3 years ago I was 100% Shimano, spinning and casting, and had been that way for about 15 to 20 years, every since the speedmaster and super speedmaster era. I tried a lot of spinning reel and baitcasting reels in that time. I service reels and also test all I service, so I have used most on a rod in...

The choice in my stable hasn't changed in over 20 years after I tried my first St. Croix. I can't be satisfied with other rods I have tried, but have never once been disappointed in any St Croix rod I have ever bought, but always amazed, I can't say that about any other brand, and every other brand ...

as long as you put a good reel on it and a Calcutta 300 is a great reel, run good line, 50# or 65# Sufix, and use a good leader such as the ones found here, http://www.captboboutdoors.com/ ,,,I would say just great. That is a very good choice and nobody offer's more, or better Muskie and pike rods t...

joeyblackwood wrote:Speaking of, just put my barely used bb1 pro 7.1.1 up for sale too, going to replace with a saltwater approved reel.

Lew's covers you there too, That is exactly what the BB1 inshore is built for, with that same smooth cranking and long casting performance they are known for!!!

Lews BB1 inshore is quite sweet, and built for your exact need's!

I never recamend abec-9 hybrids, and when I supertune a reel for a customer, there is no obvious gain in the 9's over the 7's for spool bearings except cost when comparing the same quality manufacturer of both unless you run the hybrid's dry. I suggest high quality SS abec-5's cost is much less and ...

I just purchased some TSI321 and will be flushing all of my bearings and applying this. TSI301 contains solvents that arent safe for plastics, TSI321 is safe for all but a few plastics ( PMMA, PVB). I'll circle back and follow-up with my thoughts. Yes TSI-301 "can" be detrimental to plastic, but to...

To me the tip on the St Croix XF rods is so wispy (can't think of a better word!), there's not much resistance there to fight the fish...just personal preference. A MF in either SCIII 6'6" or 7' and trim it to what ever final length you want would be my choice for a more universal rod. For a faster...

I have fished with my buddies a little and serviced it for him after he fished it for a couple months. To me being a service tech and having much experience with the previous Curado models I am impressed, as I have been with most new Curado's at there introduction, spare the "G" which was a bit disa...

I had the lew's team gold and was'nt really impressed with the dual braking and also it seem to struggle on the retrieve with a 1/2oz spinnerbait, the new curado i outperformed it in every aspect ,so I sold the lew's for another curado. I have a Revo with dual braking and both my svs infinity reels...

You know I used to get this kind of service from Shimano, not no more. Shimano used to now and then send me a part they new there was issues with on my word it was bad, such as the junk friction rings on the FG and FH Stradics and Symetres, or a small screw or other small part I may have had come lo...

I would almost assure you that you not throwing over 1/2oz lures. Once you start throwing heavier than that the BB1 will start walking away from the TP, the TP will smoke it throwing lighter lures like have said. The reels are built completely different for completly different puposes, frames brakes...

Do I sense a little sarcasim in that last sentence Captain? Not at all. I may not be using the rod for the same thing. Maybe the guides in Mattman' s instance are being used to drag umbrela rig's, or very deep diving or Dredge Crankbaits,,,, and maybe the guy who uses the rod is the cause from abno...

My point is, if you couldn't find your favorite LEWs reels for any sort of discount at all and were only available for full MSRP would you still buy them? Im not talking about your bargain hunting skills, do you think the LEWS are worth their MSRP price? I plan on trying out a BB1 Pro soon. I paid f...

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/image/NC/108046.jpg Netcraft sell a guide made to reduce cost but are not 100% titanium, they are cheaper than recoil guides, I have two rods, one gets used heavily with 20# 832 Sufix Braid, from gin clear water to the muddy consistancey of syrup, never an Issue. What g...