Parcall

Thanks for the info. I will check out the flea market.

I am checking to see if anyone has used the St. Croix 7'11" Legend Extreme casting rod. I am looking for a punching rod for Kissimmee, Okeechobee, ect, and wanted to see if there was any information on the St. Croix. Thanks

Does anyone have any direct experience with the Shimano Dryfender 3T raingear?

Smooth Drag recommends Cal's.

Check under the cap for the spool tensioner. The small fiber and/or brass spacer washers may have fallen out. If so, Shimano will send them to you. In the meantime, cut two small pieces of plastic that will fit inside the cap. Insert one at a time and see if that helps. If the washers are not missing, you have a different problem.

As to how often, most manufacturers recommend that reels be cleaned at the end of each season. I had not done that for several years, and as a result they were pretty dirty. Also, if the reel has not been cleaned since it was purchased, it may have an excessive amount of grease inside the case. The grease is their to extend the shelf life prior to sale and to help get it through the warranty period in the event it is not maintained on a regular basis. The downside of all of that grease is that it can slow the reel down and reduce casting distance. So, when you clean it needs to go. As to the method of cleaning, here is what I have done with 3 Curados and one Diawa Team X: 1. Obtain the schematics for your reel and become familiar with them. 2. You will need a small phillips screwdriver, a small slotted screwdriver, a 10mm wrench, or nut driver, toothpicks, Q-tips, a light colored towel, reel oil, reel grease, string, camera phone, a toothbrush and cleaning solution. If you have a used dental pic from your dentist's office, they are great for working with small items. 3. There are several good videos on YouTube, watch a few before you start. 4. Alan Tani has a good article on TackleTour.com entitled "Shimano Curado Rebuild - Carbontex Drag Upgrade" which contains a series of step-by-step photos on the assembly and disassembly process. There are many others out there, but Alan's is very good. 5. A couple of thoughts. As I disassemble the reels, I photograph each step on my iPhone to aid in the reassembly process. As I remove parts I thread them through a string in the exact order that I removed them in. I clean each part during the reassembly process as it comes off the string. 6. Beneath the Star Drag, you will find a spring, nut, a washer, and two curved washers. It is important to ensure that the two curved washers go back on in the proper direction. the curves must face each other, such that you have a slight cupped space in the center between the two. Think of placing a pair of cymbals together. 7. Below the cupped washers is the Roller Clutch Inner Tube, which slides into the Roller Clutch Bearing. Be careful that you do not over oil the roller bearing as that can prevent the clutch from working properly according to the techs at Shimano. A drop or two of oil on a Q-Tip will do it. 8. On the same side as the handle is the Cast Control Cap, this is the knob that you turn to set spool tension. Inside that cap there are two tiny washers, one brass and one fiber. There are very easy to lose, and without them you cannot adjust to spool tension properly. 9. When you remove the side plate from beneath the handle, do so carefully. There are two small springs underneath that you do not want to lose. 10. Unlike Alan's tutorial on TackleTour, I want the reel clean and all excess grease removed. I accomplish this by using a cleaning solution and a toothbrush. If the Drive Gear has a build up of residue, I polish is with 1500 grit silicone carbide sandpaper. 11. I have tried Brake Kleen, Simple Green, Penn Rod and Reel Cleaner, and Rem Oil as cleaning solutions. Brake Kleen cuts the grease easiest, but it is the harshest on the plastic parts. Definitely the best for quick cleaning bearings that you have removed. Simple Green works, but does not cut the grease nearly as well. Penn cleaner is my favorite overall. Cuts grease better than Simple Green and is not as harsh as Brake Kleen. If there is not a lot of old grease that you have to remove, Rem Oil is great and it has teflon in it. Once you spray your solution on, clean with a tooth brush and Q-Tips. That includes inside the bearings and the Roller Tube. 12. Dry thoroughly using compressed air. If you don't have a compressor, you can get a small can of compressed air used for cleaning keyboards in the computer area at WalMart, Best Buy, or Office Depot. 13. Use small amounts of high quality grease and apply with a toothpick. Apply one drop of oil per bearing, and apply oil to other areas with a Q Tip. Just a couple of drops on the toothpick. 14. Reassemble using your photos.

Decided to service my own reels for the first time recently. So, I tore down two old Curados and a more recent 200 E7. Once I started, I got carried away and installed Carbontex drags by Smooth Drag and ceramic ABEC 7 bearings from Boca Bearings. The process was fun, I learned a lot, and the money I saved by cleaning them myself covered most of the cost of the upgraded bearings. Went to the Big O last week and the reels were much better than they were when new. Smoother and longer casting. The guys at Boca were great.

Thank you both very much.

Last weekend I was a co-angler in a tournament and my boater was using a small split shot that was tapered similar to a bullet weight. The design allowed the weight to move along the line, but could be removed if needed without having to re-tie. I have checked Tackle Warehouse, Cabela's and Bass Pro, and see nothing like this. Does anyone know who makes this product?

Has anyone had experience with Ohero braid, I saw no postings in my search? If so, what is your opinion?

I have three Powell baitcasters, a flippin rod, a frog rod, and a Senko rod. I have been pleased with all and believe that they are a very good value. I bought the first one used from a friend who did not like the split handles, and I liked it so well that I bought two new ones. Powell's service is also good. I broke the frog rod (my fault) and Keith replaced it anyway. Can't ask for more than that. Not quite as light or as responsive as my St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass rod, but they were $80 less. Again, a very good value.

I am thinking of switching to 65 lb Spider Wire Invisi-Braid for my frog and flipping rods. Does anyone have experience with the Invisi-Braid for those applications? Thanks in advance.

Good point, hadn't thought of that.

I live along the Florida coast and need a boat that will perform well in both salt water & fresh water. There are always trade offs, but a flats boat/bay boat seems the way to go. Are any of you fishing out of flats boats? Any Action Craft owners out there? Thanks

Thanks, I have seen them on the Tackle Warehouse site, but have been looking for someplace local. I have emailed Damiki.

Can anyone tell me who the United States distributor for Damiki is?

Here you go: Camp Mack's River Resort 14900 Camp Mack Road Lake Wales, Florida 33898 (863) 696-1108 Toll Free: (800) 243-8013

Thanks for the responses. I am looking a guide, specifically a guide that can help me develop/improve skills.

There are a number of excellent guides working out of Okeechobee who will put you on fish and give you a great outing; but, if you want to find a great "teaching guide" who will help you learn/refine technique, who would it be and why?

I stayed at Camp Mack three times last year. While I was there (in May, I think) for an FLW event more that a dozen boats were broken into and robbed. Jim Bitter of Bitter Bait and Tackle was one of the victims. There was a significant amount of equipment stolen, and several boats were damaged. It is my understanding that security has been increased.

That is my initial thinking, more flexible than the Ardent, less money than the Zillion. Thanks.

I am a relative newcomer to bass fishing, having started earlier this year. This Christmas, Santa brought me a Powell 735mh Frog Rod. I currently have a Curado E7 on my Flippin Stick and a Zillion 7.1:1 for Rattle Traps. The question is this: Should I just buy another E7 for the Frog Rod, or should I buy and Ardent F500 or F700 for my Flipping Stick and move the E7 to the Frog Rod? If you have not used the Ardent, please don't respond. Thanks in advance for your help.

Has anyone seen the results posted for the Legend of Lake Fork tournament this past weekend?

I have a Powell 766H and like it very much, but I am new at this game and far from an expert. I recently fished with Tom Morse who represents Deep South Rods. While I was on his boat, he landed a 7lb 9oz bass and a 7lb 2oz bass in the space of about 20 feet while flipping in heavy grass in lake Toho. He was very high on his Deep South Flipping Stick and it appeared to have a good combination of power and sensativity. They sell for around $149.

my mistake! The 6'6" rod is the AVC66MHF.