It’s the new style SX, you can tell from the red behind the handle on the drag star & in the holes of the handle. You can also see the Abu Garcia logo just under his thumb as well. I’m kind a shocked they didn’t yank or tape the Team Daiwa logo off his jersey.
I Litereally just found this out about ike yesterday! I wonder what happend? obviously money reasons. I like Diawa stuff. The steeze reel is by far in my opinion one of the best reels around. Why the hell would ike go to a revo? (not saying they are bad reels, but compared to the steeze, wow) Abu garcia will probally make him his own line up, which ike would absolutely love. I’ve been browsing youtube for interviews with ike about abu garcia, but nothing yet.
Let us know if you find any interviews. It took about a month after this story broke before Abu and Purefishing’s website reported the story. And the last I checked there had still be no announcement made on Ikes site. Dont know if it was one of those deals where the story broke before Ike could “officialy” leave diawa or what. Might be something as simple as they are waiting on the Classic to announce anything further. Stay tunned!
On ikes site there is an abu garcia link. His pic is on abu garcia as well. You had to see this comming though because ike has been with berkley for a while, if it wasn’t garcia you could probally find him on pfluger, but garcia is a more well known company I guess. Although pflueger does have a decent pro team and their new patriarc reel is sick nasty. I swear pure fishing is taking over the fishing world. They own most of the well known company’s, I believe fenwick is part of pure as well.
The Steez stuff might be excellent stuff, but it’s insanely priced & only the richest or biggest Daiwa fanboys will spend that kind of money on those reels when the $200-300 reels perform at a very comparable level outside of weight(except the Shimano Core 50MG which is right there & $100 cheaper, that’s the superlight magnesium I’d prefer). The Revos he’s gonna use will outsell those Steez by a drastic margin, which will put more money in his pocket & they won’t hinder his ability to catch fish either. Not to mention the almost certain Ike line of Abu rods & reels that are sure to be in the works.
The Patriarch XT is a nice looking reel, but it’s gotta be pretty much a collaboration with Abu’s Premier given their similar features & the new Revos using the Patriarch’s dual cast control. Seems like Pflueger & Abu are slowly becoming very similar reels with different labels.
Pure is trying to take over, but the other companies aren’t standing pat. I didn’t realize Rapala bought Suffix, Power Pro is owned by Shimano, & Zebco has a pretty big stable as well. I just read almost all of those names are in on buying Gamma lines too. Seems to be a lot of consolidation going on in the fishing industry, with the big fish using the slumping economy to eat the little fish that are having a hard time making it through the tough times.
The Steez stuff might be excellent stuff, but it’s insanely priced & only the richest or biggest Daiwa fanboys will spend that kind of money on those reels when the $200-300 reels perform at a very comparable level outside of weight(except the Shimano Core 50MG which is right there & $100 cheaper, that’s the superlight magnesium I’d prefer). The Revos he’s gonna use will outsell those Steez by a drastic margin, which will put more money in his pocket & they won’t hinder his ability to catch fish either. Not to mention the almost certain Ike line of Abu rods & reels that are sure to be in the works.
The Patriarch XT is a nice looking reel, but it’s gotta be pretty much a collaboration with Abu’s Premier given their similar features & the new Revos using the Patriarch’s dual cast control. Seems like Pflueger & Abu are slowly becoming very similar reels with different labels.
Pure is trying to take over, but the other companies aren’t standing pat. I didn’t realize Rapala bought Suffix, Power Pro is owned by Shimano, & Zebco has a pretty big stable as well. I just read almost all of those names are in on buying Gamma lines too. Seems to be a lot of consolidation going on in the fishing industry, with the big fish using the slumping economy to eat the little fish that are having a hard time making it through the tough times.
KCL; This is what I was trying to say a few posts back only i didn’t say it as well as you do. You are right about these companies; at least thats the way it appears to me; I agree with you, but my big question is where is this all gona wind up. with all these mergers and buy-outs they get so big and you are bound to like some of their products so when they raise the price we have had it. Darn if this isn’t making my old cane pole look better and better.
NO jobs, everyone out of work or out of income and then the fat cats raise the prices; now that sure makes a lot of sence don’t it?
Niko
Niko, I agree with you 100%. But look at it this way. Ususally, compared to other hobbies (like motocross, paintball, or even entertainment things like xbox, ps3 etc.) yeah the prices went up quite a bit, but compared to what they evolved from, it may be worth the money. I understand a killer reel may run someone 300 bucks. I sure as hell can’t afford that. If I want a awesome reel, like my revo or my energy, currado or whatever I baught mine used at a awesome deal. Examples like G loomis. Yeah their rods are nice, but who the hell wants to spend 300+ bucks on a rod? Some people do, and that’s fine, I understand companies need to make money, but that’s a little excessive. I love fishing to death and I will fish till I can’t walk any more. It’s definately drained a bit out of my pockets. Being 22 years old, I am thankfull to have a job now, but I’m not making thousands of dollars where I can go blow $$ for gear. This is an expensive hobbie, and with more and more people getting more into it, the big companys are taking advantage of it, which sucks. That’s why I’m a firm believer of supporting the smaller companies to keep them alive. The small mom and pop tackle shops around my area are dropping like flies because of BPS or cabellas or gander mtn. Yeah those places are cool and have alot of stuff, but their prices aren’t really that “great” compared to some of the deals you can get from a small shop. A place I used to go to before they shut down, they guy would always cut me a break if I purchased a few things and always did special orders of differnt stuff that I needed. You wont/cant do that at those big retail stores. It is definately getting out of hand and as soon as the gear I have now start getting old and beat up and I’ll eventually have to get new stuff, I can only imagine the prices. I just cant justify paying 200+ per reel (considering I have multiple rods and reels, 13 differnt ones to be exact for differnt patterns) that’s over $$$2500 bucks just in reels for the stuff I want. It’s definately out of control, but hey, fishing is your thing, you gotta pay to play. I don’t have any choice but to pay it, not to mention those big corps. dont care what I, you or anyone else have to say because others will buy. So all we can do is sit back, save your money and like it.
Ive thought for years about tryin to scrape together the capital to start a mom and pop shop. The economy doesnt bother me as bad as the numbers of local shops Ive seen flop in this area over the years and not just recently. I think, this area a well thought out and set up shop could strike, especially if they explore all areas on which they can sale. Now granted, you have to compete with BPS and Cabela’s prices as well as Tacklewarehouse now. I think where one gets into a funk, is they dont have true sales. And alot of local places still up and running charge about 75 cents to a $1 more than the big retailers. Not to mention you have to mark down old stock and keep what people wants on the shelf. One local shop has some old BPS rods that have to be 10-15 years old and still hold the retail price as if they was new on the shelf. Who’s going to pay say $69.99 for a BPS Cranking Stick when there is enough dust on it to grow a patch of potatoes? The hardest thing I think, is keeping the items that sell in stock, but still keep enough of what people want that when they come in you dont have to look at the customer and say, I dont have any in stock but I can order one for you. That pisses me off personaly, I can go home and order stuff and have it in 2-3 days. Ive often thought depending on the cost to the owner if you have to “order” something for someone that you normally carry they should get a 5-10% discount. Might not make much profit off that item but it might keep there $$$ in your store. Now there is no way imo a mom and pop shop can carry all the big names, not in the beginning anyways. So if you dont carry Diawa and a guy is looking for a Steez, then obvisouly you dont offer the discount for having to order one. And personally I think you’d be better off looking the guy in the eye and appologizing and simply tell him you dont carry Diawas. Let him know in a round about way that you can order it but you understand if he has the money for Steez he is very capable of ordering it himself. Ive not given up on the dream just yet, Ive often thought Id even throw in some non-fishing related items, say dog food, hound accesories and archery equipment. My area has alot of coon hunters and deer hunters this could help pay some of the winter time bills when most are out hunting without having to file for a FFL license to be able to sell firearms. Maybe someday I will be in the market to start one of these stores, maybe not. But 2 things I can tell you if I ever do. 1. I will have items listed on ebay if not a ebay store. 2. All KVD Forum members will receive some sort of small discount, maybe just 5% maybe I will implant a scale where the discount is based off the number of posts a individual has, just to eliminate those who post 5 times and disappears.
Niko, I agree with you 100%. But look at it this way. Ususally, compared to other hobbies (like motocross, paintball, or even entertainment things like xbox, ps3 etc.) yeah the prices went up quite a bit, but compared to what they evolved from, it may be worth the money. I understand a killer reel may run someone 300 bucks. I sure as hell can’t afford that. If I want a awesome reel, like my revo or my energy, currado or whatever I baught mine used at a awesome deal. Examples like G loomis. Yeah their rods are nice, but who the hell wants to spend 300+ bucks on a rod? Some people do, and that’s fine, I understand companies need to make money, but that’s a little excessive. I love fishing to death and I will fish till I can’t walk any more. It’s definately drained a bit out of my pockets. Being 22 years old, I am thankfull to have a job now, but I’m not making thousands of dollars where I can go blow $$ for gear. This is an expensive hobbie, and with more and more people getting more into it, the big companys are taking advantage of it, which sucks. That’s why I’m a firm believer of supporting the smaller companies to keep them alive. The small mom and pop tackle shops around my area are dropping like flies because of BPS or cabellas or gander mtn. Yeah those places are cool and have alot of stuff, but their prices aren’t really that “great” compared to some of the deals you can get from a small shop. A place I used to go to before they shut down, they guy would always cut me a break if I purchased a few things and always did special orders of differnt stuff that I needed. You wont/cant do that at those big retail stores. It is definately getting out of hand and as soon as the gear I have now start getting old and beat up and I’ll eventually have to get new stuff, I can only imagine the prices. I just cant justify paying 200+ per reel (considering I have multiple rods and reels, 13 differnt ones to be exact for differnt patterns) that’s over $$$2500 bucks just in reels for the stuff I want. It’s definately out of control, but hey, fishing is your thing, you gotta pay to play. I don’t have any choice but to pay it, not to mention those big corps. dont care what I, you or anyone else have to say because others will buy. So all we can do is sit back, save your money and like it.
AllStar1987; You covered a lot of areas in your post and you make a couple of good points; but the mom and pop shops can’t compete with the big boys because the fat cats buy several semi trailer loads of an item where the mom and pop store has to buy perhaps a dozen; they pay quarterly taxes on the inventory wheather they sell them or not.
Simply put we have to go where our dollar will take us. A rich man considers a Ranger Bass boat a good deal when a poor man figures a row boat is a fair price. It’s all about money and how far our dollar will take us.
You are right you are lucky cause you are working and have a job, so you have to go where your dollar will take you. there are many others that make 10 times that much and there are much more than that, that do not have even half of what you have. See what I mean you have to buy where your dollar will let you. We all can’t have the luxuary of top shelf items clear across the board.
To me the main thing is to be able to fish and to have the best equipment I can afford which is between average and under average. I got a Quantum casting combo from BPS when they were on sale and saved just over 100.00; believe me no other way could I have bought that outfit but now I got it and with care and service I looke forward to many yrs. of service. Another big thing is at my age i really don’t know how many yrs. I got left; I am on my way out at age 79 and can barely make it to the ponds now. My plans are to see how much fishing I can get in before I go to the great chile parlor in the sky. And as always get there the only way I know how; I have had a lot of up hill in my lifetime as we all do from time to time.
I compete in Bass fishing; I compete against myself and my prize and trophys are on my stringer.
I hope you have a good life and catch a mess of bass; just so you save me a couple.
Niko
I’m sure money had a factor in it, or pressure form berkley. I’ve fished with top-shelf Abus and Daiwas, and I can tell you from my experience that none of the Revo’s (premier or otherwise) can even hold a candle next to the Steez. In my opinion there’s not much comparison. I’m dissapointed with Ike’s switch, and would be interested in hearing his “unsolicited” opinion on why he switched. Marketing yourself is fine and dandy but proffesional bass fishing is all about efficeincy, and even small changes in your game or equipment can have a profound impact on your career. I just hope Ike was motivated to make this move for fishing and not monetary reasons
Considering Ike finished 6th in the classic, I seriously doubt switching from Daiwa to Abu is going to ruin his career or have any sort of negative impact on his fishing abilities.
That’s hardly the question in my mind, Ike is one of a kind and an unbelievable fisherman. Question is if he could get slightly more distance on his cast, an extra crank on that big boy, or any other variable that comes in play when you talk equipment, could he have won that classic? I don’t see Ike falling off the winners board anytime soon. But like I said its game that comes down to who’s the most efficient. If you ask me KVD is the most efficient angler to ever tournament fish, and his success proves it. Its a catch up game for everyone else, so any little advantage you can get, you’d better exploit it.
