Grantman83

Problem is Ardent had problems with both material, components and quality while in America. It's sad when something that used to be a badge if honor has now become (at least in the reel industry) something to worry about. It's hard for a company to start out with the shadow of daiwa, shimano and Abu over their heads. Rod wise there are plenty of good options for American made but the reels just can't seem to get it right

Lol buy neither now just to mess with em...

The mojo line was okay for me when I Owned them except their cranking rods which I thought were excellent for the price. They have added to the lineup since I last owned one as well. However I never did own the jerkbait/topwater rod they put out. I don't know of it's glass or graphite. Denali has a solid rep and a solid fan base just like St. Croix. I'm sure either one will be satisfactory to you.

For frogs you are gonna want something heavier IMO.....

I really like the xcalibur erratic jerkbait. Durable finish, swims true and just plain works. They are on sale a lot of places

Agreed. I have more 4 power rods than any other in the dobyns line because they are so versatile.. I'm looking to pick up a dx 704 so please let me know how you like it

I will admit, I never knew there was such a left handed preference until I got into fishing. It seems like they are 10% of the population but 50% of fisherman

Ha that's a good point. I guess I was thinking more about pitching left handed, which I can barely do. I've got too much money into my right hand reels, I ain't switching. Lol

I actually think it comes down to the fact that you have to palm and hold a baitcaster as well as thumbing the spool. I cast both spinning and casting rods from my right side because I am right handed. I can use a spinning setup from either side since I don't have to hold the reel in any ways. However, it just feels more comfortable to me with how I palm a reel, to hold it in my left and and reel with my right. My body is just more in synch this way. I can twitch the rod while reeling in a smooth fashion while using a right handed reel. My friend Jordon is right handed but uses left handed reels exclusively. I tried using them and just couldn't get in synch. Furthermore, since my right hand is my stronger hand, I have more awareness when thumbing the spool as compared to my left which is totally off.

I also keep a 6:4:1 Team Lews ( the dc'd pink one). Since I throw so many treble baits with this, I want something that can be slowed down or sped up. I can burn or slow roll spinnerbaits as well as keep up when ripping traps from grass. It also makes a great squarebill and mid range (to 10ft) crankbait rod.... I only use a low gear on my deep crankbait rod.

True...but when flipping wood isn't ones line going to bounce anyway from hitting branches etc? I keep it to braid with heavy grass and fluoro for everything else....try both and see which one you prefer.

Braid has no sensitivity on a slack line because vibration is deadened. On a slack line, you will feel more with fluror

Champion 705 graphite...

You could go the graphite route in the 705 if want a more crisp feeling. It's what I use

The 736 is surely your rod then...I'm holing to upgrade to the 746 and double it up

Boyd was sponsored by Abu for a long time so maybe he just really liked their reels. If pure fishing is going make them, it just makes sense in that they no longer pay him to use their reels but now make money off a new line under his name. I wouldn't be surprised to see several of the duckett rod pros begin to use the reels as well. I as well as anyone appreciate asthetically pleasing reels and how they match with my rods. People may complain a out oem, but that doesn't mean that certain reels are different and have different specs. Lew's is a solid company that has solid products. Same with Abu. Internally they may be similar, but there are differences. I may own mostly daiwas now, but it isn't because my lews reels were bad or didn't function. I simply wanted reels I could customize more. If the ducketts are built on a solid platform and perform as well as the TP, then people will like them. The more the merrier IMO. Nothing wrong with having a ton of choices. If they work, balance well and match, it's a plus to everyone

Dx 746 to upgrade my champ 736 Dx 704 to go with my new t3

Lol am I getting that type of rep already?!?!!!

The skeet reels also have internally adjustable brakes on the spool. I don't think it is that bad of an option honestly

My higher end choices would be a DAIWA j-dream zillion or a t3 air. Those things look soooooo sweet.

I'm lucky enough to have a d7 I got in mint condition.....I shan't let it go

It seems strange to discontinue core as it is in between the chronarch and Calais. Maybe they are revamping the core and curado lines? The profile of the core is abit large compared to their other reels. Figure New curado - $179-199 Chronarch ci4 - $269 Current or revamped core - $349-399 Calais/Antares - $499 Unless they are introducing an entirely new reel or want the jdm reels to fill the gap, it seems strange to have that big a jump between price points

All Aluminum Frame and both side plates. Titanium, scratch free finish. 5.9oz. Great great reel.

Team Pro is an amazing reel. At 200 it's a steal. I was trying to sell mine but they undercut me lol.

To be fair, David Fritts supposedly had a big say in how they were made and his BPS cranking reels also had the multi stop anti reverse. Furthermore, lews has released a 5.1:1 bb1 with instant anti reverse this year so there is an option for those who don't want any back play. I believe the model is the bb1z. It was just added to their lineup Specs as follows BB1Z Right 5.1:1 7.2 9SS + 1RB 12/160 $159.99 Notice the roller bearing?