Randy Price

My Wife and I are now empty nesters and we decided to take the plunge that many of us FIB'S do and buy a summer/vacation home in central WI (Adams County). We couldn't afford a lake front home so we bought what we could. A simple 2 BR 1 bath on an acre of mixed oak, pine and walnut trees. Now my main question for any of you (hoping to hear from some Wisconsinite's) is this home a Cabin or Cottage? I keep calling it a Cabin but my Wife says it a Cottage. What would you call it? It does have all the comforts of a year round home (central air, gas forced heat (LP) shower/toilet so we can visit there year round as long as the snow doesn't get too deep. I look forward to ALL of your responses!

I was an ASM in the BSA for years (both sons are Eagles). I really miss hanging out with the other adult leaders after the kids went to their tents. We discussed everything from troubled marriages, politics, you name it. I still really enjoy a camp fire but more so in the early fall than the blazing summer.

I went to a fly in fish camp in ON (Sandy Beach Lodge) back in '07. We had a wonderful time and caught TONS of walleye.

You will get a lot of different opinions on this but for a budget of $ 250.00 for a combo I would look at getting a St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning rod in MF and a Shimano Sahara or Maravel. Another good option would be a Shimano SLX spinning rod and a Daiwa Fuego.

@bulldog1935, enjoy being able to fish with your Dad. My Dad passed three years ago at 75 to cancer. Still miss him.

As others have said it's a personal decision based on your pocketbook. In the past 25 years of more serious fishing I have noticed major advances in quality of less expensive reels. For example my '98 Shimano Stradic FG at the time was awesome. however, I recently bought a Daiwa Revros for my loaner rod and have been amazed with how good it is for $ 50.00! Same is true with the Shimano SLX rods for $ 100.00. I have $ 100.00 rods and I have a couple of $ 650.00 rods For me around $ 200.00-250.00 for either rods or reels is where you get the best bang for the buck. I've been a SC fan for years and have recommended AVID rods for guys wanting to get a quality rod w/o breaking the bank. Same for a Stradic spinning reel or a Curado bc reel.

They are both good rods but I would give the edge to the Legend Tournament if the money is not so much an issue.

My Dad had GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome) and had to re learn how to walk and use his hands. He loved to fish but had a hard time with a spinning reel. I bought him a Zebco Omega Pro push button reel and he loved it. Never had any issues catching fish.

I'm a SC guy primarily so if I were you I'd look into their AVID or VICTORY series rods.

My understanding from visiting the plant annually (sometimes more) is that even after 15 years if the rod breaks due to a manufacturing issue they will usually still replace the rod. However, I have noticed sometimes it is who you deal with at the shop.

Both are good rods. I have the Expride from Daiwa and have had many SC Premiers. The biggest difference to me is that the Tatula is made in China and only has a one year warranty. The SC Premier is made in Park Falls, WI by Americans and has a five year warranty. Sensitivity wise I would say there pretty equal. Component wise I would give the edge to SC along with fit and finish but I am an admitted SC fanboy.

@snowplow, In my experience the SC LT/LE rods are very sensitive. As I stated in an earlier thread I recently bought two NRX+ because I thought I was missing out. No. With my almost 60 YO hands I can't tell a difference between my NRX+ and a SC LE.

I agree 100% with @Jmurphy87. I recently bought a couple of NRX+ rods because I felt like I was missing out. They are nice rods but in my almost 60 YO hands, I can't tell the difference between a NRX+ and a SC LE. @Jmurphy87 was also correct that the law of diminishing returns. I will stand by what I tell many of my new to fishing friends that a SC AVID series rod is the best band for the buck.

I own several SC LT rods and have always been very pleased with their sensitivity, components and looks. They also hold their value for resale.

I do not have any experience with SC's 2-piece rods but have A LOT of experience with their AVID series (almost 30 years worth). IMO, the AVID series is SC's best bang for the buck in their rod line. You should be very pleased with your choice. It's ( the 7'MF) really the swiss army knife of rods. Let us know how you like it!

Thanks guys seriously for all the replies. I was really on the fence with this one based on all the reviews I could find. I played with both at the store and thought for the extra $ 10.00 the Revros felt smoother than the Nexave. I really do not think I could have gone wrong with either.

Forgive me if this has been beat to death but I want to know what is considered the "better" spinning reel in a 2500 size. TIA, Randy

@KP Duty, it was a great rod. I have no idea how many fish I caught with that Lightning Rod and Sierra reel.

Something to consider in your selection that the SC LTB has a 15 year warranty whereas I believe the Expride only has a 1 year warranty. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Years ago (almost 30) I bought a Berkley Lightning Rod (spinning) at K-Mart and a Shimano Sierra (I believe) reel for about $ 60.00. That was one of the best combo's I've ever had. Caught a ton of fish with it.

Has anyone else had issues using plastic bobber stops (when using a slip bobber) with their SC AVID PANFISH series rods? The AVID PANFISH series have elongated eyes and the bobber stop sticks on the second eye. I called SC and they said switch to the string style stops but I am disappointed that this wasn't resolved during R&D.

Thanks for all the replies. I did purchase it and everything seems to be fine with it.

@Bigbox99, I'm surprised to hear this. All the reviews I read on line were positive??

I have a co-worker that has a LN 8-9/10 Curado 70 HG that he wants $ 125.00 for. Is this a fair price?

Thanks @zell_pop1 for the reply. No I do not need the higher line capacity. I also preferred the way the SLX felt over the Tatula. Glad to hear you're pleased with it.