Capt.Bob

spoken like a true engineer Bill, we already have everything you speak of in your first post!

Trylene XL has always been my favorite for lighter mono, but have never tried the Yo-Zuri Hybrid, and RW has stood hard by it for a long time, I'm gonna have to try it!

WW2farmer has pretty well said it. Braid on everything, and I use my leader as my week spot, that is what I want to loose If I have to break off, my braid is always stronger than I need. Rods are are rated by Lbs. test. mono, I match my braid to the diameter of the mono rating stated on the rod, and never use a leader heavier than the rod is rated for!

I use to use mine for deep cranks, till I got the Lew's Super Duty, and the BB1, so I sold mine, I had the 200GTB, It was probably a bad move, as I don't think you can ever wear a Calcutta out, they are the most durable reels I have owned, but I like the smaller more ergonomic feel of the Lew's and the longer cast's and stronger drags are always a welcome plus!!! Time will tell how long they will hold up to the heavier crank'n!!

Bill,, some day you need to try a quality reel and you may find it is Much,,,,Cheaper, More Reliable, and Catches more Fish, making it a much better buy, you will have more time to fish making your time more productive, and less time spent looking for savings, and no time spent trying to keep em running. This alone makes the better reels today a bargain!! They usually perform amazingly better also!! M.02,,,,

I believe Dwight is right, that the line type is you problem ghoti, it is the brand you chose. I am sure you are like I was with not just the Kanzen but Fireline Braid, and Power Pro and there were a couple more that were that same exact way for me. I got wore out hearing about the knot I needed, I am sure if you try Sufix 832 like Dwight said, your problems will be over, why these other braids cut themselves is beyond me, and have poor abrasion resistance, and knots slip, but 832 Sufix is the only braid I have found that I don't have these problem's with! I like the Palomar improved Trylene I usually double the line for extra cushion, and unless I am river fishing for big cat's, I use a mono leader for everything else, or Fluoro, at least one pound test lighter than the braid, and join them with an improved Blood Knot, never had another problem when I went with 832. You might PM Roadwarior, he liked 832, but said he preferred Kanzen??? Maybe he knows something we missed, but I am sticking to 832.

I own them all and the BB1 will outcast the rest when you use 3/8 and heavier lures. The reason for this is the reel is extended from the line guide to the spool, increasing this distance allows line to pay out from side to side without as extreme of an angle, this reduces line friction and gives incredible casting distance, the drag system is the only one in there lineup with 4 automatic centrifugal brakes and 2 full time centrifugal brakes for a total of six. I think it is adds a little more weight to the spool, and this is why it does better with weights over 3/8 oz, as it takes more to get the RPM's up, but once they are up it has more momentum from the added weight, like a flywheel, and less restriction to slow it down as fast as the other reels. The only reel that has the standard gear and dog type anti reverse is the 5.4:1 gear ratio reels, the 6.4:1 and 7.1:1 have the same instant anti-reverse all Lew's reels have. These reels are very much built and designed with the guy who fires a lot of cast and wants smooth and extreme distance w/mid to heavy weight lures. There are much better reels for finesse fishing, but nothing in their lineup compares to this reel for crankbait fishing or those wanting long distance with mid to heavier weight baits, and the smooth strong and reliable construction all Lew's Baitcasting reels have displayed the BB1 is sure to please!!

All I use, 832 is my choice.

I was using regular fireline since it's introduction, I tried every line out there at one time or another, but kept going back to fireline. Power Pro was always nicer going through the guides, but never cared for it as it was just not tough enough and had issues with the same weight lines as fireline and wind knots and cutting itself. When Fireline Braid came out I thought I would finally have a braid better than fireline,,,,,,,wrong, it was even worse than power pro, All the others were about what I experienced with Power Pro, I was going to give up on all braids until a buddy talked me into Sufix 832, he wanted me to try it before the Fireline Braid but I had tried so many braids and wasn't happy I was sure the FL Braid was the answer. After the 20lbs test on my old curado I was sold, I went to 30# and it was better than 20# FL in every way. I have herd so much good about Samurai and never tried it, maybe I should, but after so many let downs, and being so happy with 832, I just don't see any reason to look for anything else, 832 is more than I ever asked for out of any line!! I simply add whatever I need for leader for the presentation I want and everything is good!!

This is no more than a service offered to novice fisherman who haven't got a clue what they need to do whatever. You have to remember for every person buying fishing rods and knows what rod length handle type, reel seat, guide type, action, power, length of rod, # of guides, and everything else associated how a rod is built and with why and what you use it for, the are thousands that don't have a clue what half of these things even refer to, let alone what they need, or for that mater how to use it. There are some rods that are versatile and can be used for most types of fishing, but there are those that are specific and would not come close to being usefull for some other type's of technique's. I am also sure that Brauer, Huston, Parker, Alias, Martin, Lindner, all of them have a little difference in their own preference for the type and way a rod is built for each technique they use, and doubt if they each pick the same exact build as all the others. I am also sure they would do as me, and choose these same rods for the type of fishing they do buy the way and design they are built, not what they say they are for! My LTB 6'8MXF is probably a good topwater rod and that is what it is rated for, but with the TP on it and under 10 oz., I love it for weightless finesse fishing and very light 1/8 to 1/4oz jigs in deep water or fast currents. But these suggested uses will be a decent choice, not always perfect for some, but for others they will be. I can assure if a newbie buy's a $120.00 MXF rod and tries to run small crankbaits and braid on it, he is going to say the rod is junk when he tries the same thing on his buddies ugly stick, and finds it so much easier to keep fish on and hook more and land more, The rookie thinks it's obvious the ugly stick is better??????? What if he buy's a Legend Elite almost 400 bucks and they do this thinking they spent all that money and have a better rod, they don't know the difference in action,,,,,there both medium power?? Most won't spend that kind of money and if they do, they will get the LTB or LTW and will use the recommended usage, and I can assure you if they do this, they will find out real quick they are better than that Ugly Stick or Lightning Rod for the same tactic!! These are not set in stone, and the only thing these technique specific rods can assure is, they will simply be a reasonably good choice for anyone wanting a rod for that purpose, you are going to get a reasonably good power and action in a suitable length for the purpose you are going to fish. There are always different want's and styles for each individual. That's why we can have Eight guy's in a boat all using the same thing right down to the color of the lure, and 2 or 3 filling all the limits, I have witnessed this 100's of times on my Walleye or Yellow Perch Charters, I don't know if different rods would matter? But it sure makes you appreciate a good First Mate!!!

The Legend series are (so I don't russle feathers) "in my opinion" the best rod's on the planet after using everything else, any St. Criox "BUILT IN AMERICA w/ an AMERICAN MADE BLANK" would be my choice, and it seems everyone that try's them loves them. I have never found any rod of any make that was perfectly balanced for everyone, it is a personal thing, even the rods I have custom built and balanced perfectly for me are not perfect for everyone, but if you want you can go to a dime store or BPS and buy kits, which don't enhance sensitivity but will allow you to balance a rod where you want it, in my opinion they should be used on wally world rods, as they are little more than a gimmick! and change the entire look and feel of the rod, usually loosing sensitivity and eye appeal. I have every rod I own once I choose the reel for it, internally balanced, there is absolutely no way to tell it has been done when my rod builder gives it back, can be done in 15 minuets while I wait, and DOES,,,, make the rod more sensitive and gives that feel of weightlessness when holding it as you would when you are fishing, without changing the appearance. Most any respectable rodsmith can do this for you and the cost is cheaper than buying the add on contraptions sold in the store, my guy charges me $7.00 for this service and others charge a similar price for the service. There is no way you can compare this to the store bought addons. After you try one expect to be satisfied by nothing less!! They are addicting!!!

Cheap,,,,Brickhouse by API,,,expensive but excellent quality Double Bull.

Raider nation said it best, lota good bows but everyone has there favorite, Ten Point, Excaliber, Parker, probably the best out there with the best warranty and world class customer service, there are others that have good bows, but none better and none with the customer service these companies offer. Check with Wyvern Creations, the man services more crossbow hunters than any single dealer on the planet, and very reasonable. Don't buy till you talk to this guy.

5' Avid UL/F spin and my Saros 1000F, $140.00 + $100.00 or 6' Premier MH/F and Lew's BB1 $100.00 + $100.00

Years ago as a kid, I learned how to do everything on a 6' MH, wasn't near as efficient as today with rig's for everything, but I caught everything from bluegill to Pike and catfish, from bobber to crankbait and everything in between. If I could only own one rod today, it would be my custom 7' Avid MH/XF spinning rod with my Stradic FJ4000, or my 7'2" MH/M Legend Extreme casting rod with my Team Gold, light saltwater to panfish I could do it, but I assure you I won't have to,,,,,,Thank GOD!!!!

With My Extreme's and Elite's I feel everything, I know if it's sand, gravel, mud, rock's, weeds, or wood, and once you get that down and learn how to USE THEM,,,,,,, they don't, swim by, regardless of size!!!

Lesson's Learned,,,,,,me to, that's why after trying everything out there, I only run Sufix 832. of course on Lew's, and Shimano's reels with St. Croix's rod's!! For some reason I never have a problem,,,,,,,

The Line roller bearing is the only thing that comes to mind that would cause your problem if you have done as you said, 1) the line is in great shape, 2) you are not reeling as the as the drag is slipping, 3) the lures ou are using are not spinning the line during your retrieve or 4) the bail and roller aren't damaged. There could be a bad "bearing or bushing" depending on what your roller rides on, there could also be a shim missing or other parts that support the bearing from the roller housing. If it is a good reel, like .RM. said, worth having serviced!!!

Suffix 832 on everything,,,,,,and leaders I have found to be the best,,,,,,Fluorocarbon Seagar InvisX or Tatsu, and Mono I use Trilene pick your poison, been all I have found that pleases, but the one brand I have heard very few complaints about, such as the lines I already mentioned, is Yo Zuri, but would like to, unlike this McCoy and all the other's I haven't mentioned, some love em, but just as many have complaints, must be something to it!

The new reel with brakes you should have covered, with that new fantastic reel you just got the great deal on from China, with that new reel I doubt the ones you just found get must use.. with these new finds your are are all geared up know!!! Congrats on all the great new gear!!!

Just a guess but you may have some worn parts in the clutch assembly, this would keep the pinion from complete disengagement, hard to say without seeing it. You may want to check your brake, the surface the little rollers roll on or if the rollers are cracked. Hard to say without seeing it, but that is where I would start.

That's what Kevin my builder said also, coming from two builders that what their doing, I will take your advice. Thanks for the heads up!!

It's like those in Prison, there all innocent, didn't you know that!!! Very few are willing to admit their own mistakes today, it's to easy to make everything someone else s fault, just the way it is.

Like I said, never had an issue unless it was my fault! Like you said that's because there all Fuji as far as what St. Croix does best, "I" think it's everything in building a great rod when they come from Park Fall's, take your chances with the lesser imports, some say that's subjective, but what I feel they do do the best, with there rods that matter anyway(the ones made in the USA and backed for a lifetime) and isn't subjective but proven, is build the best blanks in the world, their own, and only available from St. Croix, and made right here in the USA!! I am not accusing you as the cause but if you have problems with many guides all the time and I and others don't and I am hard on my gear,,,,,, and know plenty,using the most quality guides. I would think much of them have to be self inflicted!!!! Common sense if you think about it!! I hated the looks of the recoil guides on my Extreme's when I got em, but after a season using them, think there the smoothest, most sensitive, lightest, and most durable guides around, could cure your problems, my next custom will use Recoil guides!

In the past 3 years I have dealt with loomis and St. Croix over issues with rods , The Croix was my fault I dropped it at the river and the second guide from the tip landed right on a rock, Explained to St. Croix it was my fault, it didn't matter they told me it was still covered send it in and and a check for 10 bucks for return shipping, they would fix it and ship it back, I asked If I could have my rod builder repair the eye since it was cheaper than sending it to them but I didn't want to void the warranty, and was told I had nothing to worry about, it was still covered!! But that's St. Croix!!! The loomis IMX was a tip broke right at the bottom of the tip, naturally I wanted a new rod, They told me I had to give them a credit card # and it would cost 60 dollars to replace it and They would send a call tag with the new rod to send the damaged rod back, as long as they got the broke rod within 30 days, there would be no charge, if not bthey would take 235.00 out of my credit card, along with the $60.00 replacement fee. I myself have never had an ayelette come out of any rod, but then thats why I own over 20 St. Croix Avids , Elites and Extremes, I only own the one Loomis, and have no intentions of adding any more.