J Francho

Sorry ghoti, you are wrong on this one. Put a pen on the desk. Put a book on top of the pen, parallel to the desk. The desk and the book can move independently of each other. The pen is the bearing. That is why ball bearings work. The inner race and outer race move independently of each other. There is NO slippage. The surface area that the ball touches on each race is ALWAYS equal, irrespective of diameter. If there was slippage, the concept would not work. Think about it. This is veering way off topic, though. You can call me at home if you want to debate it more brotha.

I think it's just another layer of communication. I can't help stupid texting. There's stupid all over the place. There's no test to get a cell phone, LOL. The one that amazes me is texting while driving. So, so dangerous.

So you do get it...something more convenient than an old fashioned map. For some people, it's just more convenient to text, especially when you don't need a whole conversation. Wife can send me a quick list of stuff to pick up at the grocery, or where and when to pickup our son after practice.

I'm the wrong guy to ask. I have 5 rods I use for cranking. A 7' MH/Moderate rod should do fine. The St. Croix Avid AVC70MHM is a great choice.

Here's the thing, and don't take this as an insult - it's not meant to be. I wouldn't consider you a "bass fisherman." Yes, you fish for bass on occasion, but your style of fishing doesn't begin to scratch the surface of what a bass fisherman encounters on a typical day. This is why you will not find yourself in agreement with many of the opinions here, not because you are offering a different viewpoint as a bass fisherman. Most people you encounter are probably not "bass fisherman" in the sense that most BassResource.com members think either. Like I said, it's not an insult. It's really more a case of geography. Up here on the Great lakes, trout and salmon are held with high regard. We groundling bass/pike/panfish anglers (yes, the DEC thinks of us as one) are second class citizens. If you lived on the shores of Okeechobee, you would have a different perspective of "bass fishing."

There are no "aftermarket gears." They only come in righty.

A hook like that is not meant to fish in cover. The Owner Downshot hook that Raul mentioned is much better suited for fishing cover. That said, I use Gamakatsu Slip/Drop Shot hooks and Owner Mosquito hooks for nose hooking plastics on a drop shot rig. There's no problem getting the hook to stand out, if you run the tag end back through hook's eye, and pull the knot down. Here's more info: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

Rocks: Spro Aruku Shad Weeds: Lucky Craft D-7 For Weedcutter

They still service Curado B series. Here's a list of the reels they no longer service: http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/customer_service0/Repair_Services.download.-mainParsys-0021-downloadFile.html/PNLA%20LIST%202011.pdf That doesn't necessarily mean they will have the part(s) you need. You'll never know if you don't call them. I've gotten parts for 20 year old reels from a couple different manufacturers.

Something wasn't put together right. I know, that's a "duh" answer, but it's about as good as I can do. You'll have to send it to BPS or DVT or something.

you can embed videos by clicking the Insert Media button:

You might want to check the geometry there. The first statement is correct, but the second is not. But yeah, no lube always bothered me too. The only slipping is the ball in the cages, not the two races.

Mike's is in Canada, and shipping might be a pain for you. http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/customer_service0/Repair_Services.html They should have parts for you, just call 1-877-577-0600

True, if you only fish moving baits.

That would be a HUGE flaw if you can't use some rods in freezing temps. I don't have any issues in weather much colder than just "in the 30s."

You'll never know if you don't make a cast.

I like jig and worm rods to be lighter feeling in the tip. Same goes for drop shot. Otherwise, it's just a "feels good" to me thing. As far as "weight on the rod," I get that. I think that's more in the sensitivity setup than anything else, though. I've put together combos that felt terrible in my hands. Change out the reel, and it's wonderful. I know it's a balance thing, but I can't say for certain if it's because it's truly balanced. All my casting rigs, save my flipping/pitching stick are slightly tip heavy, if I use the center of the reel as a fulcrum.

There is nothing "easy" about those 30+ baits, LOL. They tear your shoulder up throwing them, and give you carpal tunnel reeling them in.

The Dark Side.....Mike, I am your father. LOL. I use both casting and the pin. Spinning works, but it's way more work than it's worth, and the reel gets thrashed. I prefer a casting rig for salmon, mostly for the drag. I want to be lazy when its a 30 fish day, especially when some of those fish could push 40 lbs. The down side to the casting reel is too many moving parts that will freeze up come winter. Start up is faster with a casting than the pin, though the inertia generated once a pin is spinning gets into a rhythm easier, matching the flow of the stream with line paying out. Spinning reels twist and tangle. You have to open the bail to pay out line on a long trot. It's very difficult to get the float cocked properly as well. Thumbing a baitcaster in freespool, or a finger on the flange of the pin is much easier. Especially with frozen hands. Last thing....get a cheap pin, the Okuma will work fine, and commit to it. It's what you will eventually go to anyway. Everyone inevitably turns to the Dark Side. Even the spey cast fly snobs.

All my rods are tip heavy with a bait tied on. Even more so with a fish on

I caught tons of bass in Santee-Cooper and there were gators everywhere.

That's why we go with centerpins - only a couple bearings, no drag, no gears. Some don't even have a bearing, just an arbor on a post. Put a hand warmer in the reel cover while you are moving from spot to spot to keep it from freezing.

You can get ABEC 7 Ceramic Hybrids with steel shields. That's what I would use, IF I was to upgrade/replace a bearing. Let's also recognize the distinction between bearing shields and seals. They are two different animals. Over lube a sealed bearing, and you will have performance issues. Expose a bearing with no seals to certain conditions, and you will have early failure.

I like my Sol/Alphas for cranking, hard jerkbaits, and spooks. I think it's 5.8:1, 24 IPT. Not too fast, not too slow. When fishing deep deep divers....if it's too hard to reel, then you are reeling too fast. Most attain greatest depth and run true at slower speeds.

Best upgrade for the money. Every reel that I open up gets one now.