J Francho

Maybe I stink at it, but the FG mangled leaders around 4-6 lbs. I'll have to try again.

Whether it is necessary is a matter of opinion. Can you get away without it? Yes. But I can get along without sliced bread too. Side note, Batson makes a product that I'm looking forward to trying. It comes in a disposable wipe. One for line, and one for gear. I'll keep you in the loop.

Spray the spool and let it dry, per the instructions.

It has more to do with the leverage a fish can put on a big bodied bait than tearing out hooks, and I even doubt this fact as well. The reason I use a moderate action rod is the for the action of the bait when it deflects off something. I use single hooks in place of trebles on spoons and minnow baits for steelhead, salmon, and big brown trout. These are usually fish ranging from 5 lb. to 20+. I still use a rod with a slower action, but a single hook allows you to swing hard on them. I don't have any troubles hooking them, but they aren't bass. The reason I do this is that it's easier to release a big fish, as well as the baits don't get hung on zebe encrusted rock - big problem with spoons. I've never really tried with bass baits, because it doen't really solve any problem. If you're not ready for a dedicated cranking rod, use a medium fast rated rod, and make sure your drag is set properly. There are many out there using this - myself included. In fact, I prefer a faster action for traps and square bills over weed tops. For topwaters and jerkbaits, I even ramp it up to an Extra Fast rating because I get better control of the bait with that kind of rod. Like everything in fishing, there's no hard set rules, and there's a ton of opinoin centered around myths.

I used to think that you payed more for a rod with a replacement program. In fact, you must. But is it noticeably more? I mean is my Avid twice as much as it should be? It certainly is a little bit more, but is it way off other rods in the same price category? Not really. It's not like you're getting only a $100 rod for $175. Is it?

Most quality baits come with properly sized quality hooks. No need to replace unless your constantly in the bargain bin.

Wiggle Warts were poorly made, inconsistent baits. The bad ones were the good ones. When they were bought by a corporate giant, they fixed the issue, and there were no more "bad ones." Of course the good ones worked too, but after so many years, everyone is in search of a few original bad ones. Consequently, there are a great many looking for originals - good or bad, they'll decide - and those with them command a premium. I think it's funny because there almost no bad ones on the market, which means many pay a premium for good ones that don't work like the bad ones - a premium set by the existence of the bad ones! Makes perfect sense, right? Lol.

I don't use them at all. I found that the ones I used wore out and dulled quickly. I prefer the simplicity and durability of a nickel plated hook over any color.

No reseller wou do this, lol!

It's hard to lay blame on a defect months after the purchase. It's also hard to take care of this stuff 100% by the book. When I'm running to a new spot, there some rods out strapped to the deck, and I'm sure they even get stepped on, or bumped while fishing. Losing one once in a great while is just a cost of admission I'm willing to pay. Many of my rods carry a replacement policy as well, nsmely the Avids and Champs.

Morning, noon, and night, when the water in the lake is wet. It's aleays s shock when they hit a topwater. Dawn and dusk in summer are high percentage times for this.

For typical braids that lack a coating, it helps retain color. For braid with a coating, it keeps that coating longer and slows "break in." I actually like some lines broken in, and others like brand new. For the latter, I pretreat the spools before filling reels, and the former I treat after broken in.

Out of all my rods, Avids, Champ Extremes, GLX, LTB, DHC5, DHC7, ID DSG the lightest are the Pinnacle DHC7. The Champ Extreme are a very close second.

Every spring old stuff goes on clearance to make room for the new stuff. In the wake of that, some stuff gets elevated in value on the used market. I'm not one to spend extra on a notion rooted in nothing more than my confidence. Will there ever be another like the old Keitech Spiders? Probably not, but I'm sure not paying $30 for a bait that was $4 new.

Lol, déjà vu. All over again. Xcalibur is not going anywhere. Neither is YUM. Or Arbogast.

Ice fishing rods are really light.

Same difference, the chemicals come in liquid, dry crystal, and infused fiber.

I use L&L on every line I fish with. I have several bottles scattered in the house, truck, baits, kayak, tackle bags, etc. It's one of those things that says what it does and does what it says. It's a must use item for me.

Duct tape You can get end caps at rod building suppliers.

That's a beaut!

Many of the chemicals are similar, but a dryer sheet is meant to be activated through heat. There's also some components to eliminate static. I can't see that helping at all. Last bit, dryer sheets are carcinogenic and toxic. L&L is not. Which would you rather drink water polluted with?

Lol

I just call them. Usually talk to JJ himself.

Simple physics, you are spreading the load of a heavy, lift and separate hookset across the entire blank, not just the tip. It also helps slingshot the fish up out of cover. Moderate does not mean soft. Power refers to that aspect.

You probably dinged it somewhere along the way. That's usually what I think when a rod that has performed for months suddenly snapped. If there's a replacement program for that rid I'll persue it, but I don't see this as a warranty issue. Rods are fragile. It's like trying to warranty a dozen eggs after they leave the store, lol.