John G

I had 2 Citica 200E's and I put Hawgtech Handles on them with Power Grip II knobs. I think it was worth it and they looked sharp.

This is a Calcutta 100B handle. Removable knobs but you can't add bearings. IIRC, The Citica 200E is the same way. It has been a while since I owned one so you may be right about the knobs being riveted on.

From what I remember, the screw that holds the knob on is actually a slotted nut that acts as a bushing and I think the bottom of the knob shaft is kinda flared out so that it won't take a bearing. The Calcutta 100B is this way to. If the Curado 200E is the same as the Scorpion 1500 series, you can not add a second bearing because the Scorpion 1500 series also has the slotted nut but it did come with 1 useless cannot tell it's even there bearing.

From what I remember, you can replace the knobs but you can't add bearings if that is important to you.

If I had to narrow it down to 1 combo, it would be a Conquest 50/Loomis MBR782C GLX. The reason is because I can do so much with it and it's a lot of fun to fish with.

I like the buy a new reel option.

That sucks! I went through the same thing a while back but I finally got it.

Are you using your fingers to hold the line as you are reeling? If so, there is a chance that you are unconsciously applying tension to the levelwind more so on the right side than the left side. The best thing to is apply tension to the line without using your fingers so that in theory, the levelwind will put the line on the spool evenly. Although that does not always work because I have a Curado 50E that stacks line on the left side of the spool even when I am not using my fingers to hold the line.

Ok, what was good about Boron rods? I ask that from a want to know perspective. I remember when my dad took me uptown to Big L Sports to get my first baitcaster, they had Boron rods but I ended up getting a Fenwick Eagle Graphite 5'6" piston grip.

To get better cork.

I loves Japan Lure Shop!

I think it's great line but what sucks is when you hang up with a lot of line out and you end up losing a good amount of line because of it. For that reason alone, I am happy with Sunline Sniper FC.

Get a Thermacell

Is that engage or disengage the spool? I think that he pressed the thumbar down while the line was under tension. Maybe we are saying the same thing.

X2

Not all 1/4oz is created equal. This morning I was throwing a 1/4oz Husky Jerk with a XT1000 - Yumeya shallow spool, Loomis CR721 IMX and 20# Suffix 832 and I was extremely disappointed in the distance that I was getting. If that was a 1/4oz bullet weight, I think that I would have spooled my reel.

How bad is the dent? Can you install the spool and does it spin freely without making contact with the frame?

Just got off the phone with Jacob with ALF and he says the $25.00 credit can't be used on an item that is on sale. That sucks! I was looking forward to getting a Curado HG for $115.00.

I got a good laugh with your "boutique reels" comment and the wouldn't pay $120.00 for anything Shimano makes comment. LOL

We will expect a full report with a few pics of all the fish that you catch. I doubt that you will get skunked and I would be surprised if you get sick while inshore fishing. Have fun!

And you repeated it like it was Gospel. LMFAO

I didn't see the comment earlier this morning on the small screen on my iPhone. IMHO, I don't think that you should waste your time looking at "boutique reels".

My first high end reel was a Shimano Calais CL-100A. I regretted selling it but the reel that really got me started on buying the high end stuff was my Shimano Conquest 100. I would like it more if it was smaller but that is why they make the Conquest 50. The CNQ50 DC is my favorite reel right now. I say the best reel that I ever owned was the Antares HG. I sold mine cause it's to big for my hands but I am thinking about buying another to try out again on a different rod. You don't have to buy these reels new. I sold my ANT HG on eBay for just over $300.00 and it was in new condition. There are deals to be had. You just need to look and be patient.

When you say American egomaniac in the context of someone buying a high end reel, then you are calling the people that buy the high end reel an egomaniac. Listen, like I said earlier, I am glad that you like your Lew's! Great! I am happy for you! I can tell you right now that the reels that Lew's put's out would not put a smile on my face. I have gotten spoiled with high end reels. I used to be happy using regular reels until I bought my first Conquest. I even have a brand new Scorpion XT1500-7 on eBay right now and while it's a fine reel, I am not going to be happy with it and all I was going to use it for was on a flipping rod. I will buy an Aldebaran or a Metanium to fill the roll of pitching jigs and soft plastics. Where is the return on investment there! I could care less if there is a return on my investment. It's just like cars. A Taraus will get you from point A to point B same as a Bentley but a Bentley does it different. Will your Lew's cast a crankbait or cast a jig. A Megabass will to but it ain't just about casting There are a tone of luxuries that a high end reel offers that you are not going to get with a cheaper reel. That is why I buy higher end reels mostly and I don't consider myself an ego maniac.