Recurve1

Looking for one reel to use for all types of cast and retrieve lures on rocky creeks/ rivers for smallmouth - topwater, flukes, crankbaits, etc. I know very little about BC reels and use them about 1/3 of my fishing time. Which of these 2 do you like and why? Thanks

Check out folks impressions of Sage fly rod s after they were bought be Far Bank Corp. Both the change in lifetime warranty policy and repair/customer service.

Thanks ! - great stuff. The pictures are very helpful. Good to see the relative line lay also. Greatly appreciated

Thanks folks - I guess I don't understand what a locomotive and worm drive are. When I look at the parts diagram for the Stradic and Ultegra they look similar - but the diagram for the Sahara is different. I could use an education here, regardless of which reel I end up with. Thanks again. Also T2DM indicates both the Ultegra and Stradic are worm driven. Signed confused!! LOL

Thanks. Doesn't the Ultegra have very similar/ same internal system as Stradic? I don't know anything about internal mechanism of these reels but they sure looked similar in you tube videos.

Ultegra. Noticed the current model came out in 21 and wondering if it's going to be updated soon. Thanks

Does Shimano typically update a spinning reel model? Every 3 yrs, 5 yrs, random? Thanks.

Right of the bat you have 2 different rods, 2 different reels, and 2 different lines - so comparing apples to oranges. I don't mean to sound snarky but if it was me I'd either wade 15' closer to target or drive the boat a little closer. Also, as mentioned, I have some older rods that were quite flexible compared to modern rods (new rods feel like pool cues to me) and these old flexible rods seem to load themselves and just fling the lures out there.

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I've decided to keep one and sell one. Any thoughts on which to keep? Any thoughts on fair value for the one to sell? Both are in very good condition and have seen little use. Thanks again.

Hi - I have 2 Ambassadeur reels made in Sweden, 4600 C3 and Royal Express, both with fast cast thumb release. I got these probably in the 90s and have not used them much as I have been mostly fly fishing for the past 30 years. I got a Daiwa Fuego a couple years ago and I think it casts much easier for me than the Ambassadeurs. Do folks still use these old reels? Any special advice for using them or should I sell them and get something like a Tatula 100 for my fishing, which is generally with lures up to 1/2 - 5/8 max, mostly 1/4 - 1/2? Thanks

Thanks guys - recently got one of the lightweight, small capacity spools for my Fuego CT reel and tried it yeesterday with a size 60 whopper plopper (1/4 oz) and it casts very well with my current cheapo rod. Will also be looking into some of the nicer rods mentioned in this post since some are on sale now.

What available rod blanks are the equivalent of the Loomis NRX+ blanks/rod? Talking about performance, not appearance. Specifically, have you built a rod on XYZ blank and compared it directly to an NRX+? I ask because the Loomis blank is not available and wanting to know which blank is its equal. Thanks

Yep!

Thanks for the suggestions - Liking the idea of a 2 pc in the Major Craft. !/8 oz total up to around 1/2

Hi All, Looking for an inexpensive (<$125) casting rod for small top water lures, unweighted flukes and the odd small crankbait. I wade fish for smallmouth and looking for a general purpose casting rod. Tired of the line twist with spinning rods and these lures. I can build an MHX blank for what I want for around $125 for comparison. If I can get one already made for that price or less that would be good. Not needing a BFS rod at this point. Thanks

Thanks folks - very helpful!

To use on 4" and 5" flukes? Never used them before and wondering the best size. 2/0 and 3/0 hooks. Thanks

Got it - thanks.

Sorry if I missed it in the posts but the title says "missing and presumed dead". If they don't have the body how do we know he wasn't wearing a PFD?

I have a Sahara 2500 and a couple lower level Shimano reels and looking at the Miravel and Ultegra to upgrade a bit. Can you Shimano folks tell me about how these 2 compare and your experience with them? This is for general river smallmouth fishing, wading and canoe, not boats or big rivers. Thanks

Got the answer to my question.

WRB - I believe on the NRX the front reel seat foot is fixed -that is why I am looking for that measurement

Hi - If you have the NRX 852S can you please measure the distance from the end of the butt cap to where the front of the reel foot inserts into the reel seat - as pictured below. BTW - the rod pictured below is on an NFC blank. Thank you - I greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for the info but... I'm still not clear. The NFC IM blanks = which G Loomis series rods?

Hi All, Which level of G. Loomis blanks are similar to the NFC IM blanks? are the NFC IM and Loomis IMX similar graphite? Thanks.