Hogsticker

Norm is correct. 4x7x2.5

Tanks!

90 mm seems to be that magic length I can stick all my knuckles between and not smack my pinky knuckle on the reel knob. All my reels are of the smallish low pro variety, and anything much longer just seems odd.

Love the blanks, but don't care for there build styles and characteristics much at all. I have a custom 683ml K2 and it's head and shoulders the lightest most sensitive rod I've ever held.

I know it's already been mentioned, but a simple, quick change of direction can trigger a follower to strike. I know while long line trolling hard baits, a lot of my hits come when turning the boat. It's kinda cool cause if your rod tip you can see the vibrations get stronger when your bait turns, and then watch it fold over when a fish crushes your bait.

Anything with an SV spool in it. You can cast it with your eyes closed if you want. Once she understands and dials in release points she should be a pro.

Did you buy that 6'5 ml MS-X for 175.00 that JimDep had listed on Ebay? I was eyeballing that for quite some time, but talked myself into staying with the all custom theme.

Or just go to your local store and fondle some rods. Most off the shelf rods are built with all these reel seats. Only a handful of companies have proprietary reel seats.

Love this stick! Perfect blank for small cranks / jerks, flick shakes and such. Blank - MHX High Mod 842 Popping blank Fuji SS/SIC guides spiral wrapped to the left Fuji ACS reel seat I dig the grip too!

It's a matter of personal preference based on comfort. They all serve the same purpose. You might want to look at the Alps srsgc split seat, though the trigger is shorter than you like.

You're not alone. Then again I never do very good for smallies this time of year. Late August through mid October anyways. I know they're there, they just don't want to play. Try downsizing your Senko type bait to a trick style worm or flick shake type. Use the lightest weight you can get away with or weightless if possible.

Foam ear plugs

Look at the rubberized cork composite butt caps at Mudhole. They are labeled VSS.

http://www.getbitoutdoors.com/components/reel-seats/fuji-reel-seats/fuji-spinning-reel-seats/vssd-spinning-seats.html http://www.getbitoutdoors.com/components/grips/specialty-grips/alps-high-end-fore-grip/eva.html http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Standard-Cork-Grips/BGV-Rear-Spinning-Grip-for-Fuji-VSS-Reel-Seat Getbit doesn't carry the full length grip, and mudhole doesn't stock the foregrip. You would have to place two orders. It all goes together like a charm. This is what you'll end up with, only EVA for the front and rear grips. http://www.***.com/Dobyns_Champion_Extreme_HP_Spinning_Rods/descpage-NCX.html What butt cap will you be using?

They are designed for finesse fishing. You can use light line and not have to put on 3 million yards of it to fill the spool. The drag output is also lower being the spool is smaller with less surface area. Probably a good thing so you don't tighten the drag down, snap your light line and loose a big fish.

The assassin sounds a lot like Defier Armillo with better sinking properties.

I also have a 51E with a Yumeya spool. The SV is more versatile imo, but will handle the light stuff equally as well. Plus you can plug about 20 to 30 more yards of line on it. I can cast heavier stuff too with the 51E, but I don't get the same distance.

Regarding casting distance it's all about how the rod loads, not the material of the blank. Also, if the bait is to heavy or light for the rod used it won't load correctly. I don't like glass because my accuracy sucks with it. I may be in the minority here, but I actually lost more fish with glass. At times I wouldn't detect a subtle take, didn't set the hook, and maniac smallmouth would toss my bait. Maybe it would have been better with braid? Regardless, I couldn't get use to it. With the right parabolic moderate action graphite blank, you shouldn't be loosing fish often anyways imo. Also when cranking around grass, leafs, etc, with graphite there's no mistaking picking up a hitchhiker. I can't say the same with glass.

The only difference would be the material and how they're machined. I don't think anyone can really say until they own both reels and tear them down. Personally, I'm leaning more towards the USDM Steez SV being a suped up SS SV,closer to anyways rather than the Steez EX. I could be wrong but it seems to be the Daiwa way these days. If you own any TDZs, hang on to them.

If I could take a Phenix Maxim blank and guides and put the reel seat and handle from a ***with it, it would be the perfect 100 dollar rod imo. Another option is the Major Craft NanoAce.

I'm pretty sure the drag stack is different. Single disc on the SS, multi disc on the Steez.

Paddle tail swimbaits, flat sided cranks, lipless cranks, jerkbaits. I'll let the fish dictate how they want it.

All the time. Always on the lookout for hostile projectiles. He's more of a walleye guy, but we've learned a lot from each other. He's pretty set in ways with G Loomis and won't buy a new reel. Fortunately he enjoys playing around with new baits and techniques. He's a really good fisherman with the exception of his casting skills which is entirely the fault of his reels.