dbass

Same as the 66MF, only with a little more distance on the cast... Tight Lines!!!!

If I remember right the Parabolic actions were mainly found in glass rods, the action actually shows up and can be felt all the way through the grip and seat section (moderate). The Standard graphite actions would list the backbone powers of (MH=medium heavy, H=heavy, etc.) Also if i'm remembering right the two have taper differences in the blanks. Just my builders .02¢ Tight lines All!!

flechero, Duh wat, wer yu gona git som gold cment? Tight Wraps!!!

I remember when I would have 10 setups on the deck at any one time. Kicking and stepping on the rods all the time got crazy expensive. One day the boss (wife) said, "why don't you cut back on the gear you take". The only rods you have been using consistently on these bodies of water are your 3 basic setups. She was right. I cut back to my spinner bait rod, my buzz bait rod, and my jig/t-rig rod. So the ebassin article is right, some anglers feel they have to have a system for every conceivable need they would have (or think they would have). While others can get away with a lot less because they know exactly how the body of water they are fishing works and the systems needed for each body. Now this in no way says that I don't have a ton of systems setup and ready to go on a moments notice during the season. I just know what 3 basic systems, I will need on what waters and at what time of the season. Just my .02¢

For my tops like Chug bugs, pop-r's, etc., I like my 5'6" MF pistol grip For my buzzbaits, etc., I use a 6' MHF straight grip

CR724: 6' Heavy power, Fast tip. I build those style rods all the time, for short distance/tight quarters jigging, only on the Croix blanks. As stated not a good stick for spinnerbaits or cranks. Tight Lines!!!

The key selling factor of the recoil guide is that they are made from a shape memory material. When/if you step on them they rebound, as stated though they can be noisy when fighting fish hooked on braided lines (they sing). There have been a big threads with photo proof on the rodbuilding forums about the grooving that can happen from braided line. Just my .02¢ Tight Lines!!!!

Hummm Thanks. Kind of thought it was them.

Hey Mick, Were did ya get the blank? All of the actual original Shikäri® blanks I have built on had a SHI, SHII, SHIII, and SHX, designation, never saw a MB. But I haven't seen any real Shikäri® balnks since they were bought out by ATC anyway.

Actually IMPO the best way to get your answerers about a spiral wrapped rod would be to USE one, then make your decisions on whether or not it is for you. Many anglers even when educated about the spiral wrap system, and accept what the system actually does, still will not own one do the strange look the rods have.. Guess if you made the rod out of carrot sticks then spiral wrapped it, it wouldn't be such a oddity would it... Just my .02¢ Tight Lines All!

No doubt about it. There is nothing like a well made spiral wrapped rod. Ronnie does some very nice work. Tight Lines!!!!

RW, Great choice! Hey radman, I do believe that you left the post open to interpretation, it could be any way, Casting or Spinning.. Tight Lines!!!!

flechero, Yup now that's a great deal........

DavidG, is getting a light weight reel pretty much pointless? Stop taking my quotes out of context.....Lard_Bass, Quote: I just tried my Daiwa Laguna which is about 9 oz on my new St. Croix Avids (AS66MF and AS68MXF) and the tip falls toward the ground. Your AS66MF only weighs 3.8 oz. Your AS68MXF only weighs 3.8 oz You would have to add about an 9.0 to 12.0oz reel to start to get the tips at a more neutral balance..The only time you can balance with a reel is at the time of the build the seat and grips have to be set at the right points on the blank...

As Ronnie stated, rod balancing is a personal preference thing mostly. After market rod balancing has always been a personal preference thing. I don't like to do it when it is easier to balance at building time, with the build components. I took one Of my very first pitchen sticks that was as tip heavy as a broom and 303 would be. I neutral balanced the combo to the reel seat. The rod felt good while just handling the combo. Took it out into the yard to test cast, using my style of pitching the butt section felt like it was trying to beat the tip section on the cast and make the casting process feel un-natural. I personally don't balance my rods anymore. Lard_Bass, Your AS66MF only weighs 3.8 oz.Your AS68MXF only weighs 3.8 oz You would have to add about an 11.0 to 12.0oz reel to start to get the tips at a more neutral balance..The only time you can balance with a reel is at the time of the build the seat and grips have to be set at the right points on the blank... lol thats what im starting to think too.....why buy lightweight stuff if you need to add weight to it to get it to balance.... Re-Read the articles on when to balance you will notice a paragraph....

Some easy reading...... Here's the articles... When To Balance A Rod How To Balance A Rod Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

http://***/cgi-bin/order/ Half way down the left side column you will see the GYCB Fishing Rods listings Good Luck & Tight lines!!!!

IndianaKid, Wow! I didn't even know it was headed your way. There are only 2 of those rods that I built, you have one catching BIG drum, and other is in Oklahoma catching big Okie LMB's, and Spots. Thanks for the kind words, and enjoy the rod... Tight Lines!!!!

MFD_Firefighter661, That blank is a Abu Garcia blank, and as far as I know they do not sell blanks to rod builders. I would recommend contacting Garcia (Pure Fishing) direct and asking if the rod is still made, and where it might still be available. You can basic google search all you want using the string for Conolon 2218 you will not find it. I have tried every search string using those words and nothing. The Ebay site with all of the old Garcia Conolon's does not have the 2218 in their listing. Just my rod builders .02¢ Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

SimonSays,twors, I took a close look at your pics on my machine.. What happened is the finish that is covering part of the tiptop's tube, got hot enough quick enough to soften the epoxy used to attached the tiptop, and, it slipped before the finish cured.. I can't say as to whether or not it will cause the tip to fail, the only way to fix it is, to heat the tiptop's tube enough to soften the epoxy again so you could press the tip back down into place... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!

The Conolon makes me think Garcia Conolon...... You might take a look at this article... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/abu_garcia_conolon.html Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Also 2 of my favorite baits. I throw those baits on a 5'6" med power, fast tip. For my buzzbaits I use a 6'6" medhvy, fast tip. I would use the AS66MF for your trebled tops.

Welcome To The Fourum!!!!

Save your money for now, if you haven't already done so, you need to do some reading.... Check out the sticky thread above.. "Newbies with rod building questions".

blade, Yup sure is! The LTX...These are not the original Carrot Stix that were in the ICAST show. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!