S Hovanec

I don't think it woukd have the power needed to get hook penetration. Sometimes a ML isn't even enough.

One might even say he's a Lucky Craft Man!

IMO, the people that say they don't like the rings cause the reel falls off have never had a grip with them fit properly.

I'd believe that cause there were over $100 in Torzites alone.

My criteria for new rod acquisition: 1. Is it a dropshot rod? 2. Is it a St. Croix? 3. Is it pretty?

They work nicely. I turn the cork so the rings are a little snug when installed, unlike factory rods, where they slide loosely. I have never had a reel come loose while using them.

That was the price on the Pro-V 219GL in the video. From what I'm hearing. The Pro V Bass can be had for about half that.

CI4 or Rarenium and a custom St Croix.

Take my money, please!! It just has a black resin covered sticker. I'm sure it could be peeled off the aluminum backer and something else could be inlayed in it. I haven't tried it yet.

I have a couple old Sustains. Handled the new black one in a store. I was underwhelmed. Ordered a TwinPower from Digitaka.

That is a Mudhole piece. They sell just the ring or the whole assembly. It is available in 5 colors.

Yea. I've found white blanks to be the toughest to build. From showing every speck of dust to needing to be absolutely perfect on the wraps. Dark blanks hide gaps.

What I have a hankering for is a Heady Topper!

Unfortunately, that was a Founders in that glass.

That's called inspiration!!

$65,781

Been kinda lazy all winter. Now I have to go into full production mode to play catch-up! Starting off with a couple simple spinning builds. I have 2 Sage Ones in the queue. They will be a little more complicated than these. Rainshadow SB720-4 (4pc lite) RodGeeks B468MMF

You didn't mention the line size or reel size. I wouldn't go over 8# on a 2500 size reel or over 12# on a 4000 size. That could attribute to some of your management issues, even with a premium line.

That's my normal reply, but I've been pounced on by too many Vanish lovers to give that answer anymore. Life's too short to fish with crappy line.

Tie the end to a good ball bearing swivel. Attach the swivel to something stationary, like a fence or utility pole. Walk off all of the line, under tension. Then pull it tight and let it go slack several times. This should allow the twists to start working out by spinning the swivel. Then, slowly reel the line back in, under tension. You may have to do this a few times. Best bet, make a friend with someone with a boat!

With Vanish it doesn't really matter, it acts the same either way yout install it. And will break just as easily, backwards or otherwise. To try to straighten it out, take off any lure or hooks, let all the line off the reel and drag it behind the boat for about 5 minutes. Reel it back on. It'll be as good as it can be for what it is.

My observations on St Croix powers are: there is a power missing between ML and M in their freshwater lineup. I filled that gap with their inshore ML. I discussed that with Jason Brunner of Croix a couple years ago and he agreed with my findings.

Guides are easy to salvage. Handles, not so much. It can be done, but the labor would probably equal the cost of new construction, unless it's some kind of intricate cork work, EVA overlay or carbon fiber.

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

I don't see an issue. Put the srtipper guide at 0°, the next at 180° and put a bumper at 90° halfway between them. Place the runners on the bottom and static test it. Youll know then if it'll work.