flechero

I would check your reel with a scale... because if 10 really isn't enough, you should be breaking rods. (assuming we are talking bass fishing rods) I'd bet that you just aren't getting the rated drag out of the reel.

If you priced it at $100 over Alconites then you are figuring something wrong or found a high priced retailer. Sounds like you have a bunch of double footed guides priced. Your original post said you wanted light weight and said you were going to use braid... based on those two ideals, I think Ti framed SiC's are your best option. Even though you won't "feel" the physical weight difference, you can feel the balance difference, if you taped it up head to head. Add to that, corrosion resistance and the strength factors (which you want using braid) and the ability to use 5.5 running guides and tip and I think it's worth the extra $50. The SiC rings are the best for braid... you won't wear them out and they are about the smoothest which (in theory anyway) should be you best casting guide with braid. Now, having said all that... Alconites are very good guides. I used them on some of my own rods. I think they are the best overall value in guides of any brand or price point. They are light, strong, smooth and inexpensive. You really can't go wrong with them. But since you are building it, why use the guides that come on that rod from the factory when you can get something a little bit lighter, smoother, stronger and more unique??? And one more thing... If you are really rough on gear, build it with alconites and use the difference to start buying the next set of components. Good luck! -keith

I am one of the guys who says the 50MG is "as good" in use. There is little practical difference in how they fish. They both are super light, smooth as a baby's butt and a joy to use. For the price difference, I think the 50MG is a much better value. The core is great looking, no doubt... but will the red spool and accents clash with a carrot stick? I think so!!

Of the ones I have used, best price this week is from ReelSmart 209 plus 10 shipping.

Well, a 6'6" med. may not be ideal but you can bet your life it will work. I would do 3 things a little differently if I was going to use that rod... 1. use a lighter weight (3/8 - 1/2 oz.) 2. use a shorter leader (10" - 15") 3. be sure to wind all the slack out and use a horizontal sweeping hookset These things will help you get a better good hookset, especially with with a shorter, lighter rod. Braid will also help (as mentioned) but I wouldn't change over to braid to help in this one situation.

Big Tom, Call a couple of your local tackle shops... almost every one around here has a guy that makes repairs... none work for the store directly, they just have an agreement. (and usually business cards at the shop) You can (usually) drop it off at the shop or at the guy's house.

It doesn't take much ballpark food to hit that, even in the cheap seats. Pretty cool idea.

I have also gotten several new 50MG's from ebay stores to my door for $205-$210. I think the 50/51MG is well worth the price difference to the curado.

You should start here... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1152205660 But since you asked, if it were my rod I would turn my own grip and use a Fuji ECSM or ACS reel seat. I use Gudebrod size A thread for all freshwater rods. If you are planning to use braid, I'd use Fuji Ti framed SiC guides. Oh and before any of that, I'd order a cheaper blank, a set of Alconites and a 2nd seat and cork (grip) to build a practice rod before 'learning" on a $180 blank. Because I can promise you one thing... your second rod will turn out better than your first! Best of luck, either way- and don't forget to put up some pictures when it's finished. (or along the way)

If you are wrapped up good and can't advance the fish, be sure not to let her sit there and saw one spot in your line too long or it will cut/break... sometimes you have to give a little line back to avoid being sawed in two. Still keeping tight line, but giving a little back keeps fresh line on the stump, log or rock. Often times it's just luck of the draw... depends on how wrapped it gets.

Each person has their own answer(s)... for some it is truly an escape, for others it's the pursuit of a specific goal or fish. My purpose is different from day to day... some days I just want to escape work and catch something and other days I'll go 10 hours looking for one big bite. Most of the time it's somewhere in between. To go one step further- there are days that I want to fish alone and others that I invite people. I just like being on the water.

Well said, honest and accurate.

Finished wrap pics? Somehow I missed this one before... love to see the pics of the finished build.

Just think of how many DD's you COULD HAVE caught if you weren't "handicapped" with mono. ;D

And to think- some of us actually do ok with mono... even living in the south. ...lol

nralover, It's a good question- one that few people think about beyond an average cast on a fresh spool. In answer to the original question, yes, 110 yds is enough if you use that lb test line. But lets say you are like me and use that reel to carolina rig... for starters, i use a #20 XT main line so that "110 yds capacity" is already down to about 70 yds. ? , give or take. Now realize that we do a lot of c-rigging through flooded mesquite, oak and pecan trees so we have to cut and re-tie often- sometimes removing a few feet and other times up to 10+ yds. of line. So you see it only takes a few re-ties to get where you can cast out the whole spool. There are many times that we re-spool at lunch time, if the fish are biting well in the mesquite trees.

Best to consult the tables after you have gone fishing each day... for a few weeks... then decide if your fishing was better during those 'peak' times. Some people swear by it and others say no affect.

I'll take the Power 4 since it's old and outdated! I can really only speak to the Abu 4600's & 5500's. The heavier and deeper spools are not well suited for real light baits but for normal weights, they still work well. They may not "spin" as well but once you set the brakes for casting, they all spin about the same. Sure there are differences, but many of us still use some of the older reels, not because we can't afford to switch, but because they work very well/as well, for certain applications. As to the smooth aspect... it's very nice but it doesn't account for any additional fish in the boat.

Lane, I got them and responded back to the emails. As agreed, I will not pass these along. Thanks for trusting me with them. (already deleted) I do feel it's important to share what was in them, since many others also wanted to know. I was a little surprised by the pics. Most showed 1-3 fish and the worst one showed 6 fish washed up to shore. I understand that I was sent the "mild" pics. I am not discounting the severity of the event... but I had much worse images in my head. Sadly though, there weren't any dinks in the pics I saw. I keep thinking that the format of the tournaments should be changed... personally, I'd love to see paper tournaments and instant weigh somehow adopted. I certainly don't know what the answer is but as a sportsman and conservationist, this topic upsets me. -keith

Zel, That's hilarious!

Can you point me to the published weights, or where you saw this?

I also don't understand what the hesitation is for, on the pictures... since there are PUBLIC meetings allegedly scheduled, the pics would be available to the public. Right? Seems like the ones protecting the pics are the ones that should want them out. There are a number of seemingly important, but unanswered questions. I have been trying real hard not to make up my mind but truthfully, it is tough because some of this makes no logical sense and answers are as scarce as photos.

I would think most monos are about the same. Berkley claims a 3 year shelf life on trilene to retain it's ratings, if it's stored in the house.

At the moment, I only have 2 options for you. Got to RBO and post there to find a builder, maybe you can find one locally, or at least one to take an order via phone or web. http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2 The other option is the Rod Builders Guild, they have a listing page but only list a small sampling of builders as far as I know. http://www.rodguild.com/builderfinder.html Good luck! If you find a good builder let us know, I'm sure others will appreciate the info.

Dude... State records have to be verified. If there is ever a reason to keep a trophy, this is it. The Kansas State Record hasn't been broken in 35 years and that fish probably wasn't going to live more than another year or so. I'm sure the fish was kept and and thoroughly analyzed to determine it's age. There is more to wildlife management than purely catch & release. : I wish all states had a sharelunker program...