ChiCityBasser

Alot of the items in the Spring Cabelas catalog and the BPS catalog aren't in stock yet. As one of the salesman explained the new items probably won't hit the store til late march. Sale items go quickly if its a good deal and from my experience even if its still listed on the site it doesn't mean they have it in the inventory of that particular store or any warehouse. Luckily I'm only 10 min from the Hammond Cabelas so I can just order and have the items sent to the store without the shipping charges. I understand your frustration but I haven't had any problems with Cabelas.

Right now I have 2 casting crankbait setups and a spinning crankbait setup. I have a 7' M/MF Kistler Mag TS with a Daiwa Exceler 6.3:1 and my other casting setup is a 7' MH/MF Cabelas Prodigy rod with a Cabelas Prodigy 6.3:1 reel. My spinning setup was a 6'6" Daiwa D Force fiberglass rod with a Quantum Catalyst PTI-B20 but the rod will be upgraded this spring to a Cabelas Prodigy 7' M 2pc for traveling.

I have the Exceler 6.3:1 and its a great reel but don't have any experience with the 4.9:1 model. I've been using the 6.3 for shallow and medium diver cranks and it has handled very well down to 1/4 oz cranks. I like it so much I'm getting the 7.X:1 model during the reel trade at BPS at the end of the month.

I like my Quantum Energy but my Cabelas Prodigy made by Daiwa and my Daiwa Exceler spend more time on the water. I like the Exceler enough to be picking up a burner model in a couple of weeks.

I have purchased 3 reels used off ebay and agree you should only purchase from power sellers or someone with at least a 98-99% rating. I haven't had a bad experience either buying or selling a reel on ebay.

I'm also gonna have to give a nod to the last gen Quantum Accurist PT 501, which is what I have. As someone mentioned they can be had on ebay NIB for less than $50 and are tanks. Mine is going on 3 yrs old as well without a problem

I'm glad they made the switch as I'm a quantum fan.

I am sure a lot of their reels are just fine- the two bc's I have had both had some major mechanical issues, so I tend to think as quantum as sub par now. In the price range stated as well, I believe there better performing reels albeit even if it were a perfectly tuned quantum, which i believe mine did start out as. I have an older energy and accurist and both have served me well even though majority of the complaints I have seen have been about the weight. I agree a sub par performing reel can turn u off as my experience with Shimano spinning reels turned me off to them.

My primary reels for spinning are quantum 2 catalyst A&B and a kinetic and no problems out of either. My casting reels are primarily Daiwa and Quantum and no problems from them either. I like my quantums even the older heavier Energy Pt casting models as they haven't failed me.

Maybe I got a bad one then because it was my first Shimano and I wasn't impressed What did you not like about it? Clancy W After a couple outings the bail would stick open if I just started to crank to close it, now I normally hand close the bail but in haste have forgotten a few times. It then started to feel like the gears were grinding and since then it has spent more time at home than on the water. Maybe a good cleaning and some time with a reel mechanic can bring it back to life.

Pros and guys on the shows change sponsors all the time. Al Lindner and the guys on angling edge have been with Shimano for years but are now sponsored by Quantum and guess its just part of the business.

Maybe I got a bad one then because it was my first Shimano and I wasn't impressed

I have dish network as well and it pretty much covers it for me and fishing shows. I was interested in WFN but didn't see the need to spend the little bit extra for not much more content.

I just picked up the Magtouch dropshot rod for $70 but lakes are iced over here right now but the rod is normally $100.

I have the Shimano Sahara and I'm not impressed with it at all. The Daiwa Exceler is a better choice for me and less expensive. You can find them on ebay in all three speeds for usually less than $70.

The new KVD 1.5 and 2.5 square bill crankbaits

The Daiwa Exceler comes in a lefty version and also come in 7.x:1 ratio and can be had on Ebay for less than $80. Awhile back Bassmaster did a article on budget reels both spinning and baitcasting and the Exceler came on on top in both categories.

I've watched the show because of cabin fever but I'm not impressed with his antics or the bus but I'll deal with it til spring.

Check Ebay and the Kistler site. I know simmons sports on ebay carries them on sale quite often. Got my Kistler Mag TS for $60 off ebay

My vote is for the Daiwa Exceler which can be had on ebay usually for less than $80. I haven't used any of the other models mentioned but the Exceler is my shallow to mid cranking reel. It handles lures down to 1/4 oz. without a problem and as someone mention comes in three different gear ratios. I have the 6.3:1 reel and its a solid performer.

Yo-Zuri Ultra soft is pretty good and I'm gonna go with Cabelas 100% flourocarbon in 10#. I've tried the 6# on my spinning gear for cranks and it worked well. It's $11 for a 200yds spool of 10# and $16 for a spool of 400yds. Using a Daiwa Exceler and a 7ft Kistler Mag TS for my baitcast cranking setup.

Cabelas Prodigy and Cabelas MagTouch are both pretty good with the Prodigy being on sale for $49 and the Mag Touch was on sale for $69 but I think they bumped the price back up. The XML is a very good rod and even better when they are on sale.

I like my Kistler Mag TS but need more time on the water with it. The Cabelas Prodigy and Mag Touch are in that price range and pretty good rods. The Cabelas XML is a bit above the $100 mark but I have 4 of those and love them.

I don't think you made a bad or wrong choice at all. It's a matter of personal preference and if it doesn't work well for you either list it on ebay or add it to the flea market. I have never fished any of the reels you mentioned but fish quantum and daiwa and we know how the board feels about quantum. Enjoy the reel...

Ok after looking at the Curado which is Green/Gold it seems kinda odd to here all the comments on the color being ugly....