WIBassMan

Sorry to hijack a post. Anyone know how a Dobyns Champion or Champion extreme would feel paired up to the ci4 2500 reel?

Sorry to hear about your bad luck but my STX has been awesome. I have it paired with my Legend Elite and it's one sweet combo. I'm able to cast 1/4 oz lures into the wind without birdnesting.

Don't know if this will make a difference to you but HB and Minnkota and now Lakemaster are all part of one parent company. The new tech that is coming out (ipilot ilink) that utilizes all three of these things together looks amazing. Obviously you may not need all this available tech but just thought I make you aware of this before you plunk down your hard earned cash. I know I'm looking forward to the ilink and that's one of the reason I leaned towards HB

The bucoo is a very light rod. I don't have one but have fished my brother in law's that he uses a Chronarch on. As others have mentioned, it is softer tipped than a veritas but also lighter too. I also really like the foam grip on the handle better than on a Veritas. I really like the combination and it is a good rod for the money. I believe it is a little more expensive than a veritas since Walmart sells them for $130 but you can get them online for much cheaper. Only problem my brother in law encountered was that his tip snapped trying to cast a 1/2 oz lure. Not sure if they are more fragile than usual. Great thing is that Walmart had a great return policy and he was able to exchange his rod.

Hey thanks for the quick reply. Good to hear that you can set the brakes 1 at a time unlike the Shimanos. That at least gives the user more options in how they want to set the braking system. Last question. If I wanted 2 brakes on can I set any of the brakes or is it best to use the brake across from the first one?

I have always been a Shimano user and thought I try the tournament pro after the rave reviews it has gotten. The centrifugal brakes look different than Shimanos though and there are only 4 brakes. Wondering if you have to set the brakes 2 at a time like the curados and chronarchs or can you set only 1 at a time?

I agree you should definitely make a youtube video so we can see the reels in action

Thanks for the review...hoping the tension knob issue doesn't become a huge flaw in what seems to be a great reel

Dang Rock, that white combo looks awesome. Jealous of you guys getting yours in already. Cmon THUT, where is my order

Put up some pics when it arrives...and let us know how the reel performs. Still waiting for my reel from THUT but have no idea when they would be shipping it.

d**n, haven't heard anything from thehookuptackle about my ordered STX. Wondering when I will even receive it.

Hey thanks for the update 21farms. Can't wait to start seeing reviews on the reels and getting the STX in my hands

Veritas is a great rod for the money. I think they are stiffer than what they actually rated for. I have a MH and it feels like a H on other models. I have my tournament pro on a legend elite and love how light the entire combo is overall.

The reel looks awesome. I had preordered a STX on thehookuptackle and on the website it listed that the reels would ship Sept 2. On tacklewarehose it listed the reels not being available until 9/17? I'm not sure when I'll get the reel now but yours sure looks sweet. Let us know how the reel performs.

how come i can't see the pics

I was in your situation a few weeks ago also...was deciding between the tournament pro and the gen 3 stx. In the end I purchased a used tournament pro at a great price in the flea market section and then preordered a stx with the great labor day sales going on. In the end it's only money right ...

Thanks guys. I'll end up doing that instead. Hopefully they won't take too long with the parts I need. Should've just went straight to the source in the first place instead of obtaining the parts from an incompetent Canadian website.

Recently lost the dragstar and handle nut on my curado 200bsf. Does anyone know if there are other dragstars or nuts from other shimano reels that can replace the lost parts? Also tried ordering parts from mikesreelrepair but have not been happy with the service and how long it would take to get the parts. Are there other sites from which I can order the parts from?

Get a legend elite, you'll love it.

Good fish...Congrats

Congrats on your decision. I just picked up a 798ci HD SI and am anxious awaiting getting it out on the lake.

Picked up a red colored red eye shad. They aren't as pretty as the 5.99 ones and don't have the glitter but I'm not sure fish care so much about that.

Thanks for the info guys. Depth finder will be here in a few days and I'll have to see what I can do with it. I'll definitely be posting up more questions in the upcoming days.

Received a 7' MHF from my brother in law this summer. The rod is quite light and I feel is fairly sensitive. I also really liked the micro guides on the rod also. My only negative, and it may just be my exp, but the tip of one that I received snapped after casting a 1/2 ounce jig head. I have never had that happen before to a rod from casting. In the $100 range there are a lot of good poles. If I were you I would compare the Bucoo to the Abu Veritas. I actually prefer the Veritas more than my Bucoo.

Does anyone know of a website or youtube videos that would show more step by step installation of a depth finder? Tried googling but nothing detailed comes up. I keep hearing from people on this board and other boards how easy it is to install. I'm fairly handy but just feel like this would be over my head since I don't know much about boats and the wiring system that is needed. I would like to save some money installing it myself so that the money can be used for other fishing equipment though. Thanks for any help that anyone here can offer.