John G

I know the feeling. LOL

I would look for the older silver colored Calcutta 100. I sold one a while back on eBay that was in new condition and I think it went for around $112.00. If you are patient, you can find one in really nice condition for under $100.00.

Japan Tackle has this reel on sale right now.

Maybe another Antares HG. Another Scorpion XT1000 would be nice. I have also been wanting a Conquest 50 DC or another Conquest 50. Right now, I need to get some rods to finish things up.

I am not upset about them raising their shipping costs. Every time they send me something, it's in a box and it shipped via UPS. There is no way they can ship from California to Florida for three bucks and I don't expect them to lose money on me.

Seaguar Tatsu It would be my go to brand if I could justify it and I can't so that is why I have been using Sunline Sniper FC lately.

I look at it like this........High end rods/reels are not magic wands that automatically catch fish but they sure as heck bring me enjoyment when I am using them and for me, that is all that matters. More so the reels than the rods. I can be content with a Loomis IMX but as long as I can afford it, high end reels are all I am going to buy. Note! An exception has to be made for the little 50 size low profile Shimano's (Curado and Scorpion XT1000). They are not high end but they sure are sweet!

On the Shimano Website it says that you need to buy a complete handle assembly and it's discontinued. The Curado 50E knob seals are 99 cents apiece and the part# is 4150. Last time I bought from Shimano, the shipping charge was a flat rate of $6.00.

On the JDM websites, they are called knob caps.

I am usually either straight braid or fluorocarbon and I always use a Uni.

A quick Google search with the words Quantum Smoke Bass Resource brings up a Quantum Smoke Thread from 2011 that you participated in. LOL

Are those still being made? I remember back in the day that the talk on this forum about the Smoke was that on paper, it should be a very good reel, but in real life, it just didn't live up to the hype.

$133.00 plus $25.00 shipping. I took a beating on that rod. LOL

I just sold a BCR802GLX on eBay and the reason is because I did not like the very stiff tip. I had minimal success getting the range that I wanted with a 1/8 oz bullet weight and a Trick Worm and.1/8oz finesse jigs w/trailer were no better. In my hands, my MBR782GLX is a much better finesse rod than the BCR802GLX. I also thought that the BCR803GLX had a very stiff tip. Now the NRX803C is completely different than the BCR803GLX. It's extra fast but it's a different extra fast than the BCR extra fast. I have an NRX802C on the way. When it gets here I'll post how it compares to the BCR802GLX.

I had the old BCR893GLX Senko Rod. I am only 5'7" and I found that long of a rod to be unwieldy.

Who tinkled in your Corn Flakes this morning?

Lately it's 10# mono or 10# FC but I think that I will be switching to 30# or 40# braid.

A reel that when I pick it up and palm it and turn the handle and press the clutch bar and then turn the handle again, it screams quality! That reel for me is a Conquest 50!

Matt, you started out with a super nice first combo!!! You need to remember that you are using a heavy powered rod. I think that while you are learning to cast, you need to be using lures that are at least 3/8oz and it wouldn't hurt if they were a 1/2oz or more. That 844 is not a broomstick at all but a heavier weight will make casting easier.

I have did the same with pliers but make sure your braid is wrapped around the handles instead of any sharp edges cause the braid will easily break.

The line digging into itself would be caused by using braid in the lighter pound test and or not spooling it on tight to begin with. That said, when using braid for bottom contact techniques or with un weighted plastics, the braid is not going to go back on your spool as tight as when it's initially put on. You just have to be conscience about it. If you hang up with braid, the best thing to do is either carry a wooden dowel in your boat or if you are a bank beater like me, grab a stick that is lying on the ground and wrap your braid around it and pull your hang up free using the dowel or the stick. Don't wrap it around your hand or use your rod/reel to pull free.

There is a review on TT but not a test.

I thought it was because the Chronarch E was a pricier Curado E.

I also bought both and decided to go with the Bill Norman HK.

I prefer the Bill Norman Hook Keeper.