Delaware Valley Tackle

I too, would tend to advise against modifying this grip, especially if this is your first rod building project. It could get a little involved. Francho's right about the Tennessee handle coming back into vogue as well.

<1/2 oz I usually go with M/F spinning

The 6'9" ML/XF St Croix is one of my favorite blanks for drop-shotting and finesse fishing in general. It would do ok as a shakey head rod with a small jig, super sharp hook and thin tex-posed plastic, but the typical shakey head is probably better suited to a Med power rod. I agree w/ ww2farmer, err on the heavyside if you need a more multi-purpose setup.

Polishing the metal drag washers is definetely beneficial to drag performance. I do this regularly as part of a super-tune or drag upgrade. Matched with Carbontex drag washers you'll maximize the design potential of the drag.

This may not be a direct comparison but it might help: A Stradic 2500 holds 140 yards of 8lb mono A Soron 20 holds 130 yards of 8lb mono

The St Croix rods really come into their own at the Avid level and up. If you were paying full retail, I'd say the extra $50 is well worth it, but at $40 I think you got a good deal. A 6'6" MH should make a good multi purpose rod if it's a fast action.

IMO all those lifetime warrantee/expediter type programs are is a type of insurance built into the cost of the rod. Any decent company will stand behind their products or won't be around long. I'm not interested in paying for someone else's carelessness or abuse of the program which I think is all too often the case. If you like the rods, buy more at the lower price

Reel Magic is NOT the same as KVD line cond. Just my two sents I have used both and I would NEVER go back to Reel Magic. I would use Reel Magic to maybe lube my reels gears. Don't let this stuff, WD 40 or any similar products anywhere near the internals of your reels. The distillates that make it sprayable actually dissolve grease and that's the last thing you want.

x2 on the quality of the rods however I feel the retail price is exagerated. IMO the point of diminishing returns on a production rod is in the $300 range. Custom is the way to go for the most value in high end rod.

That sounds like a pretty good deal, but the reel is so cheap I could half buy a new one ( I got it on close out at a local shop for around $30)! I actually service all my own reels. But for that price I will definitely consider any more expensive reels I own if they ever need repaired. I agree it's border line worth it to send off. If you look into it and need a hand give a shout. Mike

I had a Calcutta reel come in over the summer that got a piece of the braid sucked into the level wind. The pawl it that and the rest... is history. Sand raises hell with'em too.

This depends on what made the pawl bad to begin with and how long it went undetected (or vise versa). Most of the bad worm gears I come across are the result of something other than normal wear.

I believe that reel retails for around $60. A cleaning/lube/inspection is $16.20 for forum members. Parts and shipping additional. Anything worn or broken can be replaced as part of the service if necessary. Let me know if I can help. Mike

x3

Jimmy, May I suggest that you have the reel professionally serviced and the new parts installed as part of that process? If the pawl and worm gear are that bad, there may be other isses internally. The cost of a service for forum members is $16.20. The drag kit for that, I believe is the 2 piece Revo kit. It costs $6.50 retail. If you decide to DIY, first thing you need to do before opening any reel is to obtain a schematic. You can contact me offline if you'd like and I'll try to walk you through it. Mike

IMO the Pflueger President is one of the best bang-for-the-buck spinning reels at that $ point. There about the same weight but the Pflueger's gear ratio is a little faster (5.2:1 vs 4.7:1). The few reviews on the Cabela reel weren't exactly glowing, but you never know. I might try one if I hadn't already had good experience with the President.

"Best" is a subjective term to begin with. Add to that the lack of industry standard ratings or measurements and the decision is even more a case of personal preference. The reel to be mounted and the intended use of the rod may make one brand's offering a better choice than another as well. With that said, I am a fan of St Croix and their blanks, especially Avid level and up.

Probably fast for shallow divers and Mod Fast for deeper divering baits

Drop shot and shakey head are rigs that cam come in a variety of weights. The weight of the bait would determine whether you want a M or ML. If you need a little more versatility from a rod, since drop-shot doesn't require casting long distances, you might err on the heavy side rather than overload too light a rod.

The STX is the corrosion resistant model, possibly better for saltwater use. As far as the extra bearings go, you should probably go handle both and see if there is enough difference to you.

There is no right or wrong choice just personal preference. You've got a new reel, feel good about it. Fish it, and if you're dissatisfied with the performance, try another brand or model next time.

If you're unsure of action and power and don't have a specific application, I suggest a 7' MH/F as the most versatile for bass fishing.

I like the 7' M/F for wacky and tubes. I like the M/XF for finesse drop shot and shakey head.

Twist side plate down and out. Might take a little muscle but it should go.

You should have no problem getting bit with hi-vis line. You can always tie on a leader if you think condtions dictate. Line watching is every bit as important as sensitivity but seldom discussed.