That Toro is nice.  May add one to my striper arsenal...

http://tackletour.com/reviewabugarcia2009reelspre.html

Not a lot on their plate.  The Skeet Edition Revo and the Winch are already offered, so their ICAST displays aren't going to get a lot of attention.  Everyone at Shimano is high-fiving each other...they really needed Abu Garcia to get comfortable and sit idle this year.  Granted with the Revo's sales figures...why change anything.  

Not sure Shimano should be breathing easy, yet.  No one has their new Curado/Citica or seen what corners they cut to get the price down.  (Except we already know the 200E uses a plastic reelside sideplate, unlike the 200D which was aluminum).   Abu may not have a runaway in 2009 that they had in 2008, but they may.  Gonna be interesting to watch.

I am so impressed with my Cardinal 701 and 702s, I will be looking forward to replacing my other spinning reels with the Soron or maybe just some more 702s These reels are incredible.

Not sure Shimano should be breathing easy, yet.  No one has their new Curado/Citica or seen what corners they cut to get the price down.  (Except we already know the 200E uses a plastic reelside sideplate, unlike the 200D which was aluminum).   Abu may not have a runaway in 2009 that they had in 2008, but they may.  Gonna be interesting to watch.

The sideplate opposite of the reel handle (the one that opens) has always been plastic.  The handle side sideplate is generally the same material as the frame, but they are both going to be graphite on the Curado.  I don't think the sideplate will make that much difference...as long as the frame is aluminum.  Keeping the gears aligned is the main concern.  I still am putting in an order for 6 Citicas when they start shipping...

I'll have to give the Soron spinning reel a look when it hits stores....my Stradic FI's didn't really meet my expectations...likely to be replaced.  Seems like the Abu spinning reels have had good reviews recently.

FD

It sounds like a lot of people haven't been happy w/ shimano lately?

Actually I am a bit underimpressed (is that a word lol). I would have liked to see a LH high speed revo, thats the only thing IMHO that the Revo line-up lacks. Never been a big fan of Abu spinning reels, looks like that won't change.

Definitely getting a Toro for my smaller swimbaits.  ;D Should look pretty with my 3 STXs and possible soon to be Winch.

Actually I am a bit underimpressed (is that a word lol). I would have liked to see a LH high speed revo, thats the only thing IMHO that the Revo line-up lacks. Never been a big fan of Abu spinning reels, looks like that won't change.

HS left hand?  Abu Japanese website already has a lefty STX-HS and SX-HS listed.  No reason they won't be available in the US - soon