Delaware Valley Tackle

Chances are they are using white thread without a color preserver. This causes the thread to turn opaque and let the guide foot show through. I've done this to give the illusion of no thread. As for gudes being misalligned, there's no excuse for that at any price level, but in reality probably won't affect the performance. Closer spacing of guides at the tip will help protect a light tip in some cases or it may be to keep the line off the blank with low framed micros. And then it could be a QC oversight like the crooked guides.

Yup, round reels like the Calcutta and Ambassadeur are often overlooked. They are tanks.

If you like to really horse'em in, take a look at the Lamiglass xcf705R. It's a glass rod but designed for rippin'.

x2 Good advice. Just out of curiosity, how did you break 3 rods in a weekend?

Here is some sage advice from Roadwarrior that I fully subscribe to;

20lb FC sounds like a reasonable choice in heavier cover. I don't see the braid being a particular advantage (or disadvantage) in that application. I have braid on a majority of my rigs currently. Primarily to simplify and limit the number of rods I carry. But I'm re-thinking some of that for next year.

Welcome! See you on the boards!

The kit comes with various sizes of good quality tops. If you custom order the ring size is probably a 6(mm)this is the ring size not the insert ID. The tube size is in 64ths of an inch. 25.4mm=1 inch if you need to convert. How much of the tip is broken off? More than an inch or so may render the rod less effective in it's originally intended application. Use hot glue to attach the tip-top. CA Super glue is not water proof, epoxy makes removal more difficult for future repairs but will hold.

Welcome Mitch! I'm just a little west of you and fish NY, NJ, Conn and of course PA.

Heat will help but the epoxy won't melt per say. It will soften enough for you to srape it off with a plastic scraper or edge of an old credit card. Be careful not to over heat the blank. A razor blade held perpendicular to the blank can be used to scrape off the remaining residue and denatured alcohol will help with residual decal adhesive. The result will likely look rough and need refinishing. You may be ahead of the game to just cover up the section in question and call it done.

I agree on both counts. I'd sell them as-is and if he new owner wants he can have them re-labled/covered up...

Braided line and line guides have both come a long way. Modern verions can be used together with no problem. Possible exceptions may be with the very cheapest of guides or guide models without inserts (Recoils...) and even then you may be fine.

If the reel is new enough, exchange it if you think something's really wrong. I'm not that far from you, if you'd rather, send it in and I'll clean it out and take a look. ABU should be able to confirm what's involved in a handle swap. I'd have to have it in front of me to see for sure.

The clutch is something I pay special attention to on Daiwas. They seem prone to some sticking, but shouldn't be right out of the box. Exchange it if you can. If not a simple clean/lube might help.

I can't swear to it but that rings a bell with me too. I know a lot of people don't like the palomar for braid to begin with but I get a way with it with regular PP. They make a finger ring you can wrap the tags around and use to tighten an albright knot but that doesn't seem practical here.

You can flip the shim over in the meantime but all means replace it if worn.

x2 on the Recoils. Freezing temps is their single best application. And witout the inserts you can go really small and have the best of both worlds.

This looks eerily familiar. Mine's been about 14yrs. No problems related to the metal. Good luck!

Yes. tip tops are sized Ring/Tube. The ring size in the ID of the ring itself (not the insert).

I have a Ruger Mark II Target (bull barrel) stainless. This thing is super accurate and one of the most dependable semi-autos out there. They can be found for around $250.

Yup, a size 6 (6/64") = a 2.4mm tube Couple things: Gently heat the tip-top and slide it off - no twisting Use hot glue or epoxy - no super glue for a permanent fix measuring the tip to verify size is not a bad idea - blanks vary slightly from one to the next.

The AR should be left dry but kept clean.

Not familiar with that specific lake but in general - Paddle tail swimbaits, spoons, traps... anything that resembles baitfish.

No, you can ONLY use an Alabama Rig?

The qualifiers of "no responsibility" and "no debt" make this even more of a fantasy scenario. In that case sure. In reality, everyone has responsibility even if just for yourself. (unless you're a trust fund baby) Pro anglers are independent businessmen and need a stake to get started which means debt. (unless again if you're a trust fund baby). Like an over the road truck driver, this is a tough endeavor for a family man, more of an adventure for a young single person. I'll have to pass.