Yazman

Yes, these are all weights I've taken with my digital scale (when I bring the scale to Cabela's and Dick's, they think I'm a weirdo). The St Croix Bass X I weighed agrees with the weight on their website (3.6oz). My scale is accurate to about 0.2oz (it's my wife's kitchen scale--please don't tell), and I even double checked it by using the scale in the produce department at Walmart (the looks I got were priceless)! For the Shakespeare Excursion 6' M spinning, both the Wally World scale and my digital scale produced and incredible 3oz. It's a graphite composite and stainless steel guides and inserts, but still for 20 bucks with Winn grips. Here's one to ponder: I picked up the Okuma Status VI 7' MH yesterday, and it truly does weigh a hair under 4oz. However, the Okuma Stratus VI 6'6 M weighs about 4.1oz ?. How does a short rod at lower power weigh more than a longer rod of stronger power? Both are two piece. I was looking at the St Croix Triumph 6'6 M 2-piece spinning (TRS66MF2), and their website says 4.3oz, but Dick's website says 3.6oz. I'm assuming the manufacturer is correct, but if anyone out there could confirm, that would be great. Some people collect stamps--I tote my digital scale from store to store in an effort to find a new rod that weighs a fart less than my current rod.

Wow! I'm sold. I just ordered one with a Scorecard coupon, less than $40 out the door. Thanks friend!

I was looking at these after you posted, but I'm scared from a lot of reviews saying the tip will snap off. You've never had any issues?

What medium or heavier spinning rods are under 4oz in weight? I have a St Croix Bass X 7'1 M that is 3.6oz, and a Shakespeare Excursion 6' M with Winn grips from Wally World that is an incredible 3oz (and only $20). My 2-piece Fenwick Eagle 6'6 M is close at 4.1oz. From searching the forums, it looks like the Duckett Triad, Okuma Helios, Cabela's Carbonite, and Quantum Smoke might be, but I've never seen weights on them.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm not throwing shade at the Vanford--it's a great reel and definitely nicer then the WSP50. I've never said the $30 Lew's and $230 Vanford are equivalent. Maybe I should have framed my question in a different context: The Vanford is better, but $200 better? It sounds like for those who fish several times a week for many hours it definitely is, but for a dad with two kids in diapers, going to school and working it probably isn't, since I get out for maybe an hour a week (if I'm lucky!). My standards for judging the "feel" of the reels (while of course, subjective) is my 3 Daiwa Tatula LTs. I consider then the smoothest I've ever had. The Vanford 500 to me felt better then the Lew's, similar to the Abu Revo Premier 20 or Pflueger XT20, and less smooth than the Tatula. For $30 I expect a functioning product, for $60 a nice reel, for $120 a really nice reel, and for $240 the nicest I've ever had. In this case, I personally felt like it was in the "$120 really nice" range and not worth the extra coin to a small-timer like myself. No disrespect--the Vanford is a nice, quality product that I'd be happy to own. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from buying it. My question was essentially, "if I close my eyes and spin both reels they feel the same, so what does the extra $200 get me?" It sounds like the answer is longevity, durability, and higher quality components. For me, I'm gonna stick with the Patriarch 20 (or maybe the Carbon X 500 when it arrives), but to each his own! Feel free to disagree with me, it's just my amateur opinion ?. Thanks everyone for your input! I've learned a lot since I started posting and reading here.

Just ordered one! I even found a 17% off code, making it less than $55 out the door. Thanks friend!

^Thank you. I wasn't complaining, and as I stated previously, I'm returning it for a full refund (gotta love Amazon prime!). I'm just looking to learn more and get some opinions on gear from folks more knowledgeable than I.

I also find it interesting that the Zenon is $500 for 4.9oz, the Vanford 500 is $230 for 4.9oz, and the Lew's WSP50 is 4.9oz for $29! I'm blown away the Lew's is so light. I've had a couple of these, and I like them. I'll probably opt to keep my Pflueger Patriarch 25 on my St Croix UL, even though the Patriarch is a hefty 5.4oz hog ?. The Patriarch is just buttery smooth like my Tatula LTs. I guess if I'm worrying about 0.5oz difference in my UL set up, I've probably got bigger issues.

I'm aiming at the lightest set up possible, and for Lew's is looks like the Wally Marshall 50 and Laser Lite 50 both are the lightest at 4.9oz. Both are $30. If Lew's has some higher end ones that light I'd be interested. If there are any other reels out there from anyone at 4.9oz for that matter, I'd be interested.

You guys rock! I appreciate the advice. Just packed up the Vanford to return. Gonna stick with the Lew's or Patriarch.

I have an ultralight set up (St Croix Triumph 5' UL) that I had a Lew's Wally Marshall Signature Series 50 reel on. I was mostly happy, but baitmonkey kept telling me that the Shimano Vanford 500 which costs literally 10x as much (29.99 vs 299.99, but same bearing count and weight) would be so much smoother and more pleasant to fish with. Baitmonkey thought it was silly using a $29 reel with a St Croix rod. So I just got the Vanford 500 today, and while it is definitely a nice reel, it doesn't feel that much different than the Lew's 50. The Lew's has way less IPT, and the knob feels cheap and has a little play, but it doesn't feel like $200 difference worth. For comparison, my Pflueger Patriarch 25 feels the best out of the bunch. I have lots of inexpensive and top-end expensive stuff, but I'd like some opinions on this one. Could it be that the Vanford is that much nicer, and I feel guilty spending the cash? Is the main difference between the Lew's and the Vanford longevity and endurance? Am I just suffering from the baitmonkey disease? #FirstWorldProblems

Hey, sorry to necro a thread, but I just ordered one of these (before reading up on them of course) and I'm afraid of the same problem. Dadeo71, can you elaborate? What is the new part number? Where did you buy it from? How much? Any further details would be awesome ? Thanks!

LOL ?!!! I got that bait monkey on my back real bad. I fear I'm turning into a "collector" rather than a real angler ?

I wish I were kidding. I only use the sign-up bonus and then never use them again. I'm pretty sure I use shopping as a maladaptive coping mechanism to deal with an unfulfilling and difficult life, but I'll save that conversation for therapy ? I really probably should stop in all honesty, I was just hoping you all would enable me. And BTW, I got the $100 Amazon one twice. The Amazon one is the only one I use, just for points. I pay in full every 2 weeks. I have no debt and I like it that way!

As far as store credit when you open a credit card, I got $75 from my Cabela's card, $70 for my Scheel's card, $40 from my Academy card, only got the in-house card from Sportsman's Warehouse (no bonus), and got denied by Dick's (was $40 instant bonus, but too many inquiries on my credit report). Am I missing any? Gander has $10, but not worth the trouble to me. Bummer my wife's credit score is so bad, or I could double all these ?

Thanks everyone for your responses. What all of you have said makes sense. Speaking of knob bearings, I have an Exceler 2500 LT that has a riveted knob, so I bought a Procyon handle for it and swapped out the bushings for bearings in the knob. I closed my eyes, swapped my old Exceler and new Procyon handles around in my hands, and spun the knobs and handles a bit with my eyes closed. I couldn't tell the difference between the two to be honest ?. But at least I have that warm, fuzzy feeling in my tummy knowing that there are now bearings in my handle knobs. I remember the days when I had one bearing reels that were heavy, plastic, and cheap. I was happy with them for 2 decades ?

Hey all, I moved to Cleveland from Michigan, and it seems like there are far fewer fishing spots here, and what spots are around are overfished and crowded. Anyone know of any decent bank fishing spots within 1/2 hour of Cleveland? I'm looking for any species. Thanks!

My channel cat set up is an Okuma RTX40S, it's on sale at Midway USA for $60 right now. Mines super smooth and it's only 8.3oz for a 4000 size.

I have the phantom baitcaster and I like it a lot; it's only 5.6oz! Put some ceramics in there, but gotta wait till spring ? Feels nice in hand and casts well. Only paid $60 brand new +shipped. Had the flame, thought it was ok

Hey all. Long time lurker, first time poster. I know that how freely or fast a bearing spins doesn't necessarily equate to a "smooth" feeling retrieve, but that being said, why do my Pfluegers (XT) knobs spin so much faster and more easily than my Daiwa (Tatula LT, Regal LT) knobs? In case you're wondering, I took out the bushings in the Tatula and replaced them with quality ABEC3 bearings (and noticed absolutely no difference). I'm having fun playing with reels and just want to learn more; I know there may be no practical benefit to knowing the answer.