Support you local sporting goods store

In my continuing single-handed support of the tackle industry I added a new reel to my collection and seem to have improved my ability to use the junk I've bought.

I've been a spinning rod fisherman for years and have a great Fenwick rod with an Abu-Garcia Cardinal medium-light rod and an excellent St. Croix w/fair Shimano Spriex 2000 reel. About 5 years ago, I decided I wanted to try a bait-casting and the story starts.

Bought a Shimano "Jimmie Houston" rod/Crestfire reel combo to try inexpensively bait casting. Hated the thing and relegated it to bottom-fishing for catfish. Found that it threw spoons well and began using it for spoons and spinners.

Based on the move positive experience with the cheapie I bought a Shimano Clarus rod with a Shimano Curado reel (total over $200). Never go to Green Top and get their help buying good stuff. I liked the el-cheapo better and kept going out and making myself use the new one. Broke the tip on the Clarus rod so,..

Bought an Airrus Comatrix 457 rod. After some effort with the Curado reel, it worked like a charm. Better feel (handle) and better casting.

Fixed the Clarus and bought a Shakespeare Sigma reel. That combo does worm cast/flip than it did with the Curado, but it seems to work pretty well. Improve the rod with a reel that is 1/3 the cost of the rod (and is probably out of production).

Worked well today, but when I want to do precision casting, and flip light stuff, the spinning rods work better