Arv

Ebay can be awesome if you're comfortable with it. Some don't trust buying off ebay. I've never had a bad experience. Also, keep your eyes on the flea market here. You can find some amazing deals. I've gotten brand new reels for close to 50% off of retail before. You may also want to save up for black friday. There should be some good deals then if you can wait.

I agree with LMG on finding something used. You can find awesome deals on the flea market and other places on quality reels (Shimano Citica and up, Abu Garcia Revo S and up, etc). If you want something new I would recommend either the BPS Pro Qualifier or Lews Speed Spool.

Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and got 10# Sunline Sniper plus some other stuff with the TW bogo sale going on. Plus some NSCB hair jigs

I'll take bites over no bites any day of the week. However, I do know the feeling of catching 8-10'' fish all day. After a point you're basically reeling them in just to get them off. As of now, for me, anything over 1lb is decent.

I'm pairing a Curado 51e with a Dobyns Champion 702c. I plan on using it for drop shotting, shakey heads, light jigs, split shot rigs, etc. Should I treat this like a spinning reel and go 10# or less for these applications, or can I get away with 12#? I'm planning on using some kind of fluorocarbon, probably Seagur Invizx. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

I just ordered one to pair with a curado 51e. I plan on using it for shakey heads, drop shots, light jigs, split shot rigs, etc. Like mentioned above, if you're looking for 3/8 oz range I would go 3 power at the lightest. I'm really not planning on going any heavier than 1/4 oz with this rod.

I have no experience with either rod but for the sheer fact that you can get the cumara at that sale price I would get that rod if you've read enough good reviews on it. USUALLY, the more you pay the better quality product you're getting. If you're getting quality on sale, even better. Still, do adequate research though. Last thing you want to do is go dump a chunk of change on something that isn't worth it.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I decided to go with Dobyns Champion 702c. The deal Cabela's is running was too good for a rod that I read too many good things about. Hopefully it performs up to par with the reviews.

Nice! Thanks man.

I tend to go smaller unless I feel like I can get away with something bigger (bigger jig/trailer). I picked up a pack of the super chunks at dicks cause they were on clearance a while back. I haven't caught anything with them as a trailer yet.

Zoinks! Thats a great deal. Seems like a good pair with a Curado 51E I just purchased off the flea market. You think so?

I think you can find a good enough spinning reel in that price range and all the previously mentioned spinning reels would be what I would recommend. The President and Sahara would be nice. But, also, like mentioned above, I wouldn't spend less than 100 on a bait caster. You can get the BPS PQ for around 100, Shimano Citica for around 130, and the Abu Garcia Revo S for around 130. If you're an Abu fan, can't go wrong with the Revo S. Honestly, if I was you, I would rather put the costs together and get one solid set up as opposed to two less expensive rigs. You could drop a Revo S on a 100-150 dollar rod and have a pretty sweet set up that could last you for a very long time. Other cheaper reels might not last and will not be worth repairing either.

Wow! I'm surprised that so many people have had this rod break on them. Definitely did not expect that from St. Croix... I'll probably take BlueBasser's advice and just save up for an Avid. Thanks for the feedback ya'll!

You spent your money wisely. Unless its a lemon, this should be a solid rod/reel combo!

Anyone fished this series? I'm thinking about getting one for lighter presentations (3/8 oz and less) but not necessarily as light as weightless plastics. Any input on these rods will be much appreciated. Thanks!

+1 for the Revo S. The Citica is also a good reel for around 130. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

If you wind up getting a new reel and want to stick with Abu Garcia I would vote for the Revo S as well. Its a great reel for the price. I have the Gen 2 and its one of my favorites. Going towards the higher end of your range, I'm sure the Gen 3 STX would also be really nice. Personally, I would tend to stay away from the SX just because it only has magnetic brakes. I prefer centrifugal, which the S and the STX have. Now, if LMG gets you to join Team Shimano, you can't go wrong with the reels he mentioned (Curado and Chronarch) in that price range.

At $100 that's a really good deal. The Curado is also obviously a great reel. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

I'm gonna say the same thing as LMG. If its already busted and there's no quick fix, I would leave it and save up for a better reel. Something like a Citica or Revo S can be found for relatively cheap and will be a nice solid reel.

I leave rods in the car every once in a while if I know I'm going out the next day or so and I'm feeling lazy. I usually take them out though, don't want to chance anything happening regardless of it being likely or not. I ALWAYS take lures out. I also get worried about people breaking in and stealing my gear. Then I've also got a broken window to worry about..

Seems like a nice set up. I'm looking for a new spinning set up for Christmas. Do you mind telling me the specs of the rod and reel? Are you only using it for worms and shiners? or anything else?

x2, you're in for a bad time if you tie a palomar knot with fc. Some say they have no problems, but I'm not sure how. It was break off city for me. Use a San Diego Jam knot for fc. I started using a modified version (I saw it mentioned it on another thread) where you skip the bottom loop and go straight back to the top. I've been using Vicious lately on one of my spinning set ups, just because I wanted to try it out. Since using this knot and retying often, I've had no issues. Still...can't go wrong with YoZuri. All but 2 of my baitcasters are spooled with 12# and I'm about to spool another spinning rod with some UltraSoft when it needs more line.

I know you said you don't think its the knot, but what kind of knot are you tying? Also, just to beat a dead horse, check for kinks. I check and retie my FC lines more often than any of my other lines.

I'll have to get some when they come out. If the bites tough, I'll just tie one and it'll be like catching a fish every time. Its huge!

That's awesome. Already like SK a lot. Now I've got more incentive to buy their products since I know their committed to their customers.