Gone_Phishin

If this were the case, seeing New England and Mr. Hoodie lose, even before the SB, would ALMOST make up for the Pack not making it.

God, I hope you're right. Though I must admit I'm a little sketchy about the GB game this weekend. I really think it'll be a close one. Hope I'm wrong.

If you go with the Mossyback, check out the BCR802 and 852. Both are rated from 1/8-3/8oz. If you stay with the braid, the Mossyback might be your best bet over the GLX in the jig-n-worm series. A lot of people don't care for the noise that braid makes with the recoil guides of the GLX rods. I've been contemplating a Mossyback 802 myself. I want to pair it with a Pixy or CH51MG for tossing leadheads to walleye.

I don't mean to hijack the thread here, but I noticed roadwarrior and The Jake mentioned the AC66MF. Does anyone know if the LTBC66MF has the same soft tip as the Avid? -Thanks, Shaun

You prove a very valid point ghost: southpaws who want a small frame, Shimano low-pro have to start off at the $199 MSRP Curado. There is not a more economical reel to fit the bill. This is not fair to those on a budget, or to those who just want a more inexpensive reel for whatever the reason. I still don't understand the logic behind it. I've heard the producton cost vs demand explanation, and I'd fully support that logic if Shimano already had one 101 in say the Citica or Cruix, but that's not the case. As one of the big guns, it should be a no brainer for Shimano to give its left-handed customers just one cost-conscious 101.

A Curado 100 would fit the bill. It doesn't have HEG, but that gearing is not necessary for shallow cranking. The IPT is 25, which is fast enough for shallow cranks, but not too fast so you wouldn't be able to slow it down if needed. It weighs in at a very respectable 7.4oz, and with the $50 rebate, it will only cost you $150. This will leave some extra dough to buy some Rick Clunn's and a few more cranks for your new set-up.

The lack of Shimano 101's has been an issue for me as well. When I'm shopping for a crank/spinnerbait reel, Shimano is usually the first place I look. As far as 101's are concerned, the Chronarch and Curado are about it. There is no 101 in the Citica, Core, Calais, Cardiff, or Calcutta DC. I so badly want to own a DC or Calais for shallow/mid crankin', but there is no 101. The JDM Conquest DC has a 101, but the warranty issue, coupled with the circut board, is enough to make me steer clear. If I'm going DC, I'd feel much more comfortable covered by a domestic warranty. Daiwa usually releases a southpaw model in their reels, and I LOVE them for bottom contact baits, but for most other presentations I'd prefer a Shimano. I love that buttery smoothness, it's such a pleasure. The only exception is my Zillion for topwater work. I couldn't agree more with the previous comments on the size and weight of the 200/01 Shimanos. That's why I got a Zillion over the Curado.

Kenosha and Racine counties here in SE WI got absolutely clobbered by inclement weather today. Multiple tornados have touched down with devestating results. There have been reports of homes being destroyed, and ruptured gas lines, etc. There are still active cells all over the area, and the doppler shows that this is still not over. This weather is unheard of in WI in the month of January. It was 60 and sunny today, and then boom, the bottom fell out. It was similar to a summer pattern. Both rural and urban areas have been hit. Pretty crazy.

Great info Shadcranker. Very thorough.

That carbon swept handle on the Steez is just sick. How does it feel? Very solid? I was wondering what spool you had in that sweet little Pixy? Very nice. Very nice.

Next to The Beatles, Phish is my favorite band. I first heard these guys in college, living in the dorms. Well, I was hooked from then on. Catching them live was a special treat. Every night was a different show, different songs. You could see them 10 shows in a row and be hard pressed to find many repeats. They also had one of the best lighting guys in the business. We followed them from city to city, catching as many shows as we could, when we could. My buddies and I worked for the local municipality in the summer, so it was very hard to get off work. The old 'father and son fishing trip' excuse worked well though.

I wish they would drop them down a bit more. After seeing the TD-Z for $199, it's kinda tuff to purchase a Fuego at the same price. Compared, it's like a $150 savings to a $30 savings.

Within the last two weeks I saw the Fuego bc reel online @ Cabela's in the bargain cave. It was $199. I don't think they are still there though.

Local-Yocals that keep every legal bass they catch out of a 75 acre lake, that the DNR hasn't stocked for several years. >

Last season I did really well with Yum Vibra King tubes. There were several times, while casting docks, the tube would pull a fish when a senko, crank, spinnerbait, and worm wouldn't. I usually T-rig them with a small tungsten sinker. Green Pumpkin, Tequila Sunrise, and Junebug were my best producers. My go-to tube rig is a St. Croix EC68MXF, Daiwa Sol, and 8lb Yo-Zuri soft.

The only time I'd ever use a flippin' switch is fishing bottom bouncers, weight forward spinners, and other rigs for walleye.

I just looked through a large quantity of Duane Richard's photos.....WOW. Freakin' unbelievable. Truly special looking rods.

Beautiful, congrats. I salivate at the idea of one day owning a DC. I really want to put one on a Dobyns 684CB. But alas, no 101.....Shimano continues to believe that NOBODY retrieves with their left hand. >

As a Badger fan, you know I'm rooting for LSU!!!

ghost, Yea, this last week has been quite nippy. Unfortunately I left a bottle of champagne in my car on New Year's Eve. What a sticky mess. Guys have been hammerin' gills on the Madison chain. Lots of good hard water. Right before the new year, the walleye bite was going on here in the SE part of the state. 40's though this weekend. Infidel, I saw they have an BCR852 Mossyback shipped for $165. If anyone is looking for a shakey head rod, this is a nice one. I use my GLX 852 for this application and I love it.

Gotcha, I missed that. The free shipping really sweetens the deal.

The warranty issue is enough to keep me away from these. Histackleboxshop lists these as "demo" rods, though they say they are covered by a 'full' lifetime warranty. If you look at Loomis's warranty info, demo rods do not qualify for the xpeditor service. No thanks.

Hooked_On_Bass, When the water thaws in your neck of the woods, let us know what you think of the Zillion. Usually, flippin/pitching is easier with reels equipped with mag V, and the Zillion has mag Z, which is better used for casting heavier baits.

This is something I'd really love to get into. I sent a Zillion ouit last year for drag and bearings upgrade, and wow, now it's like a grenade launcher. Talk about an awesome froggin'/slop reel. And it already palmed well for such a tough reel. I have a TDZ and Sol I planned on sending out this winter to get tuned, but I'd really like to study up and learn the process myself. The whole personal satisfaction thing comes into play here. It's kinda like catching a lunker on a plastic you poured yourself. For anyone with the Sol, the TDZ handle upgrade Raul mentioned is well worth it. Especiallly if you've been using your Sol for cranks /spinnerbaits. Just contact Daiwa.

Currently it's 4* with 15-25mph winds; lots of good hard water to fish..........On Sunday, the forcasted high is 50*. God, I love this crazy state.