LAO162

I sure you will really enjoy the reel. It's also great that you have someone local that you can trust with your reels.

To say I'm cheap is an understatement

I have to many setups, and I spent too much on all of them. ;) I fish from the shore, usually at a small quarry, so I can't use all of the possible techniques and can't carry and use all of my rods in a 2 hour trips. However, nice equipment make for a more enjoyable outing. This year I upgraded all of my rods, but most of my reels are either house brands or nice reels that closed out at huge discounts. Next year I may upgrade a couple years. I found that having a light, super sensitive rod makes my experience much more enjoyable. At this point, I'm getting such good performance out of my Pro Qualifer that I've lost the urge for another Chronarch 51MG.

Usually a softer, more moderate tip for baits with treble hooks. Power sometimes depends on the type of cover. Length is an important consideration as well. A longer rod typically provides longer casts, but shorter rods allow for better maneuvering if you are twitching with the tip down.

Thanks, I've been debating whether I should look for a bulk spool as well as getting more filler boxed I already have a bulk spool of #6, but I've found that I keep reaching for the reels that are spooled with #10. This morning I had a snag with the McCoy #12 clear. Wow is that stuff strong! I was working dang hard to snap the line, and the somehow pulled my spinnerbait free. Line showed no abraision from the rocks I'm down to my last spool of #10 Gamma, so its getting close to decision time LOL

For me... Dark Green colors, 4/0 EWG hook, T-Rigger backwards (through the tentacles), Hop like Senko -although some people drag like a jig

The Avid Pearl is fuchsia, not pink. Knowing the difference between fuchsia and pink is not helping your case. If you hold out, maybe you can get the Dancing with the Stars - Tom Bergeron Signature Series BTW, who do you think will take home this season's mirror ball trophy: Nicole or Evan. Dang, I'm whipped

The powells were about 1/2 gone from Powells yesterday morning. Must have sold out in about 2 days

Yes , it was on spinning gear , a 2500 size reel. Thanks, I might give the mean green a shot (unless I here eXtreme is even better for spinning gear )

The Bradia is tempting, but the BaitMonkey just jumped on a Powell rod. Only enough left in PayPal for an Exceler-I couldn't talk TW into a Tierra for the price of an Exceler

http://www.***.com/catthumbs.html?CREF=740&banner=3 Follow link and put in code... If you didn't get the email, you might get another 10% off if you call by 5/10 and mention the discount

Right now it's hard to beat the Fenwick Techna AV's while they are being closed out for around $100. An All Star Platinum under $70 is also a great deal. This week Powell Rods were on sale for $95. I can't speak to them yet (mine should arrive next week ) If you are more adventuresome, the Kistler Argons are being closed out at close to $100. They are sweet rods, but you need to do some research on the particular models because they have unusual actions (i.e. the Finesse rods have wicked soft tips). You might even find a Kistler LTA for under $150. The Kistler LTX is awesome if you can stretch for 2009 closeouts at the $200 mark. A classic route is to pick up a used G Loomis IMX. Sometimes less than $150. Of course, there's another classic. The AVID

For the Ika, I do pretty well all of the 4/0 EWG hooks I've tried. BTW, greetings from a little bit east of the Berkshires

I sold my older Stradic FH because it was gathering dust due to better performance of the Exceler. The Exceler has a couple quirks - the bail occasionally closes on the cast. The Stradic did also, but not as often. Also, the bail can be tough to close by cranking the handle - but we shouldn't be doing that anyhow The upgraded Daiwa Tierra is super smooth and doesn't have these quirks. Today I've been considering the Cabela's Tournament ZX that is essentially an Exceler with one more bearing. On sale for $49.99 with free shipping.

Bass-Brat, was the Mean Green #10 on spinning gear? Pgersumky, is there any difference between the Smoke & Clear? I'd acutally prefer clear if it has the same characteristics and doesn't look white in the water. Thanks

How does the new McCoy eXtreme. compare to the Mean Green. I haven't tried either yet, but I was very impressed with the #12 Xtra Clear. The McCoy website doesn't provide much information... I'm looking for a new #10 line for spinning gear. So far, I've been very pleased with #10 Gamma, but it's getting more difficult to find (and afford ) Thanks P.S. the system doesn't like McCoy's spelling of eXtreme

Probably the benchmark for top quality rods is the G Loomis IMX at around $250. Above that price, there seem to be significantly diminishing returns for the increase in expense. Although I'd love a $500 Megabass rod You can tell that the IMX is well respected because they have a great resale value, with 10 year rods still fetching more than $150. Once in a while, though, you can find a good deal. For a fun match to your Chronarch 51 (congrats by the way) the Kistler Argon AFCB69C is a medium power graphite cranking rod. It has a moderate action, but is still stiff enough to use for Senkos. It's a bit of a gamble as a closeout (from Simmons), but it has a lot of the newest features - that I personally like. I also just purchased a Powell, but cannot comment on it just yet. Leon

I just got one from our sponsor *** - they price matched. I'm anxious to see how it compares to my Kistlers I probably would have gotten another Kistler, but I haven't seen the configuration I need fall into my budget And, it's fun to try something different

I like 'em, but I usually lose them within a few casts at the quarry where I fish... Mostly shallow cranks for me. But I try to stock up on lipless cranks when they're on sale. I usually run out pretty quickly

I have the 2010 Midas (LH). It's a very nice reel. It would look sweet on a Tec-Spec. At times I've seen Fenwick HMX & even HMG rods below $60. But, you need to be patient Probably the best deal going is the All Star Platinum for $69 at ***. With their current 10% promotion (via email or call), it is only a couple bucks outside of your range. Unfortunately, there are not many models to choose from.

Yes, I do not switch hands so I have a secure grip at all times (unless I get sloppy )

I haven't been baitcasting that long, but I've always had my middle finger around the trigger. It's probably because I've always had reel seats that expose the blank and smaller reels. This way my index finger always remains in contact with the blank. I'm also able to cast this way with the larger Quantum Tour Edition.

Discontinued due to slow economy. Too many lines at Kistler and price point was a bit high for big box stores. Especially with the Z-Bone coming on line, Kistler had too many products on its shelf. It's a sweet rod at closeout prices. Give Kistler a call to see which ones are best for your needs. I bought the 6'11" finesse spinning rod. Too soft for small jigs. but awesome for trebles. Deceptively sensitive because the tip is so soft. I also have the 6'9" cranking Argon. Very sensitive in light. Slow action, but fairly stiff for a cranking rod. Would be awesome with Senko. At least as sensitive as a Techna AV. Leon

Alconite is Fuji's step up from Hardloy. LTA and LTX are further up Kistler's line. The new Z-Bone is the top for them... The AVC70MH is an awesome rod. I had the AVC66MH - super sensitive. One thing to realize is that the Techna AV's are rated fairly conservatively for their power. I find the Kistlers generally are neutral to their lure/line ratings. Thus, a MH Kistler will not feel as powerful as the MH Techna AV. I found my Techna AV MHF felt like HF rods from other lines. C-Rigs are not currently in my bag of tricks, so I can't give you advice there. The 7'2MH Argon MAY not feel as powerful as your Techna AV, but the 7'1 and 7'6" Heavy Argons may be fairly stout in comparison since they seem to be better suited for Flipping. I'm considering one of the Heavy Argons if I can't make another LTX or a G Loomis IMX happen this year... I did like my 2 Techna AV's but I sold them because I like the features of Kistlers.

I checked them out this weekend. Feel like an Exceler. They were on sale for $59 this weekend. I'd spend the extra $10 to get an Exceler with an extra spool. Below $50, I might pick one up. Overall, they feel like an Exceler, but definately not on par with the Tierra. Leon