Delaware Valley Tackle

Sounds like the butt is where it's sagging a little and this is not nearly as likely to warp as the tip. As an option you could take the reel off and store it in a tackle bag or something. A glass rod is more apt to take a set if leaned against a wall etc. Later in the summer when it can get really hot in the car I'd take them out every day to be on the safe side.

The surest ways to break a modern high modulus rod are high sticking, swinging fish and any other motion that bends the tip beyond 90* to the butt. Bang it off a rock, boat cleat, C-rig weight etc. compromising the integrity of the blank fibers and the chances of a failure rise rapidly.

Consider a Curado 300E for the extra line capacity. Is a round reel out of the question? A Calcutta B or Ambassaduer C4 will stand up to years of cranking those heavy baits

I want to target some of these one day. Looks like the ultimate in topwater fishing

In current I like the Trout Magnet which is a 1/32 oz shad dart jig head tipped with a 1/2" split tail grub (pink or white or chart.) suspended below a float, leader just long enough to tick bottom, cast up stream and float thru current seams, eddies etc.

The Panther Martins are my favorite due to the easy turning blade as the result of not using a clevis. The Rooster Tails are my least favorite for just the opposite reason.

Spawning carp no doubt. They are a hard fighting fish targeted often in Europe and increasingly more often here.

Line numbers on a reel are just to show capacity, so no, there's no consequence other than that. I'd think twice about 14# mono on a spinning reel especially for novice angler. Consider 10, 15 or 20# braid. This is strong and eliminates coils and a lot of twist.

$100-$200 is a generous budget for a quality spinning reel. You can't go too far wrong with any of the major brands at that price point. The Pflueger spinning reels are a good bang for the buck in general. The Shimano A/R assembly is by far the best, I like the Daiwa Air-Bail. The thing I see in spinning reels is with the bail and rotor on the outside, they don't tolerate a lot of banging around and being laid in the dirt etc. On top of that, they tend to be neglected maintenance wise because casting is not mechanical like it is in a baitcaster.

I just checked again to be sure I'm not loosing, (I'm still not positive by the way) but the T3 worm shaft is supported by a bearing on the gear side and a bushing/spacer on the other end. I checked the Ballistic too and it has the same bearings.

The President is possibly the biggest bang for the buck out there for a spinning reel.

I prefer braid for jigs and plastics for it's sensitivity, hook setting ability, visibility and manageability. I add leaders only in the clearest of open water or where abrasion is an issue ( mussel beds etc..)

The Carbontex drag washers are stronger in some case but importantly they are smooth and shudder free. They can be run dry or greased for better heat dissipation if targeting hard running fish.

I doubt a handle would have just one bearing. But you're right, there's 8 bearings in that reel counting the AR clutch

Break out your wallet if you get serious about finesse baitcasting. The 50e Curado/Chronarch is about as good as you'll get on any kind of limited budget.

I fished out of one with another guy. Watching him unfold and assemble this thing I was wondering what I got myself into. Getting onto the water was a lot quicker than I thought it would be. Rigged with a depth finder and electric trolling motor, I was shocked at how well this thing fished. Every bit as stable as some small john boats I've been in. Transportable on the roof of a small car, these are worth considering as an affordable way to get on the water imo.

Panther Martins catch the best. Note that the blade turns on the shaft, no clevis. These blades turn at low speed and don't foul like the Roster tails.

I've seen plenty of longer (7'+) rods with crazy long handles in an attempt to "balance" the rod. The "Effective rod length" isn't much more than a 6'6"er. I don't think St Croixs fall into this category. Maybe that's where the "tip heavy" comments come from. It pains me to pay for space age materials and components for their light weight and then add a hunk of lead to it. I never add any unnecessary weight to my own rods and only on request/insistence to a customer's.

Well.... take TT with a grain of salt

Performance enhancing upgrades on a cost/benefit basis: 1. Deep Cleaning w/ bearing flush & proper lube 2. Carbontex Drag 3. Super Tune (does not apply to your reel design) 4. Bearing upgrade - ABEC 5 ceramic hybrid are about as fast as you need in a reel, ABEC7 if you're an enthusiast looking to really trick things out. A true ABEC9 is overkill and very expensive. Beware of anyone offering these. 5. level-wind upgrade replacing bushings with bearings 6. After market spools - expensive and don't add much except for in finesse applications which spinning tackle can handle more economically and arguably better. 7. Handle swaps/added bearings 8. Anodized/custom trim parts The value in replacing bushings with bearings is debatable. There are some pretty nice reels without bearings in the level wind and handles.

Neither is insignificant but in as far as presenting the bait and getting/staying hooked up the rod plays a larger role over all. The rod is your main fish fighting tool as well. It's important to keep your reels working at their best though. For deep cranking, a good casting, powerful reel with a low IPT is a good investment. It's easier on you over a long day and helps keep the bait in the strike zone as long as possible.

Ya, too much backing on one, not enough on the other. The problem now is, you have so little braid on the spinner you may as well just buy another spool. Seems like the store would at least give you a deal on it and spool it up right.

Hit Champlain on Sat. Water is high as you'd suspect, but dirtier than usual. The fish were right on the bank of the main lake. Best action was flipping wood in a back-water where the water was cleaner and a couple degrees warmer (55). Ended up with about 20 fish between 3 of us but we fished all day and sometimes get 20 apiece first weekend in May. Looks like the lake is about a week behind normal.

Check the opposite end of the lake and any back water areas for slightly clearer and/or warmer water. Pitch dark colored jigs or T-rigs right up against any cover. This worked on Champlain this weekend. more or less saved the day for us.

Congrats, nice story. Thanks for sharing. I hope to take your example and stay active.