J Francho

Sounds like that's the case.

The reason I like to use something a bit different from the classic Lil' Cleos here is because EVERYONE and their brother tosses Cleos from the pier. Since I was in 8 FOW, I'd have to go with a 3/4 oz. Cleo, or slow my retrieve. Neither worked for the 1st hour,so I went a different route. Fooling trout is sometimes about VERY closely matching the bait, or bait size, and other times its about the change up. Probably a little of both in this case, since this fish looked like it had already been up the creek, and dropped back into the lake to feed. Paul, your thoughts? Am I close? ;D

You want to upgrade the palm side bearing, and the spool bearing. These two bearings are most critical when the reel is in free spool. That the cast control, pinion bearings spin during the cast is a function of spool tension and "sympathetic" contact. Neither "need" to spin in order for the spool to spin. Mechanical = not as smooth. If the spool shaft was a single piece, and part# 49 was indeed fixed, like on Shimanos, then I'd say go ahead and do all three bearings. If you want to focus on what the bait is doing, you want to insulate the rest of the gears from the reel handle during the retrieve. This is just my opinion after working on and upgrading many, many reels, including several Revos.

If you want to improve feel, use stainless in those spots. The ceramics will make the reel feel more mechanical. This is also the main reason these bearings get packed with grease. If you've got your reel apart, you'll see why those other bearings do not matter for free spool. Note part# 49: http://abugarcia.com/product_schematic.php?search=revo&id=239.240&search_submit=Search+%3E%3E# The bearing for the aftermarket spool should be the same dimensions as the OE bearing.

It would be pointless to replace the cast control bearing, or the drive shaft bearing unless its damaged. They contributes nothing in free spool. You want stainless for those two for smoothness. You want to replace the two spool support bearings for spool speed.

The narrow profile allows you to fish a lighter lure a bit deeper. They have a unique snake like wiggle, unlike typical spoons. I ditch the plastic attractor on the hook, use a #1 Aberdeen single hook, and attach a barrel swivel to the front swivel.

Nice work bro!

Put a little bearing oil on a Q-tip, and swab both sides of the bayonet mount

4/0 Owner SSW or Gam. 6/0 Octopus hook, snelled with a shrink wrap keeper. Weight is anywhere from 1/2 oz. to 1-1/2 oz. pegged tungsten, depending on thickness of cover. I also rig them on an open hook football jig, 3/8 oz. to 1 oz.

http://www.***/contact.html

Spelled it wrong.... :-[ http://www.luhrjensen.com/products/spoons--spinners/hus-lure

RI Gambler Berkley Zoom Roboworm

Hustlures, man....Hustlures. 8-)

Get a couple of fishing kayaks.

Nope. If he wanted to live that lifestyle, he shouldn't have started a family.

I heard its up to 13 on the radio this morning.

Looks and acts like a Gulp! Minnow.

Oval split rings were designed to prevent the very situation you fear. So you're undermining their purpose. if you are that worried about it, cut the split rings off, and use a Duo-Loc snap.

Jeez, Bill Dance blowin' up my secrets! Spring Lake? Shhhhh!!!!!!!! "I know nutting!" :-X

We've basically been on an intercept pattern for the past month. Huge congregations of northerns are holding in frogwater swamp bays, and deep holes, some as skinny as 6" and as deep as 15', and feeding on the multitudes of bait fish in there. I imagine after this weekend, the skim ice will have sealed us out. I'll be back May 1, LOL. Many, many fish in the 7-10 lb. range, and a couple bigger.

Another set of pics: http://basseast.com/?p=%203425

This will sound nuts, but if I had to use just one rod and reel, I'd pick any decent 3000 series reel, and very nice MH/Mod. fast rod. I'd also have six or seven spare spools with various line choices. This set up would allow me to fish everything from light baits, to cranks, to frogs, to jigs, to whatever. It wouldn't be the best, but it would actually work for most everything in my tackle bag and allow me to fish any line from 4lb. fluoro to 40lb. braid.

The 1st one was just under 8 lbs. The second was unmeasured, but had a great pattern. The 3rd guy with us had a 10-2.

All an "angler version" offers is rod holders and a tankwell to store tackle. For anyone looking for the ultimate in hybrid designs, I'd be looking at the Wilderness Systems Commander 120. Very versatile boat that is like no other out there.

Amen to that, Paul. Believe it or not, I was the 1st one off the water that day, yelling for the other two to bring it in. And I'm the one most qualified to be out in the rough stuff. By the time we got the boats on the trailer, we had 4' white caps blowing left to right. You know where I was, and you also know how quickly the lake goes from glass to maelstrom in minutes. AC500 - I'm looking forward to your reports, as your kayak experience builds. We'll have to try and fish together at some point.