ChiCityBasser

I'm pretty new as far as fishing goes and only been doing it a 2-3yrs and started off fishing cheaper rods and reels purchased off ebay. I didn't know much about reel size or fiberglass vs graphite rods or anything. I started fishing with my brothers in our 3 man yearly tournament and the first year I caught a total of 10 fish for a season. After reading and learning more about the sport I stepped upto a Cabelas Fish Eagle II rod on sale and really noticed a difference in feel and sensitivity over what I was fishing with as far as rods. Last season that total was up to 56 fish for the season. From there I purchased a Cabelas XML again on sale and really liked the feel of the rod. I experimented with Daiwa, Okuma, Quantum, Mitchell and a off brand spinning reel called a Rainbow. Of all the reels I have pretty much stuck with Quantum for spinning and for baitcasting it was Daiwa til the recent purchase of a Quantum Accurist PT. For me I like the feel of the Cabelas rods and they are pretty much what I have from the Tourney Trail thru the XMLti for both spinning and baitcast setups. I like the feel and sensitivity, the price and warranty with me catching them all on sale. I could purchase others but sticking with what I know or like and whats been working for me so far.

I have both reels and I've put the Quantum PTI 20 thru a good season last year with no problems at all. I have the reel spooled with P-Line CXX copolymer and no problems at all. It is a little heavier than the Shimano I'm sure but a very solid reel. I have mine paired witha a Cabelas Mag Touch 6'6" M rod also. I just purchased the Shimano Sahara 1000FD and haven't had a chance to use it yet here in Chicago. The reel is very smooth but no extra spool and it is graphite as opposed to aluminum like the Quantum. The bigger models are aluminum and still lighter than the Quantum. I have the reel paired with a Cabelas XML 7' ML rod. Like someone suggested you can probably get the Quantum cheaper off ebay. Not sure on the Shimano and I don't think you can go wrong with either. Hummmm n watching a Catalyst now on ebay for $30 Good luck with your choice

Congrats and that is one sweet looking reel

Just looked at the 6'6" ML at a fishing show over the weekend and seems to be a pretty good rod. I'll be getting the rod to match with a BPS Viper reel that has Berkley Fireline Crystal Braid.

The New reels..PTI B are smoother and lighter than last years models from the Kinetic PTi-B upto the Tour Edition PTi-B with all last years models being clearanced by both Cabelas and BPS. The PT = Performance Tuned and have to check the Quantum site for any additional info. I have the Catalyst PTi-A and plan on picking up the Catalyst PTi-B during the BPS reel trade in at the end of the month

The matte finish is suppose to keep the reel from being slippery when it gets wet from what I read about it.

I agree you should start with the best baitcaster you can afford and my first one was the Shakesphere Axiom as well and it frustrated me so much I put it back in the box and still have it there. Next up was a BPS lefty reel I got a deal on from the local tackle shop. The owner even took a good 30-40 minutes to teach me to cast it in the parking lot and that helped along with the practice plugs. Didn't like having to open the side panel to adjust the brakes though. Now I have a Daiwa Megaforce and a Cabelas Prodigy(Daiwa makes them for Cabelas) and took lots of thumb practice to work them. I still get a backlash every now n then but that's my fault for a lazy thumb at times. Next up is a Daiwa Advantage 153HSTLA which after reading is pretty good at lighter lure casting but again I will practice with it. Check out http://tackletour.com and read some of the baitcasting reviews to see which ones might be better at lighter lure casting also

I haven't had any experience as far as the rods but I did purchase a Quantum Incyte off ebay that was damaged and seller stated this in the listing. I took it into the local shop who charged me $10.00 for shipping to Quantum and a week or so later the shop called and said they had my New reel ready. Quantum replaced the reel with a Brand New Incyte with no addional money requested. My only experience with Quantum Customer service has been good so far

X2...I rarely use the twitching bar for more than pulling up slack line, but every now and then I will use it when twitching a frog, and was even able to "walk the dog" to some extent...although it required far more concentration using the twitching bar than when done normally! Pretty good reel though, but don't buy it for the twitching bar Never thought of using it as a frog setup and guess I have to change to a heavier line and try it once the hardwater time is over here.

I don't have the Viento but I have the Megaforce and only found the twitching bar useful when site fishing with a shaky head to move the jig ahead across flat bottom areas but other than that I used the rod tip to impart the action that actually caught the fish. I agree with the other comments to get either a Fuego or find one of the HSTA on ebay for a deal.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices mentioned. I have a Quantum Catalyzt PTI-A 20, Shimano Sahara 1000 and Daiwa Regal Xi 2000. I like them all with the Catalyst getting the most water time so far. I have it paired with a Cabelas Mag Touch. The Shimano I just picked up so it hasn't seen any water time but it will be paired with a Cabelas XML. The Daiwa is very very nice for the price also and got it off ebay for a steel and its paired with a Cabelas Tourney Trail.

I like the show as well and loved the Chicago episode since I have walked over many of those downtown area bridges where he caught his limit

I've made some purchases through ebay as well and gotten some deals. I purchases a Quantum Incyte that needed repair and the seller did state that but the reel as $50 cheaper than new and got it and took it to the repair shop and Quantum replaced it for free - (shipping) with a brand new Incyte. Got my Quantum Catalyst off ebay as well and a Daiwa Regal 5iA at bargain prices also. I also got a Cabelas Mag Touch for $65 including shipping. The guy that purchased it didn't like the feel of the rod and the reel is almost brand new. Like retired said ask questions of the seller and make sure its as advertised when u ask your questions and you can get some pretty good deals.

I use Left Hand retrieve with both so had to get Left Handed (wrong Hand) B/C as well since it felt odd switching back after the cast to retrieve.

Cabelas: 1 XMLti 3 XML 2 Fish Eagle II 1 Tourney Trail and 1 Other Rod

Thanks for the info on use of the braid with the reels. Cabelas also has the Tour Edition on clearance for $149.99 but only on the site.

It sounded like a great reel in the review on TackleTour also but they didn't have any lefty AC501PT's left so had to pass on the deal.

Since most of the places I fish are slightly stained green I pretty much use CXX moss green or green tint on most of my spinning set ups. I have Cajun Red on one B/C and Fireline Smoke on another B/C

I have the Catalyst PTI 20 and its a great reel and like the Energy as well. The reviews I read on the Kinetic weren't that great but doesn't mean it isn't a good reel. The new models of each of the reels is much smoother and lighter than last years models but if I was getting another 08 i would get the Energy PTI 20

I'll be getting mine during the spring classic also when they have the reel trade in and yeah they are lighter and much smoother. The Catalyst PTI-B 20 is calling my name and actually like the Kinetic in 20 also. Thinking of adding a new B/C and have to wait on the reviews to see about getting the Catalyst B/C. Ghost I have never fished up that way but I'll check with my brother cause I know he has. Usually hit the spring classic at Gurnee Mills BPS but this year going to the Portage, IN BPS since they are doing the reel trade in as well.

The Ebay bait monkey always gets me at this time here in chicago. Since this is hardwater time here I upgrade or replace lost lures with lots of the custom painted ones from ebay. Just spent over $60 on lures and reorganized my 2 bags last night but now need another big bag just for the overflow of lures. Right now I'm eyeing a couple of reels between ebay and Cabelas bargain cave.

Made the trip to BPS in Portage, IN to see how the new quantum spinning reels felt and compared to the older models. The New models are not only lighter as advertised but were so much smoother than last years models. BPS had both the new models on display with the old models so I got a chance to compare a bit as far as how they felt in my hand and smoothness and they are like night and day. I could feel the bearing smoothness in all of the new models compared to the old. Even picked up the Quantum KVD reel and it felt like crap compared to the newer models (which is the energy of a couple years ago). The field test will come in the spring after I have purchased them both so can't speak on the durability yet. Not to stir the pot but they felt as smooth as my Shimano Sahara I'm sold and will be picking up a New Catalyst PTI-B 20 and possibly a Kinetic PTI-B20 Anyone else had the chance to see or feel the new models

I haven't tried the P-Line Evolution but I have tried the Floroclear and both the CXX and CX and like there products. I think I will be trying the P-Line Spectrex and either the Halo or there other fluorocarbon this year. Great products

BassMaster had an article in a issue a couple of months ago with the same price point I think. I know one of the top reels at this price point in both the spinning and B/C category was the Daiwa Exceler which is right at $70. They also mentioned the Daiwa Regal XiA (which I have and is a very good reel). Another reel they menitoned in the spinning catergory was the Pflueger President.

I agree with 3 guys bidding it up to $75.00 and then getting out at that point. The price started at $.99 and now its upto $152 and looks like the sucker jump in at the right time.