stkbassn

A little off topic, sorry OP...relevant though to Curado I... I really like the new Curado I's but it's kind of ridiculous to me that you have to do all of these things to get the reel "right" when every Curado I've had before this was great right out of the box. My I series was trouble free right out of the box so it's not all of them I suppose. The new one's don't seem as user friendly as the E or G models. I wonder if the new Citica I is like this. I definitely prefer the old braking system in the D, E, and G series Curado and the Citicas. To each his own. I love the way the I series looks and feels in hand. I personally had zero problems with mine out of the box and thought it was pretty sweet but I still don't think the E or G can be beat in performance or ease of use. I might get roasted for this. I meant to add that this is coming from me, a guy who does not break down reels or do a lot of internal anything because I don't really know how or feel comfortable doing it so I'm afraid I might damage my equipment. Maybe I'm in the minority, not sure. I've been fishing for 35 years and I've never cleaned or lubed a reel. All I've owned have performed great as long as I've had them....not sure when I pay big money for a reel that I should have to do a thing other than adjust brakes to get it to perform the way it was promised in the ad....plug and play. I also take my car to have the oil changed but I can change a tire! LOL. No mechanic here folks...

I can speak for both as I own both Shimanos and Daiwas. I've said before in a similar post that both put a smile on my face when I make a cast. Curados, Citicas, Metanium, Chronarchs, Tatulas...all I own and love them all. Shimano and Daiwa are different but I'm never unhappy when I put one down and pick up the other. Not sure I can say it any other way. Both awesome. Those Tatulas are great reels, period. For the price you can get them for, unreal performance and feel in my opinion.

I've been a Chelsea fan for many years myself. I wasn't thrilled with the performance over the weekend. I was quite disgusted in fact. They could have easily dropped points and I feel they were lucky to walk away with one. I miss the days when Drogba was in form. That was a fun Chelsea team to watch in my opinion. Even last season didn't find me enjoying their football most of the time though they ended up champions in the end. I hope they can produce a bit more flash and style this season. We shall see.

Umphrey's Mcgee every time I see them. Umphtastic!! Brendan and the boys never fail to leave me saying "holy s***" for pretty much the whole show...

I won't disagree with the new generation thing entirely but fishing has become a lot "cooler" among the youth with High School and College Fishing exploding. I think it's awesome that schools are acknowledging bass fishing as a sport and encouraging those young guys and gals to get involved. I wish we had it when I was in high school. It's cooler than it used to be I'd say!

I enjoy fishing alone and with a friend. I used to go alone quite a bit at night when I had my boat because I liked to stay until I was ready to come home which was usually 4 or 5 in the morning. I used to take friends at night with the stipulation they were stuck until I was ready to pack it in unless there was an emergency. So they knew what they were getting into beforehand. LOL. I hate to hear someone belly aching about how late it's getting...Otherwise I enjoy fishing with someone who is like-minded and won't give in until we both agree we've had enough...

For me it just seemed even more effortless on long accurate casts but then again it could be the bait or rod I was using the Type R on compared to the 5.4:1 I use on my cranking rod. Both cast so easily and so well and I love them both. If you're talking about 6.3:1 gear ratio I see prices on Ebay for standard Tatula at $99 and the Type R for $123 so I'd rather have the Type R myself. The Type R does not come in the power gear ratio. They say the spool is lighter but I don't know how much. The frame has some cut outs which might decrease weight but I don't think it's by a lot. Again, I don't think you'll be disappointed in either reel, both awesome in my book.

I noticed a difference with the Type R myself. I like the standard Tatula and the Type R but on the water I found the Type R to be my preference and an absolute joy to fish with. The standard Tatula a very close 2nd. Maybe it's the slight weight difference with the spool and the frame...I want the HD Custom!!

Great reels for sure.

Just a comment on that, it's absurd to me how many hunting shows there are. Hours and hours of them. Even when the peak season for fishing shows is going there aren't that many back to back to watch.

I agree 100%. It's funny , when I fell in love with bass fishing as a much younger guy I only cared about catching fish. I didn't much care what I caught them with. I was passionate about just getting to the water and couldn't wait to make the first cast. As the years went by I picked up more advanced equipment but never matched anything or worried about what rod was good for what application, action, power, etc. I caught a ton of fish and never thought about it. Now I feel like there's too much information, too much to choose from, and too many opinions. i think a lot of this gets in the way of learning and probably intimidates more anglers than actually attracts them to the sport. I got to fish a lot more back in the day too....had less, had lesser quality equipment, had more time and caught more fish.... So, get something decent that will catch you some fish and not break your bank. Worry about fishing and not about what you're using. Enjoy it, it's supposed to be fun after all. I'm guilty of a lot of things that I'm saying here....I try to buy the best, I worry about my gear, technique specific things...yada yada...I admit it stresses me out a lot of times. I get too caught up in it too. The Bait Monkey is not your friend!! Good luck! I over do it and don't keep it simple like I used to. I am going to try to get back to that. I'm not selling my Metanium though!! LOL

Never hurts to have several print outs. I do this also.

TW got me pretty good on Sunday, my shipment arriving tomorrow has an ABT Wake Snake 10.5 inch in Garter, Phantom Hudd 6 inch rof 5, and two War Eagle spinnerbaits. So excited about the snake, it's crazy looking in the water. Yesterday I received my Eeler by Megabass in the ITO Medusa pattern, it's sick looking!

Does anyone here own any of these rods or know anything about this series? I know it's no longer made but can't find much info on it. I just got one from American Legacy, the Swimbait rod and it's pretty sweet looking. Haven't had it out yet. Just curious to know what folks know or think about this series. Thanks!

I've owned a couple of Halo rods and liked them quite a bit. I'm considering buying the 7'4 crankbait rod for medium and deep divers. I had the longer one and loved it but want to know if the 7'4 would do the job well for deep cranks also (dd22,bomber fat free shad, 6xd) Anyone have this model? Thanks guys. Stu

Nice review. Thanks for putting it out there. Congrats and enjoy the reel. I'll be getting one at some point.

Shimano.

Thanks guys, great information here. I'll tie direct since this seems to be productive. I did buy the white python and it's a pretty sick looking popper. Can't wait to get it out and see how it performs.

I was at Dicks last night and picked up a Pop Max from Megabass. I want more already It's an awesome looking popper but I'm not sure what the best way to tie it on is for optimal action. I watched a You Tube video and the guy had it tied with a swivel attached. It was a long video and I didn't listen to all he had to say and don't recall hearing why he used the swivel. I have not and do not use them for jerkbaits or cranks or anything else but I know plenty of guys that do. Any preferences are good arguments for doing this rather than direct tie to the bait? Experiences you have had with the bait? Thanks guys

That's not entirely true these days. There's a guy here locally that will install a full light kit that goes around your entire boat. It's not only a blacklight but white light too which is super handy at night. It's pretty awesome and not terribly expensive to have done. I would imagine there are places all around the country that can do this. You can always see the folks who've had it done because you see this huge glow across the lake...They can see their line on any cast in any direction. Once I get my next boat it's going to this guy for installation. I can't wait!

Personally I love the black light. I feel like I've gotten a lot more fish in the boat because of it. Why force yourself to rely on feeling when sometimes you aren't going to feel it...I've caught some big fish when watching my line just jump...never felt it ....Enjoy it and use whatever will show up in the light, your preference. I use mono.

There are great baits being made by the big manufacturers and the little guys , including the one man operations. I have a mixture of both and just buy what strikes me as something I might do well on or think is quality. I have the most fun and get more satisfaction buying handmade custom baits and look forward to those the most but I buy more of the big guys stuff because it's always readily available and usually a bit more affordable and practical for every day fishing.

Wow, nice little boat there! I wouldn't be ashamed to pull up to the ramp with that behind me. Good luck, looks like a winner. Definitely check NADA value.

You didn't know that everyone here boat flips 4 pounders while talking on their cell phone and shakes 3 pounders and below off the hook before they get to the boat? When I catch 3 pounders I'm happy every time, no problem admitting that! I consider 2 and up good fish anywhere...any time! I love to catch fish, no matter what the size so anytime my thumb is scraped up and I have that fish smell on my hands I consider that a good day/night.

My problem is no boat to fish out of. It's been so hard on me not having one and having to rely on friends with boats who never seem to have the time to get out there. Ironic. Makes me pretty miserable a lot of the time but I've been saving. The bait monkey does not want me to save money. I am not in a position to get a loan with my so-so credit rating at the moment. Sucks. The other problem I have is I don't(didn't) really understand my electronics at all and still don't really when me and my buddy go. I have a problem imagining or seeing in my mind what is below me...I always feel like I'm throwing into the abyss. I know if I could figure out a few simple things or learn to "see" the water differently I would improve. There are other areas I could improve on too....too many to list probably.