Jeff H

I've got a handful of Cabela's rods bought at different times over the last 5-6 years or so that I paid under $100 for. All were on sale when I bought them. Some are XML's (standard and Walleye series) and a couple are Tournament ZX. While I am a St. Croix fan, these Cabela's rods impress me every time I use them, especially considering what I paid for them. If I pick 1 out of all of them as a favorite it would be the 6'9" Tournament ZX jerkbait/topwater casting rod. Love it! I have a Daiwa TD-Z 103H mounted on it and use it mostly for tossing 4" tubes for smallies but it's a very versatile stick in my opinion.

Ah HA! It is "Vinnie" again. This man seems to be a rather talented and apparently quite busy hobbyist. Well, here's to Vinnie once more

USPS is scary to deal with, absolutely horrible with claims. BAD! Hope all works out for you Dale! This is why I do what I do where new rods are ordered online.. I had a UPS delivery one day (this was years ago) and I was in the yard when he showed up. Went to the back of his truck while he opened the door and there was a busted up rod tube back there, could see the broken rod sticking out etc. I asked him, jokingly, how he managed to do that and he said he hadn't. Told him I'd refuse it if it was mine and I hoped he wasn't going to leave that at somebody's house like that. Told him that never should have ended up on his truck and whoever it belonged to is going to be big time ticked if he dumps it on their steps. I don't know what he did with it in the end but I hope he did the right thing.

Man, that is sweet! Simple with nice details and top quality components. Love the full cork handle and EVA butt.

Seeing the walleye is well represented here, as it should be, I will only add that nobody fishes walleye for the fight. If they do, they must like the disappointment involved.

Well, that is exactly my way around this problem. I buy from Cabela's, order online, shipped to store (pay no shipping costs). I can inspect it right there before I take it home. If it doesn't satisfy, I get another the same way. So, this way you can avoid the issue Scott mentioned of customers abusing shelf rods and any shipping damage is going to be obvious, plus no shipping cost.. Works for me and keeps me happy. I know not everybody has this method/option available to them but if you do it's reasonably foolproof and should use it.

I certainly would not enjoy being part of that 1%. I have bought rods online several times but I am one of those who worry about it too much to make it a habit. I have a way around it now, somewhat.

Same here. Just a tad more power and the static friction is almost non existent with these even when dry so I don't bother with grease.

25% discount is always a good score! Have fun with that new combo!

How often do you see St. Croix rods on sale? I've seen discontinued models marked down sometimes, not always, but don't often find St Croix's on sale anywhere.

And the most proper. I know of the o-ring trick but I've never had to resort to it or any other solution when using a direct tie knot regardless of line type.

On the side plate it says "High Speed" but I can't find anything online that tells me the actual gear ratio. I do know that back in 1981 high speed gearing was often somewhere around 5:1, usually less, like 4.7: or so. Do any of you guys know what gearing is in this reel?

Couldn't find where to plug that number in on the ABU website. Will look again. My number looks to be 810300, it is difficult to make out that first digit but I believe it is an 8. Thank you for sharing that information! I have thought it over and this reel belongs in the hands of a true Garcia round enthusiast. I'm just going to sell it bone stock, as is, instead of keeping it. Somebody out there will appreciate it more than I will.

oldschoolbasser, Would you share with me the upgrade options? I think this reel would benefit greatly from a slightly longer, modern handle for starters. Beyond that I have little experience with upgrades to these ABU rounds. All I have done is service/clean them.

Thanks guys! Much appreciated!

Before this gets lost, maybe one of you can refer me to the ABU round reel experts here. I know there are a few but I don't recall their names. If I can find them maybe I can get some input on this reel. Thanks guys!

This 5600AL was given me to me a couple years ago. It had sat in somebody's garage and was maybe used a few times. It is in excellent cosmetic condition and I opened it up today and gave it a good clean and grease service. It works great. Seems like very simple reel, no bells and whistles etc. Can anyone here date this reel and let me know approximate value. I'm guessing the AL must refer to the aluminum drive gear it has??

Jig/craw, beavers, or 5" flippin' tubes.

And that's not too hard to meet when buying tungsten! I still use lead or brass most of the time. I have maybe about a dozen pieces of tungsten, if that. If I ever buy more I'll get them from Siebert.

Google search for me too.

I think a Taula CT on the proper rod can handle that job. My standard Tatula on a M/F Team Daiwa cranking rod can throw a Rapala Fat Rap #5 (5/16 oz) on 10lb mono really well.

Wow! ANY St Croix rod for $10 is a good deal! Lucky you!

I think he's right. I would put more emphasis on paying attention, being focused, than depending on a high quality, expensive rod to hook your fish. Having a nice quality stick is still going to provide potential advantages as others have implied. I think he's just saying it is not required to catch fish, and I like that. I like the whole finesse approach and it's much fun but I sometimes wonder if we make it out to seem like there are requirements that really aren't necessary. For me, this is the very fun side of modern bass fishing and I'd not want to be responsible for turning somebody away with the idea they don't have qualified gear to participate. Can't imagine anybody would say you can't use your expensive gear, but it's likely good to show others you don't need to have expensive gear to have a fun day catching some bass.

Look at the Cabela's Pro Guide (by Daiwa) in 1000 size. Tiny reel, and solid ultralight performer. I have one and would buy another if needed, very happy with this little reel.

Always thought these worked well... http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Arky-Jig-421.htm I haven't skipped a lot of different brands of jigs in my time but the other I did well with was these....http://www.allterraintackle.com/all-terrain-tackle-skip-n-jig/