TiNuts

Hootie and 00 Mod, why do you prefer the curados over the chronarchs? Especially if you have both (therefore price difference no longer an issue), why do you prefer the curados so much that the chronarchs are still in boxes? I was minutes from pulling the trigger on a chronarch until I saw this. Thanks guys.

I don't have much to say on this other than I'd like to note that the best bearings I've yet to come across was the factory set out of a 25 year old abu garcia reel. They outspun every bearing I had; bocas, hedgehog studios, and some no-ne ceramic.

I used a revo sx spinning reel for a summer. I thought it was a pretty decent reel. However the initial smoothness seemed to disappear over the summer and it became somewhat noisy. Similar to the rotor rubbing noise of the ci4+. I love my ci4+ reels compared to the revo and have found you can almost eliminate the rotor sound by polishing the shaft and gear that it rides through.

With an increase in reel speed, there is a reduction in torque due to torque multiplication through the gear set. This is felt as more resistance as you have to supply more torque with a faster reel than you do with a slower reel, to get the same torque at the spool (assuming same handle length and spool diameter). So if you're used to slower reels, this could be why. It could also be the length of the rod. Shorter rods require more effort on your part than a longer rod to get an equal torque at the tip.

None of my gen 3 SXs or mgx have any back play at all.

I agree with RM. You want to try an abu round reel? Hit up ebay. I've bought four 5500Cs (89s) that were in near mint condition for about $40 each. One even came with the original box and sealed tool kit. A good cleaning and a new drag washer and they're freakin awesome.

I really like it, but others have said it's abrasion resistance sucks. I've never had any problems in weeds or grass, and have pulled up a handful of 3-4# bass out of weeds with a pound or two of slop with them no problem using 6# test and senkos. However, took it out on a rocky bank once fishing for wipers and as soon as I hooked up and they ran, the line snapped. I lost every single fish I hooked, probably about 7-8. But I was the only one that could cast out far enough to get any action anyways, so pick your poison, i guess. I've always used a single palomar knot and haven't had it slip or break. Love it for open water and light cover. Anything rocky, and assuming woody too, you might was well not even bother.

I would wait until carbonlites go on sale for $79 for non-microguide rods.

It's actually oil in the bottle (not for spool bearings). You don't need to do anything to the reel before you cast/fish it. Congratulations!

I traded my MHF in on a MF and love it so far. Haven't fished it yet unfortunately though.

Did you actually handle the MHF? Because I thought it was quite tip heavy and significantly heavier than the 7' MF. ST croix has the blank listed as a bit heavier than others similarly sized also. Not sure why.

The size may or may not be in the schematic. I got to boca and search your specific model. It will give you bearing sizes under kit components.

Do you know what size the bearings are in the quantum or lews? I think lews probably uses the same size as revos.

I would highly recommend the hedgehog air bearings over the bocas.

I think bass pro branded stuff is 90 days, everything else, 30.

The customization options depend on what kind of reel it is. Handles are not universal, but daiwa and abu garcia handles seem to be interchangeable, I'm not sure if this is true for all daiwa models, but all abu handles are interchangeable with other abus. Bearings are size specific, but universal otherwise. Hedgehog studios is a great place to start for customization options.

I have taken reels back with a simple I didn't like them, and they took them back with a smile.

I have bought a handful of very good condition late 80s model 5500cs for around $40, which I consider a steal for how good these reels are. Like said above, I have seen them upwards of $100 for pristine conditioned reels.

I do both here and there. Sometimes I cast it and spray as I reel in. Sometimes I just spray a bunch on the spool. Either way works.

I didn't get much over the winter. I bought some carbon handles and eva knobs for my reels. Some bearings from hedgehog studios. A couple of used reels for random rods I had lying around. I bought a 7' m/f St Croix Avid, that was my big purchase. I did get 3 Stradic Ci4+s late enough last year that I haven't used them yet, but it wasn't quite winter yet .

What did you use to polish the gear teeth?

I've never owned a pflueger, but I have a few abu cardinal Ss and they're junk. They felt pretty decent out of the package, I was impressed actually, but a year later they are crap. After cleaning and lubing them they feel better, but still not as they did new. I doubt the SX is much different. I would go with the pflueger or spend a little more money and get a Sedona. I've had one for a couple months now and much nicer than the Abus for not a ton more money.

I got a set of abec7 ceramic bearings from mikes reel repair that I think are just as good or better than bocas abec7 ceramics, and about half the price. Hedgehog studios also has some good bearings that are worth looking into.

I really like it. It casts like a dream. However I've had it break off pretty easily on rocky banks. These were pretty rough rocks so any line might not have been that great. I love it in grass or open water.

You can also get a photo resizing app. I use minima. Then when you want to post a pic, just go to the more reply options button and tap the attach button. It will bring up your photos and you can upload your resized pic. You might have to go the full site though. Don't know if you can do it from the mobile site.