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It is always fun to try to increase your skill and knowledge about fishing. I remember when I first started reading more into it and I had the same overwhelming feeling you had. For years I fished with a 30$ combo. (I still use it from time to time). but it was also fun to learn more about different equiptment and upgrading my stuff and learning more techniques. It certainly incresaed my enjoyment of fishing. But we were all Noobs are one time! here is some info that seemed to help me out a bit. This forum was a great resource also. Reels: There are 3 basic types. The first is a spin caster. This is the one with the "cap" on it and you cant see the line until it comes out that hole on top. These are often used for young children and beginers because it keeps the line contained. The next is the spinning reel. This is probably the most common ones you see in the stores. It has the bale that you have to flip up and down to retrieve the line. The last is the baitcaster. This comes in 2 basic varieties: Round and Low-Profile. These are the reels that look like a drum or a "spaceship" as one of my kids put it lol. The handle will usually have 2 paddles instead of 1 also. Line: There are many types but the big ones are the following: Monofilament (mono)= This is your basic line that everyone is used to. $ lowest cost. Braid: This line is usually made of spectra or some other type of high strength materials. THis line is very strong and thinner than mono and doesnt have much line stretch or memory. Great for beginers. $$$=more expensive (power pro brands, suffix braid etc) Flourocarbon= A type of mono that has improved properties over monofilament. But it can be pricey also. Some brands seem to have more line memory than others. Hybrid line or Co-polymer line= a mix between mono and flouro lines. Ohh also this is just the bare basics. There are lots of different chracteristics of each line. And "Memory" is how much the line stays in its current shape. You know, how when you toss out the line and it how much it likes to stay in that circular shape. Rods: Many types (hundreds of variations with each) Spinning rod is for spinning gears or spin casters. The eyes and line guides are at the pointed downwards or in a 6'o'clock position when you hold the rod. The reel also points downwards. Casting rod: is for baitcasters. The eyes are pointed upwards in the 12 'o'clock position. The reel is also placed on the rod facing upwards. Casting rods also have a trigger on them near the handled to help you keep the reel in the upwards position. (when I first started learning more, I didnt know there was a difference either and placed a baitcaster on a spinning rod. I had a lot of cramps in my arm using this lol) Fly rod: for flyfishing Trolling rod: used for trolling in a boat. Now there is also power, action, length, composite, sensitivity of each rod. But that is to much for me to go into here. But these are the basics that helped me out in the begining sort through everything. Ohh crankbaits are hard plastic baits that imitate fish or other things in the water. They are also designed to be pulled through the water at certain depths to imitate baitfish. Vic

From what I notice, the weight reduction is minimal. But what it does seem to affect is rod balance. A little weight at the end of the rod can make a big difference in rod balance when the reel is attached. I also feel a little more sensitivity. With less cork in the way more vibrations seem to arise. Now I am not an expert, but this is just what I have noticed with both rod types.

Im right handed. All my baitcasters, spinning reels, and fly reels have the handles facing the right. I always cast with my right hand with all 3 types. So I switch hands after each cast with all to reel in or strip line. Just feels more natural for me. And honestly, I dont even realize that I am switching hands after each cast unless I think about it lol

It never chewed up mine. I fished braid for about 5 years.

Not much splash if you use an underhanded or sidearm throw from a spinning reel. You have a much lower trajectory. Remember, there are many more ways to throw a spinner reel than just overhand. Ill let other people tackle the "only good for" remark lol Also Welcome to the boards Vic

It certainly needs to be returned. If I purchasd any reel that felt like that, it would be returned.

Bingo! Now you hit value territory

New, it would be a fair to good price if that 100 already includes tax or shipping. Used and you can probably do better. I have this reel myself and never had any problems with it in the years I have had it.

One tip I can give you is to learn other casts with the spinning reel other than just straight overhand cast that we all knew. You can also get a lot of distance and accuracy by doing underhand casts or "spinning" the lure and using that momentum to load the rod and toss the lure. This works really well for me. Also learn to "feather" the line comming off the reel to help control distance and speed of the lure.

If you just want to test, color your line with something bright for the first 5 feet. Lets say a pink or neon sharpie. then tie the lure on and toss it out. Start retrieving. If your crank is diving about 5-6 feet, then your colored line should not be visible. If you are retrieving and you see pink line, then you are under 5 feet. But remember, take your measurement when the lure is about 5 feet away from you. Because if you look at the line on a 40 yard cast, the angle will give you an innacurate reading point.

My garage got colder than 20-30 degrees in nyc lol I wouldnt be concerned at that temperature. Now if it was -20 -30 degrees in the tundra, then I would be worried.

You can see if they are willing to ship it site to site. They dont charge for that. But they might not do it for clearance items. But I have had rifles and fly rods shipped to our store from other locations for no extra charge. The store here is Lake Mary Fl and there were dozens of boxes of each left on the clearance rack.

Gander mountain has the Hybrid Ultra Soft sizes 2 4 and 12lb line on clearance here in FL 150 yards for 2$.

I actually made my own out of 3 inch pvc pipes. Worked great. I also purchased some fly rod cases also to travel with. But the PVC pipe seems more sturdy. Ohh also, all my rods were 2 pieces if that matters.

No problems with my energy pt. I think its a few years old now. Only problem with is was that the ceramic pawl broke once. But that was my fault when cleaning it. Ran perfect for me since I had it. Probably over 200 hours of fishing on it.

Did you seriously just say that a Premier(6.35 0z) is heavier/beefier than a Quantam tour pt (9-10 oz)?!?!?!?! I read it as "Beefier" as being more able to take abuse/more cranking power. Not beefier=weight.

A friend once treated me to bluefin tune sushi in Japan. 75-100$ USD per piece! Honestly to me, it tasted like tuna lol I told her before hand that it would have been wasted on me. But she didnt care. Apparently its a status symbol not to be eaten alone. But once word gets out of a place having high-quality blue-fin, the shop gets booked up and filled quickly. Even if they dont make a profit selling the tuna, their increased clientel list eventually pays off on the back end epsecially when you factor in drinks and other specialties. I had no tounge to tell good sushi from ok sushi. Now Kobe beef :::: that is a whole new ballgame! Whats funny is that Blue-fin tuna was once so abundant, it was sold to dogfood companies. But there are different grades of bluefin tuna. Not every one will catch that price. Has something to do with the fat content I think.

For bedding fish, either would really be fine. If you can toss a spinner bait as accurately as a baitcaster. It also depends on what lures you are using. Lighter lures may be better suited for a spinner gear and heavier ones on the biatcaster. Also if you are going to pitch or flip into the bed, go with a baitcaster.

Exactly. I can throw very small crankbaits and poppers on Ultralight tackle. These arent finesse lures though.

Depends on the warranty. Avids and TFO rods for example arent free replacements, you need to send in 25-50$. BPS, Cabelas or Gander Mountain brands usually are free. Also some only cover manufatueres defects and not "abuse". Gotta read the waranty.

It depends on the manufacturer You have to read the terms and conditions that come with the warranty. Some companies require you to send a check with the the rod. Some will have "no-fault" coverages whereas others will have warranties against "manufacturing defects". So a no-fault would cover door slams and stupidity. Defects will only cover things that go wrong with the rod with normal wear and tear, such as a guide falling out or something. But remember all lifetime guarantees are only for the life of the manufacturer not the rod

I think $20 is important when guys are loooking for the least expensive option. 8-) My first combo for bass fishing was 20$ My wife's also. And probably my son's when he is old enough lol Now that I think about it, all my neighbors kids have 20$ combos also. That is 7 rods in that price range. Vic

If you have it narrowed down to those two already, I would say that either would be equally suited for the job of tossing cranks. What I would look for though, is a lower gear ratio such as a 5:1 for cranking. Otherwise, you are going to be reaeling REALLY slow and that might be annoying to some people. But either reel would work nice.

I wouldnt mind trying a Pfluger baitcaster. I am just not willing to spend another 100$ on a reel to test it out

Although your line specifications are a little different than what I use my spinning gear with, I went with and am completely satisfied with my Pflueger President. I have an ultralight setup with 4lb line for some fun fishing. Ultra smooth and for ultralight fishing it sure is fun. There was a while where I thought about getting a Stradic, but I decided for this purpose to spend less on the reel and a little more on a better rod since I do land a bass or three on this setup also. The bigger the fight, the better the rod I would need. But you asked for opinions and that is mine for spinning reels. Vic