flechero

Duke, Welcome to BassResource.com! In answer to the question: most times I (and I think it's safe to say most people) use a lighter leader than mainline. I like a heavy mainline because I fish it in both timber and rocky areas. The leader can be changed frequently based on water conditions. (clearer water gets a lighter or fluoro leader) As an example, right now I have 17# XT as a mainline (which is like 20# or 25# in other brands) but I use a 12# or 14# leader most of the time. If I were fishing in water that was more stained or in heavier cover I wouldn't hesitate to use a heavier leader... but if I was expecting to need a leader that heavy I would spool up a heavier mainline before I went. I use mostly mono as leader... if I fish real clear water I'll use fluoro or a blend.

I like lizards for a c-rig probably 80% + of the time. (Zoom is my favorite but any lizard will do) You'll get used to casting it..... and very quickly if you start catching fish on it. It takes a little practice to cast w/o the leader wrapping the mainline. The leader line won't float the bait... if you want the bait to float, buy floating plastics. This is a confidence thing that varies by person. In contrast to 5BL, I much prefer my lizard on the bottom. I only like floating with a fluke or french fry. You'll only need to fish it a little while to develop your own preferences.

Do you consider a finesse jig a normal bass jig in 1/8 -1/4? If so I think you'd like a different rod better for that purpose. I haven't held that blank (P844) but based on how roadwarrior describes it I would guess it's a little soft in the middle for jigs. (which is why it's a popping blank) Senkos on the other hand work well with several actions of rods and seem to fall more into an angler's preference, so the P844 would likely work fine for them. Have you looked at or considered the MBR843 ? This is a very popular blank/rod for both techniques... and an excellent rod for many other techniques. This might be the first one I gave serious consideration to. There are tons of other blanks available that fall into your range... too many to start listing. I think almost every mfr has some.

;D ;D ;D ;D How true!! Amen! I suggested some time back that on the "links" tab above, we (meaning Glenn or Mods) add another selection called "SPONSORS". We all buy so much stuff on-line that we could make a big impact. As a group, we spend tens of thousands, maybe even 100's of thousands of dollars. Supporting those that support this site would be a natural place for my discretionary spending. And honestly, I only know 1 or 2 sponsors from the banners I'd rather spend my money with sponsors but with the random banners, I could spend all day looking for stuff on my list as the banners pop up. So I usually just buy from a few places (some of which are not sponsors) out of convenience/lazyness.

Hmm... what does a rick clunn combo cost? Sounds like he is representing his sponsor perfectly. While I don't disagree with the concept and I think most people on this site agree as well... I do have an issue with the price range. Anyone who says there is very little difference in a 50MG and anything that fits into the above scenario is either being pad to say it or really is clueless. I fished Abu 4600's all my life and still say there are great, but to say they compare to my 50MG's would just be dishonest. Also very true, but very off topic.... just because someone can't afford a certain piece of equipment, doesn't mean it's not better. The size of a person's budget has no bearing on the quality of a company's product. I couldn't agree more.

Better late than never... As promised, here is the link to the .pdf file (pg. 3, 4, 5) that shows this info http://www.purefishing.com/documents/Type_69/HPreels_factsheet_F.pdf

All 3 models are the same size. According to the specs, there are 3 differences (4 if you count color) between the SX and STX: 1 "Titanium nitride wormshaft" 2 "Infini Spool II" - spool is seperated from the drive train during casting 3 "Everslik" coated pinion shaft and pawl Here is the link to the .pdf file (pg. 3, 4, 5) that shows this info http://www.purefishing.com/documents/Type_69/HPreels_factsheet_F.pdf

Alpster, Sounds like more work than I ever want... underwraps???? No thanks!! Your buddy OWES you big for that one!! justtrying, Looks like you have a pretty functional set up! I still am working off a couple of saw horses in the garage and my wrapping is done on my office desk. ...lol The wife and I aren't in agreement on a rodbuilding room in the house and the shop isn't going up for a little longer. Having to make do with what I can! Borderbasser, I know you were kidding but really I'm not fairweather. Cold and snow don't bother me, I normally only let the wind (or storms) dictate if I stay home... Belton is almost a canyon lake so when we have 15-20 mph winds that funnel down between the bluffs, it gets pretty nasty and seems to accelerate. And when it gets REALLY cold we go to Fayette or Bastrop! (power plant lakes)

WCCT, Yes, I use the TSG for the butt guide because it is almost the same height as the double foot (and PLENTY strong) I also use TSG for the bumpers because I need the height to keep the line clear. (the 6 & 7 are not very tall, but they are just enough.) I only use the TLSG as my running guides. -keith

So true. Fishing rods are the perfect example of this... the $100 difference in IMX and GLX is not very big, and so not too many people can justify it. But the difference is there.

You are partially correct... high dollar tackle will not always make you a better angler... but in many cases it WILL contribute to better catches. Put an IMX or GLX in the hands of someone who buys their worm rods at walmart and see their eyes light up on the first cast I've seen it many times and I was one of them many years ago. I don't catch that many more fish than I used to but I consistently catch bigger fish than I used to with cheap rods. I say with complete confidence that I feel more subtle bites than I did back then and my deep water fishing improved tremendously- instantly. To the pros... do you know for certain that the rods they use are rack rods? I bet you don't! Sure, they may use a few for spinnerbaits or crankbaits but I'll bet some big money that they aren't using anything off the BPS rack for worm and jig fishing. Do you have any idea how easy it is to match any of the rods you listed with only a decal and thread color? I can make GLX lightning rods if you provide the decals. ...lol Even the All Star plant has a seperate room where sponsored angler's rods are built... but the decals and thread colors are the same as the rack stuff.... been there and toured it.

I thought I was the only one hoping for snow!! River Warrior, No custom colors... There is a combination of things gone wrong at CTS... I don't know the extent of it but Andy said that there was some employee turnover (in an already small shop) and several huge orders and some other factors which combined to make things stall. Sounded like a abnormal, one time slow down so I kept my order in.

Pure greatness! I've never built a rod with guides up. Sounds like you are making real good progress! You are way ahead of me right now. I was originally hoping to build 5-6 "good" rods, over the winter... IMX, SCIV, SCV, & CTS but I haven't had the time to dedicate to it yet. (and I've had 2 CTS blanks on order since early October... and still no delivery date set :'( ) The only one I've built for myself is a temporary replacement to my t-rig rod (reel seat broke) I had an extra grip aready made and a few of the All Star blanks in the garage so it was a quick build. (stealth) Did you happen to catch the mud hole St.Croix sale? They are almost gone now... but they had discounted them 25%. It was down to SCII and SCIII when I saw it... but I did grab a crankbait blank just so I have an excuse to throw some DD-22's this summer. ...lol

T_B_M, Some good places to know about from the start are: mudhole http://shop.mudhole.com/ Lamar http://www.lamarreelseats.com/ fishsticks4U http://fishsticks4u.com/ RBO http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2 As of sometime recently, mudhole and fishsticks are carrying most Lamar products, but the personal service and help from Andy is worth dealing directly with him. mudhole has just about anything you will ever need, Lamar and fishstick4U are top notch for personal service but limited in overall selection. Also go to the RBO and look on the left side of the page at their sponsors list if you need more places. But before you do any of this, read the sticky (and links) above for new builders. Best, -keith

ReelMech, You don't need to explain... I thought it was a funny comment! I am pretty frugal on most things... but I let a few luxuries "slide by" on my fishinng and hunting gear. Besides, I bet you've never had a Hardloy guide fail on you. (unless it got stepped on or "rod lockered") keith

WCCT, Agreed! But if it were me, I'd go with Fuji Ti framed SiC. You are building "your Baby"- a $225 GLX blank, what's $50 more at this point for the best and lightest in guides? You'll need to play around with sizes some, especially to get the bumper correct and get the #2 guide to carry weight but here is a guestimate of what I'd do: TSG 10, TSG 6 bumper, TLSG 6 then TLSG 5.5's out to a 5.5 TFST I built 2 CTS blanks that way and absolutely love them. Order it from Mudhole (get a few extras) and you can send back the extras after you static test. That's how I got started using Ti, since they were expensive. Also, the Ti frames are silver but not bright like chrome. Kind of have the "brushed" look. Alconites are great guides too... would be my second choice for that rod. I just finished an BEMB 844 on Monday (with Alconites) so here is what I used: BLAG 10 butt, (BFLG 6 bumper), BLAG 7, then 6 BLAG 6's out to a BFAT #6 tip. The bumper is actually a Batson guide, I use them with Alconites since the #6 and #7's have a little height. (it looks like a TSG in terms of leg height ) They look like Alconites and work awesome as bumpers. I don't like Alconites as bumper because you don't get any height until the #8 which I think looks huge as a bumper. (and just for ReelMech, they are like $0.70 each. ) I use a BLAG 7 as the first 180 degree guide because of the lack of leg height, this allows that guide to carry weight under full load. I don't use double footed guides anymore except on the swimbait rods or ex-hvy rods, and those are just for looks. No need for doubles. In testing, we couldn't get a single leg guide to fail before each of the test blanks broke. We broke a bunch of scrap blanks trying to get a single to fail. ...lol Sorry to ramble. Let us know what you end up doing. edited to add this link: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1166650242 disregard the bickering and there are a few "nuggets" of info to be found.

The green weights are heavier. Approximately twice as heavy as the red. Don't think I ever heard of anyone needing the green ones but I guess they do or else they wouldn't send them! ...lol

According to the specs, there are 3 differences between the SX and STX: 1 "Titanium nitride wormshaft" 2 "Infini Spool II" - spool is seperated from the drive train during casting 3 "Everslik" coated pinion shaft and pawl There is a good .pdf comparison on pure fishing's site (or it was) I'll post the link for you if I can find it again.

Alpster, The DC sounds impressive to say the least! I'd be thrilled to get 2 casts from the bank, that's all I'll need to see and feel it work... I just want to satisfy the curiosity. Thanks for the offer, I'll take you up on it! keith

I guess I was never officially sworn in, but I have a badge. ...lol (3 spinning, 4 BC) No need to have the "enforcers" ready. ...lol I have a question though... I've never seen the digital controlled reel in person, can you really let it rip without regard to thumbing - and not backlash? Thanks

Hmm... and I've seen a partial list of your baitcasting inventory and I only have one question.... Are the "Bass Bus" and boat equipped with a vault? ;D Just havin' fun!

Most of todays reels are so much better than what we had in the past that it almost doesn't matter at all. I did vote centrifugal though, as I like the reels I own and have used with them better than mine with magnets.

Another work of art, Jim! Nice work!

Good work, RW! Enjoyed the read! (which is saying something for me!)

Too funny!! I almost excepted to the one line about Daiwa in my RW comment! ;D