3crows

At some point it becomes OCD, kind of like clock speed used to be a big selling point in computers and then megapixels in cameras and then neither continued to be relevant so much any more.

I think the idea being that it is superfluous and redundant or obsolete if given a good drag. And Shimano, a leader if not the leader in the industry, figured that out ahead of the other folks, as usual. Soon all the cool kids like Daiwwoo will be copying Shimano yet again. J

Some spinning reels do not have that capability like the Shimano Stradic Ci4. There is no anti-reverse lever.

I use a Falcon Weightless Worm rod and a Shimano Curado 70. Works fine. I have a Stradic CI4+ on another Falcon spinning rod and it is nice but prefer the little BC rig for finer control.

The HG is 6:1 and the non-HG I see on-line and elsewhere is a 5:1 gear ratio, and a different color. The HG seems to be a rare bird. Well, it is Academy so it cannot be really rare or special but it does seem to be a nice reel.

I just picked up two of these (2500 model) at Academy. There were two, I think accidentally, in the mark down bin for $39.96 and a few more in clam shells at $49.XX. The reel is blue and silver, has a 6:1 speed gear ratio and is decently smooth for a 3 bearing reel, it is Shimano after all. It feels like a cheap version of my Stradic CI4+. So looking online, I do not really see this reel anywhere. Is it new, discontinued, a distributor special, mostly non-USA market? I plan to use them for light inshore saltwater and freshwater kayak bass fishing. I hate ruining nice stuff in saltwater and of course what goes into a kayak does not always remain in a kayak nor come back with the kayak ;). Anyone else have these? J

And you made my point by taking offense to exactly what you did on FB. So you have done exactly what you accused others of. Maybe get a little sense of humor going and be not so serious. Just as you did not like the comment about "cheap junk" though it was clearly teasing, others might not like being told they waste their money buying and using quality equipment. See it works both ways.

You admit you were flippant. That is probably why you were flippantly answered. I think people should use whatever they like, if cheap junk is their thing, why not! Being flippant of course.

Try to avoid the two piece types (Pelican for example) as they often split apart at the seam. A fully rotomolded hull is a better choice.

I use a Yakima rack with the Yakima J cradles. I have carried my 15 foot long OK Scupper Pro across the country and all the way to Key West several times with absolutely no problem.

Falcon JC Drop Shot and Finesses rod with Shimano Stradic CI4+. It throws Ned Rigs perfectly fine, small chatter baits and other fun stuff like little weightless worms. I am using Transoptic 6 or 8 pound test mono.

I was fiddling with reels today in the store and noticed exactly what you are talking about with the Lews. My Shimanos do not do that so I noticed it right away, a spongy feeling.

Our Cabela's is always well stocked. I am not a BP fan.

I am using a Curado 70XG for Senkos and such as that.

Cannot speak to the Daiwa but my new Curado 70 is smooth, fast and casts light lures easy and far.

I would almost rather be dead than to deal with a spinning outfit. As to killing fish, as mentioned this is a sport and it is a blood sport I suppose. Just me perhaps, but I think the sporting thing to do is to keep a damaged fish for food rather than waste it. Catch and release 100% viable fish is a goal which I doubt but a few manage to master. Or take up SCUBA and just take their pictures. Bass are delicious, I have heard.

BOAT. B-O-A-T! Break Out Another Thousand (dollars)! Appropriate alternatives = kayak, jon boat, bank fishing. Engines need to be run. If not run, see the definition of the acronym BOAT. If run, see the definition of the acronym BOAT. Boats must be cared for, garaged or covered, maintained and fed and for the boat to be of any value, towed by a vehicle of sufficient capacity. This again see the definition of the acronym BOAT.

This is why I would never purchase a used reel (and any number of similar items that are easily "modified" by home enthusiasts) without knowing where it came from. Just me.

Unless you hookset into a log.

I believe it is the sporting (and proper) thing to share quality information with other sportsman. There are no your or my spots. If another boat is already on a "spot" and it is a small or confined area then it would be rude to bust in on them. Like a four way stop that befuzzles many, the first boat there is the spot owner until they move off or invite you in. In a large area, like a broad open point or shelf or linear drop-off, no point in being a jerk, it is their spot too as long as you do not need to put the fenders out to keep them off your boat. Boarding parties will be repelled, lol.

Casting for me unless the lure is very light, very light. Spinning reels are just not accurate enough for me and they are a lot of work to operate. Just been my experience with them thus far. Bait casting I grew up with, it is first nature for me.

Big Bass, I bought them new in or around 1982 in a tackle shop way west down Westheimer in Houston, I needed something that would throw 1/4 ounce lures better than my ABU 5500C reels could then. The rods are two piece outfits but they are graphite at least (and much newer), not bad rods. I just refurbished the the silver one. Both are pretty mint as I take care of my stuff. The little Daiwas will bomb the light stuff and have been and are excellent little reels. Their only downside is the then high speed 5 gear ratios are a little slow for my current preference. They see a lot of kayak duty, thus The Expendables. I have two little pistol grip Daiwa rods I bought at the same time, same place, one is only 4.5 feet long and the other is 5.5 feet. I never did like pistol grips but the tiny rods have a use which apparently is no longer appreciated today.

I have several BC rigs that easily throw light lures. True, my new spinning rig, Ci4+ and Falcon rod will bomb the stuff a country mile. But what is distance without accuracy and spinning rigs just do not get that for me. My little Daiwa reels, circa 1982, will also bomb the light Ned Rigs and weightless worms a country kilometer and with much more accuracy doing so. Much more so. Of course, I grew up with bait casters, so I am biased. And just learning spinning. But between dealing with the bail and line wrapping all over the place and the tangling, well, to be kind, I can see their place, but I prefer a BC for even the light stuff.

I hurt my right wrist jumping off a cliff into the lake here at big TR. So now I cast left and reel with my right hand entirely. Good to be a switch hitter.

Finally, for now, The Expendables, Daiwa PMF100 on a Daiwa MHF rod, Daiwa PL100 on a Daiwa MF rod and a Shimano Bantom BX100 on a Lew's MHF American Hero rod: What is not being shown are The Ambassadors (ABU vintage) as they are not along on this trip.