MAN

I totally get where you are coming from with the bail-less. I was looking at this concept 5 years ago during some new reel R&D. My goals were to eliminate total part count, eliminate a common wear mechanism (bail spring), weight reduction and more sleeker overall look. After reviewing many that were on the market and their current uses I came to the conclusion while there is something there...its not for mass (at least at this time). Haibo Industrial out of Ningbo make a line of these in the 3000 and 4000 size currently. Aside from them ....most are larger for offshore/vertical jigging. I still think there is something there...but not at the moment.

So the advantage is just less time in between cast?

I met the development team, I think they were out of Austin,TX. Its actually pretty cool underwater. If I recall they are not fisherman...just had a idea and ran with it. May have something to do with the fishing inaccuracies you see.

Just about every one. I just don't tell the bass its a saltwater lure. Paddletails are my favorite just to name one.

It growing on me. I don't see a price anywhere though?

Love the Shimano Bantam....in fact I bought one off ebay from a post on here about them. Plan on fishing with it soon.

Will they catch fish: Yes Will they catch more fish than other similair cranks: No Will they catch the fisherman looking for something new: Yes Will they catch the new angler: Yes

Entered. Never won a dang thing in my life.

Zero chance anything coming out of Dicks is from Chinese sweat shops. But with regards to "Made in China" in B&M retail stores, unfortunately they can no longer compete and survive without Chinese made products. Only change you can expect within the next couple years is to see more made in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Phillipines slowly replace China made products. (fishing gear and tackle).

When Dicks chose to take such a stark side with regards to firearms, they lost their outdoors customers..both hunting and fishing since both are heavily intertwined. When I mention our Dicks stores are not doing well in Texas I am referring to both Dicks and Field & Stream.

Yeah our locations here in Texas pretty much clearanced out a majority of the fishing department. Looks like they plan on keeping just a handful of fishing essentials. Of course here in Texas they are not making it....on a good day you may see 5-6 non- employee cars in the parking lot at the locations near me. Academy keeps them at bay.

I totally agree with this ^^^

I am color blind. For personal use lures I rely on the packaging to advise the correct colors. For the rods, reels, lures I develop for the market I have to rely on coworkers to help pick the appropriate pantones during development and approve final samples for correct color matches.

I think they will be just fine here in the U.S. with current laws and environmental standards. I think it will only get better as we continue to clean our waters and air and evolve to more eco friendly fishing tackle.

How much longer do you think it will be before traditional soft plastics will be completely replaced with biodegradable soft plastics? Both to prevent waste in water bodies and to help prevent fish deaths from swallowed baits? How many years do you give it?

I have never purchased a lure for fishing that cost more than $7.99.

Looks like something that came out of the Bingo Lure era. But have not seen that one.

Force myself to put the live bait down

Since nearly every rod on the market will have been mentioned eventually. Curious..can you let us know which one you ended up purchasing and why?

Gulp baits for me

Cocus

Cocus LTD

I think the Mettle spinning reel is a little hidden gem that unfortunately might stay hidden. If you do a spec analysis comparison on the Mettle spinning reel up against almost any other spinning reel in that $59 price range it will nearly always surpass. Aluminum frame, aluminum spool and 10 ball bearings are the big ones that come to mind. Plus its built in the same factory that is pumping out the Diawa spinning reels. But on the other hand..specs can go both ways. Less bearing count=less chance at frozen bearing. Graphite (composite) frame=lighter than aluminum frame when comparing it to..lets say the Revros. I would give the Mettle a try, but I'm sure you will be happy with any reel you decide that has been mentioned.

Are you PQ reels as well?

I owe just about everything I own to my name to this concept of catching the fisherman. Answer is yes.