Certainly NOT HAPPY with St. Croix service. Will never buy another at this point. Took over a month to get in touch with somebody and still NOT HAPPY with how they do things.

So far the gamble is good. I’m pretty happy with the 100 pack of Stubby Tubes. Hope to test them out in the next few days.

https://youtu.be/-iohezRLvBM So those tubes I ordered last year pretty much sucked. They looked nice. The thing that I didn’t like was their toughness, which basically didn’t exist. I caught fish with them but upon removal the tube would be falling apart. In most cases they were a one fish bait. They didn’t hold up well to bouncing off rocks either. Recently ran across a new place having a close out sale on 3” tube baits. I ordered 1 pack (10) of 3” flipping tubes which I think are die poured, and then for shits and giggle’s I ordered a 100 pack of 3” stubby tubes, which kinda look to be dipped, I hope. The 100 pack cost less than $18. I like the price. I’ll let you know if they’re worth jumping on.

Quick Review II Love the rod and reel combo. Very happy with the Penn reels. Love the rod. Ordered another.

Quick review: Loving the St. Croix paired with the Penn 2500 is great. I absolutely love it. The Penn 3000 are performing well also but are the size I thought they would be, which is a little large for my liking but work well for use in kayak only. I highly recommend the 2500 Battle III at this point. I won’t spend much time on the tubes. Momma said to never talk bad about people. I’ll just say that they are not for me. Searching for new manufacturers. I know it’s still early for gear but I wanted to let you know about the tubes.

And now I am ready...

I just figured as rough and careless as I am, it might be a good idea for me to give myself a chance...

That’s my brothers-in-law’s band! He’s the BASS player, of course. https://youtu.be/a_1GzRyLxLE

Well, you’ll just have to wait like the rest of us. 🤠

Waiting on my idiot bag.

Yippy (Sorry)

My Penn Battle III arrived today. Tippy!

And if you don’t know... I consider myself to be somewhat clumsy and hard on reels. I don’t like to spend too much on them. If the maintenance aspect of them turns out to be as easy as they claim it is then I hope to get many years use out of these. I hope.

The weight is NOT grossly bad. I missed that word in the post above. To be clear, there is nothing really wrong with the weight. It’s just noticeable. Thank you. Know go about your day.

These reels are the 3000 series and sell for 50 bucks. A little bit larger than the presidentials but I have had this size before. I was kind of afraid the other 2000 series option would be too small for my liking. The Penn Battle lll I’m waiting on is a NEW size 2500, so I think I’m gonna be very pleased with that size and weight. Yes I said “weight.” These are full steel bodies and pretty much everything machined right here in the USA. Maybe the handle grip padding is from China. The weight is noticeable but grossly bad or anything. Plus you can order all parts directly from them. These are suppose to be super easy to fix and maintenance. We’ll see...

Not yet but I did receive these two I purchased to replace my Presidentials. I plan to use these in the kayak and save my nice set up for wading.

It begins

Can't wait to hear your review. Gear review would be an interesting forum topic.

Get a rod floater they work. I hope to never loose a rod again.

I was worried about the Penn real until I watched a view videos. Now I’m so excited! I hope it’s a nice as I think it’s going to be.

Brandy would never do that to you. LOL!

Hours spent researching. I have never bought higher end stuff so I’m kind of nervous about it. I’m sure I’ll flip my kayak and lose everything and end up in divorce court by June. Oh well.

Solid setup!

Sounds like a sid setup well done Terry

I’m not a fan of Pfluger Presidential’s. I had four that didn’t last. Looks like I have a PENN 2500 Battle lll paired with a St. Croix 6.6ft, med/fast Triumph rod all locked up in my cart. I feel good about it.

I used to use Pfluger Presidents but they didn't last. I switched to Daiwa Legalis's and Fuegos. They are light, smooth, and reasonably priced. I lost a Fuego in a pond. I was able to snag it a week later. Pulled it out and started using it without issue. I did later take it apart and dried it out.

Penn is Made In America so I’m kind of leaning in their direction for a high end reel.

Terrycheck out Diawa and Obama reels also

What about Penn reels?

I am looking at Shimano reels also.

What size reel do you get. I’m lost if I can’t hold hold it and see it. I’m thinking 2500 because I worry the 3000 may be too big. (That’s what she said) 😁

Accurist, dam auto correct

Terry love the Smokes that is what I have. On Amazon there is a new Quantum Accurate brand new for $79.00. They are nice reels for the price point!

I’ve been eyeing the Smoke. I won’t buy used.

Terry check out ebay there was a Quantum reel that is at around $40 . I have used Quantum reels for about 9 years and love them

Looks like I’ll put an order in on the St Croix Triumph rod. Out of stock and like a two month back order. Running into the same problem with reels, everything is out of stock. Any suggestions? Trying to keep the reel price around $80.

I do believe that I have been eyeing that rod.

Terry I have used the Pflueger Supreme and it seemed like a good reel and sells for around $99. As far as the rod check out the St Croix Triumph series rods. They have a 6-6 MF 2pc rod. Bang for the buck very nice rods plus a 5 yr warranty .

Looking for a two piece rod