J Francho

I leave the baits in the retail packages, and those go into a tall 3700 size box.

I've never done it. I just know it exists.

Mike's a good guy, and a friend of mine, as well as a long time sponsor of this site.

http://www.delawarevalleytackle.com/

I don't, but I've seen reels with cross threading and other issues.

Does it really matter? Mike Siebert could probably tie you a bunch for less than ordering from a store. http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/

You need a drag washer? Smooth Drags has replacement Carbontex washers that are better than the stock Dartanium. What many don't realize, Shimano USA has to order and pay for the parts inventory they maintain. It would be too expensive to maintain support for reels more than 5 years old, though sometimes I've found they have the parts. In my travels as a reel tech, I've often found is easier, and less expensive to locate a "donor reel" for parts. Rather than pout and trash a company (actually this is forbidden by our forum rules!) , perhaps try yo get creative in finding a solution, or try asking for help here. There's 65,000 members, sure one or two have faced the same issue. All those potential solutions and explanations aside, I challenge you to not take the same issue with any other manufacturer. You will be disappointed in them all if that is your expectation. For the meantime, we're done here. We are not an avenue to complain about manufacturers. We offer solutions, not a place air your grievances. Festivus is over, and so is this thread.

The FWC wans't formed until 1999. Dig a little deeper. We've been transplanting fish for 200 years. How would they know who privately moved what species? No one even recognized "Florida Strain" bass until relatively recently. Do a little research, it's fairly well documented. Here's an official US government project. 1873. So, anyone stiull think fish weren't moved before that?

I have no right or wrong on this, other than I know when I don't like the feel. I had a typical MH/F rod that was awful feeling with one reel on it. Put another on, and it was great. Hard to say what the difference was. On my centrepin rods, I generally tape the reel on the Tennessee grip where it's comfortable to fight a fish, and still have leverage behind the reel. I guess if I were you, I'd be taping it in several positions and testing it out.

Wait, the cold will ruin mono? Sorry, fish for steelhead all winter long, with mono, and graphite rods. They get wet. Sometimes I even toss them in the snow for a pic. No ill effects. The fish don't know your rod and reel are freezing!

Try Loctite Blue, and see of it grabs enough.

I'm thinking with the ding, the fix is toss it, and get a replacement.

You can demo one from TW.

Short of something really dumb, yes. My buddy @Maico1 has several that I've tried. They're pretty amazing.

Was going through my "FB Memories" for yesterday, and found this picture Rich Zaleski sent me

They've been here for over a decade. Calais DC.

I just want to comment on the no bass leaving Florida (or anywhere else, for that matter) is totally untrue. We've been transplanting fish since the 1800's. Just because it wasn't a government body conducting the activity doesn't mean it didn't happen. Do a little research, and you can find photos depicting fish being shipped alive via rail in milk barrels. It's entirely possible FLMB were transplanted by 1932.

My Xpress was around $60 for a replacement. The Bullet's are around $100.

It's called R&D. Happens in any manufacturing company.

I don't believe the Perry fish was that big. Every record fish is a freak of nature, and there is some mitigating set of circumstances, or perfect storm for the fish to get huge. Triploid rainbow trout dwarfing western sea run steelhead is just one example.

I haven't seen the boat in person, but I think it's kind of cool. The real cool part is all the new members interest in this boat has brought us!

Genetics, food source, environment, which includes water quality. A long growing season sure helps too.

You could jump up to a Lund Pro Guide for that. That's what I'm lusting after. At any rate, good luck in your search.

I have an aluminum foil on my Bullet 21XDC/Promax 2.5L. I'm also running a four blade prop that has lots of stern lift. Boat planes in just under four seconds at 16-17 mph. The foil has no effect on top end, since it's not in the water when the boat is full planed out.

Typically, you'd order one that fits your boat, and is made of tinted plastic. The ones on my Bullet are totally black. I know a few people have used these guys, but there are others as well. http://www.getaboatwindshield.com/need_to_replace_a_windshield