SWMIBASSER

What color is it? In the mid to late 90's they made several variations, Pro Max, Tournament (this was the one that had the fishing seen engraved on the palming side), Tournament Pro (this one was green), Silver Max, Black Max. It's silver, all aluminum. Like the Pro max. But it only has one spool bearing. It has one bushing in place of the other spool bearing. Still has two bearings on the level wind system, one pinion gear bearing, one bearing on the spool, and one roller bearing

Nothing wrong with that. Though when buying discontinued models, I would be concerned with parts availability.

Sounds like you are doing fine color wise. IMO.

Man, I might have to try one of those. I "need" one more spinning rod before season starts. Might as well save some money and try these.

Throw it in the water. Does that look like something you would see in that body of water? That's the method I use. I think most colors outside of red work fine some days. Other days they are picky.

Use it to back your reels. This way you aren't filling the bottom half of your spools with expensive braid, or flourocarbon. I even use backing when filling with Y/Z Hybrid. It's not that expensive, but there just isn't any point in wasting it. As for disposing of it..I'm not sure what the best option is. I think it's GREAT someone actually thinks about things like this though. I just toss it in the trash. But before I do I wrap it into the tightest ball that I can, and then tie the ends around it so it doesn't come undone.

Anything light that doesn't require a slack line fall. Split shot rigs, soft jerk baits, a finesse jig rod, maybe a wacky rig rod. I enjoyed fishing wacky rigs on a baitcasting setup this past year. While senko type baits aren't terribly light, they aren't terribly heavy either. Especially the smaller worms rigged wacky. This is probably the perfect wacky worm rod.

Agree If you are on a limited budget, but want good rods, spend more on jig/worm rods and less on crankbait/spinnerbait/swimbait rods. As for price points, $100 now a days gets you a pretty good rod. $100 today, gives you way more options, and better rods than it did 5+ years ago. A really good rod, that was my entry level high end rod is the Falcon Lowrider rods. Good components, durable, pretty sensitive, and made in USA.

I see your point....But the cold water pork advantage comes down to a couple things. Pork will slow the fall more than plastic. Now I guess this is something that could be adjusted with jig weight adjustments. The other is that the pork has a little more subtle action than some of the plastic...

It's something I'm going to get back to using. Plastic is SO much more convenient it's not even funny. But nobody uses the stuff it seems, the colors and feel are very natural, and it slows the fall a bunch.... With that said, for me, the designs available in plastics make them the better choice when the water warms up. A trailer with more action always produces better for me during the warmer months.

Save $100 and pick up the Pflueger Supreme. Great reel, very light, fast. I'm curious what the XT version gets you over the regular Supreme....Can't go wrong with either. I've heard good things about the Abu Soron STX also. Most Daiwa's are a safe bet, and another way to save some $$.

These are great reels. I wish they still made them. I'm working on a 3600 now. I'm curious WHAT it is. The body/frame everything is the same as the Pro Max. It has one bearing and one bushing in the spool however. The name has been scratched off the top of it. On the side it has 6BB 5bb +1rb Anyone know what this reel is. Of course I'm going to have to tinker with it. I want to add a bearing to the spool, maybe upgrade both, add carbon washers, supertune it, and a Mike's carbon handle. I might try to find a 4 or 6 pin centrifugal brake too...Maybe the newer 6 pin from the 4600's will fit.

darn it. If I had known you wanted to try this stuff, I could have filled one of those Pfluegers with it. I have plenty of the 6lb Hybrid. I don't think you will be disappointed. Since I have a pretty good idea what these are going on, I would go for the 6lb. Those reels have pretty small spools. I've used 8lb on spools a little bit bigger, but even still, I would go for 6lb. And FWIW, even on bigger spool reels than those, I'm going to 6lb this year. Heck the stuff still is almost 12lb break strength.

Everyone has the favorite technique. This influences rod/reel decisions of course. Some can justify the cost of the best there is for everything they fish. Some can't. With that said, I think a BPS crankin' stick-7'M and a Revo S with 5.4.1 gears would serve the purpose well. Not expensive at all, and BOTH get good reviews. Since I'm one who can't afford, or justify the best for every technique, I prefer to buy the best I can afford for slow moving contact baits such as jigs/worms.

Where at in Indiana are you located?

The stock BPS drag washers are really thin. I wouldn't sand them just based on decreasing durability. The reel should hold together just fine, but then again we don't really need to go down that road again do we?

Call up BPS, or Abu garcia and order stock revo drag washers for an S, SX, or STX. They will know what you need and they will increase the drag over the BPS drag washer material by a BUNCH. You can grease the stock Abu washers to increase startup and smoothness and still increase power dramatically.

I must have missed something. Isn't that what I said? ;D

I got the clarification too..... I was just pointing out to the original poster, again, that he should get the rod back. As someone pointed out, by the time you ship your rod there, and pay shipping to get one back, the Xpeditor program isn't much more expensive at all. I'm happy with mine also.

Those do look good! I might have to make up some of those myself.

save your self the trouble. When I tie jigs I don't use wire. I hand tie them with braid. Flares the skirt nicely, is easy work with, lasts virtually forever, and is usually a green color which blends in with about every color. I usually give the "thread" a thin coat of clear nail polish.

Swiming a jig, or grub, or a split shot or "mini Carolina rig Jerkbaits, suspending or soft. I don't fish spinner baits any more. Cranks are more efficient at covering water, and I have a combo, and assortment, but not really my go-to...

Is that a serious question? : Something that covers water more quickly and makes better use of time on the water-when fish are active enough to chase. Which they would be if eating a shakey head heavier enough to be using a H power rod.

I agree with you 100% And I won't abandon screw locs entirely. But for ElaZtec worms you can't screw them on. They are so durable, I'm not worried about them tearing on the barb. I haven't tried heating the screw lock, as was suggested, and I really don't think I want the hassle. I wish do-it sold a multi head mold. Tube heads in 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, shakey heads in 1/16 and 1/8, and cone head weedguard jig in 3/8oz. Now THAT would be the perfect mold. As it is, I can get all other jig heads so cheap, it just won't make sense to pour my own.

It still doesn't change the fact that it's your fishing rod. Broken or not. They should send it back. Then have one of your buddies send it in with the Xpediter program.