kickerfish1

No votes for Megabass? Where is RedlineRobert?!!!

It would be hard to go wrong with the FJ. For a lighter reel the CI4 is one of the best options. A solid list of reels you have noted but I would say the stradic reels are bit better overall and built very well.

Most of my reels are Shimano and Daiwa with a few others mixed in.

Go with needs before wants. If you are on good terms with a manager there maybe they would consider "holding" the reel as a lay away type of deal if you put some money down on it. If not get your battery and anchor and when the funds are available you may find the citica e on eBay gently used for close to the same amount.

Are you referring to plastic pins that are used on the centrifugal brake system used on a shimano baitcaster? The reel box should contain some spares... likely green and pink in color. If you don't have them simply call shimano and they will take care of you. A very inexpensive part(s).

Assuming you mean a faster gear ratio reel when referring to a "faster action"? If so a 6:4.1 or a 7:1 ratio would be good for your intended applications. Best is subjective as it could mean best bang for your buck or it could mean looks, lightweight, easy to cast, and smooth on the retrieve. The chronarch E series is a pretty solid reel all things considered. A 200 and 50 size models exist with a few different ratios depending upon model. It would cost ya around $170-$180 after the trade in rebate. This would be my pick if it were me. A few other options to consider... For under $100 a BPS PQ or Lews speed spool For under $200 a chronarch E or Daiwa Lexa 100 For under $300 a revo premier For over $300 (should you choose to go higher) a core 50mg7... thinking $320 plus tax after rebate.

Assuming you are referring to the U40 cork sealant? ... if so TheTackleTrap carries the product for $5.99.

1A and 1B = Shimano and Daiwa 2 = Lews 3 = Abu / Okuma 4 = BPS 5 = Quantum From my own findings this would be my top 5.

Most of their better reels carry a one year warranty which is also nice. I think they make a solid product both in looks and performance.

That is for you to decide if it is "worth it". I know the quantum reels I have owned never lasted past a season of use before feeling rough and needing work done. Over the last 5 years I have fished primarily shimano reels. Price points being $60 up to the stradic ci4 at $200. The differences are weight, pounds of drag, water sealed drags, quality of bearings used, gearing systems, the actual material used to construct the reel, etc. Generally the biggest thing higher end spinning reels have going for them is features and life span when put through tough days on the water. While the cheaper reels may feel smooth during year one that often fades over time as the parts simply aren't constructed as well.

The recon utilizes a 36 ton blank. It is between a veritas (30 ton) and a Megabass x4 (40-45 ton). I have the 714 as a utility stick. It fishes a half power under ...more like 713.5 if that makes sense. It has a softer tip and solid and powerful butt section that kicks in the lower 2/3 of the blank. It is plenty sensitive for bottom and slack line presentations. I have mine paired with the 5.9 oz Johnny Morris carbonlite and the outfit is under 10 ounces. If phenix would have added a bit more weight ... say a 1/2 oz to the butt section it would balance better with lighter reels. I don't have the champion you are looking at but dobyns as a whole makes some of the best balanced rods out there. While the weight is a bit more they really float in your hand and you can't even tell. I would second the extremes but the champion series is more like the recon on sensitivity alone. The extremes are just magical and stunning rods. Sensitivity is better than the recon and champion but the price is slightly out of your budget but would be worth treating yourself to! You can't go wrong with either. If you want call Gary directly at dobyns and Vince at Phenix. They are very resourceful and can answer any question you would have. I am glad I did.

Lots has been written on both. Do a Google search for both of the reels and read the reviews Tackle Tour has done. They will break down every aspect of the reel better than most anyone can. The chronarch 50mg is a discontinued reel. Basically the predecessor to the core. Used these reels go for around $200+/- depending upon condition. New I would expect close to $300 given the rarity. The core is bit lighter in weight. Both cast about the same. The core has a stronger drag and higher gear ratio. Both reels are highly thought of among users.

Yes and no on the symetre. They did add x-ship to the symetre. As far as downgrades and other upgrades I am not sure as I haven't looked that closely. I handled one tonight and it felt solid and smooth. I have an early model symetre 2000 and it is still smooth and going strong. If you can think of any downgrades over previous models I would like to here them. On a side note the Saros is intriguing... I may get one of these at some point in time. I like the features and material used in the reels frame.

Was it just the smoothness of the retrieve that soured you. I would be interested in hearing more of your initial impressions...

Floro for slack line bites for me. I would say the overwhelming majority of anglers who have used both will agree floro excels at this.

If they have the core50 in stock it would be around $295. Just a thought from your previous thread.

I have been using them for probably close to 3 years. I have spent LOTS of $ with them and probably own every type of free shirt they have given for larger orders over that's time. They price match, the selection is by far the largest, the sales are good, and I have nothing but positive feedback for their customer service and shipping processes. I have never had a messed up order from them. Overall a great company to buy from.

I faced a similar decision as you did and opted for the core 50mg7.Did some checking at my local BPS and was able to get my hands on both reels and mount each on a few different rods. I debated the pros and cons of each but ultimately liked the feel and looks of the core 50. I use mine for most any technique under 3/8 oz. Weightless flukes, senkos, ikas, plus 3/16 oz t-rigs, 78 series pointers, and even 3/16oz drop shot rigs. I have yet to dip below 3/16 oz but this spring when the lakes de-ice I plan on trying some 1/8 oz rigs on it. I have mine on a 6'10 mh shimano cumulus rod which matches the reel nicely. The rod weighs 3 ounces and the reel weighs 5.5 putting the combo at 8.5. Part of what I was looking for was creating an ultimate lightweight casting outfit for baits between 3/16 - 3/8. I purchased both items during sales... $295 for the core and $250 for the cumulus. If you keep your eye out a similar deal could probably be found on eBay. Spooled with 10# tatsu it is a very difficult combo to want to put down. They are both good reels and would be great choices I just find the break system in the core to be easier to adjust and finetune to wind or changing lure weights.

Cold water spring conditions for me entails: -soft and hard body jerkbaits -drop shot rigs -flick shakes -c-rigs -jigs

Micro guide rods will utilize more guides on a given rod. The smaller guides are closer to the blank to help with feel. Some rods will use "semi micro" guides towards the last 1/3 of the blank and regular sized guides towers the bottom of the blank to help with balance and help avoid having a rod get tip heavy. If fish cold water lakes at times during the year and also fish during a fair amount of cotton blooms along with some weedy conditions. Take these things into account and it can be a hassle at times getting line to pass through. To me they are fine during the right conditions but for me I tend to opt for regular guides and semi micro guides.

Even for light lining the 2500 series reels are still good choices. I almost exclusively fish them using lines from 6# to 10#. Lines are a combination of floro and mono depending upon intended application. Never had any issues with line twist, casting distance, or detecting bites. Apply KVD line and lure and take the time to close the bail by hand instead of relying on the reel to do it and and you should be set. If you decide on a 1000 series reel give a strong look at the stradic FJ series. A little less money, .5 ounces heavier than the 2500 CI4, but a smoother reel with a few other cool features like x-ship. I have mine sitting on a 6'9 ML fenwick elite tech smallmouth rod. The combos is light in hand, balanced, excellent casting distance, sensitive, and the two items look well together. Just an idea ... Congrats on the acquisition!

Depends on the season and technique. I guess I have the most Strike King/Rage plastics than any other. I would say Zoom and Roboworm would be a close second.

I have a a few savy series rods, one champion, and 2 extremes. The differences in price and performance and is very noticeable to me. Also it may be worth noting that for example a 703 savy does not fish the same as the champion and champion extrme counterparts while the rods are rated the same and for the same techniques. The champion and extreme line have faster and more crisp actions. They can really launch baits further. I did a side by side comparison of a savy 703 with a curado 50e with 12# invisix and a 703 extreme with the same exact reel and line. The extreme was casting further and the sensitivity was quite noticeable and the balance felt a touch better. To sum it up you get what you pay for in the dobyns series. Personally the savy series is solid but not stunning. I like the savy rods for frogs, swimbaits, topwaters, and spinnerbaits. The champion and extreme are the way to go for bottom contact baits and weightless baits where detecting a light bite may be needed. One last thought... THUT is having a dobyns trade in offer going on right now. If you have a Powell, Loomis, St. Croix, etc that you aren't using you can use the rod as a trade in to apply towards a champion or extreme rod. Visit their website for full details.

Take a look at the shimano sahara 2500 or the shimano symetre 2500. Both are under $100 and would be great choices. If you have a reel for the trade in you can come out a little better off. I have both of these reels and feel the symetre is worth the extra money... just a smoother reel.

I like your thought process! Quality over quantity... This year I am doing some further testing of quality floro lines. Tatsu, invisix, abrisix, shooter, sniper, P-line professional grade and maybe a few others. For my style of fishing I have never had to use a floro line above 15# so I can't speak to the handling of 20# floro. For purely flipping and pitching I would use abrisix. However if you feel like you may also be casting jigs or c-rigs the invisix may give a touch better handling and distance. Like others have said apply some KVD line and lure the night before you fish and maybe hit the spool with a spray or two before you head to the lake.