Capt.Bob

6-10 depending on water clarity and structure.

I have about 5 different Bionic Blades, excellent rods that are MUCH BETTER than there price would dictate!! I saythis as I own half a dozen St. Croix Legend Elites, Extremes, and Tournaments and one, over twice your $150.00 dollar limit, unbelievably better than the B.B. and well worth the investment, an IMX G. Loomis and 1 1/2x your limit and still more than your 150 limit, with no less than ten Avids from UL to H, and an improvement over the B.B mainly in weight and not what I would call twice the performer but better, and almost 1 1/2x your 150 dollar limit. If you are not expecting a huge difference in rods, do it, but remember, the BB will perform as good as most rods in the 120 to 150 dollar range, so be carefull with what you expect. I personally would buy the glasses, as Coasta's or even Solar Bats will be a big improvement in protection over cheap polarized sun glasses, and I have never had to worry about falling off, they fit like eye protection not sunglasses! Save up till you can spend a couple hundred or don't expect much difference from what your BB gives you know.

I have to ask, did you take the clutch apart or try to clean it, and if so did you lube it??? If so, did it work before that???

That is correct J, a little light oil is usually ok and won't hurt it, and it usually gets in from the pinion bearing, but it can collect debris, and it doesn't take much debris to screw things up, most people use way to much oil and on the reels with a lube port (the newer models have it from about 1995 on) it is far to easy so many think it is good to lube it every few times out. When actually it should only need 3 or 4 drops around the main gear a couple times a season for heavy use, unless it is submerged or something.

all rollers and springs, IF the the whole reel is put together properly, usually when a super stopper quits working it has been over lubed or lubed with to heavy a lube, contamination is possible, never clean it with petroleum solvents, like WD-40 or brake or carburetor cleaners, they can and usually do ruin it. In cold climates if it is fine in warm weather and not when in freezing or very cold tempatures, you can be sure it is to heavy of a lube.

in BUBBLY I think

Of the rods you mention the Bionic Blade is by far the best. Over the years I have fished a lot of rods, and the Bionic Blade is what I furnished customers with on my Lake Erie Charters for Bass Walleye or Perch. You are getting all rod for your money and none paying for just a name!! I have 5 that I used personally and keep for use with my grandkids for river fishing. They are very sensitive, and as durable as it gets, they will be as good as name brand rods costing twice as much. The Bionic Blade and the BPS Extreme are both way under rated as good, very sensitive, and durable, high quality rods worth twice their price!!

That is correct, and why all handles are kept close to the reel, it is not about looks, like I said, the farther you get away from the rod HAND! the more awkward it is to hold while cranking under a load!

I almost forgot about the day me and a pal got blew off Lake Erie one day early back about 15 years, it was April and the day was ended early and spring fever was on, so we decided to stop at a Gander Mountain as we drove home. I was just looking not intending to buy, when I saw this St. Croix Legend Elite in 6'6" mf $320.00, told my buddy he should buy it, being a "THRIFTY GUY (tight a$$) I Knew he wouldn't, and knows nothing about Quality Gear he just said ya, RIGHT! But all the Croixs were together and mixed on the rack, Premier, Avid, etc. He picked one up close and said why is this $69.99 It was a Legend Elite, marked 69.99, a 6'3" MXF spinning rod. I said it had to be a second, it wasn't????? I went back and looked at every Croix, all marked as expected, so I went back to their fly rods, there I found all correct except one St. Croix 9' 2 piece Legend Ultra 7 weight, marked $69.99?????? I told my buddy when he was done looking I was ready. That is when he said I ain't buyin nothing, this place is too expensive for me??????? You gotta know Norm!! So we started for the front of the store with both rods, that was when I remembered the sold G. Loomis. So yep, I quickly checked every IMX and GLX they had. Sure enough there was an IMX 6' L.F. marked--------you guessed it $69.99, off to the cashier with all three. The lady at the desk asked iif those were right, and I asked what do you mean, that was what they were marked and if it wasn't get the manager. She rang him and he said if that is what their marked ring em up, and I think this is the best and only day buying any fishing gear, I got MORE than my moneys worth!!! It was one day I was glad we got blew off the water! and truly proves the Lord surely does move in mysterious ways!!

That's a fact, you will be happy with either one! I would choose the Lew's and for less than the the Chronarch you can buy the Tournament Pro, known as the TP. I love mine and think it is on par with the Shimano Core, kinda like a pour mans Core!!! I have heard from others who I would trust their word, (rw) who owns the core and tried the TP and stated that the TP did require more work to dial in??? I love mine, Go put both on a rod and see which feels best to you, as I feel that is where the difference lies between the two! Any less expensive model from Shimano and I would definitely go with Lew's!

The whole bearing question has been missed here, I understand your question and will try to explain. when it comes to the bearings on the main shaft, the center pinion and break cover bearing are the main ones used in most reels for casting support. The outer shaft on many manufacturers shafts, ( I wont name the different brands that are built this way) have a slightly smaller end on the tension cap with the same size bearing the brake side of the spool uses. This is not a bad thing and allows for some less than perfect machining without compromising casting performance or endurance, the only time the bearing in the main cover at the tension knob gets a load is when fighting a fish or when pulling large cranks and spinners when under torque on heavy cranking pressure, if you use a bearing here it maintains smoothness, with a bushing it would only loose efficiency on the retrieve and slightly more effort to crank, not all that noticeable! when casting or retrieving without a load on the gears you don't us it. But it would not be a good thing if you were using that reel as a deep diver reel, then the bushing would be getting pressured all the time. I use a reel made for heavy torque for a deep cranker and and big spinners, the reel is the Calcutta. Shimano made this reel for 4x4 work and for decades it has had no equal. The next time you check out a reel at the counter, take the tension knob off and turn the reel with no load, you will be amazed at the manufacturers that use the smaller end shaft to allow for larger tolerances without loosing smooth and durable operation! The reels built this way only run .004 to .006 smaller than the bearing I.D. and don't acknowledge it as I have confronted a few and that is not why they do it I am told. I clean and tune reels commercially or would not have known this. It in no way compromises performance, but if the reels were out of spec 2 or 3 thousandths from one end to the other, they would suffer performance problems without this forgiveness built in, not to mention how much we would pay for equipment built to "ROLEX" specifications!! My suggestion would be to by a reel that has a bearing supported shaft at the gear housing (tension knob) if it is going to be used for a lot of heavy cranking, If you are using it for other applications it should do fine. Hope I explained what I was trying to say???

30 lb braid with a (x)lb fluorocarbon leader: I use about 10 wraps of mono on my spool and fill with Braid, ( I hate electrical tape as it is a pain to clean if you want it off) I don't waste anything because in a couple years after using the initial end I turn the line around by adding a little more line to the spool and using the end that has never been used, the joy of braid, no memory, now I am good for a couple more years!! This makes sure I always have plenty of line and never worry about being spooled and use a 6lb to 10lb mono or fluoro leader always, my leaders run 6 to 12 foot and use a blood knot to join them, it is a little smaller than the double uni knot and stronger than the heavy braid, I match my line to the lb test needed for the application. The stronger than the heavier line is why I use the blood knot, it is my control to keep from ever loosing large amounts of braid in any water system. What I mean by the blood knot being stronger than the heavy braid is, I fish a very fast rocky to boulder river bottom often, and when I do the reel I use has 14lbs test Fireline Chrystal on it, and I use 15 lbs test Berkley Big Game for leader, I have never lost any fireline in a breakoff, Last summer I went to fireline braid and power pro, I have had no problems in the lakes over the summer but we will see how this works in the very very hard on line (and equipment) boulder ridden whitewater! But braid and leader with just enough backing to keep your braid anchored solid would be my suggestion.

For 25 bucks you couldn't do better. It will be a good all around setup for lighter tactics and open water. the reel is a great reel and would be right at home with more expensive rod when you want better sensitivity and less weight, you will enjoy your new setup!

Yes when I use to use a 5000 or 5500c with their very low speed gearing and long from center to end of handle, called a power handle it is very easy pulling big cranks. Why I use a Calcutta for my deep cranking reel, for cranking effort with the hand doing the cranking, not torquing the hand that hold the reel. I wasn't clear about cranking effort not being affected. But when you run reels half the size and weight, it gets much more noticeable. the power handle is for less fatigue on the hand you crank with, which is the longer from the thumb knob to the center screw will make it easier to turn the handle, or "CRANKING TORQUE" but if you could put long screws in where the knobs are you would see the farther you go out away from the reel the less efficient it is on the hand holding the reel! I am exagerating here and although bent handles are not that big of an improvement they are an improvement, the closer you crank to the reel the more efficient it is to hold the reel, and the longer the handle the less force it takes with the hand cranking it to turn it.

Very Nice!!

a can of whole kernel sweet corn works here in Ohio. When others aren't hitting they are a ball to catch.

Well February the 3rd was the end of our 2012 Deer season here in Ohio. I tagged out the last day at 8:30 am what a great year. So the bows are put up and the the season for this years fishing is about to begin! I got on the hard water one time, the next day at 57 degrees on the 28th of January it was over. When I put the bows up I started my annual ritual of cleaning and lubing the gear for this seasons "softwater" fishing. Once that was taken care of I started selling my jig material for floating jigs for the early season spawns for all the species. (this stuff is killer) The big buyers are fishing the Maumee River, it is the largest tributary to all the Great Lakes, and supports the Largest Walleye River run in the world!! I have not missed this but one time in over 40 years. So this is Chapter two every year as the seasons I partake in change. We are probably no more than 3 weeks from it flourishing, maybe 2. I have decided this year to try a new jig, as you are only allowed ONE line ONE hook per line, and NO treble hooks, or No single point hooks larger than 1/2" point to shank. So I have about 6 different colors of Bucktail, and am tying floating jigs custom made with the size heads and hooks that work for Walleye to over 12 lbs. caught in extreme whitewater, this time of year if they get you in the current and are over 10 lbs. you likely won't hold them and 15 LBS. test is pretty much snapped or they will clean you. I use 2500 size equipment to make it more sporting and it is a ball. The big hogs are usually released anyway as the 18 to 22 inch fish are in my opinion freezer fillers, and as good a eatin as it get's! This will last for about 8 weeks once it starts and be full tilt for about 5 of those weeks. Not the best picture bit didn't wanna get the camera out. Nothing better than catching fish on lures that no one else has access to!! So now the gear is ready the rods and reels are checked out and the truck is full of gas, it's gonna be a long couple of weeks!!

Very Nice Francho!! yes you have to do both to realize the difference, and those are just some more of the things I was referring to, I have many times caught 17+ lbs. Skamainia Steelhead on Lake Michigan out of Michigan City Indiana on 2500 Stradics years back (80's and 90's) where I was very lucky I was in a boat and could chase them while trolling, that was when I started using 4000 Stradic and Sustains, and still would loose some, as those babies don't stop to come out of the water till they have busted that drag loose on those 400 Calcuttas loaded with 20 LBS. braid for at least 100 yards, and that is typical for any size of this hybread Steelhead, and then they will tail walk anywhere from 10 to 50 feet three times, every time this is just their routine, then you can gain line on them and you have to be agressive after that first run, as they will when coming close to the boat come out of the water and do it again and this can exhuast the fish to a level that can cause death. They will put 40 lbs Shinook to shame they are so fast and strong, they are compairable to Tarpon twice their size. Yes I have 3 retired friends from my Iron Workers Local that have spent the winters in the Keys for years and have fished the flats with them many times over the years, and over wrecks for snapper and grouper. The Skamainia are usually bigger than bones but every bit as speedy and much stronger, Much like Snook but speedier and out of the water much more!! You are so right 10 to 12 lbs. Walleye on a 2500 that will woller on the bottom of reefs infested with zebra muscle to 45 + inch Musky that will head for heavy weeds and wood, when you size your gear to the light side as it is more fun as snookers says, you test it, no matter if it's salt or heavily obstructed freshwater. I think we have all been there done that, hell I have had 15 lbs dogfish (bowfin) hit bluegill I have been reeling in on my 5' UL with a 1000 Stradic and 4 lbs. line, you wana test your gear try that!! Too many teeth though they usually win with this light of Flurocarbon, It is a small small world, some just never realize it!!

It does in fact make the reel more efficient. It helps with erganomics by keeping your cranking hand closer to the center of your holding hand. Try it sometime and the farther you get your cranking hand from the center of the rod and reel you are holding the more it puts torque on the rod and reel and makes it harder to stabilize and keep from wanting to roll as you put more pressure on the handle. This is minimal with a Bass and Walleye size reel, but more noticeable with bigger reels larger fish like the bigger Calcuttas and Pike Salmon and Musky, even large freshwater species like Catfish and Carp, on light tackle will be easier to control your rod hand and retrieve more efficiently by keeping your cranking hand closer to the center of your holding hand. These companies think of everything anymore, and as a Charter Captain, I realize how the little things do matter. NOW A CORK HANDLE DON'T! IT AINT LIGHTER "check out the St. Croix Legend Elite series, light as it gets" AND THEY HAVE A FULL, REAL, HANDLE!! Sorry but I had to say that----------AGAIN! We all have our preferences!!

You sir, are absolutely right! That is exactly what I am waiting to see, and with mine I try and make sure I don't treat them any different than I did the Curados they replaced, it will be very interesting to see if they compete with the longevity and durability I got out my B's and D's. I think with the new reels introduced this year, we see where they want to compete also. I don't think we will ever see a reel from this company to compete with the top end Shimano and Diawa reels in the 500 dollar and up categories! I think they are willing to keep it in the blue collar category, and probably a much safer place to compete for this company!

I am very surprised to see the way this is totaling up. I would have thought that Shimano would take number one, they have held that spot in every poll I have ever seen, and for sure no other company reaches as many different species with as wide a range of tackle that has been put to the test and proven for as many years on as many continents. But I am very surprised with Lew's over Diawa! This is a "reel" surprise for a company that is back in the industry for no longer than they have been with their new line of reels and rods. I would have thought they were really flexing their muscle if they could rank 3rd or 4th in this poll. I voted for them, but it sure looks like they are acquiring quite a following!

X2 you better believe if I got to go in the warehouse and pick mine to show off, you wouldn't be able to find a flaw under a microscope!!! if you want a Loomis you better jump on it, cause I am pretty sure the next guy that gets a chance will! Grab it and grin!

You would be correct if you use that same type of gear for all those types of fishing! Bass perch and walleye??? Most would consider those three species right there to require no less than three different types and sizes of reels!! only a fool would use the size of equipment I use for walleye or perch to catch saltwater species with, unless you are going after pilchers!! and only a rookie would go after those same species (perch, Walleye, Bass) with the humongous reels that most use for salt water species. Your comments hold little use for this category of fishing. It is kind of like comparing a Mack truck to a real Bass Boat towing truck, can be done but most have more sense than to do it!! When you load a real that holds less than 100 yards. of line and is having the handle turned pulling lures for hours on end, it does require better material than hanging six ounces of weight 200 feet over the side of a gunnel or lobbing a heavy weight with live bait out on a huge sand flat to entice whatever comes buy, and really doesn't require the elegant and finesse that most advanced freshwater tactics do!! Like a drag that will remain butter smooth at 1 to 3 lbs. as well as 15 to 20 lbs. Totally different.

Clinch will work, the improved clinch will work better, and then the palomar will be even more secure, is it necessary? that's up to you! I like the most secure, but am lazy and usually tie an improved clinch, very simple and fast!!

Yes sir! and that it does better than anything else, and safely. We had an old Ford tractor that would not start every time it got damp out, from fog to rain the distributor cap would suckup moisture and it wouldn't start, it would pop and backfire but wouldn't hit a lick. I tried WD-40 one morning to see how well it displaced moisture, and sprayed the crap out of the inside of the cap, you could see the moisture in it, and that thing was dripping wet with when I got done, shook it off, didn't dry it or wipe it off, and as soon as you would hit the key, it was running on all 4 and like a champ. After that I had a 65 chevy pickup one night it was missing bad, so I stopped on the side of the road and when I raised the hood I could see the wires by the cap sparking on 2 or 3 wires. I had a can in the back in my tool box and got it out and sprayed the area liberally, making sure not to spray the exhaust manifolds and that cured the problem, a week later I did give it a full tune up, but the WD-40 shined for these issues in a pinch!! I have used the Witch Hazzle and it works, but I ain't bathing in WD-40 and don't recommend it!!