J Francho

I generally use 5". Sometimes they're finicky on beds or pre-spawn, and I go to the 4"

I was just saying cheap-o is usually associated with junk. I think you'll be fine, plus you have new gear at great deal, ANNNNND it's under warranty.

I trust swivels...

I wouldn't call those "cheap-o" set ups. Inexpensive, yes. Cheap, no. Those should last you.

I have the AVC70MHF, and it's not my favorite worm & jig rod. I like it soft tail swimbaits, heavy spinnerbaits, and other bigger, single hook, moving baits. I've never touched a Duckett, so I have no idea. My favorite jig rods right now are a MH and H Pinnacle Perfecta DH5 7-3 rods.

The regular spool is just aluminum, the extra spool has a rubber arbor. Not much to debate here, as I've seen them in person.

If you want to use the best line for tough leaders, use LEADER line, not reel fill. Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader Material is what I use. It's much tougher than any reel fill I've ever used.

The "braid spool" has a rubberized arbor to keep the braid from spinning on the spool.

I'm just on the other side of the lake.

Evidence that you should ALWAYS remove the hook!

This won't help the OP, but I was able to find the best assortment of glass beads while visiting some shops in Corning, NY. Tons of amazing stuff there. Was there on a mini-vacation visit to the glass museum.

Even when I did use night crawlers, it didn't take an UL to live line crawlers and softshells for bass. Any medium power spinning rod will do that. If you have an actual use for an UL, and your at the point of specializing in tiny baits, then the differences in tapers might be something you appreciate, and I say go for it. Back before bass season was open year round, I fished for crappie, and four rods for this. Micro jigs were the primary bait - under 1/32 oz. Having the right tools makes it a joy to fish. At any rate I agree, a medium-light x-fast rod is a great tool. Ask this fish, caught on a AVS63MLXF:

You have two posts here. Not sure your experiences with "flea markets" counts. There are literally dozens of great deals on gear offered right now. You might want to take a look. There's even a "good sellers" thread, where you can see the number of good transactions reported by buyers.

Generally, I just look at the address. I ask to see the item before considering purchase. Can't see it any differently whether buying a boat or bow-tie. Here's how a CL sale goes down: send an email asking if they still have it. If yes, then when can I look at it, and decide to buy. You get a addy and time frame to meet. It's never gotten that far and not been legit.

Neither look over 12" long.

Aliens, man. It's the aliens.

Actually, most legit CL ads I've successfully been able to make deals with do not have a phone listed. You email them privately, and they send you a tel.#.

I can't see using anything less than a medium light for bass, though I have seen a wide range of tapers with UL rods. Something slower might help in throwing 100th oz. jigs or something tiny, but I'd never use this for bass.

I would keep checking the Flea Market forum here.

I bet they have a compatible part for you.

I think this is a security restriction to prevent hacked accounts. @Glenn can probably give you a better explanation.

You might have to call Zebco/Quantum directly. Do have any idea what parts you need?

I'd say any mild detergent, and a LOT of rinsing would take care of any hard baits.

They are VERY much present in the lake. The low water kills a great proportion of them. It's not so much an eradication plan (impossible) as it is a control plan. It works pretty well, but can make it a pain when launching. This is what I was told by my friend Paul, a biologist prof. at RIT. AFAIK, all the Finger Lakes have zebra mussels, as they interconnected via canals, rivers, and creeks.