Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    I've got a Shimano FX-100 on my 5' Ugly Stick, which I use with
    4 pound test. Works for me. I think the FX is relatively low on
    the Shimano food chain, but I'm satisfied. Has a trigger and graphite 
    spool. All my other reels are Shimanos. Only minor problems over
    the years.
    

    I've been 'reel' happy with the Quantum QSS2.  It doesn't have rear
    drag or trigger, but had the lifetime warranty.  You never know, Zyla's 
    may even have some dusty old boxes with the lifetime warranty.
    
    -don mac

    
    
    
    		I have an old Diawa rear drag with a trigger. Its small
    	and light and smooooth. I use 4 to 6lb test with a 5 foot Rhino.
    
    	Casts a mile and has a 5.2 retrieve ratio.. I think its a 130?
    
    
    					It a peach....
    

 I ordered a Quantum from Cabela's yesterday. It's $36.99, has an aluminum 
spool, and comes with an extra spool. Drag is in front. Has a newfangled 
trigger; apparently your finger never has to touch the line. Should be
interesting.

    I also would recomend the Shimano ultra-light reals, and would aslo
    recomend Silver Thread line to put on it. The ST @ 4lbs test will
    be about the equivalent of 6lb test of any other line. It has great
    tensel strength, and low memory. Try it, you'll like it!!!!!

    RE: .5
    
    	Just a little clarification....  Bagley's Silver Thread AN40 and
    Black Label are indeed stronger than they are classified.  However, 
    Bagley's Silver Thread Blue Label (the original) is an IGFA Class
    line and will break at or slightly below the classification.  This is
    NOT bad!!  It is by far my prefered line!  As .5 says, try it, you'll
    like it!!
    					B.C. 

 My Quantum Snapshot Express came in yesterday. Looks like a nice reel, 
especially for the money. It was $36.99, and came with an extra spool.
The extra spool was graphite, whereas the spool on the reel is aluminum.
I think all spinning and fly reels ought to come with an extra spool.

 My reel has this newfangled trigger, that has a special pin so your fingers
never have to tough the line when casting. I'll let you know what I think
of it when I've had a chance to try it out. Also included is a replacement
side plate in case you want to remove the trigger; it's used to balance the
outfit. Good thinking.

 Anybody seen the Daiwa spinning reel that goes for $399? What can they do to
a reel to make it worth that much?

    Yo Doctah,
    
    I recently bought a Quantum Express as well, but it's the
    light instead of the ultralight.  It's not a bad reel, like
    you said, considering the money.  I usually don't use the
    "snapshot" feature.  One note, however, concerning the extra
    side plate.  I took the trigger off, and tried to replace it
    with the extra plate, but definitely could not figure out 
    how it fit.  Maybe they included the wrong size plate or something,
    but I spent quite a while, and then put back the trigger 
    mechanism.  If you find some "trick" putting it on, let me know.
    
    Gus.
    
    

 Well, I plan on using the trigger, unless it turns out to be really bogus.
Conceptually it should work well. We'll see if they executed properly. Even
if the little red pin doesn't work right I'll probably still use the trigger
to open the bail. It's a habit at this point. I'll just remove the red pin.

 There were some directions with the reel that seemed to explain the procedure
for removing the trigger assembly. It seemed relatively straightforward,
but there was one thing that they highlighted (Caution: make sure blah
blah blah...) Maybe you didn't see this part. Seems like a sweet little reel.
The drag seems smooth enough. I would have preferred rear drag, though.

    re: .7
    
    	I'm a bit confused - what's wrong with touching the line when you
    	cast?
    
    	I like the idea of the plate to replace the trigger - I find the
    	trigger thingies just get in the way...
    
    			Robert.

>    	I'm a bit confused - what's wrong with touching the line when you
>    	cast?

 Nothing is =wrong= with touching the line. The claim (by Quantum) is that
the pin has less resistance than your finger allowing for longer casts.
And it's supposedly quicker, too. Whether that will be the case or not, I don't
know. I do like the triggers, though.

    	Just a quick word about the triggers. If you happen to be drift
    fishing and get a snag, you usually let line out till you can get the
    boat over to the snag to try and work it loose. This is especially true
    when river fishing.
    
    	At any rate, manually flip the bail to let line out vs. using the 
    trigger (i.e. don't use the trigger with the line under load.) I found
    this out the hard way when I broke my Shakespere trigger doing this :-(
    
    	RAYJ

 I'm impressed with the trigger on the Quantum. It works really well. The 
innovation of not having to use your finger to hold the line is a good one.
My casts are more consistent and are long and effortless. An added plus is that
your fingers don't get wet on cold days.

 The Doctah

I've got a question about the "firing pin".  What happens if you decide to 
abort in mid cast?  With my finger on the line, I can do this without throwing
the bait straight up or snapping it off.  I can also cut the distance down 
easier if my finger is already in place to slow down the line.

Tim

> What happens if you decide to 
>abort in mid cast?  With my finger on the line, I can do this without throwing
>the bait straight up or snapping it off. 

 The same technique works with the firing pin. You just don't release the 
trigger.

>I can also cut the distance down 
>easier if my finger is already in place to slow down the line.

 This either requires the use of the left hand (I do it that way anyway) or
considerable dexterity in the right hand.

>> What happens if you decide to 
>>abort in mid cast?  With my finger on the line, I can do this without throwing
>>the bait straight up or snapping it off. 

> The same technique works with the firing pin. You just don't release the 
>trigger.

Okay, that makes sense.  Thanks

>>I can also cut the distance down 
>>easier if my finger is already in place to slow down the line.

> This either requires the use of the left hand (I do it that way anyway) or
>considerable dexterity in the right hand.

As my friend Don Mac would say, "It's all in the wrist" ;-)

Actually, just touching the line as it comes off the spool slows it down very
quickly.  Grabbing it, or pressing it against the spool will cause it to 
fly back and hit you in the face.

Tim

    Hi all,
    
    I just thought I'd let you guys know, I think Northern Bass Supply is
    advertising the Quantum SE2 spinning reel for $22.xx.  The reason why I
    say "I think" is that there was an ad posted on the wall of the
    showroom behind the counter, and I was going to take a closer look to
    make sure I saw it right, but I was in a hurry and left without
    checking.   
    
    I think the SE2 is the ultra light model, as I have the SE3 which
    is the light action reel.
    
    Might want to give them a call, they are located in Brentwood NH
    (not too far from Haverhill Ma. on RTE 125).
    
    Phone # (in N.H.) 642-4088
       (Outside N.H.) 1-800-227-7032
    
    Gus
    

    Well, jumping in here after the fact, all 5 of my ultra light reels
    are Shimanos.  Different models but all Shimanos.  My favorite shimano
    is the discontinued CX2000.  If you find one, buy it.
    
    I just don't like the idea of those cheap plastic type line guides on
    the reels, after constant use, the line carves a notch in the plastic,
    and then it gets caught on the notch at casting time, Snap!
    
    I am going to try the tinsel strength line.  Do they make it in a 
    2 lb. test?  I am so ultra light I use 2 lb test with 1 lb leader.
    Biggest fish on this set up was a 4.5 lb rainbow.  Man, what a fight.
    
    Ultralight forever,
    Bob