J Francho

I think the problem isn't texting whole driving, it's the type of person that does this. There have always been distracted drivers. I probably see two or three people a day doing this. I see many more driving poorly. Combine the two, and you have a deadly concoction. I'm not saying it ok to text and drive, but I think it's a scapegoat for crummy, distracted driving in general, for insurance companies. Have accident reports increased since phones have become ubiquitous?

Nope. I paid cash for mine. Less payments = bigger tackle and gas budget.

That's a better description. "Weak" is a relative term.

What Raul said, otherwise, you'll have a reel with low line capacity, and a weak drag.

Anyway, OP, when you hold you rod out parallel to the ground, and disengage your spool, does the lure drop to the ground when you let go of it?

There are a couple situations where a shorter rod helps, with a slightly less heavy rating. I've switched to a stout, fast action MH/H Loomis 804 for docks and wood - places where the pitch is pretty short, and weed cover is light. Two years ago, I would have sworn up and down to use a 7-6 H or XH like I did, or go home, but on the recommendation of a friend, I tried the little rod. You sometimes have to to do "weird" things with your rod to get fish out of wood or from around dock pilings, and the shorter rod helps. Plus, the slightly softer power helps keep pressure on the fish when they are on a short leash. By short, I mean like 8' of line out - really close combat. In fact, that's, the rod in the vid above. Other than that, something 7-4 to 8' is my preference for pitching to weed cover. Probably shorter for pitching, and on the longer side for flipping, though I don't do a ton of flipping. Anyway, A big stick is never wrong, but I did want to mention on situation that I've since learned to specialize in using something different than the usual recommendation. Before that I always wondered what the heck anyone would want a Jig 'n Worm rod under 7', lol.

Fake. Steering wheel is on the wrong side!

You mean creditibility.

The only mods I've been doing to mine is wearing them out, catching fish on them. I fish the YUM frogs, Spro, and Koppers right out of the package these days. I've done all kinds of mods, and while they make a difference one day to the next, overall I find it matters little. When the frog bite is on, throw them.

Aside, from the fact that they are completely different reels? I don't have the two to look at right now. You'd know, there's no "disguise."

Anything in that price range, really. something 6 or 7:1 ish for ratio. I'd be more interested in picking the right rod than the reel for this...

Easy man, no need to insult my credibility, lol.

Pitch, Flip, and Flip-Punch casts:

Yes. The last three feet of BRAID get beat up, as well as the leader. Maybe even more so, since it's the braid hitting the dock, not the leader, when I skip jigs under.

Go figure, it's Oxford's as well, lol. I'm going to start using the word, "electronical" now.

I'm referring to the occasional sales flier combo that says, "Special Buy" Pro Qualifier combo. It isn't the same. When you go into the store, they are pre bundled.

You mean this isn't true? Is "molecularly" an actual word? LOL.

I just use Reel-X, and replace the roller bearings when needed. Like aavery2 said, if it's going to mistreated, it's going to rust, hybrid or not. It's the most oft replaced bearing I see in spinners - especially for guys fishing in salt.Half the time, the twist issue solved by replacement, simply because the thing is seized up.I've replaced a few "side plate" main gear bearings with hybrids, simply because the hybrids were less expensive than OEM bearings or bushings. Sometimes they didn't improve the feel, since the precision of a ball bearing exposed inconsistencies of the bearing/bush seat in the plate.It's not an exact science, and upgrading doesn't always improve the feel.

You don't have to....the "combo" version is loaded with plastic bushings, a cheaper handle and star, and is pretty rough. One year, I think the reel was a graphite frame.

Not necessarily. The last three feet of my dock setups get beat after a day, even using a 4' fluoro leader. Even some weeds, like coontail can take their toll.

It's not braid, but a fused PE line, like many that are already out. Fused lines don't have the super high break strength, but they have a purpose. A low stretch line that floats probably has a place in bass fishing, that 10# diameter doesn't have a 40# break strength isn't a deal breaker.

I use a line counter, and another reel. It's a pain the first time, but once the backer is on, you don't have to do it again. You can use your original reel to get the line, but you'll need two empty reels to get it back on correctly.

Clamp on units don't work real well with kayaks. Plus, you can get a color Piranhamax for around $120.

I'm getting some pics up of both my boats shortly.

I think you answered your own question. Fish are not all the same age, and not all fish in the lake have the same opportunities.