TackleTour.com what do you think? Do you agree with me?

[LCpointerKILLA]

Background: I am an avid bass fisherman and have been using the internet as a learning tool for bass fishing for about four years now. I have been visiting TackleTour for years. I am not a cheap bass fisherman. If I have to spend extra for a superior lure, I will. Thats why my name Is Lucky Craft Pointer Killa. I go conservative on my equipment. My most expensive reel is a Diawa Advantage Super-tuned. For rods I don't own any G. Loomis's or anything on that level because I can't afford it.

My Stance on TackleTour.com: I really think these guys need to start doing a lot more reviews of reasonable lures and such. I really don't care about how good Megabass rods are. Megabass rods are beautiful, and appear to work great, but in all honesty I think those guys care more about looks than performance. They gave Kistler rods a good rating. I strongly dislike Kistler rods. So I wonder how much did Kistler pay TackleTour.com to give them such a high rating? I am not accusing, I just am curious. Maybe they favored Kistler simply because they are also located in California? Evergreen and Megabass rods are too expensive for most anglers, and one can find just as well performing rod and not have to pay 800$ or whatever astronomical price those premium Japanese companies charge. Also those obscure rare lures from Japan are awesome and beautiful, but it is hard to get your hands on them. I have ordered products from IchibanTackle.com because I think those lures are special, but in all honest I have been disappointed in some or those rare lures' action. The TackleTour.com guys seem to give anything with a high price a high rating.

I honestly do like to visit the site. It is cool to discover so many unique lures and such. But a lot of what they do is impractical and targeted primarily to the wealthy. I bought my Diawa Advantage Supertuned because of the review TackleTour.com, so yes, I have benefited from visiting that site. All I wonder is why they do not review as much reasonable products as premium ones. Thier slogan is "The Angler's Source For Tackle News and Reviews", but it should be called "The Bass Enthusiasts' Site Dedicated to Premium Bass Fishing Equipment", or something of the sort.

There are a lot of questions I have after reading their reviews, even though at first glance they appear to be very comprehensive reviews. They do a decent job and they spend many months testing and rating the individual products they are reviewing. They are dedicated and excellent bass fisherman, but they should change their site to appeal to the angler who wants to make the most of what they pay for.

Now that you see how I feel about TackleTour, what do you other members of this great site I have learned so much from think of TackleTour.com?

[frogtog]

Never heard of it. How do you know how many words to put in each paragraph ? :

[LCpointerKILLA]

Never heard of it. How do you know how many words to put in each paragraph ? :

Typically one will switch to a new paragraph when you change to another subject or viewpoint, buddy.

[rippin_lips]

I like to check tackletour before buying a new rod or reel.  I agree, most of the stuff on there is more high end.  They probably figure that people who are going to spend more money on gear will do more research on it before buying.  Basically, I'll check it out before buying something, but definatly trust people's reveiws on here more.

[J Francho]

They buy all the gear they review.  About 20% of what they review would be what I consider "enthusiast gear."  Take a look at their Archive section, and you'll see a host of products and price ranges in there.  

And oh, by the way, shouldn't you put this complaint on them, not here?  So what's the complaint again?  

[LCpointerKILLA]

I like to check tackletour before buying a new rod or reel. I agree, most of the stuff on there is more high end. They probably figure that people who are going to spend more money on gear will do more research on it before buying. Basically, I'll check it out before buying something, but definatly trust people's reveiws on here more.

That is very true I like the idea.

[LCpointerKILLA]

They buy all the gear they review. About 20% of what they review would be what I consider "enthusiast gear." Take a look at their Archive section, and you'll see a host of products and price ranges in there.

And oh, by the way, shouldn't you put this complaint on them, not here? So what's the complaint again?

It is my opinion that I am sharing, and I am curious to see others' opinions. It is how I feel about the site. And yes I have looked at the archives. Have you noticed that the reviews of the reasonable tackle are usually two or more years old?   .

[BASS fisherman]

frogtog: Im not your buddy, pal

LCpointerKILLA: Im not your pal, friend

frogtog: Im not your friend, guy

LCpointerKILLA: Im not your guy, buddy

I dont often visit Tackle tour, but bass fishing is an expensive sport, plain and simple.  

Even if you only purchase "affordable" rods and reels, a rain suit, and lures and such, your still talking a good bit of money.

But believe me dude, I can see where your coming from.  

[Jimzee]

Just as J Francho stated, look back in the archives, lots of "normal" gear reviewed for the budget minded angler.

My guess is Trey Kistler did not pay Dennis (Cal) for a great review on his rod lineup. Nor do I think he give him a good review because he is located in California also. Kistler Rods is located in Magnolia, Texas.

Yeah, some of the reviews are 2 yrs. old but just today they reviewed a St. Croix jerkbait rod. I can see where you're coming from on the high end gear but some of us have a real bad disorder for spending too much on tackle.  I won't mention any names...

[LCpointerKILLA]

Just as J Francho stated, look back in the archives, lots of "normal" gear reviewed for the budget minded angler.

My guess is Trey Kistler did not pay Dennis (Cal) for a great review on his rod lineup. Nor do I think he give him a good review because he is located in California also. Kistler Rods is located in Magnolia, Texas.

Oh man I feel dumb about that. My best friend told me Kistler was from California. Please disregard that comment then I'm sorry about that.

[bmadd]

Just because you don't like Kistler rods that automatically means that they are horrible and would have to have their owner pay some ONE person just to like one of their many rods in their lineup and talk about it?  

[J Francho]

They buy all the gear they review. About 20% of what they review would be what I consider "enthusiast gear." Take a look at their Archive section, and you'll see a host of products and price ranges in there.

And oh, by the way, shouldn't you put this complaint on them, not here? So what's the complaint again?

It is my opinion that I am sharing, and I am curious to see others' opinions. It is how I feel about the site. And yes I have looked at the archives. Have you noticed that the reviews of the reasonable tackle are usually two or more years old? .

I hear you, some of it is pure sensationalism to draw readers. But, 9 out of the 32 front page articles are for items that are less than $250, 12 articles are features about shows, product announcements, or interviews.

Yes, its geared toward high end, but there is a good mix. Hell, there's even a Berkley, errr, I mean Shimano Voltaeus review there.

How much cheap gear is there that's newsworthy? Does anyone really need a review of Norman crankbaits to know they work?

What really chaps my butt is that they consistently ignore the spell checker.

[burleytog]

Just because you don't like Kistler rods that automatically means that they are horrible and would have to have their owner pay some ONE person just to like one of their many rods in their lineup and talk about it?

Consider the source.   :-X

[Jimzee]

Y'all be good.  Don't make me release the hounds again.

[Big Tom]

I am thinking they gave Kistler rods a good review because they are good rods.   :-?

Crazy thought.

[J Francho]

My guess is Trey Kistler did not pay Dennis (Cal) for a great review on his rod lineup. Nor do I think he give him a good review because he is located in California also. Kistler Rods is located in Magnolia, Texas.

Actually, I thought Cal did a good job by addressing all the quality issues that had been all over the forums in his interview.

[toolpush]

frogtog: Im not your buddy, pal

LCpointerKILLA: Im not your pal, friend

frogtog: Im not your friend, guy

LCpointerKILLA: Im not your guy, buddy

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time, that's funny.

[LCpointerKILLA]

They buy all the gear they review. About 20% of what they review would be what I consider "enthusiast gear." Take a look at their Archive section, and you'll see a host of products and price ranges in there.

And oh, by the way, shouldn't you put this complaint on them, not here? So what's the complaint again?

It is my opinion that I am sharing, and I am curious to see others' opinions. It is how I feel about the site. And yes I have looked at the archives. Have you noticed that the reviews of the reasonable tackle are usually two or more years old? .

I hear you, some of it is pure sensationalism to draw readers. But, 9 out of the 32 front page articles are for items that are less than $250, 12 articles are features about shows, product announcements, or interviews.

Yes, its geared toward high end, but there is a good mix. Hell, there's even a Berkley, errr, I mean Shimano Voltaeus review there.

How much cheap gear is there that's newsworthy? Does anyone really need a review of Norman crankbaits to know they work?

What really chaps my butt is that they consistently ignore the spell checker.

Very true but I am not talking about cheap gear. I just don't really like when they cover rods, reels and lures that are really obscure and hard to get your hands on, and the truth is they most likely just "look cool". Is that not a reasonable thing to say? I used to use the Megabass vision 110, but I found out that I was a sucker. I have four of them left and none even suspend properly.

But you are right, we don't need to hear about Normans and your really standard stuff.

[burleytog]

Very true but I am not talking about cheap gear. I just don't really like when they cover rods, reels and lures that are really obscure and hard to get your hands on, and the truth is they most likely just "look cool". Is that not a reasonable thing to say? I used to use the Megabass vision 110, but I found out that I was a sucker. I have four of them left and none even suspend properly.

But you are right, we don't need to hear about Normans and your really standard stuff.

For someone who claims to know that site, you sure don't act like it.  Enthusiast tackle (that Evergreen reel or Megabass rod) is where their bread is buttered.  Ever visited their forum?  If you aren't a tackle junkie, you're better off staying on the more pedestrian forums (like this one).

I give this thread four  : : : : out of a possible four  : : : :

[LCpointerKILLA]

frogtog: Im not your buddy, pal

LCpointerKILLA: Im not your pal, friend

frogtog: Im not your friend, guy

LCpointerKILLA: Im not your guy, buddy

I dont often visit Tackle tour, but bass fishing is an expensive sport, plain and simple.

Even if you only purchase "affordable" rods and reels, a rain suit, and lures and such, your still talking a good bit of money.

But believe me dude, I can see where your coming from.

Thats funny. But once again I am not saying that they should cover cheap stuff. I am talking about stuff that I can buy without paying 30 bucks for the lure and 20 bucks shipping from Japan. You see where I'm coming from?

[LCpointerKILLA]

Very true but I am not talking about cheap gear. I just don't really like when they cover rods, reels and lures that are really obscure and hard to get your hands on, and the truth is they most likely just "look cool". Is that not a reasonable thing to say? I used to use the Megabass vision 110, but I found out that I was a sucker. I have four of them left and none even suspend properly.

But you are right, we don't need to hear about Normans and your really standard stuff.

For someone who claims to know that site, you sure don't act like it. Enthusiast tackle (that Evergreen reel or Megabass rod) is where their bread is buttered. Ever visited their forum? If you aren't a tackle junkie, you're better off staying on the more pedestrian forums (like this one).

I give this thread four : : : : out of a possible four : : : :

Well then I guess I am not a tackle junkie. I will just stick to my Lucky Craft and Diawa. No, I have never visited their forums.

[mattm]

I think they do a pretty good job of remaining objective.  I've seen them quite a few times call expensive items crap in multiple aspects.

I'm sure they have done extensive research that shows which reviews get the most views.  If that research bares out the fact that higher end stuff attracts more interest than so be it.  In fact, I can see where it would.  If I'm considering purchasing a 2 dollar loaf of bread at Wal-Mart to eat P&J sandwiches on I don't need a review to make me feel comfortable.  However, if I'm at Central Market and see a 12 dollar loaf of bread that has 47 multi-grains,  supposedly raises my IQ by 11 points and at the same time brings out the subtle flavors of a ribeye an informative review might help me pull the trigger.

[Jimzee]

I used to use the Megabass vision 110, but I found out that I was a sucker. I have four of them left and none even suspend properly.

You're not a sucker, the 110's are a slow floater and not a suspending bait.  I didn't know that either until I started using them a lot last year and asked the same thing.  T-Rig aka. Mr. Tackle Junkie himself set me straight on the slow floating part.  I thought I bought defective 110's. :-[

[LCpointerKILLA]

I used to use the Megabass vision 110, but I found out that I was a sucker. I have four of them left and none even suspend properly.

You're not a sucker, the 110's are a slow floater and not a suspending bait. I didn't know that either until I started using them a lot last year and asked the same thing. T-Rig aka. Mr. Tackle Junkie himself set me straight on the slow floating part. I thought I bought defective 110's. :-[

Wow I always wondered that

[Dan:]

I always thought the Enthusiast section was pretty well separated from the others. I find a lot of useful information about rods and reels that interest me and almost all that stuff is newer and under $300. Check the "Reels" and "Rods" sections. Each has plenty of stuff from Daiwa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, Pflueger, Quantum, etc.. that is under $300, $200 and even $100.

Like Burley said, their focus is on their passion for the fancy, pretty, foreign, and luxurious. So that's what they cover. That's just the type of site it is...