Delaware Valley Tackle

Waxing will protect the finish and make it easier to clean. Guide friction's not much of a concern other than keeping them clean and wax might help keep dirt fr sticking.

That's a mistake of some kind. Won't hurt or help anything. More is better only up to a point. You need a few guides relatively close on a fast action but the Rod won't bend in that first inch hence its doing nothing. If the second one is under 4" from the tip I'd remove the first.

Look citica and up in Shimano reels. Even if you have to go second hand.

It depends on the difference in size between the seat and blank. The bigger the difference the thicker epoxy I'll work with. Either Rod bond or the pro wrap liquid adhesive. Really tight ones thread finish is fine. For really big gaps I've gone to foam arbor extending from the seat, shaped by hand and painted. The main thing to watch out for is to leave space for the top coat so you don't clog the seat threads or build up to where the nut won't loosen past the trimmed threads. Epoxy levels around the blank and not so much sideways so I don't usually need to angle the blank while turning. The consistency affects this too. A finger dampened with dna and a light touch can put the final shape to it. It's like thread finishing , you have play around and see what works for you.

Fly reels are way over priced and their mechanical simplicity limits liability. Any defects in material or assembly should be obvious within 12 months of use on a reel.

You have to try it as is and adjust if necessary.

This pretty much covers it. If you're not comfortable opening the reel I can install them as part of a cleaning.

Outside of store specific questions I wouldn't rely on retail clerks for shopping advice.

They're like any othe except for the stripper. Function over form. I can get the similar results with the Fuji KR guides but it's more involved and not as forgiving of reel size changes.

1,2,3,5 are all built on the same platform : pick your poison. The exceller is decent at the price point. I'm not as down on quantum altogether as some, but not a fan of the lower end offerings. If you can wait get a PQ next time they're on sale.

Best pull straight or you'll find out the hard way you went too far. 4# is 4# either way.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Any company will stand behind their product if there's a problem or won't be around long. Warranty is the last thing I'd base a purchase on. If a brand has a liberal replacement policy all that tells me is that I'm over paying for the original. If you're bent on all one brand St Croix has one of the most robust quality lines

Some version of white, smoke, pearl etc. I like to see the bait and that shadow come up and eat it.

Drop shot is technically just a terminal rig. It can be used with any Rod appropriate for the conditions: depth, cover, bait , target species / size. If you're talking about vertical jigging for 3#> smallies 25 ' deep and more you might be a little out gunned.

Pm sent

the A rig isn't a bait fish see all the time or effective all the time. no need to over think it. A school of bait with some thump and flash.

This what's called the Rage Rig by some. It catches fish.

Even reels of identical model often have a personality of their own. Each may require fine adjustment or more or less thumb control. Deep cleaning would make both act differently (better). A deeper heavier spool acts differently too which might be the case.

They didn't for a long time.

I've seen the results and am a believer in the spinning set. Casting is a whole other application and I'm not sold on the theory and claims. They're decent guides but I'd bet if you stripped that blank rebuilt it with another guide train and proper spacing you'd get the same results. You have to be careful too comparing Microwave with micro guides. Two different things. The Microwave running guides are 5.5 the largest of the size range referred to as "micro". If you're comparing your setup to something running 4s or 3s that might be the difference and not so much the custom stripper.

Meant trial as in trial and error. ABU site seems to need updating. Part # 1252045 is the weights , 1252044 is the arms.

Part number or trial.

Ya, I actually look at lure weight ratings and power as relative, but separate qualities. For example, two rods might carry similar lure weights of 1/4-5/8 with one labeled med and the other having a beefier butt labeled m/h.

There are so many sizes depths and weights of crankbaits I'd hate to fish them all with one Rod. For deep divers a 7'6" Rod that loads and casts well is important for casting distance. A moderate action to keep them hooked, power in the butt to move fish from cover, sensitivity enough to feel the baits wobble and it deflecting off cover. Lamiglas SR 765 fits all the above. I think they're out of production though.

You'd have to check a schematic to be sure but think in that design the brakes are integral with the spool.