sarcazmo

That was my favorite rod I built up on the gen 1 of that blank! Until I sat on it... :-( I've since built two of the 72MH. One gen 1 one gen 2. These are my absolute new favorite rods for bottom techniques. The craftsmanship you exhibited is stunning, and I'm sure he'll be more than thrilled with this blank.

You could just replace the guides. Not hard to do. Plenty of vids on youtube cover it.

I dont have a lowrance but I have a garmin. I use it in split freqauency most of the time. It's my understanding that 200khz is a narrower cone that extends from your transducer so you're seeing more directly under the boat. With the other frequency (mine is 77 I believe) it gives you a wider picture of what is around your boat. So if I see a really strong return on my 200 side I know its closer to being directly under me, and having the other frequency allows me to see a wider picture under the boat. Found this that should help: •83/200kHz and CHIRP High/Medium •200kHz and CHIRP High •Cone Angle: 20° •Coverage at 10’ depth: 4’ •Max Depth: 1,000’ •83kHz and CHIRP Medium •Cone Angle: 35° •Coverage at 10’ depth: 7’ •Max Depth: 1,000’ Hopefully getgs you in the ballpark

LPO also has biosilk I believe. IT's silicone but behaves more like rubber. I've been really loving it.

I don' think you'll save money but IMO you'll get more value per dollar spent.

Did my boards a few months ago. Bought some decent lumber and covered them in fiberglass resin, then topped them with the carpet. Hoping they'll last me forever.

The secret is out! I've seen curado 50es go for ~200 with box in amazing shape, and they average around 150. Can save some cash and get the same thing :-) Enjoy it it's a sweet reel.

Great deal on amazing blanks! Ive only built one Immortal (and 5-6 eternitys) but I'll be ordering more for sure.

You know how when you close the door on a well made automobile it has that satisfying thud? It's like that. You don't need a Rolls to get you from point A to point B, but if you could afford it, why wouldn't you? I personally prefer to spend more money on the rods as I don't think the reels have nearly as much to do with detecting bites etc. Today's climate is differently than just a few years ago. Everyone's affordable reels are very good nowadays and you'll catch just as many on a $100 dollar lews than you would a Megabass variant.

I've tried making that argument to several 'serious' fisherman friends. I say "How are two boats with similar profiles and weights going to differ that significantly in performance, wind, etc?" Apparently fiberglass is just better at everything other than shallow water access :-) I really like those express boats! One day I hope to upgrade from my old duracraft to one :-)

I just wish we knew more about it. Similarities to the Met MGL spool etc. Then I suppose I' dhave to buy a met to compare it too lol...

Smaller sure, but the curado is .2oz lighter only it appears. Trying to lock down more details about the spool used in the casitas MGL. Wondering if it's a significant difference ala daiwa and their SV spool. If so, would definitely be a winner. Looks like a neat little reel, there are a few on that auction site I've been eyeing.

Why? Esp with the supposed lighter spool it supposedly offers. Might be good for a variety of different applications. Might just have to bite the bullet and order one.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with this reel? Did a search and there's not much out there. Seems like a regular casitas with a lighter spool. Pretty interested in this, price seems right in line with a Curado 70. Would love to hear real world impressions

haha, man I swear i didn't realize it was flipped upside down with the trigger removed! Gonna have to give it a go, thank you!

So i was browsing the TW website and noticed new Aetos rods by Fenwick I really like the blank through design of the spinning seat they use. I've been looking for a seat like this for a while. http://img.tacklewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=FEST-1.jpg&nw=760 Anyone know if it or anything similar is available?

Even though I'm transitioning to all customs, I still have a few off the shelf rods. I use a Daiwa Tatula 701 MRB for jerkbaits. IMO this rod is PERFECT. I've caught a lot of jerkbait fish on it, and the action is superb. I liked it so much I bought another one that I use for chatterbaits, spinners, and small cranks. Can easily find it under ~100 online.

That new crestliner PT20 sure seems nice too! Nice to see aluminum boats stepping up their game

Best option. Not the cheapest, but it'll be perfect.

So I'm looking to upgrade my bow electronics finally. Fishing isn't as big a priority so I'm not primed to spend big coin for my bow unit. I have an 1198 with DI/SI on the console w/ a lakemaster chip. Don't really care about mapping or way point sharing for the bow, mainly looking for something that has good sonar that can help me identify, stay on structure, see my drop shot etc. Buddy just got a Striker 7 DV and I have to say I'm very impressed. Sonar images are on point, target separation looks really good as well. I'm leaning in that direction, but it looks like there are a couple other models in a similar price range (Mainly Hook7) Anyone used or can comment on this issue? Thanks!

Just read up on the transom issue over @ ***. Seems like a very real issue. I've been looking at new boats and those Xpress boats sure seem nice... Thicker aluminum than other manufacturers and supposedly a fantastic hull design. Large beam as well. Never ridden in one but would love to see one up close in person. Saw a 2016 X19 for 28k somewhere with some upgrades. Seemed like a great deal.

I've got a 764 waiting to be built. Seems like a pretty nice blank, haven't heard anything bad about them. I intend to flip/pitch/punch whatever with mine.

I really like that 'blank through' design. I've been looking for alternative spinning seats that come in different sizes that feature this. Unfortunately, like the Fuji seats, it looks like it just has a couple sizes. Actually, after looking through their website it doesnt look like any have a bunch of different sizes. I'll have to email them. In the mean time will probably still be my spinning seat of choice.

Contact DVT. He'll set you up. I've built up an Immortal 7'2ML and the Eternity 2 7'2 ML and I think they'd both be pretty sweet blanks for what you're trying to do. DVT will send you in the right direction though @Delaware Valley Tackle

I'm pretty much of the same opinion. As long as they all meet the same specifications you will be more than fine running a different oil. Especially in modern engines how often are there true oil related engine failures? Not saying they don't happen, but they aren't all that common. If you want to go down the rabbit hole of oil I'd recommend searching around bob is the oil guy.