flechero

You have a couple options... most actual tackle shops will replace them for you if you purchase the tip from them. (most are held on with hot melt glue) With a couple minutes time, you can do it yourself easily if you have the replacement. Most tackle shops sell them. Bring the rod with you to assure you buy the correct size. The caution is to heat the end of the tip wire so you don't cook the rod tip. It's "hot melt" glue but you really don't need to get it very hot. If you are coming on the fork trip, I'll replace it for you. Just measure the tip of the rod with some calipers and tell me the size. PM me in case I forget to check this thread again. ...lol

With all due respect to all who responded to Matt... Please remove your personal feelings about the world record and just read his post again. It is quite clear... and to prove it to myself before posting this, I asked my wife to read it and tell me what she thought it meant. Her only question was "What recoed does Mattlures hold?" Dang it, she stumped me. ...lol Well, Matt, which record do you hold? The real issue in my mind is actually how and why the Ca. DFG missed out on both a State record and a World Record in recent history, not whether Mac should have been ticketed. How many of you protest the police for not giving you tickets every time you go 1 mph over the speed limit or fail to use a turn signal? I'm sure none of you ever "roll" a stop sign. Come on guys, get real. If the police (DFG) don't issue a ticket, warning or even a verbal warning, then where do you draw the line? The IGFA is to law enforcement about what the Boy Scouts are to law enforcement... how come so few people grasp the concept?

That would be an "ender" for sure!!

Jim, I have fixed a couple reel seats with an epoxy called "Plastic Welder" that is available at Lowe's (I think). If you can open the crack just enough to get the epoxy inside (without breaking the collar), it will most likely hold. This stuff will adhere to most anything that resembles plastic, nylon, any of the poly materials and some other stuff... I have been 100% with it so far. Certainly worth the $3 cost of the epoxy to try and save the rod. If that doesn't work you can still have the rod rebuilt as ReelMech suggested.

I'll bring the sharpie and we'll make it a real Daiwa bag!! ...lol How about a pic of the reel... some of us have a vested interest in the color.

pf2, Just spine each piece by itself and then align them to coincide with your preferred spine location. this applies to any multi-pc. blank, even the 4-5 pc. fly blanks... enjoy the journey and feel free to ask any questions if you get stuck.

I'd be leaning towards the All Star or the Compre. Both are excellent rods for the money. In fact, all of your choices are excellent values... I just like these two best of the bunch. I suspect the St. Croix is right there also but I've not used that model.

That, folks, is why ReelMech is the best!! You are a true class act, David!

Jim, Why not call the shop and get an email address of someone there... send the pic and ask them to verify for you? keith

bugman, I would go 6'8" unless you just can't afford the extra length. An extra fast rod has a short, light, working tip so the longer the rod, the longer the tip... the difference will be a little less than an inch [in working tip] but it will be noticable in casting. The 6'8" will cast easier and will cast a lighter bait than the 6'2". I am splitting hairs to a degree but the facts don't change. IMO the casting and hooksetting are better on the 6'8", for whatever my opinion is worth. My first boat was a 12' jon and I also had a 15' mod Vhull... neither boat restricted my rod selection except with 7' and longer rods.

Well put, Alpster. I'm not big on the high tech reels [yet] but i certainly fall into the nerd category on rods... I am almost counting the days until we have sub 1oz blanks in the 784 or 844 range. Someday [i hope] we will have to be looking to reduce the weight behind a reel because just the split cork grip will be too much and cause negative balance. Ahh... I can't wait! And yes, I will be willing to pay a hefty price for it. ...lol I can't take it with me when I die!!

Nothing magical or technical for me... I just get bored easily waiting for live bait to get eaten. So unless the action is fast, I like using artificials because I have something to do. Too many beers disappear when I'm using live bait. :-? ...lol If that was my experience, I would use live bait most of the time. Something different in my mindset about hunting vs. being hunted.

Have you ever felt Tungsten/Braid? You can pretty much feel what the fish are thinking. Nope, I went back to mono before I went to tungsten... I almost think that would be too much feedback! Seriously though, I bet it's mind blowing.

Tungsten is expensive but well worth the money if you are a mono user.

Natural, I don't doubt that they are extra fast.... but don't mistake what I wrote, lock up characteristics are not the same as tip speed. That hard lock up point is why MBR's got named MagBR's. that's funny!

I would base this decision on where you live and fish. I've had an 843 and both model 844's (mod-fast and fast) all will easily handle what you are throwing. (the old model 844 mod-fast was my all time, life time favorite fluke and senko rod, which I fully realized after selling it) If it were me, I'd go 844 for the simple reason that I fish heavy cover most of the time and also fish a lot of private water with an abundance of good fish. If I fished further north or in waters with smaller average fish or less cover I might use the 843. The BCR's have been incredibly well recieved, I haven't used one so I can't compare it the the MBR's other than the BCR taper should bend a little more evenly under full load and not lock up as tight as an MBR does.

RW, I'm really hoping that you have to call for an assist!! I'd be honored to lip one for you!

a Glenn Beck reference?

I'm a little light in the wallet for an investment of that size.... but it would be great to be able to stock the locally demanded stuff! I drive lots of miles to Sportsman's Warehouse (in Round Rock) every month, filling my "local" needs. > Even Academy is at the mercy of corporate nowadays. My 2 buddies that work there (in the next town) said they no longer have any input to what tackle they get or stock.

Actually, RW, it is a "Texas size" livewell and is outfitted with a 2nd aerator system, in case it gets crowded. ...lol As long as you catch 13-14 lb fish we can hold 4. If you start trying to add 15lb+ fish we might call TPWD after just 2. ...lol I don't anticipate any trouble though, I can assure you that by the time you set the 2nd SAL in the livewell, I will be hunting the camera and something to toast with. We might need a break for photos by then. Can't wait!

Alpster, I think you guys are going to have a fun trip! I'm betting on a few raspy "are we there yets" ...lol ;D

Are you sure that his rods aren't actually something else with his decals and thread colors under the finish? I don't know Clunn personally but I do know for a fact that some of the pro's rods are customs with the same decals and thread, set up to their specifications. I also have been told by staff at one of Abu's service centers that the reels their pros use are "tuned" and upgraded before being sent out. I would guess that most of the top pros have similar treatment.

For the money you are talking about, you can buy Shimano Chronarch 50 MG's. If you buy from ebay stores you can get them as low as about $215, shipped. They are incredible reels. Smooth, light as a feather and super easy casting. http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=28379&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=1&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse There isn't another reel made that can compare at that price. Of the 3 you listed, I have used a viento (my fishing partner bought one when they first came out.) It has held up perfectly and is a very nice reel but it's just not the same. I talked him into a 50 MG a few months ago, and now he's not looking at vientos anymore...

I believe the statew record was actually taken on a minnow, by a crappie fisherman. A big fish will eat a small meal, if she doesn't have to chase it. They are lazy, not picky! ...lol

Good stuff! What blank did you use?