S Hovanec

Get the tachometer fixed. IMO, it's quite important in achieving optimal performance. The trim gauge, I never even look at. The trim pump has 2 stages, trim and tilt. Sounds like you might have reached the tilt stage as it doesn't have enough power to move the motor while at high speed. The trim will move the motor no matter the speed.

BFAT-6 (if guides are black) If silver, use CFAT-6

I like tying the reel in to the build. Makes for a true custom look.

Gentle heat....slowly. it doesn't take much to melt a blank! I've fixed many that wouldn't come off with heat. Had to carefully cut the tube with a Dremel and cutoff wheel and pry the tube off with a small screwdriver.

Consistently in the 50's. There are some spots in the 60-70 range I'd like to check out sometime.

That's some funny stuff right there!

Don't know what stripper guide they use on that rod, but something is wrong. I use 2500 reels on everything from lite to medium-heavy and never experienced what you describe.

I can't imagine a 6'6 medium that's not set up properly for an appropriately sized bass reel. Sounds like a poorly designed guide train to me. Care to divulge the brand/model?

Same as I do it.

Slightly off topic, but you would have a killer rod with a voided warranty.

A 3000 won't solve that. All a 3000 is is a 2500 with a deeper spool. Sounds like something else is going on here.

Left to right. Butt on the left, tip on the right.

Anything over 10# is too heavy or stiff to use on a 2500 reel. If you want to eliminate that, bump up to a 4000......or switch to braid.

I keep a trash can of junk around for just such emergencies.

Yard sale. It doesn't have to be graphite. An old glass rod will work just fine too.

That's the plan I'd follow!

On, yea. How could I forget about RodGeeks!!

Bingham enterprises gets 95% of my business, Mudhole gets 4% and custom fly grips gets 1%.

My leader knot has been ticking through micro guides since 07 or 08 with no ill effects on the guides.

My favorite Geeks color. It just looks so lickable!

Not a fan of the metal insert guides, especially the tip. I've replaced many many tips and quite a few running guides that were grooved. They have all been on Abu, Berkley and Fenwick rods.

You aren't kidding there. I bet I have 50 blanks in my shop from Croix, CTS, Talon, Rodgeeks, AmTak, Batson, Seeker, Shikari, MHX and AllStar.

Bunch of miscellaneous trolling rods. Musky, walleye, salmon.

Nah. 54 rods x $50-$60 is nowhere near $10k lol

He said you're not allowed to play either! !