LAO162

I suspect that most of the manufacturers who increased their prices for 2009 set their strategies a year ago when the economy was [apparently] at its peak and commodity prices were sky rocketing. The sudden drop in commodity prices and the rapid decline of the economy are unprecedented. I suspect that many fishing consumers will have difficulty justifying rod & reel purchases of over $100, especially when there is a $20 or $30 price in over last year. This Spring, do you think the fishing gear manufacturers will offer more rebates to entice consumers? OBSERVATION: Late last year Powell actually dropped prices instead of raising them. Without counting posts, it seems as though Powell has gotten more recommendations since their prices were cut. Do you think that strategy will prove to be a marketing success in this recessionary economy?

On the phone, the representatives at both Cabela's & BPS are always prompt & courteous. I'm amazed at how quickly I get through at Cabela's, regardless of the time. However, the product knowledge of the representatives and their product specialists is weak. If I'm serious about a product at Cabela's, I'll usually call several times and ask the same question since their answers are not consistent per specialist. If I get the same answer twice, I'll consider it to be closer to a fact. However, I was very impressed by the staff in my one visit to the East Hartford Cabela's store. I don't bother calling BPS for additional information. On the other hand, when I spoke to the folks at *** the seemed to speak from experience, or at least shared the passion for fishing.

9 grams, is that about 1/3 oz (for those of use who haven't embraced the metric system yet)?

Wow! Any plans for Daimano?

I've been a huge fan of Shimano since I started using their reel's in the eighties. I still have a Stradic 1000 with the fast cast - fun little reel. While I can't point out the specific sources or problems, between BR, TT, consumer product reviews and a few googles, I've seen enough problems reported to believe that the new FI is not YET as bulletproof as the old FH. I am still very intrigued by the FI and would like to try one. However, I was turned off by the new pricing point. There are several attractive alternatives that are 20% to 35% less expensive. $120 would have been attractive to me, but this year I had Cabela's gift certificates to use. I believe that Shimano offers world class products and has the possibly the best customer service I have ever experienced(for any type of product). However, I haven't been "blown away" by the performance of my Shimano purchases in the last couple years. Perhaps my expectations were too high :-? I almost feel guilty :-/ but recently I've found alternatives that better meet MY needs at price points that meet MY budget restraints (constraints). I've still got a bunch Shimano products on my wish list

Wow Jacob, great catch Hope you'll share your experience with each after you've had the chance to use them.

Last year I learned to Walk the Dog in about 2 casts with a Rapala Skitterwalk. Casting from the bank, it was easier with my 6'6' & 6' rods. Since I think of Topwaters as being ideal at dawn & dusk, they are usually the first thing I throw when I arrive early in the morning. If bass are in the area and they're not responding to it in the first 10 minutes, I usually move on to something else (or, at least I should ) Cheers

#14 should be fine. If you are used to spinning gear, you may want to consider a left-hand retrieve model. However, there may be fewer options. Cheers!

Closer to you price range, the Daiwa Exceler & Tierra may be attractive options. I believe that at the 2500 size they have slightly wider spool diameters that may improve the managability of fluorocarbon

Tom, Thank you for that wonderful perspective

The comments above are why I come here You'll find MF to work well in your situation. Have Fun!

Disclosure based upon fishing last year almost exclusively with 2 Techna AVs & 1 Crucial... and a new HMG waiting for its first use... Also, I'm a new Fenwick fan In my experience I found the Techna AV to be more sensitive than Crucial. If you go back a ways in searches of the forum, I think you'll find that the Compre is a great rod relative to others with an MSRP under $100. The HMG is typically described as being sensitive and is usually discussed in comparison to rods that are $100 or more. You won't go wrong either way.

Whichever one the baitmonkey is pointing to ;D Those are 3 great choices. Of course, it you get the Stradic you'll never second guess yourself about having gotten the less expensive model.

My Exceler is not as smooth as my Stradic FH, but it consistently outcasts it. Fishing from the banks, distance is very important to me. Hard to go wrong with Shimano or Daiwa

Very constructive dialogue - thanks everybody for sharing your insights

Left hand retrieve for bait casting & spinning. To me, switching hands seems about as practical as leaving the remote at the couch and getting up to change channels on the television :) Having spent 35 years with spinning gear, I didn't enjoy baitcasting until I used LH models. The switching was too distracting. Leon

While a 3000 size spool may offer better line management, the sacrifice is often greater weight. If I remember correctly, the difference for the Daiwa Tierra 2500/3000 is 1.89"/2.1" and 9.6oz/10.7oz. However, that is not the case for all models. Sometimes the difference is just a narrower inner spool that allows greater capacity, without any difference in spool diameter. In MY experience, I believe that my Daiwa Exceler 2500 outcasts my Stradic FH 2500 due to a slightly greater spool diameter. However, I do not have experience with the new Shimano line. Overall, the difference between Shimano, Daiwa, Pflueger is relatively small for similarly sized reels. When I think of "widespool" spinning reels I think of US Reel and Bass Pro Shop models. For general bass fishing, the 2500 size seems to be a great compromise. Still light, plenty of capacity and significantly wider than the light & ultra light reels. Cheers

Great experiment and information! Thanks for sharing the results

BigRick - nice haul However, you seem to be out of balance. You have 4 reels and only 2 rods. I suggest that you buy 2 more rods. Better yet, send the two extra rods to me Enjoy in them in the New Year

Thanks for your insights. I just ordered the Tierra 2500. I figure it's the safe route - there's always a need for a good 2500 size spinning reel. I stayed with the Tierra because I had enough gift cards and would have second guessed myself if I'd gone with something else. I figure if I still have the urge to try a 3000 size, I'll pick up a Cabela's Tournament ZX (Exceler) on sale to use on one of my spare rods. Cheers!

If you've been using spinning gear, LH retrieve is definitely the way to go - otherwise you spend your time thinking about how ridiculous it is to keep changing hands. When looking for LH Models, they usually end in "1" or have an L incorporated into the model number. When considering the gearing ratio, go through the BPS website and compare the inches per turn (IPT) for you current spinning reels to the baitcasters you are considering. I've been cranking with a Shimano Stradic spinning reel that retrieves at 31" per turn. That is faster than many 7.x BC burners. Thus, I'm already used to cranking slowly and believe that 5.X ratios would be too slow for me.\ Be sure to read the Reel Mechanic's Baitcaster Setup 101 that is a sticky at the top of the forum. Cheers!

Thanks for the input flechero I just found out from Cabela's that the difference between the 2500 & 3000 spool diameters (for their Tournament ZX) is a bit under 1/4 of an inch. Based upon line capacity, I'm assuming it is the same design for the Tierra. I realize #12 might be too much, but I'd like to find something stronger than #6 Yo-Zuri UltraSoft. The YZ-US is definitely stronger than the other #6 I've used, but there was not enough added strength to make a meaningful difference (still lost lures in similar situations). I'm also considering braid, but I'm concerned about the rocky bottom in the quarry where I fish from the bank. Cheers

Does the added spool diameter of the 3000 size offer enough improvement in line management to warrant the additional 1 to 1.5 oz. in weight over the 2500 size? It is my understanding that the diameter for 2500 & 3000 on the new Shimano's is the same, but different for Daiwa reels. The use would be for heavier lines approaching #10 or #12. Thanks Leon

Quantum Tour Edition PT 1171 and a good supply of Cabela's Gift Cards. Technically, the Fenwick HMG MH spinning rod is for my birthday in about 4 weeks I'm at least 3 months away from getting from using them

Thanks for the insight. I'm leaning towards the Tierra, - just because I can... One of those situations if I go with the Exceler again, I'll still wonder about the Tierra No comments from the Shimano posse or Flooger Mooks? Also, any advice on the 2500 vs. 3000 size for Daiwa spinning reels?