Jimzee

No, not that one! I can't believe you ordered THAT rod! Haha...sorry, couldn't resist ;D ;D ;D The kid will be a nervous wreck now. LOL!! ;D

The new Advantage Supertuned can be had for the $130.00 range on eBay. It has 10 bearings, brackish safe, low profile but a little wide. Good choice IMHO. The Shimano's RW was suggesting is probably a safe bet too. They're bulletproof! I'm like you, I like small reels.

Brokejew, welcome to the darkside. You may also want to take a look at the Alphas. It has CRBB's and costs about the same as the Sol.

Handles on the wrong side. Nice reel though! 8-)

You better jump on it before the sale ends. Ask yourself what you are going to fish most. That medium rod with a fast tip will serve you well. I fish lots of soft plastics on a med. w/ fast tip. Heavier jigs are harder but 3/8 and under will be fine. 8-)

Are you joking or is the weather really that different in Texas. I would kill for some 70 deg. weather right now. :'(

I always enjoy the photos you take, but to be honest, I think I like reading the comments about them even more. Don't ever change the way you take pictures, it wouldn't be the same if you did. Beautiful rainbow BTW!!!

Great video. Thanks for sharing! 8-)

Can't beat those prices for such a quality rod. I'm a Kistler man myself, but at those prices I may jump on a few. Dsaavedra, you wanted a good rod, here is an offer you better not pass up!! Less than $100.00 and free shipping!!!

LOL!! I knew that would bring you out of the woodwork.

You are the devil. Putting thoughts in my head like that.

I know I am probably going to get laughed at but here it goes. You guys remember the Creme Scoundrel Purple Worm. I have not seen those in years. I used to catch tons of dink bass on those when I was a kid. Well to make a long story short, I found them at Gander Mountain the other day and bought every pack they had. I think they were $2.00 a pack. (used to be .79 a pack) I don't know if I bought them to use or just for sentimental reasons. Go ahead now...laugh. ;D

Fivebass, I think alot of it has to do with the amount of QC and work ethics the Japanese posess. Reels manufactured under close tolerances with attention paid to detail. The components used are carefully examined for defects before installing. I think it can be done in another country like China, and already is. I just think quality tends to suffer in some instances by trying to do it cheaper. Look at the Kistler Mg line. Good rod, well balanced, and priced right. Now, look at it closely. Guides glued on with excess epoxy, reel handles not fitting right for some reels. This kind of craftmanship would not be happening if that same rod was made here like the Helium LTA or LTX. By the way people, I reserve the right to bash Kistler Mg rods because I own three of them. LOL! Muddy, you ain't right! ;D

You guys kill me, you're still in shorts.

6'8" !!!! My God man, big ol' feller ain't ya? Now I know the reason for a 8'6" swimbait rod. I would hate to be on the receiving end of a hookset from you.

Has this blown anyone else away other than me? I must live under a rock. I didn't know about this. I think our state tax on gas is 42 cents per gallon. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the warning. I thought about installing one on my boat. I would have never thought of that either. :-?

You look like your mom 4Biz. I'll bet you and your girlfriend look like my wife and me. I am 6'3" and she is 4'11". She hasn't been acused of being my daughter ....yet. She couldn't go to see a movie one time with me because she didn't have her I.D. and the movie was R rated. She was 22 at the time. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. ;D

Watch eBay, they go on there all the time for $100-$110. That includes shipping.

That is actually a decent price on that reel. I would do it if I were you.

Probably an Avid on sale right now in a 7' M action if you like faster tips. I like a softer tip while cranking so I use this. http://www.kistlerrods.com/p/KR/c-gp-crankbait-fishing-rods/KCBS7.html

Same thing I was thinking Hookemdown. Be proud!!

Nice work on the cranks!! Love the paint job. 8-)

Make sure you post pics of the finished product. Too cool!!! 8-)

I have 5 Fenwick Venture rods that I use when floating for smallmouth. They weigh 3 oz. and are tough as hell. I get them for $30.00 off eBay. I think these rods are a GREAT value. Specs for the ones I use are 6'6" M Spinning. They have an extra fast tip much like the Avid blank. I also have 5 Shimano Spirex to go on these rods. I had to pay retail for all these, $59.99. These reels are very tough as well and have lasted longer than I figured. I use the 2500 size. The only bad thing, they are a little on the heavy side and don't have infinite anti-reverse, but they take a beating on the river.