Delaware Valley Tackle

What tuning are you having done? The two piece spool shaft design leaves very little to be polished.

As stated earlier, the truest metric is IPT. The 7.9:1 takes up the same amount of line as a typical 7.1:1 due to the small spool.

I have to agree as well. I have experimented with some success as far as smoothing out a reel but honestly, not to the extent that I would be comfortable charging extra for the service. Too many people do not give their spinning reels the attention that the baitcasters get though as far as maintenance, which is a shame.

If you take the example to the extreme, you could make the case that using anything more than a willow branch, bailer twine and a bent sewing needle is "buying" skill. There's nothing wrong with applying advanced technology, including braid because without the skill to employ the "advantages" the right way, in the right place at the right time you won't be any more successful. JF is right on too. each of the tackle options we have has its time and place, which isn't usually all the time and everywhere.

Micro guides are fine on a flipping rod. That's how my own is built.If anything, the line should shoot more smoothly. Modern guide rings and braided lines are perfectly compatible as well.

Sounds like the AR is improperly lubed and/or dirty. 50* isn't that much of a temp change but it depends what's in there. The AR bearing/clutch should be flushed, allowed to dry thoroughly and oiled with a light oil applied with a swab to avoid over lubing. If this is something you're not comfortable with, you can send it in and I'll go through the whole thing.

Is there really this much interest in this or are we seeing a brilliantly executed guerilla marketing campaign? I've seen numerous threads in multiple forums on multiple boards about this. It is something out of the norm, but really?

All the positive comments about the membership management and content here are indisputable. I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet that you get all this and it's FREE to members an well as guests!

So he's still catchin' the big ones?

Mine is stored upside down, elevated off the ground and I sweep it off after a snowfall. No problems after 3 winters.

This comes up here a lot. There is no right, wrong, proper or improper when it comes to the feel of a rod outside of your personal preference. There are too many variables in a rod's design for a blank to be "pre-balanced". The same blank is most often used in several designs. Rod length, components, handle length and grip style and material all affect how the finished rod will feel. My preference is to not add weight to any rod unnecessarily. Weight is weight regardless of where it is put. However, adding weight may be only alternative to get the desired result. How you grip your rod has some impact as well. I see this especially with spinning rods. A rod is fished with different baits and on different planes so the feel changes as you use it. If you're fishing vertically,on the bottom, holding a rod parallel to the water, there's your neutral balance. Start moving the rod and it becomes almost a non-issue (IMO). Micro guides reduce weight in the critical tip section of the rod. This allows the blank to retain as much of its original design characteristics as possible. In any rod build we use the smallest lightest guides that will do the job, fit grip and handle dimentions to the user and lastly adjust for the feel desired.

If theb AR got greased or oiled the cold could thicken it and cause problems. A thorough cleaning is always a good starting point with reel problems.

How used is the Fuego? I don't think you're looking at worlds of difference performance wise. Both are good reels and it would boil down to your personal preference at the end of the day. If the curiosity is killing you, go ahead and try one. If not, you didn't pass up the deal of a lifetime or anything.

It (WD-40) also works as a line conditioner same as Reel Magic. I don't use either because of the oil slick it leaves in the water. KVD L&L works better.

A lot of it has to do with what you're throwing as said above. Baits like a trap are heavy enough and have a slim profile so they pull line out easily. A spinnerbait has a crazy profile that causes them to lose velocity quickly making a backalsh more likely. A centrifugal brake may require a little more maintenance over the life of the reel, but if you're doing regular service on the whole reel it should be mostly a non-issue.

In what direction does her bias lead her (leader)?

IMO you won't find a more user-friendly braking system than that of the Shimano's. It's often a set it and forget it proposition. Dual braking is fine, but not a huge advantage. I definetely prefer dual over mag only. The Daiwa system which incorprates centrifugal and magnetics into one adjustment is a unique design and arguably the best. Braking system is pretty low on the list of priorities when choosing a reel IMO.

I ordered a hitch & wire harness here: http://www.etrailer.com/?gclid=CM-n0eOwgawCFW0CQAodu3hfKA and installed it myself (easy). Cost a fraction of what a local place wanted to install one.

The 726 looks heavier than I usually recommend for a crankin' rod. How big a bait do you want to throw with this and what type of cover? Their new 755 might be worth a look.

No reputable rod builder would cut a tip as part of that job. However, you can buy a kit to replace the tip-top. Apply low heat to the tip while putting pulling pressure on it. It should slide right off. DO NOT TWIST IT. Clean up the tip as best you can. Residue should scrape off with a fingernail. The repair kit will come with a small variety of tips and some hot melt glue. Size the tip as closely as you can without forcing it on or being too sloppy. Melt the glue with a lighter and apply it to the tip of the blank. Slide the top in Place quickly and hold in alignment for a few seconds. Done.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the baits we don't add weight to are for from "weightless". A 5" senko is dense and plenty heavy enough to cast without lead. Other plastics just wouldn't handle nearly as well. Here in the north we are often dealing with cold clear water and not as big of fish as in the south. You may not have as much need for finesse gear as we do, but small baits and light line can fool some real hawgs.

Spinning tackle excels in finesse applications like you mentioned. You can get away with using all casting or all spinning but you may not always be using the best tool for every application. Being proficient with both types of tackle enhances the fishing experience IMO. To each his own, but neither style will eclipse the other any time soon.

You can even get a replacement plan on sneakers at Dick's. My son sold a ton of them when he worked there.

The heat probably isn't doing it any good, but fluoro will separate the men from the boys in the knot tying department for sure.

I see your point and logic would dictate that but only the manufacturer can answer with certainty. The ratings being subjective and arbitrary only allow us to guess. I think it's a safe assumption that their 766 model has more power (and happens to be longer)than the 715. Some companies would call a rod capable of throwing 2 1/2 oz baits XHvy. In the Ultra MBX line, 703XH is rated for 3/8-1 1/2 oz lures and 10-30 lb line. At the end of the day, I'm afraid rod preferences will boil down to trial and error. At least you'll have something to compare to once the first rod arrives.