Each year, fishing with, and reviewing a variety of reels I continue to be so impressed and feel there has never been a better time to find great reels priced well under $100.

Abu Garcia Soron SX10 - $99.95

Last year I included the Abu Garcia Soron STX10 in my review article and this year wanted to give the Soron SX10 a shot. A few years ago when I tested the predecessors of both, the Abu Garcia 801 and then the 701, I stated in an article, “I can’t tell any difference between the two reels”. Well, I’m going to have to make that statement again as it relates to my test of the STX10 and now the SX 10. I actually fished them side-by-side a couple of times this year and the only difference I could tell is the less expensive SX10 has 7 HPCR (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) stainless steel bearings compared with 11 for the STX10, which over the years could make a difference.

Because of the ultra-clear water of Green Bay and the need for long casts, I fished the SX10 on a St. Croix 7’6” medium-light Legend Tournament, as well as on the “interesting” and impressive 8’ medium light Legend Tournament with the telescoping handle. Using the “new”, as of last year, Super Line Spool System, I spooled the reel with Spiderwire Hi-Vis Yellow in 14-pound test/3- pound diameter line. With the Fast Tie Design, two elastimetric rings are built into the spool to keep superline/braid from spinning on the spool. This eliminates the need for any type of taping or tying. Last year with the STX10, I tested and liked it, but prefer using a mono backing so I don’t have to put as much superline/braid on the reel. For this reason I would not use this feature. The spare spool is very nice compared to many “spare” spools. It doesn’t have the Fast Tie Design and is noted to have been designed for fluorocarbon. I used it for superline/braid and either spool will also work fine for mono or copolymer lines.
No matter if I’m fishing clearer water on Lake Michigan or one of my many rivers; I primarily use superline/braid in the 2 to 3-pound equivalent diameter and am making many casts. For this reason I want a reel that is lightweight, has a small profile and rated for at least 110 yards of 6-pound diameter line. The SX10, like the STX10, meets all three criteria and is nice and light at 7.8 ounces. Like the STX10, the SX10 is an eye-catcher. I like the feel of the smaller, tubular bails, which the SX10 has. The Carbon Matrix Drag system is very smooth across the drag settings. The handle is the thread-on style, which I much prefer.
You guys who are tough on reels will like the X-Cratic frame which is very durable and has a great feel. The 5:1.1 retrieve ratio is fine, but a little slower than I prefer. Coming in at under $100 this reel is a winner and one that you should definitely consider.

Features:
SuperLine with Fast Tie Spool Design
Carbon Matrix Drag
7 HPCR bearings
X-Cratic frame
Duragear brass gears
5:1.1 gear ration
7.8 ounces
Line recovery per handle turn – 24”
Line Capacity – 110yds/6#

“New” Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series JM10 - $99.99

Over the years I’ve fished with and reviewed a number of Bass Pro Shops reels. Two years ago I had the pleasure of using the then “new” Johnny Morris Signature Series JM10, which I still have and use. When I saw this reel was being tweaked, I wanted to give it a shot and compare it to the original.

Two key features that I have appreciated and haven’t changed with the new version are the Mag Spool Technology, which makes for nice long casts, and the weight, which is still light at just 7.5 ounces. I’ve fished this reel on the longer St. Croix medium-light rods, but also on the Legend Xtreme medium action. I have it spooled with Power Pro 10/3 Hi-Vis yellow. I like the visibility of the Hi-Vis Yellow as well as the new “white” Power Pro that I’ve just begun using.

I’ve listed the features below, but let me tell you about the changes. On the surface you’ll note the die-cast aluminum body is now a matte gray instead of the chrome finish. I do like the new finish better. Also, the body is now sealed, which will add to the life of the reel by keeping contaminants out and letting the lube retain its viscosity, reducing wear on internal components. This is a nice upgrade, especially for those of you who fish in the rain or wade and dunk your reels. The reel now comes with a sealed carbon matrix drag. Carbon is unmatched for dissipating drag heat and the 6-washer system is sealed tight for the ultimate smoothness at all times. I can tell you that the drag is very smooth throughout the drag settings.

The original JM10 from 2008 is still performing great for me and I have to believe the improvements will only add to the value and durability of the “new” JM10. This size has a nice quick 5.6:1 gear ratio, which I like. But, for those of you who like the bigger versions with more line-capacity, you can get the JM20 and JM 40 with a fast 6.1:1 ratio, which many will like compared to the 5.1:1, which is also available on those sizes. As I did two years ago, I feel comfortable recommending this great reel, which is still under $100. One of my “smallie enthusiast” friends purchased the JM10 in 2008 and continues to use and love it. And, he’s not nearly as careful as I am.

Features:

Compact die-cast aluminum chassis
11 ball bearing system. Shielded stainless steel ball bearings
Stainless steel mainshaft, hardened brass pinion gear and zinc alloy drive gear
“New” – Sealed aluminum body construction
“New” – Sealed carbon matrix drag
Titanium line roller
PowerLock instant anti-reverse
Forged aluminum spool, with spare aluminum spool for braided line
Forged aluminum handle with comfort-touch grip
5.6:1 Gear ration
Line recovery per handle turn – 31”
Pound test/yards rating – 6/90 (JM1000)

“New” Pflueger Arbor 7430 - $79.99

I always get a little more excited when using a reel that is a new design, which the Pflueger Arbor is. As with the other reels, I matched this with the longer St. Croix medium-light rods as well as the 7’ medium Legend Xtreme. It is spooled with Spiderwire 14/3 in Hi-Vis yellow, which is another line I’ve been very impressed and happy with.

Over the past few years I’ve also used, liked and written about the Pflueger Supreme XT, Supreme, President XT and President spinning reels. I have had nothing but excellent performance with the other Pflueger reels and so far am having a great experience with the Arbor. It weighs in at 8.5 ounces, but feels lighter. Also, as noted in past reviews, I’m a fan of faster gear ratios and was concerned with the 4.3:1 with the Arbor, but honestly, I didn’t really notice it being that slow and retrieving 25” of line per handle turn is similar to some reels with faster retrieve ratios.

The arbor design is primarily to improve how the line comes off the spool and to add distance. I had “no” problems with how the line came off the spool or wind knots, and the distance was outstanding. The large arbor spool design reduces line memory and twist which allows line to flow freely off the spool. When you fish in ultra-clear water for smallies distance on casts “is” very important. This reel on a 7’6” medium-light rod did the trick. At $79.99 you’re going to have a hard time not falling for this “new” Pflueger.
Features:
7 stainless steel ball bearings
One-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing
Lightweight hybrid aluminum construction provides strength of an aluminum body without the weight
Double anodized aluminum spool
Lightweight graphite rotor
Smooth sealed carbon fiber drag system
Braid ready spool
Large arbor spool design for maximum line control
Sure-Click bail
Solid aluminum bail wire
Spare aluminum spool
Line recovery per handle turn rating – 25”
Pound test yards rating – 6/120

Shimano Sahara 1000 - $79.99

It is no secret that I “love” the newer designed 1000 series Shimano reels. They match perfectly with the longer St. Croix medium-light rods I use on the big water for Great Lakes smallies and also the 6’6” and 7’ light action Legend Elite rods I add to the arsenal when chasing small-river smallies and throwing the Rebel Teeny Wee Crawfish, along with the Kalin’s Lunker Grub. Since being redesigned, I’ve spent many hours with the Stradic, Saros and Symetre. My “reel” excitement for this article was going to be getting my hands on the new Stradic Ci4, but that didn’t happen until a few weeks ago. Having heard “so” many positive comments on the Sahara over the years, I thought I’d give the new Sahara a try. I will be doing a separate review on the Ci4, which I’ve been fishing for a few weeks. My sneak peak, two word comment - “reelly” something.

Now, back to the Sahara, an outstanding reel at a very competitive price at $79.99. I had only used the Sahara briefly prior to the re-design and liked it, but gravitated back to the Symetre or Stradic. So far this year I’ve fished this reel as much as any of the reels in this review and found it to perform flawlessly and actually found it tough to tell any difference between it and the three more expensive reels above it from Shimano. It is “so” smooth, the drag is great and it has all the “bells and whistles” I’ve come to expect from Shimano at a great price. The weight is super at 6.9 ounces and has the quick reel retrieve I prefer at 5.6:1. With the long St. Croix medium-light rods I get long casts with the Power Pro Hi-Vis Yellow 10/2 line I have it spooled with. And, even though I don’t intentionally dunk reels, this one took a couple and no problem.

Over the years when the discussion comes up on web sites about reels, there are always a large number of comments about how good the Sahara’s is and for a nice price. Well, I think I can now agree with all those comments and will say you won’t be disappointed with this high-quality reel.
Features:
Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, Power Roller III, Redesigned Bail Trip, Graphite Rotor, S-Arm Cam
Slow oscillation
S A-RB bearings (Shielded A-RB)
Aluminum frame (GR on 500 and 1000)
Lightweight graphite sideplate & rotor
Cold forged aluminum spool
S Concept: S-Rotor, S-Guard, S-Am Cam
Machined aluminum handle
Rubber handle grips
Maintenance port
Fluidrive II
Floating shaft
Dyna-Balance
Super Stopper II
Repairable Clicker
Approved for use in Saltwater
Line recovery per handle turn - 28”
Pound test/yards rating – 6/110

“New” Bass Pro Shops Carbonlite Baitcast Reel - $119.99

From 2008 to 2009, Bass Pro Shops, did a major redesign of the popular ProLite Finesse Baitcast Reel. I included this in my review article on this site last year and truly liked the upgrades and redesign. They did a great job. Well, I was surprised to see that for 2010 the ProLite was renamed Carbonlite, with a few more changes. Having enjoyed the redesigned ProLite, I was anxious to give the Carbonlite a try and see what the differences were and if they were noticeable.

Bottom-line, I like the Carbonlite better, but not because it fishes much differently. Bass Pro does a great job with their reels and I have to assume they tweaked this reel for a reason. Not that looking better catches more fish, but in my opinion the Carbonlite does look better. The weight is still very light at 6.7 ounces with the gear ration jumping from 6.3:1 to 6.4:1. A major difference, which will be appreciated, is increasing the line capacity from 100 yards of 10# to 125 yards of 12#. I had it spooled with 10# Silver Thread Excalibur line and used it on both the St. Croix 7’ Mojo and Legend Tournament medium action rods. Also, the line take-up per handle rotation has jumped from 24” to 29”.

I think you’ll like the changes from the ProLite to Carbonlite and find this reel a pleasure to fish. It sure handled the big smallies I catch on Green Bay.
Features:
Super light (carbon fiber) recurve handle and Drag Star with super comfortable EVA handle grips
Super hard/super light Duraluminum aircraft-grade gears and spool
Acclaimed DBS Dual Braking System with advanced heat and corrosion resistant Rulon drag
One-piece aluminum frame
Titanium nitride-coated line guide
7 bearing system
Lube port
Powerlock instant anti-reverse
6.7 ounces
6.4:1 gear ratio
Line recovery per handle turn – 29”
Line capacity – 120 yards/12#

Daiwa Aggrest “high-speed” Baitcast Reel - $179.99

Daiwa has never disappointed with the reels I’ve used and review. The Aggrest 7.3 Hyper Speed is another winner. Just as with my spinning reels, I enjoy faster retrieves with my baitcast reels. I’ve always felt that I can slow down my retrieve, but once out of the strike zone, I like to get the lure back in and out as fast as possible. At a retrieve ration of 7.3:1 that’s not going to happen much faster and this reel brings line back at 32” per handle turn.

I mostly fished the Aggrest on a 7’ St. Croix Legend Tournament medium action. I spooled it with Daiwa Samauri 55 pound test/10 pound diameter and went to work. I caught a number of big smallies on this outfit and the reel had plenty of muscle to get the fish in quickly. At 7.6 ounces and line capacity of 120 yards of 12#, I found it to be perfect for what I was using it for, which was lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a few soft-plastics thrown in.

The reel was easy to set-up for my varying casting needs, with a drag that’s very smooth. I would think this high-quality reel would be a good investment for many years at $179.99.

Features:
Hyper speed 7.3:1 gear ration
7.6 ounces
Six ball bearing system, including two CRBB anti-corrosion bearings
Ultra-tough, helical cut phosphor bronze pinion and Dura Aluminum drive gear
Magforce-Z anti-backlash system
High performance drag with precision click adjustments
Rigid aluminum frame
Swept handle for less wobble, better feel and greater winding leverage

By
Bill Schultz

Whether you like to fish with spinning reels or baitcast reels, these are six very nice reels to consider. If you have any questions that I did not answer, please email me at smalliecentral@gmail.com.

I recently had the good fortune to be one the the “first kids on my block” to receive a Temple Fork Outfitters Gary Loomis Signature Series rod. Now that’s  a mouthful! Like any serious fisherman, I was first overjoyed with my new acquisition. After my head came out of the clouds, I proceed to put the rod through the paces over the period of several weeks. Overall I found the rod to offer exceptional performance and  value for a rod in the 100 dollar price range. It met or exceeded my expectations in a number of area. It’s no wonder Field & Stream called this series the “Best New Spinning Rod of 2010”.

The rod I chose to field test was a 7.5 foot spinning rod with medium power and a fast action. I selected the rod specifically for kayak fishing and tossing unweighted finesse baits such as a three inch soft stickbait. I like 7 - 7.5 foot rods for kayak fishing. Rods of this length increase your casting distance, make it easier to leverage fish from a low vantage point, and allow you to work a smallmouth bass around almost any kayak bow.

Ok…enough with the technical stuff…time for the review.

First Impressions

The fist thing I noticed out of the box about this rod was that it balanced very well. Some longer rods that I own are very tip heavy. The rod is still a little tip heavy at 7.5 feet but it is not as pronounced as I anticipated. The overall workmanship of the rods is excellent. The “fit” and “finish” is first class. The wraps are well done, the guides are straight and the split grip handle is nicely done. The AAA cork handle has synthetic rings at both ends of the fore grip, grip, and fighting butt that make them more durable. The Signature Series Rods also sport SIC guides, one of the hardest insert materials available.

One of the great things about these TFO rods is that you do not need to read the fine print on the rod blank to determine what power rod you have in your hands. Each power has a specific color on the exposed blank of the split grip handle. For example, my medium light power spinning rod has a silver color on the exposed blank of the split grip. That’s great for guys like me who pile a minimum of 5 rods into a kayak or boat. Color coding makes it easy to be sure I have the right rod in my hand.

Casting

The medium light power rod casts my unweighted baits like a bullet. The rod loads nicely and stores a lot of energy. On the forward cast, the rod blank generates good acceleration and launches a three inch stickbait more than a respectable distance. This is what I was hoping for and the TFO rod delivered.  The Loomis Signature Series is  definitely a smooth ride.

Sensitivity

I fished the TFO Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod using both monofilament line and 6/20 braid with a 10lb. test fluorocarbon leader. I found the sensitivity exceptional using both monofilament an braided lines for a rod in this price range . Honestly, because of the length of the rod and the medium light power, I had concerns that I would not be able to feel those subtle “taps” often associated with finesse’n smallmouth bass. My fears were quickly calmed once I started fishing. Even with a slight bow in the line caused by the current, I could certainly feel those taps. In addition to unweighted plastics, I also threw some 3 inch worms on a 1/16 oz jig head and found that I could feel bottom and even the subtle difference when a twig or some random water plants were hung on my bait.

Fighting Performance

During the past several weeks I’ve probably caught close to 100 smallmouth on the Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod. The medium light power, fast action rod has ample backbone to wear out even the most rambunctious, broad shouldered smallmouth. The length of the rod I chose was also a bonus when trying to work a smallmouth around the bow of my kayak.

The Temple Fork Outfitter’s Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod definitely exceeded my expectations for a rod in this price range. Are there rods that are more sensitivity, lighter, and have more bells and whistles? We all know  that answer to that…yes. However, at the 100 dollar price point this rod offers exceptional quality. If you are a budge minded angler, who still wants a quality product, the Gary Loomis Signature Rod by TFO should be at the top of your list. I know I’m already planning a second rod. I need a new soft jerkbait rod!

I try to avoid writing product reviews unless I’ve spent some time putting an item through the paces. Recently I was headed to Virginia to do three full days of  flat water paddling and spend some time paddling the Potomac River. The forecasted air temperatures were expected to be about 55 degrees even though the water temperatures where in the mid to high 60’s. Given the unseasonably low air temperatures, I knew I was going to need something to keep the chill off and protect me from the splashing water. I took a quick look over on the Columbia website and found the Backpaddle jacket so I picked one up.

I think kayak fisherman often overlook the necessity of paddling apparel. We often make due with the clothing we wear on the boat or our wading apparel.  Much of this gear doesn’t have the water proof seals and breathable materials that outer wear made specifically for the paddler offers.

The Back paddle jacket makes use of Omni-Tech® material which is waterproof-breathable and fully seam sealed. The jacket will keep you safe from cold water splashing and overspray. Waterproof neoprene cuff and collar gusseting provides added reinforcements against the chill. The jacket certainly kept me warm and dry while paddling.

A small detail that I really appreciated was the  extended rear lower hem which guarded againt “drafts” going up the back of the jacket. I also found the jacket to have ample room for underlayers and the polyester mesh lining helps it slide over those underlayers easily.

The jacket is also cut in a way that provides great mobility which is important when paddling and fishing. Lots of casts, hook sets,and reaching to land that trophy smallmouth is always on a fishermans agenda!

Overall the jacket performed well. It isn’t a dry top nor is it true “cold weather gear” but for those unseasonably cold spring/summer days or early mornings it definitely gets the nod from me.

From top to bottom: Yum Houdini Shad, Zoom Fluke, Slug-Go 3 inch size

One of the most popular yet, maybe, least understood baits for smallmouth is the soft jerkbait. These little gems are among my go to baits for spring smallmouth bass. In addition, they see a lot of “water time” during the summer. As we head into spring full speed here in the north east, I thought I’d throw out a few brands of soft jerkbaits along with their strengths in terms of fish “attracting” and “catching” abilities. In a nutshell, this article is part instruction and part product review BUT all about catching more smallmouth!

Soft jerkbaits are most noted for their unpredictable and erratic action. Most likely they mimic a fleeing baitfish which triggers old mr. smallies instinct to attack. lets take a look at three different jerkbaits and the subtle differences that sometimes can make or break a day on the water.

3 inch Slug-Go

About the bait
The Slug-Go brand name and style of bait arrived on the scene during the mid 80’s and created the soft jerkbait craze. That craze is now a standard in bass fishing circles. The three inch model is the smallest in a line of baits offered by Lunker City LLC.

Key properties
The extremely slender profile of the three inch Slug-Go is ideal for mimicking small minnows and other soft finned baitfish. The slender profile of this bait also creates a distinct “darting” action after a jerk. In addition, the bait offers a very slow fall rate that drives smallmouth crazy. A 3 inch Slug-Go is fairly light so lighter spinning tackle would be the best choice for tossing the bait.

Application
The smallest Slug-Go is great for river and creek smallmouth. The bait offers a subtle slow fall presentation that is best suited for shallow water applications. It is also my bait of choice in very clear water conditions when a delicate presentation is necessary. The slow fall rate of this bait is a key strength. The fall rate can be slowed even more by using a light wire offset worm hook that Lunker City produces specifically for the Slug-Go.

Rigging
Texposed is the most common rigging convention for this bait. Lunker City produces a light wire hook that has been designed specifically for the 3 inch Slug-go. My preference, however, is a size 1 offset extra wide gap worm hook. I find my hookup percentage is slightly higher with this style of hook.

4 inch Zoom Fluke

About the bait
The Fluke is produced by one of the top plastic bait companies in the country, Zoom. The 4 inch model is part of a family of baits with the “Fluke” name. Flukes are available in a variety of sizes and colors. You can check out the baits on the Zoom website.

Key properties
The 4 inch Fluke is a great bait for mimicking medium sized baitfish. The wider body creates a larger profile and displaces more water. Properties that say “hey..hear i am!” to any smallmouth in the vicinity. The split tail design gives the bait an even more realistic profile and creates more forward “glide” or “drift” when you pause the bait after a jerk.

Applications
The bait is slightly heavier and less boyant that the Slug-Go so it can be fished a little deeper. I will typically go to this bait when I need to fish in the 3-6 foot range. The larger profile also makes it my soft jerkbait of choice when the water has a slight stain or color. Most importantly, it is great for matching the size and profile of medium sized baitfish.

Rigging
Like the Slug-Go, the Fluke can be texposed rigged. I always use an extra wide gap offset worm hook with this particular bait due to the wider body. Again, the main goal is to increase hookups and successfully bring the smallmouth to hand. A size 2/0 or 3/0 hook will work perfectly with the 4 inch Fluke.

5 inch Yum Houdini Shad

About the bait
The Houdini Shad is produced by Yum Bait Company. There is less size selection in the Houdini Shad than some other soft jerkbaits but this bait certainly has a place in any soft jerkbait fisherman’s tackle box. The bait is enhanced with Live Prey Technology (LPT) fish attractant.

Key properties
The first thing you’ll notice about the Houdini Shad is it’s big bulky profile. It is great for imitating larger baitfish when smallies are really on the feed. The Houdini Shad can be cast long distances and it sinks faster than most other soft jerkbaits on the market. As mentioned previously, the bait is scent enhanced with LPT so fish tend to hold onto it after the strike. The last and most notable feature of this bait is the paddle tail which gives it a distinct circular glide after the jerk. The Houdini Shad slowly circles to the bottom with a subtle tail wag that I have not seen from any other soft jerkbait on the market. The paddle tail is perforated so you can convert it to a split tail or even just knock out the middle of the paddled creating a diamond shaped hole. This in turn, changes the action of the bait as it falls.

Applications
The bait can be used when trying to match the size and coloration of larger baitfish. Because of the baits bigger and bulkier profile, it also does well in stained or even muddy water. I’ve used the bait under these conditions with excellent results. The bait can be fished shallow or deep. I’ve fished the bait down to 8 feet with success and patience. When fishing deep, I typically count the bait down to depth. I will also throw this bait when I’ve established that the fish are in a neutral feeding mood. The unique tail action sometimes entices fish to bite that are refusing other baits.

Rigging
The Houdini Shad can be rigged a number of ways but texposed is probably the most common way to fish the bait. Again, due to the bulk of this bait, I typically rig it with either a 4/0 or 5/0 extra wide gap offset worm hook.

The Original Gerber Fisherman Multi-Tool 600 was introduced in 2001 and with a flick-of-the-wrist became a must have fishing accessory. I got my first one in 2002 and can’t remember any of the over 400 days on the water since then that I haven’t had my Fisherman Tool with me. This has been one of my all-time favorite pieces of essential equipment, so you can understand how disappointed I was to learn over a year ago that the product was being discontinued, but that disappointment quickly changed to excitement when I learn that it was being redesigned.

I received the new Gerber FliK Fish Multi-Tool in late August and have been on the water with it in my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 Angler as well as in the water wading in my Frogg Togg waders and boots. The FliK Fish is a great fishing accessory and just like the original with a flick-of-the wrist the long needle nose pliers deploy quickly, keeping one hand free for more important tasks.

The FliK Fish is a little heavier than the original at 9.2 ounces compared to just under 8 ounces, but this isn’t even noticed while using it. What jumped out at my right away were the “outboard” tools. All the implements open while he tool is closed, unlike the original, which had to be opened to access the implements. I especially like this feature with the wonderfully sharp scissors that are able to cut 150# line. They cut through superlines and braid with ease. The FliK Fish has the same tools as the original. These include the afore mention scissors, a saw blade, carbide coated hook sharpening file and knife blade, as well as four smaller tools which include a flat-head and Philips screwdriver head. When the implements are locked into place there is an “opening assist” feature that you pull back to retract and lock back in the handle. Pulling this back also pops the smaller tools up for easy opening.

Opened or closed the FliK Fish is ¾” shorter than the original and the long needle-nose pliers are ¼” shorter than the original, but are slightly narrower. During the years I have used the original and now with the FliK Fish, I feel the long, narrow needle nose pliers have helped get hooks out of fish that would have been very tough with a normal wider needle nose pliers. The slightly narrower profile of the FliK Fish pliers will only make tough hook removal even easier.

The case for the FliK Fish has also been improved. With the original, taking the long, narrow needle nose in and out eventually wore through the bottom of the case. As you can see from the photo, the case has been redesigned to eliminate this problem. The new case actually will also accommodate the original. When open the handles on the FliK Fish are slightly farther apart than the original making spreading the pliers easier. Unlike the original, when closed the handles are locked together, which smoothly unlock when you flick your wrist to open the pliers for use.

The only feature from original I believe will be missed relates to cutting hooks. The FliK Fish has built-in pinch cutters that are adequate, but aren’t as hard as the three-sided carbide cutters on the original. Along with being harder, if there was any damage the blade could easily be rotated to a fresh cutting surface. Because of the more compact size, which I do like, there was not space for the three-sided cutter. In an emergency I’m sure the pinch cutters will do the job. I tested them on a lighter wire hook and they worked fine, although a small indentation was left behind on the blade.

As I said at the beginning of this review, I have been a “huge” fan of the original Gerber Fisherman Tool and the “new” FliK Fish is even better! The Gerber engineers did a super job with the redesign.

The last four months I’ve fished the five spinning reels in this article almost exclusively, putting many hours on each. I feel this has given me plenty of information to form a strong opinion. I do want to mention that, in general, I’m careful with my equipment and was not out to perform torture tests on this group of reels, except for the 53 four to six-pound smallies I caught during May and June in Door County, WI., along with another almost 400 between two and four pounds.

I was extremely impressed with this group of reels and hope you find this information helpful. Over the nine years I’ve been reviewing reels I feel the quality just keeps getting better, especially those in the $50 range and up.

Abu Garcia Soron STX10 - $129.99

Two years ago I fished a ton, and then wrote a review on the Abu Garcia 801 spinning reel. I commented that I felt the 800 series was the first Abu Garcia reel to fall into what I call the “higher-end” category. I loved the 800 series, as well as the 700 series that I tested last year. The Soron STX10 feels very similar to those reels, with some upgrades.

I fished this reel on a St. Croix 7′ medium-light Legend Xtreme and 7′ and 7′6″ medium- light Legend Elite rods. I used Stren Microfuse 10/4 and the “new” Berkley Fireline Tracer Braid 15/4. One interesting “new” feature, that many will love, is the Superline Spool System. With the Fast Tie Design, two elastimetric rings are built into the spool to keep superline or braid from spinning on the spool. This eliminates the need for any type of taping. I tested and liked it, but because I don’t put the full compliment of superline/braid on any reel, I stayed with mono backing, attaching it to the superline/braid with the Double Uni knot. The spare spool is the same, but without the Fast Tie Design. It is noted to be designed for fluorocarbon. I used it for superline/braid and either spool will also work fine for monofilament or copolymer line. I actually don’t use fluorocarbon on spinning reels, except as a leader for superline/braid, something that has worked great for chasing big Lake Michigan smallies in super-clear water.
I’m a smallie guy and like a reel that is somewhat small in profile, lightweight and holds at least 110 yards of 6-pound diameter line. This reel meets all three of my criteria, with the weight at a light 8.2 ounces. This year I’ve actually downsized my line on reels of this size to 3 and 4-pound diameter superline/braid. It casts better and these diameters in superline/braid have the strength equivalency of 8 to 15-pound diameter monofilament. I do feel the smaller diameter catches more fish.

One thing that is immediately noticeable over the 800 and 700 series is the “jazzed-up” look. The 800 series in particular had a very conservative look. The Soron is an eye-catcher, without overdoing it. In recent years I’ve loved the feel of the smaller tubular bails, which the Soron has. I usually back reel rather than rely on the drag, but for test purposes, I used the drag on all the review reels, and can tell you the drag on the Soron is extremely smooth across the drag settings. Also, I like thread-on handles. For me, this has always been an easier method of breaking down the reel for storage.

As noted, I’m careful with my reels, but for you guys who are tough on yours, you will like the X-Cratic frame. It’s super durable and has the most comfortable feel of any reel I’ve used. The 5.1:1 gear ratio is a little slower than I prefer, but when a reel feels this good, I really didn’t think about it. Below each review you can see a list of each reel’s features.

For me this reel is a definite winner. In fact, I liked it so much out of the box, I ordered a second even before using it. If you like the 700 series or liked the 800 series, you will love the new Soron STX10. For me great size for chasing smallies, but if you like something with a little more line capacity take a look at the STX20, which is rated for 130 yards of 8-pound diameter line and jumps to 9.6 ounces.

Features:

• SuperLine with Fast Tie Spool Design
• Carbon Matrix Drag
• 11 HPCR Bearings
• X-Cratic Frame
• Duragear Brass Gears
• 5:1:1 Gear Ratio
• 8.2 ounces
• Line recovery per handle turn - 24″ (STX10) and 27″ (STX20)
• Line Capacity - 110 yds./6#

Pflueger President 6730 XT - $79.99

For a number of years I’ve been asked a number of times if I’d ever done a review on the Pflueger President. So, when I saw the introduction of the President XT, I decided to give it a try. I was already somewhat familiar with the Pflueger spinning reels having reviewed and liked the Supreme and Supreme XT.

I used this reel on a variety of St Croix rods, including the “new” 6′9″ MLXF Mojo, 7′ medium-light Legend Elite, 7′ medium Legend Elite and 7′ medium Legend Tournament. I spooled it with 15/4 Power Pro Hi-Vis Yellow line. It has performed great all season. Its retrieve ratio of 5.2:1 is not at the speed of the two Supremes, but still fairly fast. The drag is smooth and even, with most of the tightening comes at the very end of the range. I like the fact that this reel has the screw on handle and the light tubular bail. At 9.0 ounces it is not quite as light as some of the other reels, but doesn’t come with their price-tag. I should also note that the soft touch knob is comfortable and seems to be the same one as the two Supremes.

Because I’d been asked a number of times about the original Pflueger President, I thought I’d also spend the season fishing it, along with the XT. I can see why, at $59.99, so many seem to love the President. I fished it with all the same rods as the XT and spool it with Stren Microfuse 10/4. Except for the wire bail and Rosewood knob, I really couldn’t tell any difference in the reels. I probably fished the President more than the President XT and found it to be a great reel.

These reels confirm the point that I’ve been telling people for a long time. You can find outstanding reels with many great features for reasonable prices. Both these reels are loaded with features, perform great and are not going to produce any sticker shock.

Features:

• 9 stainless steel ball bearings
• One-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing
• Lightweight aluminum construction, provides the strength of an all aluminum body without the weight
• Anodized aluminum spool with distinctive hole pattern for lighter weight
• Titanium spool lip for added line protection
• Large diameter titanium coated roller
• Sure-Click Bail
• Corrosion-resistant stainless steel shaft and components
• Machined aluminum handle with soft touch knob
• Spare aluminum spool
• 9.0 ounces (President XT) and 9.1 ounces (President)
• 5.2:1 Gear ratio
• Line capacity - 110 yds./6#
• Line recovery per handle return - 25″

Shimano Symetre FJ 1000 - $99.99

Prior to fishing the redesigned Symetre FJ 1000, I had a chance to put many hours on the Saros FJ 1000 and Stradic FJ 1000 in the boat and wading rivers. I love both those reels and was hoping for big things with the re-designed Symetre. I liked and used the previous two versions of the Symetre extensively in the past. Well, let me tell you, I have not been disappointed. I’ve fished the “new” Symetre many hours since early May and love it. Except for not having the screw on style handle, which I do like, I’ve found it hard to distinguish it from the Stradic and Saros.

As I noted earlier, I began my fishing season chasing the big smallies of Door County, Wisconsin. For most of my 14 days on the beautiful clear waters of Green Bay in May and June I matched this reel with a 7′6″ St. Croix medium-light Legend Elite. I got this longer rod specifically for throwing Kalin’s Lunker Grubs on 3/32 ounce Gopher Tackle Big John jigs. Most days I had all five reels in this review set-up with this presentation rub and the results, as I told you earlier were special.

Once my time in Door County was over I’m back to wading rivers or hitting lakes west of Milwaukee in my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 Angler, which has added a great new dimension to my fishing activities. So now I’m not only throwing the Kalin’s, but also my beloved Rebel Teeny Wee-Crawfish. I moved the reel to a 6′6″ St. Croix light-action Legend Elite, which may be the best rod I’ve ever used for throwing the Teeny Wee-Crawfish. In the kayak and wading I also used it on the 7′ medium-light Legend Elite. For the entire four months I’ve fishing the Symetre I had it spooled with 18/3 Daiwa Samauri braid, which is smoothest braid I’ve ever used and adds extra distance to my casts, especially when throwing the 1/10th ounce Teeny Wee-Crawfish. In all situations, the 7.1 ounce Symetre performed perfectly, and from earlier comments you know I like the 5.6:1 gear ratio.

The “new” Symetre comes with many of the features found on the Stradic and Saros, including one that I’ve found to enhance casting distance. Within the Shimano Propulsion Line Management System, first introduced in 2007 with the reels above the Symetre price point, is the Propulsion Spool Lip. This beveled lip faces outward and adds distance when casting. I have been spooling my line up to the bottom of the bevel, which Shimano tells me is the way to go. Also, the Power Roller III does a great job eliminating line twists, although this is more important using monofilament, which I have used with the Saros and Stradic. Many of the great Shimano features are included in this reel and one has been added that I’ve loved on the Stradic, and that’s the Maintenance Port. This makes it very easy to service the Symetre. I should also mention that like the Stradic 1000 and Saros 1000, the Symetre has a very light tough to the bail. This means it’s easy to close, but on occasion during a hard cast closes on its own. I haven’t notice this with any of these models in the 2500 size.

I can’t write this review without noting that in the process of adding all the great new features, Shimano increased the price and doesn’t include the spare spool. The spare spool on past Symetre’s was graphite and for me almost never used. In fact I would have no problem if all reels came with just one spool. I almost never use the spare spool on reels. It will be interesting to see what comments Shimano gets on this. My guess is, not many. With the upgrades included in the re-design, this reel is a great value for under $100. I wish the re-design would have included the screw on style handle, but this is personal preference.

From day one, years ago, when I first fished the Symetre, I loved it. This is the third version I’ve fished still love this reel. I think you will also.

Features:

• Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, SR One-Piece Bail Wire, Power Roller III, Redesigned Bail Trip, S-Arm Cam
• Slow Oscillation
• SR Concept: SR One-Piece Bail Wire
• S A-RB Bearings (Shielded A-RB)
• Aluminum Frame (GR on 500 & 1000)
• Lightweight Graphite Sideplate & Rotor
• Cold Forged Aluminum Spool
• S-Concept: S-Rotor: S-Guard: S-Arm Cam
• Machined Aluminum Handle
• Rubber Handle Grips
• Maintenance Port
• Fluidrive II
• Floating Shaft
• Dyna-Balance
• Super Stopper II
• Repairable Clicker
• Approved for use in Saltwater
• Rated for use with Mono, Fluorocarbon and Power Pro lines
• 7.1 0unces
• Line capacity - 110yds./6#
• Line recovery per handle turn - 28″

Team Daiwa Fuego 2000-A - $279.99

Over the past five years I’ve tested and written about five Daiwa spinning reels from the $49.99 Regal XiA to the $199.99 Team Daiwa Sol, and except for noting that I like a little faster gear ratio, have loved them all. Now after spending many hours with the Team Daiwa Fuego 2000-A, I can say that this is the best spinning reel that I have ever used. Yes, as with the other Daiwa reels it has the 4.8:1 retrieve ratio, but this is such an exceptional reel, that I haven’t given it much thought. Swiss watch comes to mind with this reel.

I primarily fished it on a three ounce St. Croix 7′ medium-light Legend Xtreme rod and with the 7.0 ounce Fuego 2000-A, this for me, may be the ultimate smallie set-up. I had it spooled with 15/4 Power Pro and it performed flawlessly. The Fuego 2000-A has a line capacity that will meet all your needs. It is rated for 135 yards of 6-pound diameter and handles both 4 and 8-pound diameter. As I have noted, I’ve been using primarily 3 and 4-pound diameter braid, so I simply added some mono backing and was set. The reason this reel comes in at just 7.0 ounces is Daiwa’s proprietary “Zaion” construction. The body, rotor and sideplate are composed of this technologically advance super carbon, allowing for lightweight magnesium-like feel, with maximum durability and superior corrosion resistance. I’ve really come to love and appreciate carbon fiber. My Adventure Technology Xception kayak paddle is constructed of carbon fiber and weights an amazingly light 29 ounces. What a bonus with all the paddling I do while fishing.

Two additional features add to the incredible smoothness of this reel. One are the seven stainless steel ball bearings, including four corrosion-resistant CRBB ball bearings,
plus a roller bearing.  Daiwa’s Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings are specially designed and shielded against impurities and last up to 12 times longer than ordinary stainless steel ball bearings in a saltwater environment. The second reason for this smoothness are the exclusive Digigear digital gearing. This insures that the oversized, high-strength gears mesh together perfectly for an exceptionally efficient retrieve and greater cranking power.

Many of you reading this review are river smallie enthusiasts and your reels take dunkings. So you’ll appreciate drag system which is waterproof and stays dry while water drains easily from other areas of the reel. You’ll also like the ultra consistent, micro-click adjustment of the drag system to give you just the right amount of fish-stopping pressure. With many reels most of the drag tightening comes near the end of the tightening spectrum, but with the 2000-A the full spectrum is used. In past reviews and when I’m talking about reels, I have extolled my love of Daiwa’s lightweight Air Bail. It is by far my favorite and has a light feel when closing it, but does not close on it’s own during hard casts.

I’ll go back to what I wrote earlier. This “is” the best fishing reel I have ever used and even though the gear ration is only 4.8:1, it actually has a line retrieve per handle turn similar to a number of reels with a faster retrieve ration.

Features:

• Lightweight, yet super strong “Zaion” body, rotor and sideplate construction
• Up to seven ball bearings and one roller bearing (four CRBB corrosion resistant ball bearings)
• Advanced Locomotive Levelwind
• ABS machined aluminum spool
• Free aluminum spare spool
• 7 Ounces
• Line recovery per handle turn - 25″
• 4.8:1 gear ration
• Line capacity 110yds./6#

Bass Pro Shops ProLite Finesse Baitcast Reel - $119.99

I fish spinning reels much more than baitcast reels, but truly enjoy getting out with a nice low-profile baitcast reel for a variety of presentations for smallies. In particular I use them for spinnerbaits, rattle-baits, tubes, swimming grubs and topwaters. A number of years ago I had a chance to test the original Bass Pro Shops ProLite Finesse Baitcast Reel and really liked it. For this reason, I was excited about testing the “new” ProLite. I’m impressed.

Just holding it in your hand and looking it over you see some of the upgrades from the previous version. The all new Recurve Handle is the first thing that jumped out at me and after using it, I love the tighter center of gravity with super comfortable round EVA handle grips. I fished this reel on a St. Croix Legend Tournament 6′6″ medium and 6′8″ extra-fast medium baitcast rods. The reel is impressively light at 6.6 ounces and I really appreciate the fast 6.3:1 retrieve ratio. I fished it with 10-pound Silver Thread Excalibur Copolymer line.

Most of my fishing with the reel was done in Door County, WI chasing big smallies. With a few five-pound smallies on this reel, the drag was super smooth and casting is a breeze with the Dual Braking System that maintains control during the entire cast. Because I’m more of a spinning guy, I feel that if I don’t have any casting problems, guys who are more into baitcasting will love this reel. Only a few of the reels I’ve tested over the years have a maintenance port. Bass Pro calls it a Lube Port on the ProLite and it’s a great feature for quick lubrication of gears with no disassembly needed.

I really liked the original ProLite Finesse Baitcast Reel and I like this one even better! For you guys who like a reel that can handle regular baitcast applications, but able to handle smaller lures, this reel is for you.

Features:

• Super-light Recurve Handle and Drag Star with super comfortable round EVA handle grips
• Super-hard/super-light Duraluminum Aircraft-grade gears and spool
• Acclaimed DBS Dual Braking System
• One-piece aluminum frame
• Titanium nitride-coated line guide
• 7-bearing system with double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings.
• Lube Port
• Powerlock instant anti-reverse
• Carbon drag washer
• 6.6 Ounces
• 6.3:1 Gear ratio
• Line recovery per handle turn - 24″
• Line capacity - 100 yds./10#

I hope you enjoyed this article and can use the information I’ve shared with you. As always feel free to email me with further questions. Now it’s time to stop writing and get out for some fishing.

Review by: Bill Schultz

I welcome emails at smalliecentral@gmail.com, if you have any additional questions.

The author wearing Frogg Toggs Anura Waders and Hellbender Wading Boots

A few weeks ago I met a friend to fish one of my smallie rivers in Southwest Wisconsin. As I got out of my car and we greeted each other, he said, “I didn’t know Frogg Toggs made waders”.   I told him not only are they in the business of making great waders, they also make super wading shoes.

Over the past 15 years I’ve spent hundreds of days wading rivers in Wisconsin in pursuit of my beloved smallmouth bass. Much of the time it’s during a part of the year that I could probably wet-wade, but how many times have I seen a Wisconsin Holstein get up off the bank on a hot day and do it’s “thing” while cooling off in a stream. With all the nicks and scrapes we get while fishing, I wear waders and wading boots. I long ago graduated to wearing breathable waders all the time. When the water’s a little cool, I can wear pants underneath or even long underwear.

Frogg Togg Anura Waders

I’m very picky about my fishing equipment and I’m picky about my waders and wading boots. Having been a fan of the Frogg Toggs raingear since they were first introduced I was curious about there new line of waders and shoes. I’ve been wearing the Anura Breathable Waders since May and just like the rainwear, am very impressed. They fit great, have comfortable Flex-fit 3.5 mm neoprene double-taped booties with a great gravel guard. These gravel guards are top quality and have the best lace hooks I’ve seen. The hook locks onto the laces better than any I’ve seen. This is the first pair I’ve worn where the lace hook has never come lose. I also appreciate the reinforced 6-ply breathable knees. I’m always doing some scrambling out of streams and hate tearing my waders. A few more nice features that you will appreciate are the exclusive “DriPore C3” waterproof/breathable technology, comfort fit wading belt with belt loops, custom chest pocket with expandable fly box pocket and zippered tippet. There’s also a zippered security pocket with top draw cord. The Anura waders have adjustable “X Back” web suspenders, with very durable buckles. I love these waders and think you will too, and they are reasonably price at $159.95.

All wading boots are not created equal. For a guy who has logged almost 6,000 hours on a racquetball court and waded hundreds of hours in rocky streams, my feet and ankles need comfort and support. Over the years I’ve worn cheap wading shoes and quite expensive ones. At $79.95 the Frogg Toggs Hellbender Wading Shoes are the best I’ve ever worn, and my feet thank whoever designed them. First, they are very light-weight, which is amazing given how tough they are and the tremendous foot and ankle support. A feature that jumped out at me immediately, and is very noticeable related to stability, is the “wide” wading last. The soles are wider than most and “do” make for more stable wading, especially in the rocky rivers I fish. Another great idea that anyone who wears felt-bottom wading shoes will appreciate, are the toe and heel grips on the felt soles, which are replaceable. What a great idea for those of us who do some walking to get to our “hotspots”. Another feature that became immediately noticeable and appreciated are the speed laces and locking lace clips. This makes lacing very easy and secure. These shoes come with sturdy rubberized toe and heel caps, thick and light-weight PU midsole for maximum comfort that I’ll attest to, padded collar for comfort and support, with a mesh and no-shrink PVC shell upper. For a guy who has had operations on both big toes, I and my feet thank Frogg Toggs for these wonderful shoes.

As noted earlier, I am picky. You won’t be disappointed if you give the Anura Breathable Waders and Hellbender Wading Shoes a try.

The Fish Grip

The Fish Grip is a great and handy tool made by the Norton Lure company. It grips the fishes lip without causing injury or punctures due to the flat surface of the gripper. You don’t need to handle the fish which can remove it’s protective ’slime’ and make it vulnerable to infection. It’s inexpensive, light weight and can be attached to a scale for safely weighing your catch (just deduct 5 oz.). It even floats, making it perfect for fishing from a kayak.

D-Gouger

It also works great with Norton’s D-Gouger tool which is great for quickly and easily removing hooks.

You can buy The Fish Grip and D-Gouger tool from the Norton Lures website or at your local tackle shop.

Sheffield Angler 17 in 1 Multi Tool

The Sheffield 12302 Angler 17-in-1 Multi Tool sells for under $3o shipped to your door.

It includes:

• Fishing Pliers
• hook sharpener
• fish scaler
• hook remover
• 2-1/2 inch ruler
• 1/4 inch slotted screwdriver
• 1/16 inch slotted screwdriver
• 3 line splicers
• Phillips screwdriver
• 3 inch fillet blade
• 3 inch scissor
• wire cutters
• wire strippers
• bottle opener
• can opener
• hard file
• soft file
• awl