Delaware Valley Tackle

MSRP on the Orra reel is $99 so you could say you get the rod free. The Orra has a metal frame and decent bearings in the critical places which are the two main factors to look for. If you weren't locked into amazon I'd say the BPS PQ on sale has more features but you could do worse than the amazon deal. If you don't like the rod you can save up to upgrade it.

What did you grease the drag with? If it wasn't specially formulated drag grease like Cals or Shimano's, that's part of the problem. I think the Revo stx kit fits that reel but if you want to measure I'll confirm. I have them in stock if you want a kit. Also check the spring washers on the crank shaft. They should be oriented facing each other like so: ()

Right. The bigger the difference in weight between the two baits, the more important to readjust.

The SX is a fine reel as long as you follow the recommended setup procedure. Turn mag brake off, adjust cast control (cap on crank side plate) to a point where the bait you want to cast falls slowly to the ground. Set brakes for 50% and adjust as on the water conditions dictate. There are no secrets or tricks. 1/4 ounce may be pushing the limit for baitcasting effectiveness but the SX will handle them as well as any other outside of a specific "finesse" baitcaster. It's importatnt that the rod used be approriate for the bait as well. Forcing a cast can cause backlash issues that may not otherwise occur.

Ya, you probably were looking at full ceramic which is overkill for a reel. You may also have looked up the complete reel kit which includes crank shaft and any other bearings in the reel. Upgrading anything but the spool bearings is not necessary. The Curado takes 2- 3x10x4 bearings for the spool. The Boca Orange Seal Ceramic Hybrids are $14.95 ea. (less 10% for members here).

I'll second the ABU Ambassadeuer and a swimbait rod rated for the total you want to throw. As stated any heavy rod will work but a swimbait rod will have a better tip for casting than a pool cue flipping rod.

A reel should be deep cleaned and lubed annually, semi-annually if heavily used or in harsh conditions. In between cleanings the bearings and level wind worm gear can get a drop of light oil as needed. How often really depends on use. If fishing the same reel hard all day, every 3-4 trips, for casual use once or twice between cleanings may be fine. The Revo line uses a disengaging levelwind, it is the Ambassadeuer round reels that don't.

$28 ea less 10% member discount (postage additional)

The bearings being referred to are ABEC7 ceramic hybrids. My usual suggestion is to first deep clean and properly lube a reel which would include flushing the stock bearings. These steps alone make a huge difference. Next, Super Tuning and bearing upgrades would be considered. The advantage that can be gained varies from reel to reel as well as user to user. A Super Tuned 50E with ceramic bearings and a Carbontex drag will run with much more expensive enthusiast reels.

CAUTION: Do NOT polish the spool shaft where it rides in the bearing. This causes the shaft to slip essentially taking the bearing out of the equation. Super Tuning done properly includes fine sanding then polishing of the inside of the pinion gear, the spool shaft ends, shaft section where the pinion rides and metal cast control spacers if so equipped. The brake drum can be done as well by polishing only. Please consult with an experienced tech or let them do the job. Brasso or a similar product is used as the final polishing step. I use a Dremel but only on certain parts. It is easy to damage a spool rim or shaft.

That setup is fine for spinnerbaits and pretty much any single hook bass bait. I'd look for a 7' MH/Mod cranking rod and match it with a Revo Winch, Curado E5 or PQ in 5.3:1 Beat me to it RW

Thanks everyone for the kind words! For anyone unfamiliar with our service: BassResource.com members get a 10% discount off our already great price of $18 for Deep Cleaning and Lube service. That's only $16.20 plus shipping. A Super Tuning service includes cleaning and is $28 ($25.20 for members). I am a dealer for Smooth Drag and Boca Bearing and offer 10% off retail on those items as well as custom rods. Please feel free to post, PM, email or call with any questions. Thanks, Mike

A little faster reel is nice for taking up line when the fish swims right at you with the jig. Either way you won't go horribly wrong. FWIW, I'd scew the budget toward the rod for "feel" techniques like jigs and plastics. Pick up the highest quality 7' MH/F rod your budget can tolerate.

You done good.

Each brand has their quirks, but Pflueger reels are good quality on par with the Revos, another Pure Fishing label.

I agree taht the PQ comes with decent bearings but if you saw no difference between stock and the bearings in question which are the Orange Seal ceramic hybrids, something is off. First off, I almost always run them open. The seals are meant to be non-contact but that's not always the case just due to handling. I also test and clean every bearing before installation. Regardless of brand or rating you get a dud every once in a while. With this said, the advantage gained at the end of the day will vary depending on the individual reel and the users casting.

The slower action allows the fish to eat the bait without pulling it away on the hookset. Then the action works as dsecribed by cushioning surges and jumps not giving the fish slack that can be used to shake loose a heavy bait. I also prefer a fast action soft tip rod for top water lures. A Mod-Fast action makes ripping lipless cranks through the grass a little easier.

If you think about it, the first line guide is on the level wind. There's really no need to go any larger than that. The exception being if you're using a large off shore reel and need guide height to make a smooth transition and keep the line from cutting into a fore-grip. Rod building isn't rocket science, but more goes into designing a truly high performing fishing tool than just gluing up the components. You can certainly come out of your first build with a perfectly fishable rod and that is very rewarding as stated above. It depends on the goal for a specific build if the timing is right to take it on yourself.

Most reel seats come in 16 or 17mm size. Some now in 18. The grip can be sized to fit you specifically by turning down. You may want a window seat which is measured to fit right at the spot on the blank. You said spiral wrap so this must be a casting rod. IMO 16 is WAY to big to start on a bass rod and the 6's can be cut down to 4's which many refer to as micro. They will pass a braid to leader Albright no problem. The Batson blanks are nice but weighing it down with heavier than needed guides cuts into the performance. If you stay with 6's, srping for titanium guides to save as much weight as possible.

The PQ comes in 5 different gear ratios. You simply order the gearset from them. No need to try to fit revo parts. While the BPS reels share a fair amount of tooling and design feature with Pure Fishing (Revo, Pflueger..)there are differences in materials and some tolerances etc. If you want a Revo, buy a Revo. The PQ is a fine reel and good value at the price point. My suggestion would be to flush and lube the stock bearings in the PQ, put the bearing and gear set money in a pool and buy an other PQ in the ratio you want when they go on sale.

The softer tip may load and cast a little better than another fast action but won't make up for jumping fish throwing a trebel.

There is always an implied warranty of merchantability. If the rod is truly defective any decent manufacturer will make good or be gone from the market. I'd like to see all these replacement programs fall by the wayside and see rods sell for what they are worth based on their own merits.

A turn in IPT is 360* turn of the handle crank. Sounds like the OP is making 1/2 cranks resulting 1/2 IPT.

There are no guarantees in fishing. Even though it's seasonably mild, it's still winter and fish are in wintering spots. That's probably the deeper holes with cover near travel lanes to shallower water. Even when you find them the bite will probably be slower than novices or kids will tolerate well. Be patient until April and put them on some stocker put & take trout. Late April early May the sunnies will move shallow again and you catch them on every cast. Look for small ponds and creeks so the kids don't have the restriction of the boat. Give me a yell closer to spring and I'll see we can put them on some fish.

The SX is the most refined followed by the PQ & Orra. The PQ has dual breaking so you may give it the edge for that. The enigma is a distant 4th not in the same class.