Darren.

I did not go inside the gears for any super cleaning. I merely cleaned the surface, inside the spool areas, the bearings, etc. Out of the box, both of my 50es were spotless and super smooth and quiet. Never had them in saltwater and, to my knowledge, never dunked them. Spent a lot of time (pre-ABEC7) tuning them so I could cast light baits w/o *needing* spinning gear with me. After the bearings, these things are absolutely amazing. I'm really shocked at how smoothly and effortlessly they cast. For fun I had a 1/32 oz shad head jig with a 2" tiny shad (crappie bait) on it. So hardly much over 1/32 oz. I was able to cast it about 25 feet on the water. Not bad. If I had an L action, I'd have casted further. So yeah, for me there was a big difference from stock.

50e absolutely brilliant

All I can attest to is my experience upgrading the bearings. Was the least expensive route for me, and in my humble experience, the difference is *very* noticeable. I would love to have a complete deep clean, carbontex drag, and so on. Eventually I will probably send my reels to you for that

That is awful news, so sorry for the tragic accident. All the best to him, his wife and family and co-workers. Speedy recovery and strength to his mind and body.

I don't see GB holding off the Pats this weekend. Whether it is a dominant win by the Pats remains to be seen, but I don't see any team right now that can beat them. And GB could be facing them in the Super Bowl, so unless Gronk gets a major injury, or Brady goes down, it's the Pats to lose (IMHO, and spoken as a Bills fan who has to go wash his fingers off for typing such blasphemy).

Not only that, but they've changed what Carbonlite blank, apparently. Unless it is the same thing, just renamed. I hope they keep the lightness. I always find something I like just before it is discontinued. Compres were the same thing...

I've got a Lexa 100 (7.1:1) and it's a fine reel other than an issue I have where during a cast the thumb bar engages causing an abrupt halt to the cast. It ended up mangling the anti-reverse pawl, but I straightened it out and the reel works fine now. I may have a unique issue. That's a great price. The Tatula gets major thumbs-up, but it is a larger reel, some prefer palming the Lexa. I'm one of those.

Well, it's official. I got an email reply just now from Bass Pro. White replaces black in 2015. Bassin28 is correct. Darren, Thank you for contacting Bass Pro Shops. I received a notice from our Contact Center regarding the Carbonlite Rods. Once we sell through the black the white will replace the black rods for 2015. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. Best Regards, Audrie Bass Pro Shops Customer Service

Nice!

Spinning: 10# braid Casting: 20# braid Leaders: Copoly from 6-15 lbs (Yo-zuri Hybrid or P-Line Floroclear) Also will use fluorocarbon for leader in 8-12 lb but copoly most of the time.

I always use a leader. But for me it is mainly 1) to save braid mainline - yes I take off lengths incrementally when changing leaders but that's acceptable. 2) Shock and abrasion 3) Confidence in using a leader as opposed to straight braid. Knots are not an issue. I have full confidence in the Albright and uni-to-uni knots.

Paca chunk jr. Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw - 3"

No wait. Belay my previous response. Buzzbaits and suspending jerk baits have been no fishy for me.

For me, I think frogs were the last of the lures I've got in active rotation that hadn't caught me fish - until this year. Of course there are plenty I've not tried...

Ok. These guys worked there, too. So I guess we've got conflicting reports. I know the fishing manager at the Hampton store, I can ask him next time. Plus I've got an email in to Bass Pro. I'm quite curious. Hate to see a lineup replaced when there's nothing wrong with them. Didn't like it when Shimano did it, either.

Welcome aboard, Andy!

For me, favorites can change based on my preferences at the moment... That said, if I had to pick one combo right now it would be my Chronarch 50e + ML Carbonlite which allows me to throw most everything I can throw on spinning gear. Predominately, the combo is super light, lighter than any of my spinning combos, and lightness is currently a big thing for me. Not to mention it is super smooth, and with the upgraded bearings, casts incredibly well.

Happy Holidays back atcha! I already bought my "gifts" - just today I picked up my new 15lb Boga Grip, and I also bought a new 6'6" M/F Carbonlite rod (sale). That's about all the fishing goodies I can get away with for the remainder of the year! Oh yeah, also bought 4 ABEC 7 bearings for my Chronarch 50e reels. Amazing upgrades.

Oh man, that is funny!

LOL, yes. When I asked them what "CL" stood for and they said "Carbonlite", I had a "what the" look on my face, they just stared blankly .... One of those "yeah we know it's redundant" moments.

Not a fan of her hair, LOL, but nice rendition!

Thanks, and likewise!

x3 on Japan's lake Biwa. But I'm curious as to the Texas guy who's stocking his lakes with various prawn species in effort to grow a world record LMB. http://www.bassmaster.com/tips/building-world-record-bass We'll see. Edited to add link and change shrimp to prawn.

Most of my gear is bought online or via BPS and DSG. I buy live bait via one local shop, and get any repairs to rods at another local shop with a rod builder. Most of the local shops do a ton of saltwater business, moreso than fresh. No idea how the arrival of BPS impacted them, but none have gone out of business.

So I went to Bass Pro today to pick up my new 15 lb Boga Grip (holy cow that thing is smooth) as well as to pick up a new Carbonlite "CL" casting rod. There were no white Carbonlites on display. They'll be up for Black Friday. There were 6 fishing employees unpacking stuff for BF sales and I asked if the white Carbonlite will be replacing the black models. One guy spoke up and said "No, we will sell the two colors." So the white will be the "Carbonlite" and the black will be the "Carbonlite CL".... "CL" standing for Carbonlite... Hopefully that was accurate info. If anyone else went to BPS and asked, can you confirm?