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Yes, it's a very complicated subject. I had to do a lot of research. Most off the shelf, low cost rods use a L, M, H rating that just covers the overall usability of the rod. It's a simple, generic type rating that takes line rating and lure rating and lumps it into a general rating. Some of the higher up rods have seperate tip action and backbone ratings. This is where M and F come into play. Fenwick, St. Croix, ect... use this system. It seperates the action and power ratings becouse they make same power rating rods, with different action tips, unlike the low cost rods that are generally just power rated. G Loomis has seperated themselves from that, becouse their rods are different. They use the same action ratings, XF,F,M-F,M, ect... But they rate the backbone power in numbers. 00-9 I think. To further complicate things, the number system used by Loomis, is rod type specific. Meaning, a 2 power SJR, is not the same as a 2 power CR rod. A 2 power CR is not the same as a 2 power MBR. The number is used to compare powers in like rods, not along the whole line of rods they sell. While they do also use the L,M,H, names, they are mostly used to help new customers, I think. One of the differences between lower end rods, and higher end rods is the blank size and feel. It was part of the reason why I chose to "invest" the extra $$$ into Loomis over lower cost rods. It's all a preference thing though. There is no right or wrong when choosing brands, it's all in what a person prefers, and can afford.

Garmin 76CSx

This store is brand new and they are still getting their initial shipments in so the Premiers are coming any day! Plus, one of the 2 guys that run the fishing dept is an old fishin' buddy. Didnt see him until the 2nd time I went. He can/will order whatever we want.....believe me, I asked. I meant stocked items. I'm sure they could order stuff at any store if requested. 2 of the guy's behind the fishing counter didn't even know Abu had the Premier, much less out yet. 2 times I asked about new stuff coming in, and that was the "story" I got.

Go directly to fish.shimano.com and read up on the rebates. It looks like it is a factory rebate on baitcasters.

reel mech, what's the crank radius on my stradic 2500? I'm not stating a for sure, I'm just going by the sizes I have found, but most aftermarket/upgrade handles are listed as either 45mm or 50mm. As that is half a handle, so to speak, multiply that by 2. So I think spinning reel handles have the same rotating diameter as 90 to 100mm baitcaster handles.

I've been doing a lot of handle research lately for my Daiwa. Lengths for most Daiwa's are available in 75, 80, 85, 90, with a few rare 95mm handles. Shimano has 80, 85 and some aftermarket 90mm handles that I have seen. Bassart makes one. There may be more out there, but that is what I have seen. I also have not seen one for your particular model either, though.

The "story" I got was the main office does a lot of the ordering, and they order/reorder as needed. It's my understanding they won't get new summer use products until late winter/early spring.

Your right, I went back and found I mis-read my receipt. I thought it was $155, but it was $159.

I have spiral guides on my BSR803-GLX rod. They don't look quite like those, though. I've only used braided line with the rod since I got it, and haven't had a problem with the guides, yet.

I have the Bionic Plus. I bought it marked down to $50. It's a $50 reel. I bought it to get back into baitcasters. I didn't want to spend $200 and find I didn't want to use baitcasters again. The function of the reel is pretty good. It is built with low cost components though. If you a looking to use it often, I would say look at something better. If you are looking at a reel for a specific technique rod, that you won't be using a lot, the reel is probably as good as any other reel in that price range.

I have the SJR783 and really like it. It's my general purpose rod. There are a lot of different things I can use it for if I need to. I use 8 and 10 pound test line on it. If you plan on using 6lb test, you may want to look at the 2 power rods. The 3 power might be a little much for the 6 lb test. I only have a 1 power casting rod for panfish/crappies and a 5 power for large setups, so I don't have much to say for the casting rod. My CR, in the 1 power, I think would make a good all around rod if it was a higher power. I have really taken a shining to my MBR rod too. If it was a lighter power, it would probably make a good general purpose rod too.

BSR803-GLX...in my totally biased opinion. ;D

I posted this before, but you may have missed it. Sportsmans warehouse is having a sale on some baitcasters like the Sol, Fuego, Pflueger President. The Sol is marked in the case at $179, but when I checked out, it rang up at $155. This was a lefthand though, they might be lower priced.

I usually made things last quite a few years before buying new. Last year I decided I needed to invest in better equipment. I have spent the last 2 years buying the type of rods I wanted, that I hope to have last me many, many years to come. I'm not hard on equipment, so I think my "investments" will pay off in the long run. Lures, on the other hand, keep my pocket change from building up too much. ;D

WCBR783S Yeah, I know, it say's Walleye on the rod, but it say's Loomis too. 8-) Reeds still have Legend tournament Walleye series rods at special prices, they are just a bit over $200, but they are over $300 MSRP.

I think I'm going to get the Pixy soon, but I'm not sure if I want to get another JDM reel, or save $100 and get another Sol, which is still on sale. All three have the same line pick up, same braking system, ect.... The only real difference I have found in my research is better bearings on the 103 and Type-F. I'm not sure that is an issue as I only fish freshwater. The other thing is weight. I get 1 oz of weight savings with the 103 over the Sol, and the Type-F is .2 lighter than that. The big question is, is it really worth $100 to get the exact same reel 1 oz. lighter???

I seen today that Reeds has 10% off reels when you buy a rod, including any leftover St Croix's.

There is a thread, I think it's in the general forum, about good equipment people have bought for less than $75. You may want to look there too. I like the Pflueger Supreme spinning reel that can be found for $90 at some stores like Reeds. IMO, it's a good low cost "investment" in reels. I know the Shimano Symetre get's great reviews, and it's in the $75 range. I think the Berkley Lightning rod is a fine rod for the money. I know others will chime in suggesting Cabela's rods and Shimano's rods too. I'm sure those would be fine choices too.

Well now, your just out to open up a big can of worms. ;D If your looking at the Shimano Chronarch mg, maybe check out the Zebco 202. They are about the same weight. Ok, maybe that was a little low. I do really like them, I came very close to buying one. All kidding aside, if your still on the fence, make sure you check out the JDM Daiwa Alphas 103 and type-F too. They are about the same price, and the 103 has a killer paint job. Sol, Chronarch mg, Alphas, I don't think you would be disappointed with any of them. They all look to be fine reels. You could alway's put small pictures of them on the wall and throw darts until you hit one, and that becomes the one you buy.

I have 1 President and 3 Supremes. The Supremes have a nice solid feel. Smooth. Light weight. Better all around gear ratio for general purpose fishing. The Supremes are not quite the same as the Presidents. The Supreme 30 is in between the 30 and 35 Presidents, size wise. The fact you get a magnesium body and rotor in the Supreme vs. the graphite parts in the Presidents helps with the solid feel of the reel. I have quite a few casts on the one reel since they came out this spring, it's been smooth and steady the whole time.

The Supreme 8030 is the perfect reel for it, but in the President line, I think I would go with the 6735 also. The 6730 is a little too small, more of a light reel, and the 6740 is close to a light SW size reel IMO. You get a lot more reel for the extra $30, IMO, going with the Supreme, but it's all up to you.

Old socks with holes in the toes, slid down the rod, and some rubber bands to hold them in place, would make for a low cost rod protector.

15 years ago I vowed not to ever step on a large carrier airplane again becouse of the poor service. I have held true to that. What has happened in those 15 years? More people than ever are flying, and just when you think service has hit rock bottom, it keeps going down. I take a stand with the little bit of money I spend. I refuse to feed monsters with my money. If I think the service is atleast reasonable, I'll go back, if not, I won't go back, no matter how "convenient" it is. Too many people have the "that's just the way it is" or "the prices are so good though" train of thought. But, is it really ok to get crapped on just to save a couple bucks? Personally, I don't put that high of value on money to allow me to get treated poorly to save a little of it. I'm not directing anything at BPS, I have only ordered once from them. While the shipping was slow, and customer service had no clue about the status of my order, I did get what I ordered, at the prices I expected to pay. Right now, I'll look at them for offseason orders (becouse they are slow) but, as soon as I have a problem, I'll stop shopping there. Too many other stores out there, including the local stores that people may think are expensive, until they are gone. Once there is no places to get local info, and fresh live bait, and a replacement for your favorite bait you just lost the last one of, people won't realize the value of local stores either.

8000 yards. I already looked at that. I seen the spools at the store. They're BIG.

That is the exact line I have on my Sol. The line acts a little stiff when you first use it, but I don't think that has anything to do with the reel. I had no issue with the line on my one and only outing with the set-up. Figure the most you cast out is 100ft. Say you get 75 yards of 12lb line on the reel, that's 225 feet. There would still be enough line to keep a good base on the spool when casting out. You may have to respool more often as there isn't much extra for cutting off damaged line though. Personally, I wouldn't go much bigger than 12lb line, but 12lb line has worked fine for me on the reel.