BASSHUNTER1961

I like Power Pro best.... I also use the Alberto knot for all braid to flouro/mono connections as it is the best and strongest connection, and easier to tie then the uni-uni. Here is how to tie it. It is actually a wrap, and it is the BEST knot for any braid to flouro or braid to mono connection, it has NEVER failed me once.

Thanks for the info so far... Here is a pic of the boat in question... Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Check to be sure the shims are in the knob..

I'm going to look at a Crawdad tomorrow and had a couple questions... 1) Looking at the pics from the seller, it looks like the boat is a bit deformed. Is this a problem? 2) I have never been in a Crawdad before, and wonder about stability for 2 people? The seller is asking $150.00 and have no idea of the value... Thanks in advance.

The Alberto Knot is by far the best knot to connect braid and flouro. It should have the same number of turns up and back,I prefer 7-8 turns. It really a wrap not a Knot.

30-50# braid. I like Power Pro or Samurai with a flouro or mono leader.

Just because the reels are the same make/model does not mean they will cast the same. They could be set up just a bit different, and one set of bearings could have more grease than the others. Now this second thought is just my opinion... I do not feel you will find much increase in distance with Boca bearings unless you are free spooling.

Set the drag for a 1/3 of the rated pounds for mono or flouro. When using braid, I go by the diameter of mono it's equal to and set it to a 1/3 of that Example: 30# braid is the equivalent diameter of 8# mono so I set my drag for 8#.... This how I do it, not how everyone does it.

The Ciica will serve you very well.

Set the drag as you normally do with mono...

Not sure if it's the problem, but I took it apart, and it's a bushing not a bearing. I lubed it, and it still hangs up. Time for a new reel.

7-8 wraps up and back provide one of the smallest knots you can use, much smaller than the double-uni... You must not be tying it correctly.

That's the impression I've been getting. I think I will get a reel to replace the Templar, as it's just not worth the hassle. I've done everthing, and it still creates wind knots on at least every other cast, and thats a pain. Thatks all! UPDATE!!!!! I think I just found the issue... I took a 3 foot section of braid and ran it around the line roller, and held tension on it and pulled the line back and forth over the roller, and guess what? The roller does not move... If I apply light pressure it rolls, but a bit more pressure and the line slips over the roller but the roller does not move. I checked my other reels and I can put a lot of pressure and the roller still rolls freely, so I assume this is the problem.

The Shimano is very easy to take down and clean, so just do it. Oh, throw the Hot Sauce in the rubbish barrel.

7-8

I have never had an Alberto knot fail, and I've pulled some big fish from dense pads, and weeds. I've had leaders break, but NEVER at the knot. My guess is that it was tied incorrectly. Oh, one more thing... This is the most important part of tying this knot IMO. When finishing the knot you MUST exit through the loop the EXACT same way it entered, or it will slip every time. I can't stress this enough.

I finally checked out some Powell rods at a local tackle shop. They looked and felt really nice, but there is one thing I hated about them, the short butt. There is hardly any butt section below the reel, and I did not like that at all. I hope this is not an issue with you.

Ok... I have one reel that constantly knots up my braid. I thought it may have been a bad guide so I ran a cotton swab in every one, and they are fine. I thought I may have had too much line on the reel, but that wasn't it either. I then tried the reel on 3 different rods, and it does the same thing on all of them. I'm using the same line on all my reels PP 30# and they are all 35 size reels. When I make a cast within 5 yards I can hear the knot ripping through the guides. I then untangle it and on the second cast it happens again. I can only assume the reel does not lay the line one correctly. Any thoughts would be appreciated. The reel is a Plueger Templar, I have a President and it's perfect with braid. I also ckecked the line roller, and it's fine. KVD L&L didn't help either.

They are very noisy..... Remove a seal from one side of the bearing and put ONE small drop of bearing oil in them, and thet will shut them up.

I was looking at the XT today, and that thing is like butter, I think it will be my next purchase.

I'd go with the MH... It will throw the lures really well. It has a soft tip, moderate action and plenty of backbone, and can double as a frog rod when called upon.

They are all out of stock...

I use Power Pro braid as my main line and Yo-Zuri 12# as my leader, so my answer would be Yo-Zuri

I use spinning tackle for the light stuff, and my BC gear for everything above 1/4oz Fishing should be fun, not work...

The more you use it the better it gets.... I have mine on a 7'6" Daiwa Jupiter H and I can cast a hollow frog(Pad Crasher) a mile, and it throws 5" Senkos with ease. You will love your new reel.