OnthePotomac

I have the same set up and have always had 8lb BPS Excel mono on it for many years and it has always been a simple, trouble free deal and have caught a whole lot of Potomac river bass on it over the years. I respool once a year. Glory be, I am fishing with plain old 8lb mono on a spinning reel.

Every early spring, usually in March, BPS hold a Classic sale where you can trade in a reel, or rod and receive a cash allowance on your trade in commensurate with the cost of the new item. The higher the cost of what you want, the higher the cash trade in.

Probably the line I used for everything for many years before the fancy line craze...BPS 14lb mono. It did it all.

I had a Pro Qualifier on my frog rod for three years and it was flawless. The only reason I no longer have it is because BPS gave me $50 for it on a trade in for a Chronarch MGL. I thought it was a sweet little reel.

And be aware that converting drag washers to Carbontex increases drag efficiency, but not drag power.

Super Lube is great and also look to use drag grease, either Shimano ACT2, or Cal's. If you have high speed reels, drag grease is the way to go to provide a smooth drive gear functon.

Solution: Take worms with you for test fits.

Dick's used to have great Senko sales, but have no idea if they do now. Not really a mark down but like buy two bags and get one free. At least that brought down the total. In the past I did that so many times I have bags of them hanging on the wall now.

Depends on what day I am on the river. Everyday is a new day on that big ol tidal river.

SK rage toad was my go to last year rigged on a Stanley toad double hook: I like it on 17lb XL mono. https://www.cabelas.com/product/DBL-TAKE-TOP-TOAD-HK/3072566.uts?slotId=1

I have always been paranoid about my reels being kept up to snuff, which is why my Curado 100B's are 14 years old and good as new.

All three of my XGK's have two brakes on, outside dial on 2 and never change it. What ever bait I have on I start with a gradual drop to the deck, then loosen tension accordingly.

When in doubt read the side of the battery "Deep Cycle"

Call Shimano service in Irvine, CA. They have them.

I say yes to the OP's question and use the 8.1:1 for plastics fishing, which is what I do with 8.1:1 and 8.5:1 reels. Faster back with no bites is faster back out.

Every time I see these A-Jay all I can think is that you have one wicked fishing machine there.

I debarb my single hooks and keep this on hand to reach in, grab the hook, turn it and lift it out. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-squeeze-out-hook-remover

An excellent brand with quality products.

We were visiting my wife's elderly aunt in Florida in a retirement village with a small lake. I was standing at the door saying I would be at the lake for a while holding my new 7' rod when aunty enters the room complaining it was getting warm and turned on her ceiling fan and I suddenly had a 6'6" rod.

I had a 7'6" Galyans telescoping rod many, many years ago and the darn thing weighed a ton so I gave it away. That was before current light weight materials came along.

Just simply use Cal's drag grease, or Shimano ACT2 on your internal gears and it stays in place.

Be sure you pick up a paddle. They come in handy.

Coincidence this came up. I hit the mighty Potomac yesterday and it was a no wind beautiful day.....but the water was muddy in the big trib I usually fish, so I started throwing a SK 6' rage vibe tail worm On a 1/8th slip sinker and a 4/0 Gammie straight shank wide gap Texas rigged. First cast parallel to the bank 4' out in 2' of muddy water and a 2lber inhaled it. It works.

Wow, a lot of extra weight.

Just curious since mine always come in a box. LOL