Tywithay

REC guides are made in the USA

I'd rather use a couple components to finish an American made blank, than use an entire rod assembled overseas.

If you were using 8lb Super Natural, compared to 8lb Armor, you used two very different lines. 8lb Armor is actually about 12-14lb line packaged as 8lb.

What does that have to do with a rod being built in America?

Bushido blanks are rolled overseas.

ALX gets their blanks from Hydra. The owner of Hydra is also the owner of ALX. Similar to the Edge-NFC relationship.The blanks are rolled and assembled in South Carolina.

Depends on the technique. A t-rig or weightless senko probably won't need more than 50 yards, because I'm usually casting those into specific spots. A lipless crank, or big crankbait, I may need 100 yards, because I have reels that can sling 'em. I don't have a specific method to my madness, I just know what I do for me. A cheap clip-on line counter is a good tool, because you know exactly how many feet you've put on, and you can use fairly simple math to determine how much of each line you'll need.

Invizx handles better than a lot of mono, stretches more than most mono too. If you were backlashing, that was likely due to the density of the line. It's heavier than mono, and requires more braking or a better thumb. There are some monofilaments that have good abrasion resistance, some with little stretch, some that handle great, but none will compare to the sensitivity of fluorocarbon. The material just doesn't transmit vibrations the same way.

Hammer rods makes a nice product. Kistler makes a fantastic rod, using the NFC blanks on their KLX and Helium rods. ALX rods are outstanding. St Croix rods are time tested, though I think you can get better values from other manufacturers. There's plenty of options out there, just depends what you're looking for.

For the way I like it, I think so. I would have been happier with a ML, for my own preferences.

I have the 7MF. I suppose it could work for shakyheads. It's a little stiff for my liking. It's very light and plenty sensitive for a $150 rod, but a lighter tip would be a welcome addition. I haven't used it much, just because I don't have any good uses for it as of yet. Never really have been a fan of Daiwa's tapers.

What kind of fluorocarbon did you use? What was it you did not like about it?

That's what happened to me. It was cute until a 10lb striper decided to eat a senko. Left me hand bloodied and bruised from a machined aluminum handle hit it a few times at warp speed.

The numbers on the rod and reel really don't matter. If it says 8/150, you can still use 10lb or 12lb, or even 30lb braid. As long as the drag is set properly, the reel is not in harms way. I like 15lb Tatsu for mine, but that line won't handle well on spinning gear. The highest I'd use on spinning is 10lb fluoro, or maybe 20lb braid.

I used to do it, until I forgot about it once and busted my knuckles real good. With the quality of drags these days, I don't find it necessary.

I got a set of cutting wheels from lowes. I unscrew the sanding disks and screw the bearing on the mandrel. For bearings with a larger I.D, I put a washer on either side to clamp it together.

I think the CI4+ is a huge improvement over the CI4. Feels slightly smoother, and far more solid.

Have you used the CI4+? I'm a fan of all 3, and love the FJ, but the CI4+ is a huge improvement, in my opinion.

Be careful using strong solvents like acetone as well. Some bearings have polymer cages, which will melt. I spin mine for about 20 seconds in brake cleaner using my dremel. It removes everything at the high speed and gets it done quickly.

Catch a big bass on it, then hand it down to your kids with a story to tell. Why would a kid want a reel that has just been sitting on a shelf?

I like the Core 50 or the Metanium XG for all around pitching. The Aldebaran BFS is great for pitching lighter stuff.

Mine carries Field and Stream, Ugly Stiks, and Triumphs. I apparently live by the wrong dicks.

Extra fast and stiff aren't always synonymous. You can buy an ultralight power rod with an extra fast tip.

Not broomstick, but they feel like some other companies heavy. They still have some tip action compared to something like a Veritas MH, which actually is a broomstick.

Don't know why everything is being compared to the LTB. It's quite a bit over $200 for most models, and it's hardly the best rod for the money.