Jeff H

I wore out a Shimano Spirex 2000, but it was used a lot and abused. I was actually impressed how long it lasted (13-14 yrs) with minimal maintenance but in the end it was junk and got tossed in the trash.

Few reasons why I prefer the Tatula over the Curado I..... I have large hands (XXL gloves required). The Curado is not sized for man hands (1). It is, shall we say, "dainty". I consider the Tatula to be small (many others gripe of the size being too big), so had to choose another word to describe the Curado. Also, while not a big deal, I prefer 90mm handle(2) and seem to get along with Daiwa's Magforce Z braking system best (3). I do like how the Curado is put together though. It's a nice reel. As you will notice, there is nothing there based on performance. I have not fished either one yet and considering my locale, not any time real soon either.

Add MN to that list!

I too have failed in my attempts

I've ridden in both flat and mod v's and either one will make you tick blood after a wind run. I couldn't tell much difference in the ride. I have owned a semi v Alumacraft for many years and while a little better, it's nothing to get excited about. For a river boat, either flat or mod-v jon is definitely the way to go. I'm gonna get me one in a few years so I can fish the river after I park my Champion at the end of each season.

That's Jarmo Rapala you're talking about. Grandson to Lauri, the originator of Rapala. Last I knew he was selling those baits from Finland and now is co-owner of Bagley....I think.

I have seen fiberglass rods take a set but have yet to see a graphite rod take one. All of mine lean in a corner all winter long, none have ever taken a set.

It is interesting, to me anyway. Has to be some explanation for it, but I have no idea what it would be. If you should ever find out, please share. Almost tempted to run some tests to see if I could make it happen, just for the heck of it.

My vote goes to #4! Buying my Talon was the best money I've spent, in probably ever! Aside from my boat of course, would be moot without the boat. Really ups your shallow game when the wind is blowing, which it often is!

Never got any complaints from the back with guys fishing around my 8' Talon. Would love to have the 12', wouldn't bother with the 10' when the 12' is available. I consider this thing the best money I've spent in a long time!!

Never seen any mold on any of my Powerbaits, and I've got some really old ones left in my stock that are in great shape. Since I've never experienced that I guess I don't have any helpful answers. I have had some plastics get wet and acquire a milky, faded look but after drying them out the color was back to original. No mold though.

I use it for certain spinning applications. It cuts through weeds like a razor blade. Overall, for me, it has it's place and I like it but it's place is not everywhere and everything.

He may have had his name associated with some Series One rods at some point, but I am not 100% sure. Ask Catt, I think he might know.

I don't have a ton of experience with fluorocarbon line but I have never been sold on it beyond the one spool I've bought. I normally use Trilene XT clear and I got in the lake one day with a dive mask to look at both hanging in the water. I could see no difference, nor could I feel any respectable difference in sensitivity while using it. It is more expensive, less abrasion resistant (100% vs XT for me) and in my opinion stretches more than most people admit. I'll stick to my XT clear and suffer greatly with a few more bucks in my wallet. In the Archives section at Tackle Tour there is a 2 part Fluorocarbon Showdown that's worth a read.

Buzzbaits! Hate 'em! Zero confidence, too many misses.

To those with concise, constructive replies I appreciate your attention.

I'm looking for suspending jerks that run no deeper than 3'. What I've found so far are the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow and Jackall Squad Minnow. Any others you know of that run shallow and suspend throw them up here for me and I'll check 'em out.

I like Berkley Trilene XT clear. Definitely not the greatest when it comes to ease of casting but it's abrasion resistance and strength has impressed me countless times over the years.

That's exactly what I thought. I don't think I used one prior to 2006 or 2007. Now, I use them a LOT and forever will! I'll tell ya how I got started with them....bought them for my youngest boy to throw. Easy to cast, no special retrieves required for a 6 yr old. That boy whupped me something good with those dang things the first day. Not just shallow either. Hit a deep hump once and he would throw that thing out and just put his rod down while I worked my around with a jig. I was just too proud watching him catch fish to care, but whup me did! Don't ignore the senko!

I have a "wall of shame" above one of the benches in my basement workshop. Some lures just don't produce as well as others and I don't fight it.

Which Cabela's? But, that is EXACTLY when you want that extra bearing. Just like 4 wheel drive....it's there where you need it to save the day! I agree that most people may not need it for most of their fishing but it's something I'd want whether I need it or not. It's one of those things (imo) that just makes good sense.

They will easily re-establish their reputation with the new Curado. I have stuck with Daiwa and bought several Tatula's but this new Curado is looking sweet and it would seem to be better built based on nothing more than Xship. There, I finally got that out. As much as I do like my Daiwa's and the Tatula is nice, it has left me disappointed by going away from free floating spool design. My worthless opinion is that Curado will win that battle but I'm still gonna run my Daiwa flag and buy every nice HSTA that I come across!

Not just long, but nasty....and still more to go. I got a bad feeling about March!

Trivial in my opinion. But, we all get to obsessing on such things at some point. I'd say that you will decide on the water which one you'll use for what. You'll know when it feels right or when you should switch them up. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, you'll use whichever is right for YOU and that's how it should be!

Rapala Fat Rap #5 and #7. Especially the shallow version. Jitterbug