S Hovanec

Just applied the decal and and coated it. Barring any gnat or dust bunny attacks in the next 4 hours, it'll be almost ready to go. Just need to glue up the butt cap tomorrow and take some good pics with the reel attached.

I've fished them on Erie and have never even got a bite on one! They're not even in my bag anymore!

Once I get the butt cap glued on.

Better?? Still crappy pics tho.

That was fast!

Couple crappy pics of the first coat. Don't panic, the first coat always looks this bad! a few bumps sticking out of the thread here and there......a few threads showing through the finish. It's all good!

I've always wanted to build on one of the 6'3" XF blanks. might have to add one to my wish list!

I'm a big supporter of the 'max it out club' but i don't think the additional 50hp is worth the extra 200# with Yamaha or the extra money and 100# for the Verado. If it was like going,from a 225 to a 250 where there is no weight difference, I'm all for it, but that's like adding another passenger.

No doubt. I'm betting it'll start in the upper 60s with a 300 or low/mid 70s with a 350. edit: on the website, building a 2075 Pro-V with 300 Verado yields a $66.3k price tag. I'm gonna say the 2175 will start in the lower 70s. Maybe I don't want one that bad now!!

While everyone else is going batty over the new Pro-V Bass, Here's their new offering that's really tripping my trigger! My love for the 2075 Tyee is waning due to the larger front deck of the Pro-V and the fact the sides aren't as high, making it a better Great Lakes bass boat than the Tyee. 2175 Pro-V rated for 350HP After some research, as much as I'd LOVE to have a 350 on the back of it.....the Yamaha F350 is just too d**n heavy at 763#. The Verado 350 is too expensive at almost $29k. The Yamaha F300 strikes a happy median at 562# and around $23k. I really don't think giving up 50hp is all bad if you're dropping 200# too.

All about the same.

I would think the Tru-oil be necessary to keep the dye in place, I know how stuff in wet environments can bleed.

I would think you'd need to do the coloring after you finish turning the grip.

It's a 5C74HF-B

Hard to beat a RX7 for price and durability. They are almost bulletproof.

That's why I didn't like the ACS. Also, I built 2 rods for a customer, both using the SK2, one for jigs and one for jerkbaits. He said he loves it on the jig rod, but after a couple hours of jerkbait fishing, he had a blister on his hand.

Up until the release of the 2016 LE, the LE and LX blanks were similar but not the same. The redesigned Elite appears to have all of the same technology that the Xtreme had in the past. The Elites are physically lighter than the Xtremes. I really don't see any advantage to the Xtreme unless you like the SK2 reel seats, which I do not. The only thing I do like about them is the color. That being said, I'm glad to see some of the models that were previously only available in the Xtreme make their way to the Elite line-up. That gives me a reason to build a Forest Green dropshot rod!

I think it looks even better today. I applied the Tru Oil after a quick clean-up with 320 paper. You'll have an even bigger smile when I hand it to you next Saturday!

Just got it glued up on the blank. Here's a couple quick and dirty pics in the clamp.

I'm don't think I can explain why I like the ECS more. It fits my hand better than the ACS.

It is all a matter of personal preference. Some of the popular seats, I can't stand. I think they are ungodly uncomfortable. Those would be the Fuji SK2, Pac Bay Minima and Fuji ACS. I have one rod left in my arsenal with an ACS, and as soon as I finish my new jerkbait rod, i'll be selling it off too. In my hand, I really like the Fuji ECS. I have one of the new Fuji PTS to try too.

Shallow spools have the same lip diameter as the standard spools of the same size, the difference id they are not as deep. As said above, they are ideal for finesse techniques where not much line is needed. No need for backing to take up the extra space of a standard spool. It took 50 yards of 15/4 TuffLine (and a few wraps of mono to keep it from slipping) to fill this reel. I don't know why the spool says it will hold 115 yards of 4# mono. There is no way!

Well, the update pic will have to come tomorrow cause it appears I made a whoopsie! Got the grip finish turned and was measuring to cut the tenon for the reel seat. The grip was exactly 1/2" too short. WHAT??? only thing I can figure is that i dropped a ring while I was gluing it up. Soooo, it's back in the cork clamp with another ring. Waiting for the glue to dry.

Maybe tonight or tomorrow. Not one of yours , I got the new seat in 3 days from the time i ordered it.

I have not on something that small. All I can say is get a 1/8" or 3/16" dowel and give it a try.