Thanks for posting your reel measurements, slipperybob!

In a video interview recorded at ICast, a bass tournament angler claimed that this reel's handle will turn in either direction, suggesting that it has selectable antireverse. As I recall, though, he was holding the reel upside down when he said that while turning the handle, and since Shimano has be...

I, too, have a confession to make: I can't understand your post. I'd like to, because I have two unused spools of Stren Super Braid I have been considering finally putting to use. Which braid lasted you 13 years--Stren Super Braid or the braid you replaced that with on some of your reels? If the lat...

Was the Spence Scout (with the rubber skirt on back) the "OG Strike King shallow diver" you guys are referring to? It was sold as snag-resistant, with its metal bill and metal anal fin in front of the rear hook--can someone who used one tell me whether it came through fallen timber any better than o...

XF tapers can be good for situations in which one needs tip flex but a lift point far from the reel. Examples not mentioned yet: dapping into holes in vegetation and pulling fish over tough weeds ringing the lake when one is fishing from shore.

I agree that you probably had a catfish on; your scented Easy Shiner was a tempting snack. The only time I have worried about getting spooled in the last 20 years happened when I was fishing with a Crappie Magnet three feet under a small float next to a drainage tower in nine feet of water. When I s...

I found the rods by clicking on that link, then selecting in order Shop By Brand/Fenwick/New Gear.

I bought five of the old ET Smallmouth rods, considering them the best rod value on the market at the time. These new rods have big shoes to fill, and it's good to see Fenwick trying to do that. I, too, am not wowed by the handle design on the new bass spinning models, but if I saw them in a store I...

If you’re not stuck on size and are putting it on the Flyssa, I’d highly recommend getting a 4000 size reel. The larger spool diameter will help with casting distance. It will also have a smoother drag since there’s more surface area to contact on the drag washers. [bold emphasis added] Interesting...

That is one megamorph smallie! Bet that WAS a blast!

I recommend the Sunline Super Natural 16 lb. test, but in the "Metered" coloration (4 feet of clear interrupted by foot-long sections of hi-vis chartreuse) instead of the orange. Tackle Warehouse sells it. It is more expensive than the orange or clear versions, but given the care you are investing i...

Maxima Ultragreen is a relatively weak line for its true diameter, which I have found to be significantly greater than the claimed diameter in all strengths from 2 to 10 lbs. (I haven't bought it in higher strengths.) Being thicker than many other lines of its stated strength does give it two attrib...

Thanks for the clarification on the sticker. I just checked, and it is there.

Quality control sticker? Where? There was none on the box, and no mylar band around the spool like I have had to remove on some reels.

Thanks for the replies!

I received a shipment from Digitaka today that included a Metanium 150. I was surprised to find that the cast control knob was already tightened to where the spool had zero side-to-side play; there was also a bit of drag pressure. On my reels, I always back those things off completely between outing...