IN SEARCH OF VALUE AND NOT NAMES

[slomoe]

First I would like to say that this is a great thread.

I have a pfluger Trion spinning reel, and I love it. Got it on sale, then %10 off that because it was on display. I haven't used any real high end stuff to compare it to, But this reel has held up to the beating I give it in transport from the apartment to my small car, then from the car to the hiking trails getting smacked by tree branches and falling on rocks. Good all around reel, and I really like the way it looks with the wood grip.

[Popeye]

I personally would like to add my vote for the Pflueger President and Trion spinning reels and the Fenwick Venture rods. Also one should consider the OKUMA MD series spinning reels and the Fenwick H series rods. The Diawa Light & Tough rods are a little more expensive at around $100, but they are well worth the extra bucks, IMO.

Since I'm new to BC setups, I invested in a Daiwa Zillion and the new Pflueger Patriarch reels that I haven't had the chance to use yet, but they both get rave reviews. For the $$$s, Pflueger is HARD to beat, IMO.

[roadwarrior]

You can get both VALUE and NAMES that have established a reputation for high quality and dependable performance simply by taking advantage of opportunities when they arise. An example would be tremendous deals that pop up on the Flea Market section of this forum (today, TDZ-103HL, NIB, for 1/2 price!). Another would be Avid rods for $65 - $100.

Secondly, SELECTIVELY buying lightly used and well maintained equipment is another option. With a proper tune-up, even a well used, high-end reel will perform perfectly and indefinitely with proper maintenance.

[Alpster]

If you can't afford a Loomis Flippin Stick and a Shimano Calais reel, I will suggest a ABU 6000 (bought mine for $40 on sale) and a 7' Quantum Tournament Grade IM8 rod ($35 @ Wally World) for flippin and pitching in heavy cover. You have to spend a lot of $ to beat this rig for practical purposes. JMHO

Ronnie

[fish-fighting-illini]

First off Muddy what a great thread. I think several people have tried this and it always goes awry.

Daniel my B unless w ship and tax you are overpaying for your Presidents! lol

I will maybe try an allstar you mentioned.

My suggestions

Pflueger pres spinning $59 brand new about anywhere even cheaper used. Very smooth,

Very sharp looking reel

Shimano symmetre spinning $79 nice reel loks good pretty smooth

Shimano Citica w BPS Extreme BC. I picked up a used combo from Hawgin on this flea market for approx the listed combo price. You can really tell the quality coming into play on the reel

Rods

I have not used a lot yet as it is new but I have Fenwick HMG, jury still out but several BR peole said they liked these for being slightly older technology. My local guy has them on clearance for $59 BPS lists at $119

I believe they have a few Techna AV's for $67 at this same local place Cabela's lists at $199 ( flea market coming up maybe?)

I'm not sure what Berkley lightning rods everyone else is referring to for under $100 but the ones I use list at Wallyworld for $29. Gander mountain often sells for $19.99 Hard to beat the price I use the ML and love it for bass and crappie.

It Has to be junk I know but I had a Shakesphere Excursion that for some crazy reason I enjoyed. I think I had a 7' M and had my Symmetre on it. My buddy broke it in the car door a month or so ago and I was bummed. I saw them at Wallyworld yesterday for $12.95 I think as a tribute to this thread I might go and pick one back up. LOL

Again great post Muddy

PS it was great talking to you on the phone I learned a lot. I forgot to introduce my real name though it is Matt Crum

[Long Mike]

Muddy, I tried out my new baitcaster for the first time in the back yard today.  Your mantra served me very well, but I had to add twelve more expletives to it.  One of my bird's nests took me and hour and twenty minutes to remove.  It was brand-new thirty pound braid, so I wasn't about to cut the line off the reel.    

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Muddy, I tried out my new baitcaster for the first time in the back yard today. Your mantra served me very well, but I had to add twelve more expletives to it. One of my bird's nests took me and hour and twenty minutes to remove. It was brand-new thirty pound braid, so I wasn't about to cut the line off the reel.

next time it will only take 30 mins then wa-la the next time u will do it blind fold

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Right now if all i had was lost stolen or w-e i would be getting a revo  black maxx for 50 bucks and a med action shimano 6-6 Convergance for 39 then with what i have left some berkley maxx in 10 pound test and id still have enough left to stop by WaWA and get cofffee and a nice hot bagel with cheese and sausage on it this to me is the best deal

[ww2farmer]

Good topic:

Rods I HAVE, Rods I USE, and Rods I LIKE:

BPS Extreme's $65 on sale often

BPS Bionic Blades $55 on sale often

BPS CRanking Sticks $30 on sale often

Fenwick Eagle GT's $50

Fenwick HMX's $70-$90

Fenwick Venture's all of mine were bought for $20 on clerance at Walmart, they were $50

St Croix Triumph $70

Berkley Series One $70

Berkley Lightning Rod $35

Same goes for the reels:

Casting:

Daiwa Capricorn 100XTCL  $80 on sale

Daiwa Capricorn 100HL  $80 on sale

Daiwa Procaster 100HL $60

Daiwa Advantage LH $70 on clearance

Abu Garcia Revo S-L $100 (but worth it)

Quantum Accurist 501CX (gold colored) $80

BPS Extreme 6.4:1 LH $45 on clearance

BPS Extreme 5.3:1 LH $45 on clearance

Spinning:

Daiwa Capricorn 2500 $80 on sale

Daiwa Laguna 2500 $40 on sale

several Pflueger Presidants $60

several Pflueger Gold medalist pros $40

Daiwa Exceler 2000 $60

I will also have to mention reels that did not make the "cut"

Abu Garcia 5501 C3 baitcaster, no problems with it just to big for my tastes.

Pflueger Trion LPL baitcaster, also no problems, for some reason Pflueger only offer the Trion in wide spool LH, again to big for me.

Pflueger Medalist spinning reel, xx35 size, smooth, rugged,reliable, also heavy as a rock at over 12oz's too heavy for a bass reel IMHO.

BPS spinning reels, too many to list, but not 1  I had has ever held up, funny thing is the baitcasters I have are going into there 4th season and still quite solid.

[Guest muddy]

Same here Matt 8-)

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Good topic:

Rods I HAVE, Rods I USE, and Rods I LIKE:

BPS Extreme's $65 on sale often

BPS Bionic Blades $55 on sale often

BPS CRanking Sticks $30 on sale often

Fenwick Eagle GT's $50

Fenwick HMX's $70-$90

Fenwick Venture's all of mine were bought for $20 on clerance at Walmart, they were $50

St Croix Triumph $70

Berkley Series One $70

Berkley Lightning Rod $35

Same goes for the reels:

Casting:

Daiwa Capricorn 100XTCL $80 on sale

Daiwa Capricorn 100HL $80 on sale

Daiwa Procaster 100HL $60

Daiwa Advantage LH $70 on clearance

Abu Garcia Revo S-L $100 (but worth it)

Quantum Accurist 501CX (gold colored) $80

BPS Extreme 6.4:1 LH $45 on clearance

BPS Extreme 5.3:1 LH $45 on clearance

Spinning:

Daiwa Capricorn 2500 $80 on sale

Daiwa Laguna 2500 $40 on sale

several Pflueger Presidants $60

several Pflueger Gold medalist pros $40

Daiwa Exceler 2000 $60

I will also have to mention reels that did not make the "cut"

Abu Garcia 5501 C3 baitcaster, no problems with it just to big for my tastes.

Pflueger Trion LPL baitcaster, also no problems, for some reason Pflueger only offer the Trion in wide spool LH, again to big for me.

Pflueger Medalist spinning reel, xx35 size, smooth, rugged,reliable, also heavy as a rock at over 12oz's too heavy for a bass reel IMHO.

BPS spinning reels, too many to list, but not 1 I had has ever held up, funny thing is the baitcasters I have are going into there 4th season and still quite solid.

U got a few flaws in your baitcast choices they all say Lefthanded  ;D

[Guest muddy]

Muddy, I tried out my new baitcaster for the first time in the back yard today. Your mantra served me very well, but I had to add twelve more expletives to it. One of my bird's nests took me and hour and twenty minutes to remove. It was brand-new thirty pound braid, so I wasn't about to cut the line off the reel.

Have patience Mike call me tommorow  night i have some ideas that may help you LBH and Avid were highly useful to me when i was learning this, I would like to convey these ideas to you

[Long Mike]

Dominick, you're on.  What is a good time to reach you EST.  With the hours you work, I'm always a bit leary about calling you in the evenings.

[Guest muddy]

After 10pm is best tommorow

[dave]

Dominick, you're on. What is a good time to reach you EST. With the hours you work, I'm always a bit leary about calling you in the evenings.

[dave]

What I meant to say before my stubby's hit the wrong key was, the next time you get a birds nest in braid, dig your thumb into the spool and crank the reel handle a few times. Sometimes it works like magic. OR, at least make it a lot easier.

[Daniel My Brother]

Daniel my B unless w ship and tax you are overpaying for your Presidents! lol

I was just so happy with my President, I sent Pflueger an extra $10  

Just kidding. I was recalling from memory, and that's always dangerous.

[Long Mike]

Dave, thanks for the tip.  I'l try it the next 150 times I get a birds nest.  I'll let you know on Saturday how it worked.  I will have worked out about 150 of them by then. ;D  

[fish-fighting-illini]

Daniel my B unless w ship and tax you are overpaying for your Presidents! lol

I was just so happy with my President, I sent Pflueger an extra $10

Just kidding. I was recalling from memory, and that's always dangerous.

funny stuff

Some day we've got to have a beer at a BassResource.com roadtrip

[fish-fighting-illini]

What I meant to say before my stubby's hit the wrong key was, the next time you get a birds nest in braid, dig your thumb into the spool and crank the reel handle a few times. Sometimes it works like magic. OR, at least make it a lot easier.

Several people have mentioned this but it just doesn't work for me, In fact just the opposite is better for me most of the time. Not making anything tighter than I need to works best for me I then try to loosen it even more. I do what ever I can to get slop in the line to get the spool to move forwards and the line backwards. Whatever works for you is what's best.

Long Mike maybe the Yo-zuri hybrid in bulk would be best to practice with. You don't have to shed tears to cut out a birdsnest ( inevitable on occasion ).

[Long Mike]

Thanks for the input guys.  It's now obvious to me that I should strip off the braid and start with, say, Yo-Zuri 10# mono.  My learning curve will be much less expensive, but I doubt that the expletives will be reduced by much for the next few weeks. ;D