Capt.Bob

I prefer the 7' MHF also for big plastics T'rig or C'rigged, and use 30# Sufix I always run a 6' to 12' leade usually mono, but in gin clear water go to fluoro

Need more details about where and for what you will be using it for most times?? When I'm in the river and streams wading, in mild currents, I love my 6'6 MF, On lakes from shore I would stick with 6' to 6'6" in fairly light cover MF weight and action, in heavier cover MHF, if I was in a boat where obstacles were never a problem,,,6'6" to 7' Same weights and action for the conditions I stated. Both MF and MHF are usually recommended for most weight lures you will use, but I would recamend making sure they rated close to the weight lures you will be throwing. The 6' is more accurate but cast are a little shorter and good in tight places, the 7' is better for longer cast in wide open spaces but less accurate, 6'6" is a pretty good length for over all use and does everything good, later when you add you can choose rods more technique specific and better for a specific use. example would be finesse fishing deep water over 15'

Check out the thread on this forum a sticky at the top ,,,,, "How to setup a baitcaster",,,,,, everyone is different, and the drag has no numbers??? If you mean the Magnetic brace setting your experience with baitcasters will determine that, and the centrifugal will be the same, start with 2 on both, and don't over tighten the tension knob. The less experienced you are, the more braking you will need. I use one or none most of the time and use Magnetic when faced with wind in my face, the more wind,,,,the more brake. If you have questions after watching the video in the post I mentioned there are many here that will help. Good Luck with your new reel!!

With all due respect! The response started out praising there gears, if you read everything??? It is one of their assets smooth and durable, pretty clear if you read it!! They have cheapened many reels to put space between higher costing reels, it's a fact! This is a trend that started 12 or so years ago and where most couldn't detect it. I won't go into details and I am not slamming them, just stating well known facts. The comments the OP stated their CS made are on par with many I have received on a frequent basis recently last 2 or 3 years, I deal with them often. One thing I have experienced in the past 3 years or so is they have been less accommodating. Shimano fanboy's like it when anyone says something good about Shimano, and think it's expected, as I did mention about there track record for cutting smooth reliable gears, but not when I mention the downgraded G or their deteriorating CS, they hate REALITY IF IT'S NOT PRAISE! I do notice that!! Get over it Shimano is backing up, when Lew's does that, I'll be the first to let anyone know that!! Right now Lew's CS is better than Shimanos, and every bit as good as Shimano's was a few years ago. They are a new company and bend over backwards to make customers happy, fact! when I see them offering less for the same price, or making models with lower quality than previous models, or weaseling out of backing their product I will post my thoughts!! Lastly I am more proud of the Shimano spinning reels I own than the few Lew's baitcasters I own!!! That should be obvious by the ,,,, 2 Stradic FH's 3 Stradic MFGB's 2 Sustains, 3 Stradic FJ's, 1 Stradic FI, 1 Saros, 3 Symetry's, ,,,,,,,and 2 Super Speedmaster!! I don't buy any others because I don't think anyone makes a better spining reels than Shimano, far more reels I own are Shimano than any other make, I have made that clear in the past, they are my choice in spinning gear!! FAN BOY I AINT!!! I buy what I believe is the best bang for my buck! Period! But that can change at any time, it's up to Shimano!

For such an arrogant response you would think you would have not mentioned the same things you disrespect me over. So I will try to explain to you how I gave any knowledgable response to the OP about these reels. I have owned most shimanos for freshwater use. and since I have serviced these reels for my customers, for decades,(over 30 years) and an owner of more shimano reels than many have used, and owned Shimanos mainly all the way back to their introduction of the Speedmasters and Super Speedmasters series, both spinning and casting, and serviceing and modifying those reels, lets just say I am familiar with them. I am sorry if it offends you, I answered and yes THE OP "DOES" MENTION THE REELS I REFERED TO!! BOTH THE CURADO B, AND CALCUTTAS!! which I have years of daily use with! but after over 50 years using every brand from one time or another and multiple models of most, as well as servicing many I don't own, I do think I have a better knowledge of these reels than someone who sends their reels to someone like me to take care of them. I guess that;s why I think the reel I mentioned was cheapened, I have seen their history of advancements since the first Bantam Curado was introduced, which I also owned and have serviced year after year. since you asked Yes the Core is an Aluminum and brass alloy drive gear. Since you wanted to know, I thought I would address your request about the reasoning of my answer, in the same manner you responded to me. Try and remember, there are Manny here who do more than just fish! This isn't the first time you have directed your arrogant responses to my post to others, not you, and I would ask if you would please try and use a little more tact from now on! If you can do that I would be glad to extend the courtesy!

Don't go and ruin it tryin to be nice now, hell I'll never no how to take you!

I have never owned the E's but always thought one of the strongest assets Shimano had was there smooth durable gears. The B's and D's were bullet proof for me. I bought a G when they came out with the intent of updating my low profile reels with better quality. One day was all it took and it was gone, I felt that they had gone backwards and while the gett'n was good, I got my money back and went with the Lew's, 2 years now and I am still smiling. But have heard the same complaints about those reels recently from another. If the core gears holds up your problem is solved. Seems it doesn't matter what you want to buy these days, they all think it's ok to make a less quality product and it will sell, as long as they don't raise the price. Until people put their foot down and quit buying these newer reels with cheapened up parts that are proving to be less reliable than the same models before them, expect their trend to continue!! The new models are coming so with the drop in sales and complaints to Shimano I was hoping to see some changes for the better this year, but with comments coming from them like that it isn't looking to promising!!!

Well my 2 oldest grandsons are done with baseball, so the work begins till the 29th this month, when football starts. I have to keep them happy with Grandpa. They love to fish especially my 11 year old. I also gotta try harder to keep the 13 year old interested, and he's gettin old enough the fish have to get better to do that. I told them they could go out as early as they want and we go home when they had enough????? I am questioning the rationality of that statement after making it. Monday they had to do some chores around the yard and house so Tuesday it was game on, and at 2:00 they were done. So Tuesday afternoon with Storms threatening I took them to a small local Lake. at 8:00 pm they finally ran out of bait and it was to late to get some and go back. But I had some small jigs and plastics so they wanted to try and catch some bluegill on them, at almost 9:00 they finally decided it was more fun and easier with bait so I got to leave. Then when I got them home of course they remembered Grandpa said they could go as early as they wanted weather permitting. Yep 5:30 back out in the hunt for fish again. We went to a creek we catch chubs in for big cats in the river. After about a half hour we had plenty of catfish bait and off again. But we had a problem both rivers around us were high enough the water was up just into the trees along the banks, so we had to go with plan two, Get some more bait and head to another Lake. So by 7:00 am we were at again. This lake is only 5 years old maybe 6, but has some nice bluegill 8" and better, and a ton of Bass up to 16". They were on em and by 12:30 were out of bait and being pretty windy, I was not going to let them throw my lures and loose them or handle the tangles. So it was to the root beer stand and back with more bait,,,,,,,I finally got bailed out as around 7:00pm a storm rolled in and we barely got back to the truck about a 1/4 mile away when the harder rains hit. The 4th gave me a day off, and rain today saved me again. Next week starts the 4 weeks that each of them gets to go in the boat with just me and him for a day every week, and they both get go to one of the rivers together each week. So three days a week and I am sure 5:00 will be there start time and doubt if I get home by dark. This used to be fun and what I loved to do. But I gotta say it is getting very hard to do, and is my fault for telling them it's up to them???? I get a great feeling when they thank me and let mt know that no one else lets them go fishing when they want, and they never get to stay as long as they want, and never catch that many fish with their other Grandpa, or their Dad. In 2 days and about 20 hours they caught over 40 fish a piece. 14" was there biggest bass and that was great to them. They caught a lot of bluegill and many 7 and 8" a real ball on their BPS Ultra light Extreme rods, and 1000 Symetre reels. But I don't know if I can honor that promise (as early as you want, as long as you want) till the 29th, but I am dang sure going to try. You gotta make sure when they have a choice of what Grandpa they want to go with, they pick the right one!!! Priorities it's all about ,,,, PRIORITIES!!!!

PABASS I would never recamend Lew's spinning gear. I also will never think any company will make everything they offer better than another,,,,a FANBOY!! I AINT!!! That would be like me making my decision to buy a Ford Truck on the track record of a Ford Pinto!! NOT!! Or a Chevy Silverado judged by the Chevy Vega!!! but never compare a Lew's spinning reel to a Lew's baitcaster!! If you like that Stradic Aero or FG whichever,,,try the FJ you will be amazed and have a reason to by a new spinning reel, truely better than the FH my second all time favorite model of the Stradic.

Thanks for the info aavery2!! I hope you don't think I am accusing you of bashing as that is far from my reason for answering your post, or asking questions. I also don't want you think I am accusing you of creating the problems, and after your last post have no reason to think it was abuse of any kind. But you know as well as me, there are many who think they are doing right and are actually the cause. I also am not insinuating that Lew's can't make a dud reel, I am sure they do have their share, and that is why they have a warranty. I personally would have contacted Rick and can positively state from working with him many times, you would have had new reels or at least they would have had any questionable part replaced once they were found to be in the state your telling us. No one in the industry has been better to work with than Lew's for me. Then if you were still sorry with your purchase recovered all your money for the hassle, and that is what I would have done the first year let alone 1/2 year. Like I said I was very interested in the cause, as my TP, the only one I have, is my test reel that I am using to judge the Lew's reels. I make sure it's not babied and not over serviced and a reel world test. I only own one because after buying the Team, like it much better and have 4, as well as most other models. I am more confused now after you stated your findings, as the only thing to put wear on the end of the spool shaft is plastic on the tension cap side as they don't use a wear shim for a bearing surface like most, and to me this is an area I have been watching closely, as I would think the shaft would wear it and could be a quality issue, not vise versa, and I do think this is an area that should have been protected with a fiber or copper bearing surface, (shim or wear plate whatever). But it sounds like if it is not wearing out, and the shaft is what is wearing,,,, well why is plastic that tough and at the same time that abrasive to the Stnl. Stl. shaft???? On the other end is a fiber synthetic material that the shaft uses for a bearing surface to eliminate wear on the spool shaft end and I could see how the wrong fiber synthetic could be the wrong material for this. But it seems to be the same materiel some others use in this application without problems?? They use this method of end bearing surface on all their reels, that I have or have serviced. I am also baffled as if the shaft was that way from the start you would have surely seen or noticed it casting poorly to begin with, or if you serviced it from the start. I looked mine over closely when I first got it as that is one of the items I polish on tuning upgrades to reels, and when trying the different bearings to establish the quality of the bearings,I didn't feel it needed it when mine was new, and I will now definitely keep an eye on this area after your findings!! Like you if I find there is a need for a bearing shim in my reels to reduce damage and wear to the parts, I am going to say so, but so far I am surprised at the way they are holding up, but I do run very very little spool tension if any, on all my reels. The drive gear is an area I have been watching and if your wear is typical would be a real turn off with any of their reels. One thing I can only praise Shimano for, they are in my opinion the best producers of machine cut gears. Thanks for letting us all know what to watch for as I am also not brand bound, and if I think there is better for close to the same money, I will be looking to them, I've done it before and in time will probably have reason to do it again, but right now that's not the case. I also find your choice of solvents and lubes very tasteful as they are nearly identical to mine. I would like to advise anyone not familiar with the TSI product that 301 is a more of a solvent & treatment so to speak, and to never try it on plastics, and would be very careful using it on some synthetics. Thanks for your heads up aavert2!!!

I have serviced two of their reels in the shop that were taken apart and damaged using the improper tools to take the pinion pin out by guy's using make shift tools to remove the center pin so they could service the bearing. By using the spool out of my Tournament I found their spools were not as straight anymore as factory, the spool shaft was not bent enough to rub or bind, but out of balance enough at extreme rpm to hinder the cast and a a slight difference in reeling. They actually bound the spool shaft enough to warp it slightly. The other one was obvious with the outer surface, that the center of the pinion aligns on, being very scared, and actually kept the pinion from full engagement, but both caused by people who had always serviced their own reels and thought there was nothing to it, they thought they new more than us who do it every day, and that makeshift tools always work, because they did once or twice before. (Lew's center pins are much tighter to get out than most I service, and can be a pain with quality tools for this job.) This can cause damage that the eye can't see. When using the spool assembly out of my Tournament in the customers TP the problem went away, they use the same spool, same frame, same side plate with different finishes, same cast control,,,,but the internals as interchangeable as they are are different, not all parts are different, but the gear's main is and not sure about the alloy of the pinion, but some of the tolerances are also different. The TP does cast better, not a lot until you go 1/4 oz or less but that's where it shines. As far as the clicking device, I have seen no problems with any I have serviced or on my own. I will say if not properly aligned when putting the cap back on it would not take a lot of pressure to break the tabs, if it isn't absolutely free turning stop or you will have problems. The other issue I could see causing these to break would be using the spool tension adjustment as past of the breaking, if you are tightening that cap down tight enough to keep the spool from free falling, you are putting to much tension on the cap can cause damage to many of the reels parts over time. All these would be considered abuse, but Lew's is very good covering them without charge in some cases. If you are not a reel service tech I would not service anything on any reel that had a warranty on it. There is never a charge for wearing out a real under warranty and they will make it as new for free!! The only way it pays to service it yourself during this time, is if you feel your at a fault for whatever is causing the problem! Even then with Lew's they have been known to fix problems customers cause themselves and not charge them,,,,,,,superb customer service, but you have to talk to them or that can't extend that service, and you will never really know how something happened!

My opinions are based on information I get 12 months a year dealing directly with these companies and there service tech's, rep's, and Supervisors, and over 20 years repairing fishing reels, ten of them selling them, as I still deal with the public servicing reels form most major companies that sell reels, working on most of them from day to day. Wow, I don't know what I am doing rite but have to say after a year and a half of pretty abusive use I have found my TP is better, I serviced it once a year ago when I finished my parts swapping and bearing test's, its my throw around reel, usually in the back of the truck in the cap with a rod sleeve on it and a neoprene reel cover, but that's what I use when I pond and lake shore fishing, or if I decide to stop by a river or stream and check things out from the bank or wading, rain, heat, cold, you name it, some places I am not sure I am even supposed to be fishing????? dragging it thru fields and woods and the likes to get to some of these waters, it is my kinda test reel since I got it. But I really think it's smoother and maybe cast's a little better than the day I bought it. Maybe I'm just more use to it and it's more natural to me??? Sorry about your TP's but will keep that in mind as you are the first I have heard wearing these reels out, and 5 in less than two years,,,,,,with two of them broke??? I would question how you use and treat your reels and the quality of service they receive. If you would have posted your problems I could have referred you to Rick who I can assure you would have taken care of the problem and almost guarantee, on that reel no older than it was, at no charge, with some comps for the trouble, judging from past experiences that involved user errors!!! From everyone I know using that reel it has been trouble free, there are a few who are new to baitcasting that have some shortcomings want to believe it's the reel and not them. Please,, more information telling us your problems in detail with these 5 reels would be appreciated by all I am sure!! But I think I see now why you would have doubt's!! Hope you have better luck with your Revo's!!

I am talking about how close to the stated tolerances Lew's demands on this frame that so many use. The other thing is the alloys for various parts, brass is not just brass, same as stainless steel, plastic, or nylon, delron, whatever, then there is quality control, and how close these specifications and tolerances are kept. One example I gave way back when I bought a set of Boca's and tried to improve the Lew's. This was from an earlier post on that experiment. " I will also say I bought a set of Boca orange seals, put them in the Tournament Pro. That same evening I put the factory bearings back in and put the Orange Seals in my 200GTB Calcutta, where I could see a better advantage. If they helped the Lew's over the stock bearings it was very negligible and wasn't worth the $49.00 bucks for the 3 of them." There was a big difference in the Calcutta. This same test was done in the Curado as well with it also benefiting greatly. Bearings in the Tournament Pro from the factory were noticeably better than what Shimano uses, and I have fished with Pro Qualifiers and TP's and can assure you their is a difference. Just because abec 5's are used in most reels don't make them good bearings. I buy abec 5 from one supplier and upgrade reels that are as good as abec 7 from all but the best suppliers. They are the same tolerances but better materials are used to build them. There are more than these two companies using the frames of these reels and each one is made to the BUYERS REQUIREMENTS. Many thing determine what it cost these buyer's (Lew's BPS, Abu, etc etc) to have these reels made for them. It depends on how good of bearings they want, what quality of brass, how hard or soft is the nylon, is it the best or worst Nylon, is it self lubricating or not, what quality springs do they want to pay for, on and on, but most will interchange. plus how many, the more they buy the cheaper they are, the cheaper they are and the higher the standards and tolerances that can be specified without the cost going up. I am no Purchasing agent, but I do service these reels and can tell you there is a difference. I don't get hole gauges and calipers out, or check center lines and square, but they do. I would say you get what pay for,,,,except for the fact that over 2 years now those that have switched seem to think like me, and that is with Lew's you are getting far more for the same dollar you get from other brands of reels!! I know the bearings are better quality, what else, I haven't seen a need for further test, I continue to be amazed at all 6 models of the Lew's reels I own and service over the competition. These companies even control with manufacturer what type and how much lube they want with their reels. This is all confidential from every buyer this supplier is selling to, and they don't give out detailed specs.

I personally would think it is a very poor choice for a frog rod, unless you swim them in the open water. I mostly fish heavy vegetation with a frog, and prefer a much heavier action to get them out of the slop, which is the only place I fish the frog. The same rod in the 7'2" MHM works ok for this but I like the MHF better. But as far as single hook, spinner bait, shaky head, and open water jig, plus deep water finesse rig's, it excels for Bass Large Mouth, and small Mouth, as well as Walleye, you hit the nail on the head that is exactly what it was made for, and I love it for weightless plastics as well, and cast quite well with the Lew's Team Gold I have on it!! Since you can't find a use for it, would you be interested in selling it,,,,I would be interested in adding another to my outfits. PM me.

I just sold a Calcutta 200GTB and replaced it for cranking with the 6.4:1 BB1. The BB1 cast better, and is smoother than the 200, and it has twice the stopping power. I was so happy I bought the Super Duty, after 2 outings for Pike with it running bigger cranks and double 9 spinner baits, I sold one of my Calcutta 400B's. If the Super Duty had a bait clicker, the other Calcutta 400B would be gone. I won't say the Super Duty is as durable and will last as long as the 400, but time will tell. One thing I liked is the Super Duty was smaller, lighter, cast better, has a better drag, and is smoother reeling! I sold all my Low Profile shimanos after using the first Lew's, the Tournament with dual braking, a $105.00 reel that I think was better than the Shimano's I had. I have used my buddies core and own the Tournament Pro, and think the Tournament Pro is as good as the Core for throwing light rigs such as weightless plastics. I also own the Team, and Team Gold, I after 2 years of switching to Lew's think you would have to spend two to three as much money to get anything close to the performance of any other low profile reel, Period. There spinning reels are a different story! I personally have only ever seen one reel better than the FJ Stradics, and it will cost 5 times as much with very little gain in performance! As far as the same parts on the Qualifier, no they are not ALL the same parts as the BPS reel, quality of the parts and tolerances of the reel are better on the Lew's reel, like the Tournament and others most parts are interchangeable, that doesn't make them the same. That is like calling the Citica the same as the Curado!!

Most love the rod just the way it is, as you can see, you hardly ever see one come up for sale used,,,,,when you don't see a used item for sale on forums and auction sights it usually means most that try em love em and won't part with them!!! I have the exact rod your looking at after being recommended by another member who also endorsed it and love it, I found it as Dwight said, "it is one of the most versatile rods I own"!! Plus what can we say,,,,,it's a St. Croix Legend Extreme, so you have to decide one thing, @ 1/2 price is worth it to own one of the finest hand built factory rod on the planet??? They are a much lighter rod than the new ones with the synthetic handles covered in neoprene and the recoil guides are much more durable and transmit vibrations better than other guides and are as light as it gets, some don't like the sound of braid running thru them or the look's, it does not bother me, I find it an easy trade off for all the benefits and think they perform better than 2 piece guides. The biggest plus for me over the new models is the one piece reel seat, I can't stand the feel of the rod under the reel with it's front and rear mount only for palming, if you prefer the rigid one piece reel seat, it's your last chance to have it on an Extreme. If you like the rod's with part of the handle missing your already in, if you are not happy with the balance, don't cobble up an exceptional rod hanging shims and weights and adapters on it, for $7.00 you can have it internally balanced perfectly buy a custom rod builder, any place you want it, and never worry about it being seen or coming loose. If you want a full handle you can do as I did and pay to have the full cork installed, and the rod perfectly balanced for your setup for $50.00, now I have a one of a kind full handle on the best Blank I could find. Either way you have one of the best built rods made for less than 1/2 price. I can't find a better rod for the one I have!! If you aren't happy, sell it and make a buck, either way I can't see how you could loose!!!

Cool catch!

Definitely make sure you bought the same reel you posted in the link, the link you gave say's it is the same model #TPX10HB, which is the same model as the $39.00 reel from BPS. If not you may have done as good as you expected after all!!

It is always worth the weight (small pun intended) for a custom rod done just the way you want it but, you have to be willing to wait. If one could do that they can have almost any rod St. Criox makes and not cost anymore than the factory variation, and on the right blank, still get the lifetime warranty, both would be hand made, but with a custom would have a rod that only you have, and nobody offers more blanks to the custom builders than St. Croix. I don't know what blank yours is Tom, but I have been thinking about having one built on the new Gary Loomis Blanks from North Fork Composites, but I have had such good results from St. Croix for the past 20 years or so over all others I have tried, it's hard to take another chance. But any custom rod build is always more than just a new rod,,,,it's a cool adventure!!!

This may be true for most flats and smaller Saltwater species, but I think it seems to be just the oposite when they start going for the really big species off shore. Not sure but I think this mostly because of the size reels needed for the amount of line they use, and the amount of power needed for these bigger fish, not sure just a thought.

Usually one hand for 90% of my fishing, but when throwing 1oz and over always 2 hand's, usually because of the need for extra support because of arthritis in hands and wrist's. I may use 2 at times with lighter baits if I see I need to make a distance cast to a distant target, when I am trying for extreme distance my accuracy level goes down.

They do make light braid, 6lbs test @ 1lbs mono diameter will cast farther on a spinning reel than you ever imagined with 6lbs mono!! If you use a baitcaster you need at least 20lbs test to get 6bls test mono diameter!! lighter than 6lbs test diameter is a pain on a baitcaster if you have ever landed anything over 10lbs on one, they dig into the line wrap after wrap when fighting bigger fish. I use 30lbs on any reel I might use for fish over 10 just for convienience, now I have the casting ability of mono or fluoro and no chance it will rot in the sun water whatever, plus it cast much farther than 8lbs test mono, better feel, no stretch, and will be at least 3 years probably 4 or 5 before I have to reline a reel,,,,best of both worlds,,,,, now you know!!

Make it easy on your self and get the rod you mentioned above! The Avid is a big step up from a Triumph, all round better graphite, components, and warranty. If you look around the avid can be gotten used around $150.00 shipped with no tax, or a little under, new with tax under your $200.00 budget. They are pretty light in weight and excellent rods, very sensitive and very durable, and hey,,,,,there Legendary St. Croix USA Rods. That would be my choice of the rods you mentioned!!

Don't sweat it, you bought from a very reliable seller. They offer a fair return policy, your out the shipping!! I think it's fair, you bought it and it is exactly what they described, so why should they be out any shipping. You won't have any problem getting your purchase price back as long as it is just as they shipped it!!

I agree with what most have said, it is fine to use, and if that is all you want, it will work. I use both and think I have the option of using the most efficient equipment at any certain time. If you really want to learn the advantages of a baitcaster you won't with a bubble pack Shakespear, sorry just the fact's. Even an experienced caster will have trouble throwing the cheaper reels, but a quality reel makes it much easier to cast like a pro! If you want to expand your fishing I would certainly encourage you to get a good reel ($100.00 to $150.00 dollar range) and then you make a reel evaluation, I prefer the casting reel anytime I can efficiently use it.