TNBassin'

Zekos=sporty crocs.

You'll love it. I really want an *** but I don't wanna drop that much on a rod.

One drop on a cotton swab works best for me.

I use isopropyl alcohol to clean the brake race as well and it works great without damaging anything. A VERY light coat of oil in the brake race groove will do the trick.

IMO, I'd return it. The wife's $69 Daiwa TSH Pro she got at the Spring Classic sale is smooth as can be.

Spoke with Bantam1 on TT, and he is getting me some rod shims.

Great rods. They will feel tip heavy until u stick a reel on then it will balance perfectly.

Good point.

COntact Abu asap and insist on a new reel. They really dropped the ball with the new ones.

Is Duralumin aluminum? If so, that's why they don't feel smooth.

The fish seem to really scatter when water rises or falls quickly. That's why I, and many pros hate fishing here on Douglas lake. It really screws with the bite.

HAha. will do.

I meant more form factor than actual smoothness. The carbonlite is closest to the shape of the gen 3 revos which I had. Dumped them all because I got tired of having issues with them. The revo s especially. Got all chronarchs now.

Wow. No one likes the Crucial huh?

That figures.

I already have a Crucial for crank baits and love it lol.

I was a Revo guy and was used to the form factor of those reels. The JM Carbonlite reel felt more in line with how the Revos felt in my hands, while the EXTs and others didn't. And to answer your last question, I'll always choose an Abu or Shimano over a BPS if they are in the same price range. I just feel more comfortable laying down the cash for a more trusted brand.

How do you like lipless cranks on those?

Maybe I'll just stick to my 6:5:1s then. I know KVD uses a cranking reel for his lipless duties, but I'm not sure how I would like it.

I dislike the feel of the BPS reels. Only one I liked was the Carbonlite reel. IMO, for the price point, there's better alternatives. A Curado G sells for $160.

That's why getting a dedicated cranking reel is a tough purchase for me. If a 5:5:1 could work well with lipless cranks then it would be a no brainer. Also, I had been using a 6:4:1 reel for deep cranking and doing fine.

Are we talking about square bills or Strike King baits in general? I hear KVD baits and I think square bills.

KVD. I only buy Rapalas when they are on sale. Over priced IMO.

It figures 13 would come out with a cranking rod, since I just bought a Crucial lol.

I just bought a Crucial for crank baits and really like it. These rods are a mix of graphite and glass from what I understand. I always had just used a MH F rod for cranks, but now I won't go back.