wow I really enjoyed this detailed report, thanks for sharing. I have a question about the Housatonic. Could you suggest any shore access points? I'm a kayaker but would love to do a little shore fishing when the weather is colder. I wholeheartedly agree about the lack of DNR in CT. I remember about 20 years ago there was talks of closing the state parks around my area due to budget cuts, although it never happened I don't believe the budgets for park rangers or DNR ever recovered. Nothing upsets me more than seeing size and number limits being ignored by people who probably aren't licensed to fish. I've gone striper fishing in Norwalk and seen atrocities regarding this. Shame, I thank the gentleman who checks licenses at our reservoir for keeping it clean and fair for all. Always the ones who follow the law are happy to see them enforced. Hope to see some more reports from you.

Since you listed your exact set up not a hypothetical in your first post here's my answer. With my 6'6" M I can cast a 1/2 oz lure easily (no wind) 50 yards, the distance from beside my deck to the treeline. With the wind at my back I've spooled a Chronarch with 50 lb braid, probably about 75 yards +. Closest lure I could compare to give you reference would be a spoon, and a lipless close second as far as optimal aerodynamics are concerned. Sounds like you're doing fine for someone learning how to use a bait caster. The thing about learning how to use a baitcaster is you become obsessed with distance until you realize it's not that important. That's when you are really getting the hang of it.

What about rod sleeves and reel covers? I've seen similar sleeves for 2 piece rods and reels but never for full length.

@snake95 Yeah I've been checking the 3 WM's in my area for the last few years now and make a habit of checking out others if I'm driving by. The discontinued items I understand but the Gamakatsu hooks go on clearance every year at 2 of the locations only to see them stock up on the exact same ones a month later at full price, same thing as the ratltraps. Packaging is exactly the same. I'm not complaining but it just seems odd in a good way. The deals never last no matter the location. TackleTrap has high end Loomis demos for 20-30% off right now. Find one of those self scanners and make sure that is the price. Most the stuff I see has a clearance price of $3 and when you scan it the lower price comes up. Just sayin Walmart doesn't treat the clearance stuff with any priority.

I have just as much trouble getting mono though because of the slight curling. I don't understand it as I don't need reading glasses...maybe I do? On a side note I got a set of Browning pliers with a tungsten cutter that cuts braid better than anything so clean. You must like torturing yourself threading fuzzed braid through everything, then trying to tie a knot at the end. This is how I ditched leaders in favor of straight braid. That's crazy there must be a better price on that. I've been checking out brass gears for the Mets and they are only $48 on TT and includes carbontex drag too. Figures. @optimator Good luck figuring this out, that's certainly a unique way of holding a reel. I've been trying to replicate this for about 5 minutes. I have a similar philosophy towards rods, the main factor in what I buy is the shape of the grips and how comfortable it fits my hand.

Same here, also SK tungsten, mixed rapalas, and rat l traps for a dollar. Gamakatsu for 75 cents. Spent 20 and walked out with 2 shopping bags. IDK why Walmart does this every year but every year I clean them out. Only thing I've ever gotten burned on was $3 spools of spiderwire line that was probably the worst line I've ever used. To all you guys that bought tats and didn't get them don't feel bad, last year I bought a met DC for 100 and basically went through the same thing. Oh well didn't cost a thing.

Good thing bass come with a nice handle to pick them up. Braid cuts are horrible, so much so I don't even grab mono line anymore out of fear of horrible memories.

The key when taking of the Met side plate is to hold onto the plate and use your thumb to push the spool to the side, but yeah it makes me nervous. My issue is the way I hold the rod and reel when casting heavier lures makes me rub against the release switch. I've actually popped the Curado I open during a cast and it was the most horrible sound you've ever heard. I really don't want to do that to my Mets. The Chronarch has the best design regarding this. Since this thread is about line guides on reels, the tapered line guide on the Met should be on all Shimano reels IMO. Doesn't benefit casting but it sure makes rigging up a whole bunch easier.

Great thing about Daiwa and Shimano reels is you can always sell them for close to what you bought them for, they hold their value..especially if you didn't pay full retail. I can understand your problem, I hate where the side plate release button is on the Curado and the Metanium. Minor issue, otherwise love them but it really bothers the heck out of me.

I'm curious what graphite reels you had fail and why? Not arguing but I've heard this before and never quite understood what fails because the frame is not metal.

Shimano doesn't have click tension knobs in the higher end stuff either, it bothered me the first time I held my first Met Mgl and Chronarch. I got over it pretty quickly. I do like hearing the click though my Pflueger has it. I'd go with the Casitas as well, it's a solid reel for the price.

If that Black Max is still kicking after 2 years that's money well spent.

I have this rod and it's my new favorite. It's fast action but IMO because it's so long it's more like a mod fast with an extra foot at the base, IDK if that makes sense. I use it for 6 and 7 inch senkos, and it fires lipless 1/2 and above like nothing else. Others may take issue but I use it for crank baits with sucess. My only issue so far is I can't take advantage of the extra length anywhere near trees or cover but that shouldn't be an issue for you. They are clearing out stock on these to make room for the 2018 models and they are a great deal. IDK if I would pay full retail, I paid about $140 worth every penny so far.

I own several Xcalibur lures and was wondering the same. I think this is the most accurate description I've heard. The whole thread is pretty good.

Ebay has 15% off everything till 7pm PT tonight. Code is PSPRINGTIME Also on Ebay American Legacy Fishing has 20% off selected older Loomis E6X rods 20% off. Code Prettyday

Funny I have 2 Chronarch MGL's and was so impressed with them I picked up 2 Mets. In the end I enjoy the Chronarchs much more. I was pondering an Antares but I think I'm all set with the Chronarchs, probably going to sell the Mets. I'm probably the opposite of most, I prefer a nicer reel. I can feel the difference right away. However I do not feel a significant difference in a NRX vs an E6X to pay 3-4 times the price. I'm not arguing the difference, but in my hands it is not worth the extra cash, not even close. The only thing that matters to me in a rod is it must be relatively light, and the comfort of the grip..and obviously the right ratings depending on my methods, and lure used.

For all of you that use these, how often do you change them out?

I bought one of these leg bags last year and it's been perfect. Fits a small tray for treble lures, and a couple wallets for jigs and spinners in the main pocket. Little side pockets fit terminal tackle (hooks and weights) and there is a great holder for pliers. Comes with a water bottle pouch, and there are docks if you want to clip more on. Great thing about it is there is no taking off a pack, it's right at your hip. I like fanny packs but they can get uncomfortable.

Check out this channel, I dig these videos. https://www.youtube.com/user/jurgenjons/videos

@Burro I'll be honest I'm kind of biased, my kids watched him until I saw some of his responses and the language he used. They aren't allowed to watch that channel anymore. Yeah they both do field tests but TA rarely does and when he does it's more focused on all around performance. Agreed on the JDM videos all being in Japanese they're interesting but couldn't tell you for sure. lol. Next time you watch a RT video outside, notice the sound of the wind whenever it kicks up those are the casts with the wild variables.