Flywatersmallie

Daiwa Tierra, Pflueger President XT, Shimano Sahara or Symetre. I have all of them, like them all. Of late, the Sahara has really become my favorite. I do love the Tierra though.

I caught a mammoth carp (25ish lbs) last weekend on a 2" Senko. Also, over the years, bluegill, rock bass, walleye, sauger, SMB, LMB, perch, pike, gar, drum, crappie, white bass, trout (browns, rainbows and brookies), salmon. I dont think I need to carry any more baits than 1/6thoz jigheads and 2" senkos. Seriously.

Anything under 1/4oz.... Spinning Anything over.... Casting

That combo at Gander is a Accurist PT reel on one of the old Tour (pre PT) rods. If I recall, they are all 7' Medium. Not a bad buy for a hundred bucks

Spinning, about 80% of the time. I fish mostly small, light baits for smallies. I really fish only in rivers, wading, as well. A few times during the year, the casting rig comes out almost exclusively. Namely in the fall throwing bigger spinnerbaits, cranks and swimbaits and in the spring with bigger jerks. Thats it. The rest of the time, I throw weightless or lightly weighted soft plastics, jigs and smaller jerk baits on spinning gear.

Thats a good price. If you get it and dont like it, you can get your money back without a problem (maybe even make a few bucks). I have casted a GL2 5 weight before, the 6 isnt too different. A decent, responsive rod. They are worth the $180 retail or whatever, I would say jump on it at the price. Or PM me the info and I will. a 6 weight is a good all around choice. You should be able to throw all but the the bulkiest hair bugs and heaviest baitfish imitators without too much effort for smallies (most of my smallie fishing happens with a Winston BIIMX 5 weight). Depending on the water you fish for trout, a 6 weight should be ok. Not an ideal rig for super spooky trout or gin clear water but you should be ok overall.

They are made by a company called Aboss. Same company makes a lot of the private label rods for various stores. They used to be made by Quarrow up until a few years ago. There really are some nice rods in the Gander Mountain line! Those Titananium series rods are very light and feel very nice. I havent fished on but from what I can tell, seem like a sweet stick for the money

Beat me to it Ern! And, if you have a Dick's Sporting Goods close by, there are always coupons floating around, of varying denominations. Right now, I think its $10 off a $50 purchase, that makes a Triumph either 50 or 60 bucks, depending on model. If he isnt in a hurry, there was a $30 off a $100 purchase a couple months ago, he could buy the whole rig for less than $100 then.

I got a chance to play with the Amps today too, the are a matte black color. I too, was really impressed with them, especially for the $30 price tag. They compare favorably everything out there that I have seen in that price range. I almost bought one, before I remembered I dont have enough reels to go around on the rods I have in the closet already. Just maybe though, its a pretty sweet setup! The Amp blows the Shock out of the water as far as I was concerned. The tip on the Shock is much too soft for my liking

Ok, so I got the ok from the wife to go and buy a new St Croix Legend Elite. Just a classy looking stick that feels good in the hand. Anyway, I am looking for recommendation on a reel. I am going with the 6'6" medium as generally an all around grub/tube rod for river smallies. I would like something in the 1500/2000 size (so Shimano is out, why they discontinued those sizes, I will never know, the 1000 is too small, the 2500 is too big) that doesnt make my new rod look like a Christmas tree. Open on price, I just cant rationalize putting a $40 reel on a $300 stick. Any suggestions? All the reels out there are either bright, gaudy colors or weigh 400 lbs. Thanks!

6'6" MH St Croix Legend Elite paired witht a Revo STX. Right around that $500 mark

I picked the Revo STX. Have a few that have all performed perfectly over the year or so I have had them. Nice comfortable fit and feel and a great design. Hard to go wrong with them.

I bought a Silver Max on sale last fall for a backup.... Had it out a few times. It feels like a nice, solid reel. Pretty smooth. Not a Revo but for $50 you could do a whole lot worse.

The Sol is up there but no Fuego? Where's the Steez? I voted for the STX, only cause I like em. Best casting reel as far as fit in my hand that I have come across so far. Would love to give a Steez a wack though, just cant rationalize that kind of coin

Loomis GLX SJR782 with Daiwa Certate 2000. Just a classy looking rig.

Higher gearing in Team Daiwa spinning reels..

I went out, shortly after Christmas to get a reel for one of my stream smallie rigs. I had it narrowed down to a Shimano Saros and the Abu Cardinal 802. I left with neither, I got a Daiwa Tierra and have no regrets. Moral of the story.... go play with lots of reels and keep an open mind. There might be that jewel out there that you just didnt think about. Lots and lots of rock solid reels out there in that $100 range.

bought my first dedicated swimbait rod this winter. It actually came from a musky shop. I got the St Croix LTM "downsizer". I liked the feel of that rod better than anything I picked up in a bass stick. Looks nice with the Revo Toro on it!

St Croix LTB "drop shot" might be just what you are looking for. I had the older style and it worked just fine for that, I was just more comfortable with a spinning rod using 1/8oz heads. So, I sold it here on the boards some time ago. It might be just the ticket for what you are looking to do. Let us know what you end up with!

Here is my unbiased as possible review of this reel. Bought one last week (one of 5 reels I picked up last week sale shopping, got mine for $45). I like it alright. I have a thing for Revos and while its not as nice, or as light as those, its not bad. Full aluminum, one piece frame. Side plates are graphite. It feels solid and smooth. Actually had it out this afternoon for a bit just to see how it was. And its not bad. Whether or not it holds up, I dont know but it was reasonably priced and the initial feel is good. It has the swept handle too which I really like.

I wish there was a Bass Pro close to me! Closest is like 4 hours south. I hate buying stuff unless I can handle it first (even something similar). I would, however, agree with the pawn shop route. I bought a Quantum Energy PT and a Tour PT on Friday. Paid $20 on the Energy, $35 on the Tour.

2 St Croix Avids, also got a LE from Reeds on sale. Last weekend, picked up a Daiwa Tierra spinning reel and a few baits, a new tackle bag and some plastics the week before. The list goes on and on. Rarely do I go a week without picking something up

I got a new job about a month ago, actually using my degree (for the first time) and I am 31. So dont feel too bad BassAckwards! Your time will come. A nice raise, a great job and great benefits. The company is an investment firm, been around for 103 years or something and have never had a lay off. Oh, and there are 2 ponds, full of fish on the compound. When the ice thaws, I know exactly where many a lunch hour will be spent!

Something alive. Thats about it. What does a beaver look like? or a Senko? Tube? Just suggestive of something living, moving through the water.