islandbass

It really depends. If you're using a swivel to join the lines, then the max length of the leader will probably not be longer than your rod and the longer the leader, the harder it might be to cast. If you are joining your lines together with a knot, then make the leader as long as you like. The longer the leader is, the less you will have to retie the two lines. I would do at least 10 yds if not more but that is just me.

Wrapped around her pinky maybe, but lets not get carried away now! ;D (I do always seem to somehow end up with a pack of bubble gum colored zoom trick worms every time I leave wally world with her though, crazy part is they work!) Thanks for your guys' input! I think I'll do that..get her a cheap(ish) combo and see if she's still enthusiastic all summer. If so she'll get to step up again. Holy smokes! My daughter picks the bubble gum pink senkos and they work for sure! ;D Arctic, those are some nice pics.

No problem. I must warn you... Your daughter might claim one of your better reels and maybe your zillion rod as hers. ;D I'd place a bet that she has you wrapped around her pinky. 8-)

Well, first let me say she could probably handle a baitcaster. Seriously. My daughter used her Barbie pole at 4, a spinning reel at 5 and baitcaster at 6. Fortunately, they don't need anything expensive. If you have Sportsman's warehoues or similar store, look for the Daiwa Strike Force rods. The should have a 6' rod (spinning and casting models) for about $12.00 which is what I got for my daughter. The spinning can be the 1500 or 2000 sized reel of your choice. I got my daughter a 1500 Daiwa spinning reel that had a price tag of about $11.00. Granted, it is not a Symetre or Tierra, but at their age it is functional. The beauty and simplicity about this setup is that it can be used for trout and panfish, but it is still bass worthy and it won't set you back much at all. Now for the casting set up, she likes to use my Curado BSF or 101D. The only downside if it could be called one is that spinning reel are inherently heavy for kids this age and given the added length of a 5'6"-6' rod, they potential to get tired more quickly increases. Other than that, let her do the fishing while you watch, guide, and undo tangles. ;D Give her 100% of your attention and she'll fish a lot longer. At about 5, wielding a 6'6" Spinning Rod and Size 20 reel, trying to catch her first salmon. At 6, practicing for the first time with a casting reel. It was the day she claimed my greenie reel as hers. The first thing she said after her first cast was "Papi, this is so much easier to use than the other (spinning) reel." Now that's my little girl! 8-) Daiwa Spinning Rod: $12.00 Daiwa Spinning Reel: $11.00 The smile on your daughter's face when you give this to her as a Christmas present and how she will outfish you until she discovers boys: Pricelsss. This must definitely be a proud time for you.

Thanks, BassBandit! I feel more comfortable now about doing this.

My dear friend, those "only 3 inches" in the real world is the difference between a lipped crankbait running well or rolling on it 's side and not working properly, I don 't mean running to one side ( which is one of the ways you can tune the bait to do, run "wrong" ), I mean rolling on it 's side, then rolling to the other. Or viceversa, having to crank in like mad to maintain a buzzbait buzzing on top of the water. Thanks! I didn't think that it would but I tested it out not because I doubted but because my curiosity was piqued. It did make a difference.

I just want to check to see if the steps I plan to follow are correct. Place the bearings into a container (like a jar) Pour in the lighter fluid Use circular motion to clean the bearings Let bearings dry Wipe down bearings just in case Lubricate bearings with just a little bit of lube Replace bearings to the reel Is there anything else I need to do? Thanks! Given that the entire week is going to not get warmer than 30 degrees, I might as well get my reels cleaned, both spinning and casting.

Keep them in the box and put in a box of baking soda. Charcoal is also an excellent odor remover, even better than baking soda. This is the type of charcoal that can be found in odor eaters or in filters used in aqauriums. They don't call them Dr. Scholls Odor Eaters for nothing. BTW, I don't have smelly feat. ;D

Unless you are fishing for species bigger than bass or perhaps tossing swimbaits, there is no real reason why you would want to have the heft or need the line capacity of a 300. Unless you want the 6.2:1 ratio so badly. The line recovery difference but the Citica's 6.3:1 gear ratio and the Curado E7 is only 3 inches. CU200 E7 = 30" CU200 E5 = 21" CU300 = 28" CI200E = 27" So if you get the 300, you are just adding nearly 3 oz for practically no benefit. With the greater difference between the E7 and E5, it would seem Shimano made the E7 to be the master work horse for all around use. I agree with no1 about the E5

They should be alright, but I would step up at least to a Clarus for about $10-20 more. If you wish to have a better comparsion, download shimano's catalog and do a side by side with the Carbo Max to see how it stacks up against its siblings. I too would not pay $49 for one.

I don't think there is an E6, just an E5 and E7. I believe the E6 is the 300/301 Curado. If I am not mistaken it is the one with a 6.2:1 gear ratio. Gotta be fat like that. ;D

I also use them. Not only do they keep lures from becoming entangled, they also reduce the risk of getting hooked.

Thanks for the review. I too like the battleship gray look of the ds for sure but I also think that the new green isn't too bad. I would use a reel based on its performance over looks. Heck, I'd paint my Lambourgini bubble gum pink (base color) with yellow and purple polka dots and drive it around town just to tick people off. ;D

Looking good, grim. You know that I make them. The tail looks awesome too.l 8-) The only thing I would consider is making the shaft a little shorter. Having it that long relatice to the components of the body, clevis and blade can make it get bent out of shape more easily.

I too have thought about it, but not being knowledgable in metallurigal methods has me not able to proceed any further. I don't know the first thing about how to go about tempering the metal. :'(

Wow, bro, That is a lovely collection. Pic 1: Cardiff, calcutta, calcutta?

x2 I too have 7' rods that my corolla can accomodate. Just don't let the bang around on anything, especially other rods.

When not in use I definitely keep the drag fully backed off and the cast control at a setting that is also quite loose. I use a piece of tape to keep line down. All you have to do is use a piece of tape that is long enough to go around the spool and get taped to itself. If this is not done, the tape can fall off. Lastly, just in case, doing this is 1000 times easier to do with the spool off out of the reel. Add the tape to the spool and place spool back into the reel. I hope I understood you. 8-)

Go to Shimano's site and download their 2009 catalog. You will be able to enjoy going through your own side by side comparison at your leisure. A couple things: Lighter spool in the curado difference in gear ratios between the two Other than that, it appears you pretty much know the differences.

Well Done. Have you thought of shaving off a bit more off the upper section so that you the palm of your hand is in contact with the blank as you hold the rod? I think when the palm is in contact with the blank is when you will get the most out in the sensitivity department. Otherwise the split grip look is purely aesthetic. Looks great though and you have balls to do it with a decent rod. 8-)

Go to Shimano's site and download there catalog. You will be able to make your own side by side comparison of both reels to help you determine whether or not the extra $20 is worth it.

There isn't a law that says you can't. ;D

Wow, that makes for a $156-$210.00 rod without shipping charges. Incredible.

Well done. The jig is something that I have not had any luck with yet. You've given me hope. 8-)

There might be a little more sensitivity, but I don't think much. My salmon rod doesn't have the exposed section, yet when I drift fish (pencil bounces along the river bed) I feel every tick and vibration without skipping a beat. The other good thing about the non exposed in my hands is that the grasp of my hand feels great and whole or complete. When using rods with the exposed area, it feels more like I am pinching or squeezing the reel seat just to hold the rod and touch the blank. It is not a good or bad thing, just an observation. For a swimbait rod, I think the non exposed seat will fill fuller and more comfortable. As mentioned, sensitivity is probably not paramount. You're going to know.