Originally posted by: sscasteel on 4/20/2005 3:22:41 PM

Needing a decent break from staying at home, I decided to run a circle around Ft. Worth, Tx. going into Pawn shops today.

Not trying to brag.. <!--graemlin::D--> but it was sure great pickin's today.

One Pawn shop sold me a 6 ft glass rod and large Spinning reel for $10.81.

Second Pawn shop sold me a loaded Plano tackle box with 20 + plugs and other terminal tackle in it, and a BASS PRO SHOP Bionic Blade casting rod w/ Pfluger low profile bait cast reel = all for $43.18

Pawn shop # 3 was INDEED HEAVEN... <!--graemlin::D--> NICE RODS AND REELS STACKED EVERYWHERE IN THE DISPLAY AREA...I took home 5 real nice current Abu-Garcia bait cast reels, A Quantum bait cast reel, a Penn Peer #9 reel, and a SHIMANO CURADO B200. <!--graemlin::p--> PLus there were 5 baitcast rods that went with the deal, total for all = $225.00.

Pawn shop # 4. I had not been in this one for at least 6 months. <!--graemlin::eek:--> I went in and seen many bait cast reels in the display case. A check of the rod rack .. WOW.. a NICE Abu-Garcia 5500 C3 reel, mounted on a 7 ft. FALCON Grass Rod. The price marked was $89.95. <!--graemlin::rolleyes:--> But one guide had the ceramic ring broken out of it. I took it to the register and ask if they would discount this rod and reel combo some due to the bad guide. I looked at the reels in the display case, mostly Abu-Garcia, but priced WAY TOO HIGH. The floor manager told me then that he would take $60.00 even [inc sales tax] for the Falcon rod and reel. I was happy to pay him in cash even. I was very happy as I walked out the Door. It will take me maybe 45 seconds to replace the damaged guide. <!--graemlin::D-->

The last Pawn shop I went into, had maybe 35 rod and reel combos laying against one wall. I looked them all over. Mostly Spinning and Spincast stuff. One little pole with a dark green reel caught my eye. Could it be? <!--graemlin::eek:--> Yes it was, <!--graemlin::D--> <!--graemlin::D--> ANOTHER SHIMANO CURADO 200. In nice shape for a used reel. The Price tag was marked $29.95 <!--graemlin::)--> <!--graemlin::)--> I took it to the counter and they looked it over. They rolled back the price on it some, and including sales tax, I paid exactly $30.00 for the combo. <!--graemlin::D-->

I will have plenty of reels now to check and clean/lube, but the quailty items one can find in a Pawn shop [and the pricing] can be truly AMAZING. <!--graemlin:;)-->