webertime

For me... it's easy... Zoom Ultravibe Speedcraws are 3.25" so I throw a 3.25 Speedcraw.

Front Derailleur = Round Reel. What frame is that?

Shimano doesn't make frames though. When I was in the cycling industry I talked to a Shimano rep about colors and it was A) easier to match other companies stuff if it was black/grey/silver. Those colors are easier to produce durable paints/coatings. C) The cost of short runs of color was not something they're terribly interested in doing especially if the color doesn't sell. This would be true for all but the highest end stuff (their 25th anniversary Dura Ace group was like jewelery to bike geek dentists). D) not so much cultural but a culture within the company is function first followed by form. All those reasons seem applicable to their fishing reels.

Bassresource Hook Up Tackle Geoffrey King The Homeless Fisherman Matt Stefan The Northern Bass guy mentioned above

Retail at the 100-150 range: Tatula XT, Tatula, SLX Can be had for the same price if you dig around: Sierra and Kaden from Dobyns, the Major craft mentioned before, some Evergreen Combat Sticks.

Accidentally threw a green pumpkin magic speed craw with jj'd chart craws into a new bag of them. Now they all almost glow but are still gpm colored.

Call St Croix and they'll send at least the correct size and maybe adhesive.

For "me" a graphite rod for larger jerks and spooks would be welcome. The way I fish a composite rod for bigger trebles or moving baits is a little floppy. An Evergreen Showerblows rod is awesome for Jerkbaits over 1/2oz and the 1oz spook-type baits. It's also great for 4.3-4.8 swimbaits and other single hook moving baits. A 7ft 3in to 8ft (your comfort level determines where in that range) H fast rod for frogs, flipping and in a pinch Carolina Rigs wouldn't be a bad idea. The Evergreen you have (7'8") might have too long of a handle to effectively do those techniques.

LDC is a great company

Anyone ever shake your hand and die from it? Lol jeez man

How bent we talking? The structure was originally a circle. A dent will mean it will be very hard to make it an even circle ever again. You could try putting it into a vice and very gently tap the dent out again with a small punch or somethinglike that. Do a little at a time. Between each tap session put the spool in the reel and see how it rotates and fits. You could chalk the opening on the non-drive side and see where the spool rubs (rubs off onto the spool). I would also question how the balance of the spool would be (effect braking). A dent essentially moves material from where it was when the spool was balanced. Even if you get it back to roundish it's not what it was. If you know a machinist they could get it darn close but at $$$/hour.

I lost my swimbait wishlist this winter but kept all the rest. I mean look at the positive, remaking them gives you something to do when you're indisposed.

8lb yzh or super natural

His handle has a slit rather than holes. Looks like the first schematic posted.

I have Keitechs in a bag must be going on 4 seasons straight and they are still ok.

Many brands make great rods but some make special rods within their line. But that's a personal thing too. Evergreen St Croix Megabass Mine (NFC blanks)

It's fine for me. Not a Breckell or Bubba but not a weeks worth of groceries either

Manufacturers have been doing it for years. Dicks had a Revo on an all star rod combo a long while ago. Dicks also had a Capricorn reel from diawa before that. We're talking super bulk orders with good margins.

Maverick 735c for $43.77 shipped on Amazon

Maybe it's me or an optical illusion but the hole itself barely if at all, looks smaller?

Black Sharpie. Aka "anodizing on a stick"

OSP Do Live Shad Bottom Up Volup Swimmers.

I threw 6" Magdraft Freestyles on mine. Pretty good big football jig rod too. Big (1oz) topwaters work on it too. But it was Magdrafts 90% of the time.

The thread is a non negotiable item for me. But standard epoxy will work. I've repaired rods on the road with 2 kitchen chairs, 2 books and a shot glass.

One of my great friends is an Okuma guy and has a few. It's nice but the Zillion is nicer. As an analogy. You're car stereo goes up to 50 (volume) Okuma X is a 40 and Zillion is 44. Both are loud enough but one's a bit better.