Cadence Fishing CS10 Spinning Reel Review

Over the past two months, I have been fishing some rods and reels from a company named Cadence Fishing. I had never heard of them until that point. When we think of fishing reels we usually think of the big names and those that have been around for years and years. A new company has some work to do to break into the market (and stay there) and after fishing some of their stuff...I think they just may do it.

I'm going to post several reviews in the future but wanted to start right at the top with their CS10 Spinning Reel which is their current highest priced reel that retails for $119. One of the biggest things about this brand is that they are affordable. Their direct to consumer approach leaves some room to lower costs and still be profitable and the result is better gear for you at a lower price.

Here are a few of the specs before I dig into my thoughts and performance of the reel.

• 10 ball bearings + 1 instant anti-reverse bearing 
• Magnesium frame 
• Carbon composite rotor and side plate 
• Carbon Fiber Drag 
• Machined Aluminum Spool

If you look at those you will see they are premium features that a lot of other brands include in reels that are double the cost. Having fished many of those reels and this one, I can say that the performance is nearly identical with a much lower cost.

The reel that I own is the CS10-3000, a 3000 size reel that I have used for a variety of finesse presentations. The 3000, or 30, size works well for light braid like I use and the bigger spool is something I really like for its versatility compared to smaller models.

Fishing the reel has proven that the drag can handle bigger fish and I have been pleased with the results for both the drag, smoothness and how it has held up so far. It has only been two months, but so far so good on the durability.

Another few things I have liked about the reel is the carbon fiber handle. This looks cool but also helps to keep the reel fairly light. It weighs in at 7.3 ounces which is definitely on the lighter side for any spinning reel and much lighter than most of the other reels I checked out in this price range.

Having fished it pretty regularly since June, I haven't found anything I don't like about it. It has a nice comfortable knob on the handle and casting distance is in line with all of my other reels. Time will tell how it holds up after a few years of hardcore fishing, but so far it is been a solid reel for me.

Like I mentioned earlier they retail for $119.99, but they have frequent sales on the reel so make sure to check this link to see if you can snag one for a lower cost. At the time of this post, it is selling for $95.99.

Here are some of my thoughts on all of the rods and reels I have used from Cadence.

Favorite Fishing Jack Hammer Review

I’ll start this off by saying that I am a finesse-fishing addict. I ALWAYS have a few spinning rods on my deck and I cannot count how many giant fish or checks I have cashed in tournaments using spinning rods. With that being said, I know what I want from spinning tackle and know a good finesse setup when I see one. That is why when I had the chance to choose a rod and reel from Favorite Fishing for a review, I chose the Jack Hammer 7’ medium spinning rod and Jack Hammer reel in the 2500 size.

First Impressions
When the rod and reel arrived I was immediately impressed with the fact that it came with a rod sock and neoprene case for the reel. I don’t know why more companies don’t do this; it is not that expensive and goes a long way in protecting your equipment.

The reel felt smooth right out of the box and matched the rod perfectly. I also liked the styling and just overall how the combo felt in my hand.

One thing I did notice was that the rod felt much lighter than a typical medium spinning rod I am used to, but that is a good thing for how I fish and is what I said in the video below that explains my first impressions.

On the Water
Like I mentioned in the video, it is crucial to get out on the water and use the rod to really get a good feel for it. Luckily, this was prime time for fall finesse fishing and I took it out on several trips before sitting down to write this review. The rod and reel performed flawlessly for a drop-shot and Ned Rig but was a little light for other techniques.

The Rod
Fishing it was great. The rod was very sensitive and I could feel bites with ease.  It is also very light! Their website lists it at 3.5 ounces, which is less than an 8” Huddleston swimbait.

One thing I noticed right away was that it has a single guide foot instead of two like most spinning rods have. This is by design and is a new type of guide from Fuji called the Titanium single stick guides. These help to reduce weight and the guides also help increase sensitivity.

One thing that I see as a drawback after fishing it was the placement of the hook keeper. Initially, I thought it was a good spot (halfway between the reel and first guide), but realized my braided line would get caught there from time to time.

Here are a few more specifications of the rod I used:

•    Model #: JHM-701 M
•    Length: 7'0"
•    Lure Weight: 1/8-5/8
•    Line Weight: 6-12
•    Power: Medium
•    Action: Moderate Fast

The rod retails for $289.99, which puts it at a high level for today’s bass rods. It definitely has the style, components, and sensitivity you would expect for a rod that costs this amount.

The Reel
The reel was also a very pleasant surprise. I had heard of their rods before but the reels were somewhat new to me. It was smooth, casts well and I had zero issues with the drag even while connected to some big smallmouth. The drag is probably the most important part of any spinning reel and the Favorite Fishing Jack Hammer passed the test.

Here a few specs for the reel that retails for $149.99:

•    Lightweight carbon composite body and side cover
•    Titanium nitride covered anti-twist line roller and spool lip
•    10 stainless steel ball bearings

Overall, the Jack Hammer rod and reel surprised me with how light and sensitive it was. I was impressed with how it performed with light tackle, and even though the name Jack Hammer may be misleading for a finesse setup, it had enough power to put a few nice fish in the boat. My first impression of Favorite Fishing was a good one and I think they have a winner with the Jack Hammer.

Shimano Tranx Review

I've been using a new Shimano reel for the past month and have loved fishing it. The Shimano Tranx is a big, beefy reel that is perfect for swimbaits and deep crankbaits.

The reel comes in two sizes a 300 and 400 size. The reel I have is the 300 and it is giant compared to most of my low-profile reels. The trend over the past several years is for lighter, smaller and more compact baitcast reels. Looking at the Tranx compared to them shows how big this reel is, but if you compare it to a reel like the famous "green Curado" from the late 90's, it really isn't that big.

The Tranx weighs about 11 ounces for the 300 size and this is where you really notice the size difference. The handle is another piece of the reel that is big, but with a technique like swimbaits, it will help handle big fish.

One of the best things about the reel is the great line capacity (150 yards of 17lb) and the 22 pounds of drag. It comes in two different retrieve speeds, a 5.8:1 and 7.6:1 (HG). The HG models come with a big single power handle, which I am not really a fan of and the 5.8:1 comes with the double handle. I have seen some posts online about changing out the handle on the HG models, so that is another option if you want the double handle with a faster retrieve.

Overall, the Tranx has been great to fish with. It casts well and is very smooth thanks to the Shimano technologies like X-Ship. The one downside would be the weight and it's relatively limited use. I have used it for swimbaits but think it will also be great for deep crankbaits like a 10XD.

It retails for around $300 from Tackle Warehouse.

Here is my video review of the Tranx:

Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool SLP Review

So I finally tried a Lew's reel. After all the hoopla and attention I gave in and have a Lew's reel sitting a few feet from me as I type this. Full disclaimer, I was given this reel at a recent media event and have no ties to them. I got it for free so I can praise it or blast it without trying to justify spending hard-earned money.

The reel is called the Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool SLP (try saying that two times quickly) and it is a solid reel. It is very lightweight at just 5.8-ounces and overall is a very nice reel.

I posted a video recently with my ranking of four new baitcast reels from four top brands. My results showed Lew's near the bottom due to the fact that I was getting a squealing noise when casting. Turns out you need to oil you Lew's first. Now that I know that, my rankings may have changed a little. I will do a follow up video next season with info on how they held up.

Fishing this reel was an eye-opener really. I was surprised at how easily it cast lures of all sizes. The casting distance was great and it felt smooth throughout all of my trips with it. I enjoyed fishing with it and it matches up almost perfectly with my Phenix M1 rod.

I also liked some of the features/gadgets on this reel. It comes with Winn Grips for handles (love these), a hook keeper that slides out from beneath the reel and a line indicator so you can remember what pound test line is on it.  The Winn Grips were comfortable and one of my favorite things about the reel. The hook keeper is a great idea although I am doubting the long-term durability of it. The line indicator thing is easy to use and a plus.

It's $259.99 so a fairly high-end reel. I think the price is right based on the performance of this reel.

Shimano Caenan Review

I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I picked up the Caenan.  I had used the previous version a few years ago and didn’t really like it. The newest version looked and felt like a great improvement. At $99.99 it is good price and has some great components and features.

Casting

I mostly pitched with this reel and it worked great. The breaking and adjustments are easy to use and you can dial it in pretty quickly. I fished it with both braided line and fluorocarbon and had no complaints at all when pitching short distances.

I also fished this reel spooled this reel up with fluorocarbon and did some deep cranking with it. It worked, but would not be my top choice for these techniques. While lightweight, the big crankbaits I used made it feel like the reel was flexing and stressing. It may be preference, but I liked the reel much more for short casts and pitching to cover.

Features:

The reel is offered in some pretty standard retrieves: 6.3:1 and 7.2:1. These are enough to cover most of the basis and the Caenan comes in both left and right hand retrieves. It is also about average for line capacity (110 yards of 12-pound) and bearings (4BB + 1RB) for a reel in this price level. No complaints here.

Shimano adds three of their own features that are designed for better casting and breaking. They are as follows:

HEG: High Efficiency Gears - for exceptional strength and rigidity, by increasing the size of the drive gear and pinion gear, and also reinforcing the frame, Shimano was able to greatly increase the Caenan’s leverage and power.

VBS: Variable Brake System and S3D: Stable Spool Design - deliver outstanding cast control for a wide range of lures and baits, and also significantly dampens spool vibration for increased casting distance an productivity.

It feels like a solid reel and looks similar to Shimano’s more expensive offerings. The Caenan is definitely worth the money. It can be found at many retailers including TackleWarehouse.com.

A Day on Lake Fork with Keith Combs

I just got back from a trip to Lake Fork, TX. This was my second time to the famous lake and the first time I really got to fish.  I was there in 2014 covering the TTBC and was in a camera boat watching Keith Combs wail on giant bass all day.  This time I was in his boat helping him do it.

The event I attended was with Shimano/Loomis/Jackall and I was also able to get on the water with Mark Zona, Dave Mercer, James Elam and Greg Yates of Shimano.  After the first few half day trips I had caught two bass total and also a giant catfish while fishing with Mercer. Besides that I was able to test out some awesome rods and reels from the brands, but that will be another story for another day.

The fishing was very tough since we were immediately after the Skeeter Owners Tournament that had around 1,000 boats!  The fishing got better and better and fishing with the best angler on Lake Fork after he had a few trips to figure it out set up perfectly for me.

We threw big crankbaits all day long.  I was using the new Shimano Zodias 176MH-G rod and Casitas reel. I had never caught a fish on a Stike King 10XD and I thought they would wear you out cranking all day since they are so big.  That really isn’t the case if you are deep cranking the right way.  Most of your time is idling around until you find them, then making a few casts, then idling more.  There really aren't enough casts in a day to wear you out.

That's a 10XD and a 6lb bass. Giant cranks!

Keith knew what he was looking for on his Humminbird units and when he saw it he let me know we were about to start catching them. We got into several flurries of action and he called it several times. He really impressed me with his knowledge of electronics and I definitely learned a thing or two.

A look at Keith's sonar settings

After all was said and done, he had caught a 9, an 8 and a several 5-6lb fish.  I caught one that was 8lbs as well as several 6lb class fish.  

I also lost a ten pound fish that still makes me sick thinking about it. I was grinding a Strike King 6XD in about 15 feet of water when it stopped and felt hung up.  Lake Fork is full of trees and I hung up my fair share of crankbaits in the first few days, but this time my line started rising and a 10+ jumped and spit my bait.  Keith said “That was a ten right there” and he knows what big fish look like.  The trick is to keep reeling no matter what because the big ones feel like that and you need to crank as fast as you can to keep them coming in.  Lesson learned…the hard way.

Keith with the biggest of the day. 9lbs 4oz

I also had another close encounter with a double digit.  During another flurry I was reeling in a small two pound white bass (on a 10XD!!!) and a giant largemouth followed it all the way to the boat.  Either it was trying to eat the bait or the fish I was reeling in, but either way is was really cool.  We were both freaking out at how close it was to the boat even after I stopped reeling the fish and just let it swim around while Keith dropped a big spoon next to it. 

Overall, the Content Creators Conference was an amazing time.  I caught some fish, got to check out some great new gear and learned a ton about deep cranking!

Abu Garcia REVO SX Gen 3 Review

The Revo SX is probably the best selling of all of the Revo reels and I have heard many great things about them. After fishing one for the past three months I do like it. While not on the same level as the Revo MGX and some of my other Abu reels, it is an excellent reel for half the cost (or less). In the price range it is, its’ quality compares with anything else I have found from other brands. It is a very dependable reel for anglers looking to make that jump to a quality reel, yet still good enough for the experienced angler used to higher priced models.  

The following is my review of the reel, good and bad and what I have found to be the best thing about it; the price. There are so many reels on the market to choose from that it can be overwhelming. A look at any tackle store and you will see many options, especially in the mid priced range (approx $160). This is where the Revo SX sits and it belongs in this range and is ahead of the pack in some categories and a little behind in others. 

Here is more info from TackleWarehouse.com:

The Abu Garcia Revo SX Generation-3 Casting Reels dropped by over 2 ounces compared to the previous model, taking lightweight design to the next level and reducing the weight by 25%. A more powerful D2 Gear System, the next generation of Duragear, provides enhanced efficiency and precision when the water, and as with all new Revo low profile reels, the new X2-Craftic alloy provides the most advanced corrosion protection. The Abu Garcia Revo SX Generation-3 Casting Reels’ MagTrax brake system also provides smooth, consistent brake pressure for casting precision like no other. 

Features: 

• 9 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing provides smooth operation 
• X2-Craftic alloy frame for increased corrosion resistance 
• C6 carbon handle sideplate provides significant weight reduction without sacrificing strength and durability 
• Carbon Matrix drag system provides smooth, consistent drag pressure across the entire drag range 
• D2 Gear Design provides a more efficient gear system while improving gear durability
•  MagTrax brake system gives consistent brake pressure throughout the cast 
• Infini II spool design for extended castability and extreme loads 
• Compact bent handle and star provide a more ergonomic design 
• Ti coated line guide reduces friction and improves durability

Pros 

One thing I like about the Revo family of reels is they are generally ready to go right out of the box with few modifications. I usually set the magnetic cast control to about a 3 setting (out of 10) and start fishing. That ease of use is great and it does well with a variety of lures without having to make major changes to knobs and brakes. Another thing that I like about the Revo lineup is they are very low profile, fit well on all brands of rods (even though they are even better on Abu rods) and the fact that they are lightweight. I have used this reel on everything from a 6’8” medium topwater rod to a 7’10 deep diving crankbait rod and it was performed well for everything in between. The cost is another in the “pro” category. Sure, $160 or so is a bigger purchase for many, but the reel is built to last and performs like some of the more expensive reels I have from other brans. 

Cons 

Honestly, there are not too many here. I guess maybe the “smooth factor”. While it is not rough by any means, it doesn’t have the fluidity of others right away. If it is going to be like my other Revos it will maintain the "smoothness", while some others feel smooth right away and then like gravel a year later. 

It is available for $159.99 at TackleWarehouse.com

Abu Garcia Morrum ZX Review

I've never been a fan of round baitcast reels, in fact I have never owned one before the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Morrum ZX. I started fishing when the low profile reels were king (and they still are), but round reels do have a place for the ability to cast long distances. The Morrum ZX can absolutely launch a bait and is now my go-to for lipless crankbaits.

The Abu round reels have a long history and the Morrum has always been the elusive top-shelf reel that carries the name, the flagship if you will. After fishing it for over a year, I can see why. It's built tough, looks excellent and it is made in Sweden...unlike 95% of the reels on the market that are made in Asia. Sweden is known for its engineering and it is what put Abu Garcia on the map.

The flagship reel carries a flagship price of $499.99, but it is built to last a lifetime and something that you can pass down for generations to come.

Check out this video on the history of Abu Garcia, it is very interesting to see how the fishing reel manufacturing came about on the banks of the Morrum River.

Recessed Reel Foot 

Compact Bent Carbon Handle 

Infini II Spool Design

Features: 
-Ten Stainless Steel HCPR Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing
-Machined Aluminum frame and Sideplates
-Carbon Matrix Drag System
-IVCB-IV (Infinite Variable Centrifugal Brake) System
-Infini II Spool Design
-Compact Bent Carbon Handle
-Flat EVA Knobs
-Titanium Coated Line Guide
-Recessed Reel Foot
-Made in Sweden

A New Curado is Born

The Shimano Curado name has always been known as one of the best reels in the industry. I have just about every Curado version dating back to when I started seriously bass fishing in the mid 90's. Some of these reels were better than others, but they are all solid. The newest version, to be released in a few weeks looks so much different and packs so many more features that I can truly say I have never been so excited about a new Curado release  I plan to get one as soon as they become available in about two weeks. Here is what TackleWarehouse says about the newest Curado. What do you think? Will this reel live up to the hallowed Curado name?

Tougher and more powerful than ever before, Shimano placed a major emphasis on durability with this next generation reel.  Featuring the latest in Shimano reel technology, it also boasts improved casting performance, a whole new level of versatility, and smoother functioning.

Shimano’s new X-Ship technology greatly improves the Curado I’s gear durability by providing more precise gear alignment between the pinion and main gear, especially under heavy loads. This translates into vastly improved power and gear efficiency, and it also reduces friction between the spool shaft and main gear for enhanced casting performance with lighter lures.

The new SVS Infinity Brake System picks up from there, providing infinitely adjustable, consistent spool control and brake force. Its externally adjustable dial features six settings (1-6) that furnish a level of precision previously impossible with traditional cast controls. Shimano’s new S3D Stable Spool Design also improves casting capabilities even further by greatly reducing spool vibration.

No matter what application you prefer - saltwater or fresh - there is a new Shimano Curado 200 I Casting Reel ready for the task. Available in three gear ratio and tougher than ever before, the new Curado I leaves no doubt why the Curado has earned a reputation as one of the best reels in the business.

• X-Ship
• SVS Infinity Brake System (Infinite Cast Control)
• Shimano Stable Spool Design (S3D)
• Super Free Spool
• Escape Hatch
• SuperStopper
• Cross Carbon Drag
• Offset Handle Design
• Center Clutch Design

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1 - Shimano Chronarch CI4+

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a friend, or even yourself, the next few weeks will be filled with some ideas. All of these products have passed my test and have been used throughout the season. You will only read about things that have passed from my testing phase to a permanent place in my arsenal.

I might as well start out with one of my all time favorite reels. The Shimano Chronarch has always been known for being top quality. I own several of them dating back to the 90's. The CI4+ Chronarch beats them all and here are five reasons why:

1. Lightweight: It weighs in at 6.5oz and is made of a new CI4+ material that is 250% stronger than the previous material.
2. Fast: It comes in two sizes, but the one I own has a lightning fast 7.6:1 gear ratio
3. Casting: In addition to the traditional Shimano centrifigual brake system, it also has a micro-click "SVS Infinity Casting System". This allows you to make very slight adjustments to help your casting distance. It casts very well right out of the box however. 
4. Value: Laugh if you will, but at $269.99 I think it's a great deal. Compared to a reel of this quality or the next level up Shimano Core ($349.99+), it is a steal for how good it is.
5. Style: It just looks awesome! Paired with a new Cumara rod, you won't find a cooler combo (in my opinion).

Besides those reasons, I have found this to be a pleasure to use. It casts great and is very smooth. Don't let the price scare you, this is a real value. It can be purchased at TackleWarehouse.com.

Stylin'

Paired with a Cumara rod

A Review of the Mitchell 300 Pro

If you have been fishing for any amount of time you have probably encountered a Mitchell 300 reel. They were a little before my time, but I have fished with them. All of the anglers I knew that were older than me swore by them, "They don't make them like they used to" and "These reels are bulletproof" are what they would say when comparing them to the new generation of gear and talking about the original Mitchell 300.

With all that being said, there is a new Mitchell 300 that is now available at TackleWarehouse. Will it be enough to live up to it's legendary name?

Old School vs. New School

As you can see they kept some of the same design but totally revamped the reel and made it more in line with modern options available on the market. It should be enough to satisfy the old school and new school Mitchell fans.

Reel Specs:

• 10 bearings with instant anti-reverse
• Bail Halo for superior strength
• Strong advanced polymeric body
• Aluminum spool and handle with EVA knob
• Smooth hybrid carbon fiber drag
• 3 sizes: 300, 308 and 310
• Price: $69.95 for each model

The reel I have been using for a few months is the 300 size. Originally I didn't have a use for it as I prefer smaller reels and really light line for my finesse fishing. I decided to spool it up with 10lb fluorocarbon and attach it to a 7' M Abu Garcia Villain and it was awesome for light Texas-rigs. This combo has been great for tubes and small jigs.

Overall I was impressed with the reel. For the price, I don't think there is another reel that compare. It's smooth and casts well. It may be a little heavier than I prefer, but it balances nicely on a medium or even medium heavy spinning rod. Check them out, it looks like Mitchell is definitely back!

Are You Ready For the Rocket? The Revo Rocket is in Stock!

I have been waiting for this moment since ICAST, the Revo Rocket is now in stock at TackleWarehouse. I was very impressed with the look and feel of the reel when I saw it and the 9.0:1 ratio is just amazing. It retails for $299.99 and is sure to be another awesome reel from Abu Garcia.

Features: 

• Ten Stainless Steel HPCR Bearings + 1 Roller Bearing
• X2-Craftic Alloy Frame and Sideplates
• Carbon Matrix Drag System
• D2 Gear Range
• Infini Brake System
• Infini II Spool
• Extended Bent Carbon Handle
• Large EVA Knobs
• Titanium-coated Line Guide

VIDEO: Elite Series Pro Fletcher Shryock at ICAST Showing off the new Revo Rocket

ICAST 2013: New Reels from Abu, Lew's and Pflueger

The Revo Rocket 9:1 reel!

Pflueger redesigned several reels for this year

Lew's continues to improve

ICAST 2013: Shimano Chronarch CI4+

I'm a big Shimano fan, always have been, probably always will be. Just wanted to get that disclaimer out there. With that being said, I really like the new Chronarch CI4+. It's designed as a reel in between the regular Chronarch and Core, but with many of the best features of both.

Here's three things I got from a quick inspection:

1. Super light: I didn't catch the exact specs, but it's really, really light.
2. Solid: Even with the lightweight, it still feels solid and like it can handle heavy baits and big bass.
3. Sleek: It feels like a sports car design. That's one of the biggest cliches in describing new products, but for this reel it fits.

The TBrinksFishing ICAST Awards

Each year we hear about the same old categories at ICAST: Best New Freshwater Rod, Reel, Soft Lure...etc. I agree we need to have these awards but decided to make my own categories.

Ugliest Rod: This was a hard choice with all of the colors in the rainbow represented, but the Halo Ronald McDonald Signature Rod wins it. By the way, that's not what it is really called.

Strangest Reel: Again, this was a tough one..but 13 Fishing wins!  It's a reel designed for ice fishing and definitely caught my attention from the looks.

Craziest Soft Plastic: The Mann's Three For All. There were a few others that were close, but this one wins!

Those were the big winners tonight.

Old School Meets New School

I have been using Shimano products for a long time. I have multiple brands of rods and reels but Shimano does make some of the best equipment that is built to last. Case in point, my old school green Curados are still kickin' it after fifteen years of hardcore bass fishing.  I just paired one of my green reels with a brand new Shimano Cumara spinnerbait rod. I'm a big fan of the last Cumara rod, so it will be interesting to compare the two.  

The lightest baitcast reel ever? The Revo MGXtreme

I couldn't believe this reel when I saw the details. 4.9oz is crazy! Abu Garcia is sure to turn heads with this one.  I will be at the Classic in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see (and feel) this thing.

It can be pre-ordered on TackleWarehouse.

Here are some more details:

- 4.9oz!

- Seven Stainless Steel HPCR Bearings + One Roller Bearing

-Two Additional Ceramilite Spool Bearings

-One-Piece X-Mag Alloy Frame

-Carbon Matrix Drag System

-C6 Carbon Sideplates

-IVCB-4 Centrifugal Brake Design

-Infini II Spool Design

-Compact Bent Carbon Handle

-Round EVA Knoba

-Aircraft-grade Aluminum Main Gear

-Also Comes with Spare Set of Flat EVA Knobs

Holiday Gift Guide: Day 10 - Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel

The Revo has really changed the landscape of fishing reels, call it a "REVOlution" if you will. The addition of the Revo Premier spinning reel a few years ago was a huge upgrade to the Abu Garcia spinning reels in my opinion. Now they have added the Revo S, the Revo Inshore and the Revo SX.  I have been fishing the Revo SX this fall after drooling over it at ICAST earlier this year.  I am impressed!

Some of my favorite things about it are the improved drag system, slow oscillation technology (for better line management) and the eva grips.  Some people don't like these, but I am a big fan. They are comfortable and hold up well.  This reel retails for $159.99 and looks awesome when paired with a Villain.