Delaware Valley Tackle

"For the money", I'd suggest loading up on the clearance revos like lots of folks did with the Curados when those new models came out.

The 3.8:1 in good shape are getting harder to find and usually get snatched up pretty quickly. You might want to reconsider altering the reel and just flip it and buy something else.

A short Med power casting rod makes a good rod for in close spinnerbait casting and topwater rod.

The advantage of micro guides is weight savings especially in the tip area. Using the smallest lightest guides that will do the job allows the blank to keep more of it's inherent design features. Guide/line friction on a cast is minimal. If anything micros manage the line better and aid casting but the weight difference the real advantage. As for using braid with micros or any other modern quality guide there is no problem.

The President is a good reel. A little dirt/muck in the wrong place can give any reel problems. Call, PM or email or post any questions you have and I'll get right back to you.

There is nothing in the design of the 50E that would limit casting compared to the Citica, if anything the opposite would be true. Check the details suggested above and if still having problems consider a deep cleaning and lube.

There are a number of decent rods within your budget and the 50E is a nice little reel. You want to match the rod to the intended application rather than to the reel itself. For an all around baitcast rod I'd look for something 7' MH/F. You can stretch the budget even further if you consider something lightly used.

Sir Snook, There are probably variations in design but for the most part I believe relieving the cam pressure on a lever drag like on a Shimano Torsa has a similar effect to backing off a star. The main difference is that the lever drag has much more power and the ability to turn on-off more easily.

The current generation ABU Revos are on clearance allowing you to get a lot of reel for the money. IMO you'll have a much more versatile arsenal by leaving the light tackle to your spinning rigs and picking up a MH/F casting rod for heavy cover fishing. A higher end second hand rod from the flea market here should keep you within your budget.

The only thing wrong with 8# line on a baitcaster is that you're not taking full advantage of the baitcaster's heavy tackle handling characteristics. Try some 15# mono or hybrid and throw some jigs/T-rigs in and around heavier cover.

Depending on the reel for extended storage backing off the drag may be benificial but between trips not really. The spring washers are probably more of a concern than most drag washers.

If you want to post more info I'll try to diagnose for you. What reel? Age? Line? Has it been opened or worked on?

There are a lot of good reels in the same category. The Aggrest will handle what you want to do with it but there's nothing about it that makes it an exceptional "froggin" reel. IPT is in line with other high speed reels, drag is sufficient but there are stronger. It boils down to just how a good of a deal you can get.

I don't usually like "combo" deals they often are mismatched but this is a good rod and reel both at a decent price. The reel by itself goes for around $75. I haven't handled the Fenwick rod but in general I like the ML/F for a smallie creek rod. I have no trouble getting fish turned and away from the wood. If they're getting buried in the thick weeds a little more power can be good though.

There are two brake shoes on the spool facing the crank side. They are not adjustable but can be removed if you so choose. You can verify gear ratio by marking the spool and counting the revolutions as you turn the handle one full turn. The circumference of the spool x the ratio will give you IPT. If you have it spooled you can just mark the line at the tip, retrieve one full turn then measure how far the mark moved. If you're curious about max drag a spring scale will tell you that.

The Mojo and Triumph lines are both built on SCII blanks. The Mojo I think uses a higher quality guide. Performance wise they should be very close. They are good rods but Avid and up are where St Croix really shines imo.

Even I have limits, and someday I'll reach them. lol

The clearance Revos are good vaue right now. Premiers are going for $199 Usually $279.

They're a well designed and built spincaster. I believe they come prespooled with braid as well.

It'll be usable in a pinch but have it repaired. Well placed guides distrbute the stress proportionately along the blank missing guides will create added stess in that spot. This isn't necessarily an imminent failure waiting to happen but the chances are increased depending on the application. I wouldn't be horsing big fish out of heavy cover with it foe example. A local rod builder would charge about $10 for the repair and it should match the original pretty well.

You all are making me blush. lol Seriously thanks for your support, it's importatnt to me and I'll continue to try and earn it.

Mastering both types of tackle gives you more options to choose from in fine tuning presentations and IMO enhances the overall fishing experience.

That's how a baitcaster works. If the reel is engaged and the main gear is turning the pinion but spool isn't turning the bottom of the pinion is not engaged with the spool. You may have the yoke upside down preventing the pinion from seating.

It's hard to go wrong at the $100 price point for a baitcast reel. Lots of quality choices. On the lower end, the PQ or Carbonlite are good values especially on sale. Right now Revos are on clearance sales everywhere. I'd look at an STX or Premier at these sale prices. Shimano makes great reels. Daiwas are good but usually little more expensive than comparable models. Quantum has good engineering but materials and QC are suspect. Lews are getting a lot of attention. Their design and materials are "Revo like". Pinnacle has upped their game with higher quality offerings.

My first suspicion was that they weren't including the bearing under the pinion gear but it's actually the crank side bearing under the control cap that's not in the kit. I have no idea why but I'll contact Boca and let them know. I think the missing one measures 3x8x4. I think I have one staged for service that I can measure. Bearings are sized by IDxODxW(thickness). You'll need a caliper or take it to a shop that has one.