LAO162

Closeouts & BPS special pricing . Full price, there are a lot of proven alternatives to Browning i.e. Why spend $169 for the Browning Midas, when an Avid is about the same price. At $89 with Fuji SIC guides, the Midas was more competitive with a Compre. I assume the Browning reels are on par with other BPS offerings (many threads on those valuations )

I'm a long-time fan of the Browning Buckmark. However, Browning's fishing products are licensed products. Essentially, they are only as good as the firm that purchased the right to use the Browning name. Browning's website directs fishing customers customers to Outdoor World (BassPro). I've had a Browning Midas rod (discontinued) for a couple years. I like it. It's light and sensitive. For some situations I will reach for it before my similarly rated Shimano Crucial or Fenwick HMG. It has some great features such as Fuji Concept SIC guides. On the other hand, the warranty is better for Shimano & Crucial. That said, with someone else's money I might recommend the Crucial or HMG because they have a longer track record of great, reliable performance and a larger sample of users... They also have better resale value. I would not have paid full price for the Browning rod, but heavily discounted it was reasonable. At full price there are better options and now there are many new alternatives in the <$100 range. I think the Browning Midas was well built, but I've heard of others who've had problems with the line. My verdict... As I eliminate some redundant rods, due to my needs and potential resale value, the Crucial & HMG are on the flea market, and the Browning still has a use for me (it is worth more to me than its lower resale value). I took a gamble (because I'm a sucker for the Browning name) and purchased the new Midas baitcasting reel. Obviously it has many similar features with the BPS Johnny Morris and Pro Qualifier, Pflueger, Revo products... From my research I believe that the Midas is made at a different factory than the BPS products. I have not fished it yet and have only taken it appart to check out the spool. It appears to have the same level of finish & "feel" as my older Revo S. My Chronarch and Tour Edition are smoother, but sold for twice as much. Besides looking great, Midas has some nice features such as the recurve handle, clicking drag & spool tension and (per specs) a pretty beefy drag. I would not have given the Midas a chance if it was not discounted when I bought it.

I have the Crucial MXF Spinning rod. It is nice with baits it its range of 1/8 to 3/8 oz. However, I would not go much higher in lure weight. If the compre is similar in power & action, you should be fine with 1/4 jigs. However, you'd be pushing it over 3/8 oz, especially if you have a bulky trailer.

Thanks Bass-Brat, I may take a chance on it. Leon

McCoy doesn't get brought up much, but the comments are usually positive. Is the McCoy Xtra Clear comparable to Gamma CoPoly, YZ-US and other favorite lines? I'm looking for an alternative to Gamma (#10 & #12) Thanks

Great info A-Jay. Thanks!

It may be to stiff/heavy for smaller crankbaits and finesse situations. Although it may not be the best for other techniques, it will probably work well for most of them, i.e. T/C-Rig, Jigs, Spinner Baits, Frogs, Pitching, etc. You should be pleased as long as you don't go too light or two heavy. Congratulation!!

If your budget allows: Avid, L or ML based upon the heaviest baits you would ever throw on it. With the Avid you won't wonder if you should have "steped up" and you'll have the ability to use a benchmark for quality. One the other hand, go with one of the others if you're anxious to try out split grips.

Brother, you just have to hold one to appreciate it. I have owned all sorts of Kistlers, Diawas, Shimanos, All Stars, etc...and I'm slowly replacing them all with GBlanks rods. Not only are they lightweight and sensitive, but you can customize them however you want. You choose the handle, guides, spiral wrap, whatever and they don't cost any more (usually less) than comparible rods from other rod makers. Check 'em out. www.imaginationbassin.com Thanks Bird dog, for your GBlanks crankbait rod did you use one of their standard blanks, or do they have a "specialty" blank. Thanks!

The Baitmonkey says there is only one way to find out

1. Vacation with the kids & family (usually Disney World) 2. Daytrips when the kids don't whine (it hasn't happened yet, but I'm hopeful ) 3. Time alone with the Mrs. - Only 14 years to go until the youngest graduates

There was a pretty good discussion a couple weeks ago: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1265891844/0

Bird dog, what do you like about the GBlanks vs the Kistler composite for cranks? Thanks!!

The Browning website actually list "fishing" under the licensed product category. In the age of outsourcing & subcontracting, there is bound to be lot of similarities and crossover. License suitable design from one source, get components from multiple sources, assemble in the least expensive factory... I'm a sucker for the Browning buckmark. Even though I know the name is the only thing in common with the fine shotguns from the 70's, I still purchased a Midas casting reel when they were on sale. It seems solid & reasonably smooth, but I won't be able to actually test its performance for another month...

After a reading a couple years of posts about the Avid, I think its safe to say that the Avid series has the same reputation for quality, consistency and value that might be attributed to a Toyota Camry Honda Accord or Ford F150.

Fishes in trees, great information and great story. As I'm approaching middle age (my wife says I'm already there ), I like to think my judgement is much better than it used to be.

Funny, I had an EVA grip trout rod 15 years ago. Ever since then I've wanted rods with "foam" grips. Even so, virtually all of mine are still cork (until Monday ) With different tastes & needs we can keep the manufacturers in business It does sound as though you liked the Kistler glass/graphite composite blank. Do you think that is the way to go over all graphite rods? Thanks

It's funny how people have different preferences. I'm just diving into the split grip pool. So far from playing in the basement, I really like the split grip, no foregrip design of my new spinning rod. Monday, I should be getting the casting rod experiment I'd actually considered starting a thread about split grip Crankbait rods I'm running out of excuses for new rods, but I don't have a dedicated Crankbait rod yet

I'm heading to BPS for the first time next week and the one I'm going to is in Foxborough,MA. Its a 3 hr trip for me each way, but I look forward to going. I have an itch that needs scratching. ;D Sound's like a fun day I'm envious:)

If it were up to the "serious" anglers to keep a store afloat most merchants would be in the poor house. Those quarters and dimes spent on bobbers and bait add up quicker than the dollars spend on even mid-range tackle, simply because of the profit margin. There were two tackle stores within 5 miles of my home, both now closed. One catered to the old, the poor and the guy who was taking his kids out for a Saturday trip, the other to the tournament wannabes and the more serious anglers. The high-line tackle in the second shop caught more fingerprints and wistful glances than sales. Guys who populate this and other boards would go into the local guy's shop, check out the tackle and feel it up more than Susie Creamcheese her first time in the backseat, then order it from catalog houses. Sad but true. Having been close to several local merchants and having worked for a family business at the time, I understood the frustration of a local business who would spend an hour with a customer, who would then go to Dick's to save $7.50. on a $400 purchase. I prefer to go to local businesses and support them so that I can continue to get their outstanding service. I consider the ability to handle (expensive) inventory a very important aspect of that service. However, I do not feel that I must pay a significant premium if I have done many hours of research, I disagree with some of the advice of the merchant, and I must prepay for the item to order it sight unseen For instance, a Cumara that I had never seen in person would have cost $239 MSRP + $10 typical additional mark-up at shop + ~$15 shipping to receive at the store in less than 4 weeks + 6% tax... Therefore, I attempt to support the businesses that sponsor BR since they are indirectly contributing to my fishing knowledge. Although I do not visit the local tackle shop anymore, I think my wife is pleased that I still support my local jeweler (The baitmonkey feels differently )

Although I hear the Foxboro store is fantastic (including the bar ), I can't justify the 2 hours each way to save $40... Although Cabelas is less than an hour away, I've gone three times to check out specific models. Each time, they were were not in stock. That's not to say the baitmonkey didn't have fun Since the local tackle shops emphasize entry level and "value" models, I tend to look on-line.

Dodgeguy, this is a great way to present information. I'm glad I found this thread since I'm looking for tips to improve my casting. So often, the advice is "educate your thumb" or "practice." Since I do not have a lot of time for practice, I try to do it efficiently. Perhaps a bigger problem is: What the heck am I supposed to be practicing? :) The last thing I want to do is further ingrain my [many] bad habits :) Thanks everyone for a great discussion.

Stupid Baitmonkey Also has me jumping on the split grip bandwagon. One waiting for the ice to melt and one at UPS about 20 minutes from my house. Got to wait until Monday though Let us know how you like the LTA :)

I haven't use a light HMG, but I found my MH to be plenty sensitive and strong. You will enjoy it.

From all the original marketing, I thought they only came in Sexy Shad