Delaware Valley Tackle

Yes, they'll work in any of the current 50 size. I have to check later to verify whether they are right or left hand.

I my experience Mag brake reels serve best in pitching and roll casting applications and require some varying thumb control when distance casting. I also have the mags set near max. If you haven't, make sure the rod and line are not hindering you. Flush the bearings and make sure the spool, frame, and cast control spacers are all clean.

I shoot for the best of both worlds through the choice of components and grip design. It's hard to justify spending top dollar for ultra sensitive, super light blanks and then adding weight. At the end of the day though, a custom rod is just that... custom, so the client has the final say.

I've got 1 or 2 of the 7:1 gear sets if anyone's interested.

You can buy 3' of tubing for $4. Cut to length for different size hooks and for trailer hook keepers

Try floating the topwaters in the current seams with just a twitch here or there. I've had crushing strikes on a little tiny torpedo just drifting , no added action at all.

I approach pond fishing just like one would a lake or reservoir just keeping in mind everything is scaled down and relative in relation to bigger water.

A hefty C-Rig does a similar job dragged across the bottom.

You're pretty much spot on. I see where you're coming from on the top waters though. There's a compromise there. I like a soft, fast tip for working the bait but the mod action keeps them hooked up. So I concentrate on getting bites first and keeping them on second. I throw Pop-R's on a M/F spinning and spooks on a MH/F casting.

I usually keep an extra or two in stock. Email me if interested.

I believe it's a water based polymer, a little goes a long way.

This is what they'd like you to think but is not necessarily true. As for the OP reel ratio/IPT is pretty much all preference with the exception of DEEP cranks where a 5.x:1 or 20IPT< is an actual mechanical advantage.

I ignore invisibility to the fish and stress visibility for myself. I'm going to almost all hi-vis. If it gives you confidence, color the bottom few feet with a sharpie. If the water is gin clear and open, I'll tie a fluoro leader sometimes.

One coat, brush off excess. And no, it is neither slippery nor tacky.

In my experience the Steez has more reliability issues than the Core, primarily in the level wind. Some of the materials while light weight, are very soft. The Steeze may feel a little smoother but not $100 smoother. IMO the Core is the biggest bang for the buck among "high end" reels

Bowfin remain active and bite readily during the dog days of summer. They don't seem to mind the warmer water and can provide action when the bass bite is slow. I think that their ability to thrive in areas that bass may abandon in warm weather may give the misimpression that they've displaced the bass.

The main difference with the slower action is that it helps keep slack out of the line allowing the fish to throw the bait and get off. The fish will hook themselves for the most part as long as hooks are sticky sharp. A sweep and reel when you feel anything different is all you need. The ability to pull fish from cover is more a function of the power than action except for flipping/punching weeds when you want to get their head up and moving right away.

The PQ is a good performing reel and good value especially at sale prices.

I can't think of another application that I prefer a Mod action for. It would be some kind of moving bait, slash baits like the X-Rap maybe or deep slow rolled spinnerbaits. If it were me, I'd sell one and replace it with something for a presentation I didn't already have a rod for.

The Revos and Lew's are built on the same platform, so it comes down to model features and price. The Mojo's an ok rod. The ones I've seen have handles on the shorter side which is alright with me but may not be good if you're obsessed with "balance".

X2 that's right. You'll need some thumb work to throw a spinnerbait into the wind no matter what reel it is.

A second hand Revo Winch or E5 comes to mind. I'm sure there's something else new, but it's not ringing any bells.

Bearing supported light weight spools make casting lower weights possible, but it's still more efficient to use spinning tackle imo. If you just want to clean up the reels to working and display them a discount cleaning will suffice. If want to actually use the older reels and keep them going a while, spring for a true, frame bare deep cleaning. My price for members is $19.80 ea. after a 10% discount, then there's shipping. Best of luck either way.

The light wire is the key more likely than the hook gap. A heavy hook takes some power to set.

It depends on what I'm doing. A "Shakey Head" stand up jig is nice for soaking a finesse bait but for dragging/hopping a craw imitation through a rocky river bed I like something like this that will come through without loosing more than necessary.