Bill B.

I think you got a good deal on a good rod.

Don't forget that, in about two weeks, you can buy the American versions of these reels at 20 percent off. Also, for the Stella and Steez, consider taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate and buying from Japan. For example, you can get a 17 Stella for right at $400, shipped: http://jpangler.com/index.php/reel/daiwa-spinning/17-steez.html

I'm 62 and dealing with balance issues that came on suddenly last spring. I can no longer get into my kayaks without immediately flipping them over, and I have a terrible time trying to walk over uneven ground. I ordered a set of pontoons for my kayaks, and they got here last week. Haven't tried them out, yet.

You can cut off the bail wire, if you are accustomed to working the bail manually. I used to do that with my spinning reels years ago, when they were not as refined as they are today.

That's it. The spool tension is preset. I think Shimano recommends that you not change it.

Nice! Please give us a review after you've used it a time or two.

I have an Avid ultralight, in a previous generation. It's too much of a buggy whip for my tastes. Even in an ultralight, I prefer a fast to extra-fast rod. The Avid is OK for throwing Roostertail spinners or a jig-and-float. But, for tight-lining a small jig, it's not so good.

I'm almost 60 and am beginning to have some issues with my hands. That said, I use both round and low-profile reels and have no trouble making the transition.

I own six different Abu's, including a 1600 Morrum jdm that I bought last month, and six different Shimanos, including a Calcutta 50 DC jdm that I also bought last month. Both companies make some outstanding reels and some fair-to-middling reels. I did my homework before I bought, and I wouldn't give up any of them. My to-buy list for the next two Black Friday sales consists of a Shimano Calais DC, an Abu MGXtreme and a Daiwa Steez EX. You can't get much more eclectic than that.

That's why I take my baitcasters to Jiffy Lube for their annual grease job/oil change.

I have half a dozen 1/4-ounce single spins that an old luremaker hand-made about 30 years ago--hand-made right down to a unique hook design. They are bass killers. To me, they are priceless. I still fish with them, and I haven't lost one in at least 25 years. But I always use them with at least 40-pound braid. I double-loop it to the lure eye before I tie the knot. I retie at the slightest sign of abrasion in the line. And, If I hang one up in the brush or on a rock and can't pull it free, I get wet. Happily.

Maybe you are looking up as you wind on the line. Don't look up. Keep your eye on the line. Follow through. -- P. Mickelson

I asked Santa for $5,000 worth of TW gift cards, but Santa just laughed and rolled her eyes.

Does TW offer a gift-card discount in the fall? The only one I can recall seeing is the Father's Day discount. Last Labor Day, gift cards were excluded from the discount. I'd like to buy some discounted cards to use during the clearance sales this winter.

Thanks. I didn't know about Rapsody rods, so I checked out the website.

If you could pick out any one rod for drop-shotting, what would it be?

What's the weight?

I married one. Big mistake.

The Abu Facebook page says available September 2013.

I read at another forum that they will retail for $500. There are two sizes in the JDM version, a 1600 and a 3600, but it looks like only the 3600 will sell in the U.S., according to what I read. I'm looking forward to seeing some specs on it.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I'm still debating it. But I'll be checking the bargain room every day, now that I know about it.

Several people wrote that the LEX 6-9 MLXF is a good "finesse" rod. What applications would qualify, in addition to dropshotting? How would this rod be for swimming 1/8-ounce jigs, for example? Does the soft tip mean that this is basically a rod for fishing beneath a boat?

Ask your parents to run you around to all the local pawn shops. Find a rod that you like and wave the $20 bill under the shop owner's nose.