rippin-lips

It all depends on how far it has to travel. There is also a balloon charge through USPS if the the LxWxH exceeds a certain number. Then if you need to add insurance there's another charge. If shipped a lot of rods and it usually runs $25-30. It's been less before, but also more.

Take 2 pieces of that rubber mat that you use in toolbox drawers and cut it to size. Then use spray adhesive to glue it to the lid. Nothing gets mixed up anymore. I use two of the thin 3701 boxes for terminal tackle that I did that with.

There's really no bells and whistles to a casting reel. They all have a drag star,spool tension knob, and brakes. Either mag,centrifugal, or both. A nicer reel is going to be easier to learn on. The tournament pro is a great reel if you can swing it.

If your spool has holes in it then use those to tie the braid through. If it doesn't you can use 2 wraps of electrical tape on the spool first.

Tying direct is perfectly fine. Backing allows you to spool up 2-3 reels from one spool of braid.

Yeah, that's a good deal for 2 of them. I like the Tatula for the $90-100 price tag you can buy them for but I'd choose something different if I had $160-180 to spend on a rod. I enjoy using mine though. Nice rod for the money. Power ratings are a bit off. The medium is a medium heavy. It's more stout then any medium I own.

That's a good budget for a rod. All you're going to get is people pushing what they like. Wait for a sale and you should be right in your budget with most of these. You can also get a lot more rod or a good deal if you buy used. If you do a google search for best $100 or $150 rod it'll show some past threads and there will be plent of info to read. I'd try to handle them first if you can. It'll help you decide if you like it. Shimano Kistler Phenix *** Powell Dobyns Pinnacle Fenwick St. Croix G Loomis

.

I'm a Plano box guy. I'll label the box with a sharpie and when I open a storage locker they're all in a row and easy to grab what I need. I use the normal size and the thin boxes. For yak or bank fishing I'll stick an assortment of plastics in 2 - 3700 size boxes and make up 2 more with hardbaits. It's always more than enough for a days worth of fishing.

Either one is fine. Choose the one that offers features that you like. There's no wrong answer. Personally if the size of the Tatula doesn't bother you I'd buy it over them both. It's a much better built reel verse the Exe or Lews. You can get it under $100 from the two popular auction sites. It has Daiwas magforce Z mag braking system. Which is probably hands down the best mag braking system available today. It's also easy to upgrade if down the road you desire to do so. You can add 4 more bearings to it. You can get a different spool for it. They offer tons of different handles and knobs for it. Even anodized dress up parts if that interests you.

Yeah, they look a bit wild. I wouldn't purchase a yellow, or red rod though either. I dislike those colors. Even white rods aren't up there.

Better bearings... Chances are they're purchased in mass quantities from one of a few companies overseas. Possibly the same one. So saying they're better is an assumption. Doubtful one's better than the other truthfully. The Exceler has riveted knobs on the handle. Downside is ease of cleaning. That's where your extra bearings are too. A lot of high dollar Daiwa reels only have 1 bearing in each knob. It's an easy way to make someone think they're getting more by tossing in 20 cents worth of bearings. Better braking... Daiwa is known for its magforce braking system. Either reel will serve its purpose and neither is light years ahead of the other.

The gave it a 7.24. Pretty decent marks for a reel that can be purchased for under $80. I serviced one for a local at the beginning of the season that was about a year and a half old. It's still nice and smooth. I owned 2 of them at one point and they had zero issues. Either company makes fine reels. Just find the one that offers more of what you like.

The Exceler Exe would be a good choice and it's like $75 online. The Lews speed spool that was before all the Lfs models isn't bad either.

If you are reaching your spool connecting knot on a cast then you don't have nearly enough line on the reel.

Direct from Daiwa if they offer it. You'd have to call and check tomorrow. The tactical is an exclusive reel so I'm about 100% sure you can't order parts for it. The handles are both the same length just different colors. You can order a handle for a 200HD no problem.

If I'm spending money on a combo they're gonna look good together. Then you have to get a carbon handle for it, and some new knobs possibly. Of course color match an SV spool to it all. Add a few dress up parts from Hedgehog Studios and you are set. Balance and function come first, but with all of the options available it's pretty hard not to accomplish that and make it look good at the same time.

If I have a 1/2oz jig rigged up its on a heavy. With a trailer it can weigh 3/4oz or more. As I'm sure you already know there is no industry standard in rod power ratings. I've owned heavy's that are really a medium heavy and vice versa. If your current rod is fine at the job then there's no need to really change.

Now you just blew my mind.

Saw something similar the other day using 2 Swaver's. The larger bait is very close to a Giron. They have a hook hanger in the tail though. That could come in handy connecting the two.

Combine some Abec 7's with Daiwas T wing and I bet you'd gain 60ft on a cast.

A bearing that has a better startup allows you to use less brakes than you normally would. So an easier cast results in the same distance. If you try to cast harder with less brakes it usually doesn't turn out well for the user. My spool tension is on the loose side of things and my brakes are generally on 3-4 depending on what's tied on, and sometimes less depending on the reel. I have my mag brakes on 1 when using my Steez. Daiwa uses different braking profiles depending on the spool. SV spools need very little braking. I can spool my Alphas Sv down to the arbor knot with the right bait. I'm not saying increased distance can't happen, but it shouldn't be expected just from a bearing swap. Maybe Mike 'DVT' will chime in and make it a bit more clear for interested parties. Accuracy > distance anyhow for most. PitchinJigz - Boca sends them to me.

It's a good technique. I use the same worms I use on a regular wacky rig. My 2nd biggest fish was on a wacky dropshot using a dream shot worm.

Abec 5 is plenty good for a fishing reel. Anything over that is purely an enthusiast thing. I have boca Abec 7's in all my reels, but they're free so why not. They also aren't leaps and bounds better then a good clean and lightly lubed stock bearing. An increase in distance is usually not something to expect. It's also minimal at best if it happens. Easier startup of the spool is a real benefit. Which makes pitching easier and also achieving the same distance with less effort. I saw the most benefit on my finesse reel since it has a very lightweight shallow spool. A professional deep cleaning of your reel would cost you the same and have about the same results. It's money better spent honestly.

Sounds like you need a better terminal knot, or more practice tying it.