Jeff H

I'll stop in tomorrow after work and see what's left. Those rods are a bargain on sale! XML is also on sale, very good rod for that sale price!

Yep. I have done it many times. Sometimes I don't even reel slower

John, I was wondering what the handle length is? 80mm or 90mm?

Next time they are on sale, I'm grabbing the frog rod to do some pitching with.

I use a cork handle Shimano Crucial CRCX610MH. If I needed anything more I'd like a custom built on a St. Croix blank.

Status. You become part of another group (Enthusiast) when you buy/use JDM reels.

Why is there no Producer LTE or Primmus on their website? Where does one find more info on these reels. It seems the latest additions to their website are over 2 yrs old.

The closest I can get is $110. I have a Cabela's Tournament ZX combo that is made up of the 2013 model reel (Rapala Shift) and the 6'9" M/F Tournament ZX rod. I paid $40 for the reel and $70 for the rod. I caught more than (40) 2-3lb smallies on this rig in Sept. It is capable but the reel gets a little "geary" under load. If one can get past that it's ok. Whats cool is it's extremely light and that makes it fun to use. Love the rod and for the price am likely to buy more....just need to put different reels on them as these are no longer available. I like this "budget" challenge. It is fun and sometimes it's downright sobering as it can point out how much money can be so easily tinkled away.

Nothing wrong with St. Croix Premier. Great rod with 5 yr warranty built here in America!

I've seen Clunn talk about the reel size effect but he was mainly getting at the capacity aspect. I don't recall what they were, didn't see them up close but he was using some pretty large reels.

I think just some of the reels. I am pretty sure there are no Daiwa rods with the Cabela's name on them. I received this reel in tonights mail. Wow, it is really nice. The value is WAY up there in this one, even at regular price of $100 it's still a good buy. I'm going to make a little project out of this one. Next I'm going to get the Tournament ZX (Daiwa Laguna with 4 bearing handle?) and see how that one is. I have not owned or used a composite framed casting reel in many many years. I am curious if they are better these days. It's cheap at $69 regular price but I'll wait until it goes on sale before I try one.

Very nice Shimano Hootie! I like that billet handle! So, I'm curious now.... what's next?

My #1 is MH/XF.

I got to thinking about grips and while I do have my favorite I have tried/used many different styles over the years and can't think of any that bothered me. I do have a Cabela's Tournament ZX 2013 model (Rapala Shift) that has EVA grips that I didn't care for but I was able to shape them with a sanding sponge to where I really like them now. I don't use that reel much though. Since most of my reels are Daiwa, I have come to like the black cork grips they have best of all. But I like the new Tatula grips too. I guess I can get along with pretty much any of them.

I agree. I bought 2 of the 6'8" MH dropshot rods before they disappeared. One of them still has the tags and plastic on it yet. Besides being able to dropshot with it, it's great for other light presentations like Fin S Fish and smaller tubes etc. Great rod!

I'm done buying Shimano rods too, unless I find the old gen cork Crucial or Compre. I bought a Clarus for my daughter to use for slinging senko's and it's just.... not a good choice for what I paid for it, plus she hates it.. I think Shimano's entire line suffered in those EVA models and gave up a lot of the good value that was present in the old gen cork models. I don't know anything about the new models, because I no longer care I guess.

Ain't nothing like moving a big fish out of his bunker with Heavy power gear! I do so love that kind of fishing!! But, I have a question...I thought 4 power rods were comparable to MH and 5's would be H power? I have a GL3 that is a 4 power and I always considered it a MH. I only have that one rod that is number rated, all my others are St. Croix. Am I off on that thinking?

Well now, that sounds like paradise to me! I need to find that up here somewhere...

It's been awhile, but I have no problem keeping a few and eating them. I prefer bass be 12" or 13" for eaters, maybe 14" but no bigger than that. It is good to remove a few now and then... and heck, they are good eating!

Mitch, you want to try, at some point one of the Hawgtech's with their new EVA/Winn grips. Long handles and big knobs they are.

I think what it was is part of their Pre Black Friday Daily Deals sales promotion. Certain items must only be on sale for one day, but I'm sure they will go on sale again soon. Keep an eye on them. I guess I'm lucky I looked last night and caught that deal.

I'm lucky to have a store right on my route to work so I can just get my orders shipped there for free. If I can get free shipping to my house I do that instead. So, either way works out free for me. Since this involved free shipping, I just had it sent to my house this time. I have a "collection" of Daiwa engineered Prodigy baitcasters. I buy one every year on sale as long as Daiwa makes it.

I just bought a pair of Hawgtech 102's for my Shimano CA-200's. Won't get to try them out until spring but they are big! I decided to go with the 102's on my pitching/flipping reels and see how I like it. I won't judge until I use them but 102mm is BIG to me. My favorite or preferred length is 90mm. All my 80mm handles have been replaced and I won't use anything less than 90mm ever again if I can help it.

The 2014 model Cabela's Prodigy is on sale right now for $60, normally $100 and will ship for free if you use the code. Pretty sweet deal for what is basically a Daiwa Exceler with 4 bearing handle. This is a lot of reel for $60! If you're looking for a good baitcaster for cheap you won't do any better than this!

Or just a failed leader? I have used some pretty thin wire for pike and never had one bite through it. That looks like it just came apart.