flechero

David, Thanks. I am leaning towards 3 or 4 pc. rods, but for now, I'm limited to a handful of blank manufacturers. (may investigate ferrule making down the road) I will be making a couple 1 pc and 3-4 pc, like models, for side by side testing. I want to satisfy some curiosities about multi piece blanks before I commit to very much.

Al, I kept hoping someone else would respond, I hate being a kill joy. 3 weeks isn't much time for a themed rod, unless the builder already had everything he needed in stock, including decals for the theme. The other problem is money. I think that your $150 might cover the cost of materials, but that's only a guess since I don't know what blank you are looking for. Sorry

I actually posted this for another reason... I'm considering building a few travel rods but wasn't sure which of those 2 rods would be my prototypes... Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

I got this as a "white elephant" gift at Christmas.... http://www.emanation.com/mrtpocket.php

I'm wondering who owns and uses a 783 or 843 and what specific technique(s) you use it/them for. Thanks

I'd say #12 or #14. But it depends on where you fish... an all around line for those who fish Fork is #20, while an all around line for places with little cover may be #10. FWIW, I have always used #14 as my general purpose line. (#14 XT)

Chris, It's common practice in rural Tx.. I don't know much about it but the farmers and ranchers claim it keeps a lot of coyotes out. Some claim they are smart enough to get the hint, other say it's a scent thing where a dead coyote smell different to other coyotes and it's a warning scent. Either way, I seems to work to some degree. We have hunted several places over the years that had lots of coyotes... the places that the rancher shot and hung the coyotes on the perimeter fences, seemed to get much less coyote traffic afterwards. (like entire packs would avoid the area, not just the few that were on the fence!) Maybe the ones still inside the fence were all we continued to see. ? I agree that it can be an eyesore and looks bad to the anti's but it's a control measure, and is "accepted practice" in many rural and coyote rich areas.

This one baffles me. Not that you suggested it, but that it happens so regularly. Am I a freak or just the luckiest guy on earth that I rarely hook a fish deep with a c-rig? Maybe I fish it too fast... or maybe I don't lose contact for more than a couple seconds.

Which were set for harvest, not for a day in a livewell and then to be released. TPWD doesn't set the "harvest regulations" based on Tournaments. Actually though, they should have a set of regs for tournaments and a set for harvest! Good Idea.

I know what you mean but, I guess it's a matter of perspective. I've been using those same "problem" Owner hooks since the early 80's... with no problems. They were designed before today's superlines were out and popular. I still use mono and Owner is still my hook of choice. I do see your point with gammy, they advertise "superline" hooks so they ought to be made for it.

But in his defense, he has always been quick to answer questions and help people out, even about other brands... and often recommends other brands. And he's been doing that for a lot longer than most of our sponsors have been around. Not discounting either position, I'm glad we have both!!

I could be wrong but ReelMech probably buys it in bigger quantity than the syringes come in. (and that would be consistent with the flex coat instruction page)

You can order the pro packs of J hooks direct from Owner, but they are $25, in the 4/0. (28 qty) 4/0 5340-141 28 $25.00 Your best bet might be to ask your local mom and pop tackle store to order them. I'm sure it would be cheaper. I think we pay about $17-$18 for pro packs in other styles. (and no shipping if you get them locally)

Not sure I have a response for that! ...LOL Cliff, Glad it's going smoothly! I enjoyed it also. I would much rather show someone how to build, than to build a rod for someone. It's just different. I can't wait for the pics of fish caught on this rod!! Let me know when the finish is cured, we'll try to get out and cross a few eyes with it! Maybe I'll have that CTS ready at the same time... for a dual, maiden voyage! Tell Mrs. Red- it's time to get out the summer weight PJ's! ;D

That's how I understand it also. He did mention:

I have and use 5 of them.... and am honestly considering another. I keep a couple of them with the curado 100B spools in them for increased line capacity. (since i use mostly heavy mono) I guess I like them pretty well. ...lol I really think they are a great value in reels... very light, cast awesome, very smooth drag, look cool, etc. I place a high premium on light weight so if you don't, temper this endorsement a little. ...lol

Have: Revo S, Revo Premier, TDZ-BBS, 50MG's (5), Core, Abu 4600 Still have but don't use: Abu 4600's (8?), 5500's (3), and a few other old Abu's. Don't like the TDZ-BBS at all. It was a huge disappointment and a giant wasted of money. The only 2 positives about the BBS are weight and looks. If it helps in crunching your data, I replaced the Abu's I was using with 50MG's, because I like the lighter weight and had the money, not because the 4600's weren't good reels. (but the 50's are much nicer! ...lol)

Looks good! Just be careful going forward on adding stuff that could be copyrighted... there have been threads on RBO discussing this in detail.

Not always... Lets take my old MBR785 IMX- at the time it was 12 years old and worn to death. The cork was actually smaller than when new, the rod was barely distinguishable as a loomis, and was so rough, I actually considered giving it away or just retiring it. Also, most of the guide frames were bent up and several tips had been replaced. Then an insert popped out of a guide and I thought, "for $50 I can get a new one." Sold the replacement a week later for $225. Even if I had kept it, it was well worth the $50. It's not $50 plus shipping, it's $50 for the shipping. The warranty is just that. They don't warranty very many rods (as a percentage of sales) Of the 10 or so Loomis rods I owned, only once did I use the Xpeditor. Really? I disagree... I've built several rod on Loomis IMX blanks, upgraded everything- titanium SiC's, exotic burl, spiral wrapped, etc., and have kick butt customs for less than the MSRP of the IMX rods. Even if it did cost more, it's still worth my time to have sweet customs.

Under $200 opens up a lot of options.... in that price range it appears that other reels are favored. Ask the same question and put $100 limit on it and you'll likely get more pflueger responses.

Yup, it does just like stain will do on a piece of wood, highligting the grain, or in this case, filer too.

Yes, the sealers will hold it in longer, much longer. I don't like sealer on my own rods so I used to re-fill them as needed. (it only takes a few minutes per rod.) With the exotic burl, there isn't any filler to come out so wash when needed and keep on fishing.

Very nice!

better cork = less filler. most cork is full of pits and trenches. Anything close to "solid" is very expensive. Most factory rods have grips full of cork filler. After a while and a few washings, the filler generally comes out.

Mike, Few people have trouble with line under #15. It's the heavier stuff that presents problems when memory takes over. We really aren't whiners, we just fish heavier lines. ...lol When fresh line is over due, the coils are springy enough that you can't even t-rig... as you take up slack the coils re-spring and retrieve the worm! ;D (unless you use a realy heavy weight)