Hogsticker

Braid is braid and will not provide much if any slack line feedback. However, if your keeping that line tight braid can't be beat. That's why you feel it when you snag a rock or a fish has already picked up your bait and moved away with it. The line became tight. If a person struggles with keeping a tight line I reccomend fluoro for its better slack line sensitivity.

6'10 is perfect for my taste.

I have a 1016 and a MX. Both have 20 lb braid. No problems, and both cast wicked good.

We know you were messin man. Its all good and a fun read.

Less brake and more thumb. Long casts generally aren't important, but it sure us fun till the birdy shows up

I'd rather spend my money on the bait monkey than booze, but that's just me. Now hookers are a different story. Just kidding. Or am I? I don't mind having a rather large assortment of baits as long as they get used. I can think of a lot worse things to spend my money on.

Magnesium also can have a somewhat hollow feel to it opposed to aluminum.

Being you already own a MH and mention fishing cranks, I'd opt for the medium.

My personal opinion....no. I had that rod and found it to soft for banging and crashing square bills off stuff. It would be okay for open water. I found it really excelled at fishing cranks in the 12 to 17 foot range. Glass isn't for everyone. The rod is super light though.

Reins bubbling shaker and Keitech live impact are the most productive, tantalizing floating worms I have used.

I should say the nut that sits inside the drag star on the shaft

Make sure the drag star isn't to far up or down the shaft when you put your handle back on.

I think the gen 1 CUC xf reaction rods make better blade sticks. That's what they were intended for. The rod you're looking at is one if the extra fast sticks intended for bottom contact

20 lb braid and 20 lb fluoro are not even in the same ballpark as far as diameter is considered. If you want the same diameter you need to drop down to 8 lb fluoro

He will make that reel as good as it can possibly be........and then some. Why not just let him do the bearing upgrades as he has to tear the reel down anyways?

Red label isn't terrible line by any means. You're just using much to heavy test IMO. Try 12 lb. Invisx and your headache will go away.

I'll 2nd the Cabelas Verano. Very nice reel and goes on sale for 125. My next choice would be the Stradic FJ, but I have grown fond of the Daiwa air bail.

http://evolvebaits.com/products-flat-slider.php I like to fish the flat side above shallow rip rap in the spring for smallies. it's a nice change up from the jerkbait. I fish it the same way. Slow with twitches and pauses.

I haven't used either, but for it's worth here is my two cents. I would go with the Lami for the limited lifetime warranty from a company known for there blanks right here in the State I live in. It also has what appear to be higher quality titanium guides vs. the black SS guides on the NF. I would be a little concerned about Airrus customer service as they are an Italian based company. If you're gonna buy one I would get it from Gary for sure. It sounds like he has an Airrus rep on board. The handle I'm not so sure about. Could get weird in wet and cold conditions. If it really does transmit vibrations better it could be good. There is nothing like a blank you can "hear" when you get a strike. The guide train seems to be some what of a spin on the Fuji rapid choke theory. I haven't looked at specs if they are even published, but I'm willing to bet the Lami is the lighter build between the two. Bucky paper scrim?? Who knows......good luck

What about putting the spool of line in water before putting it on your reel?

The last thing I wanna do us take my 100 dollar SV spool with 25 dollar line on it and immerse it in boiling water. Doesn't seem like a good idea to me. If the line is giving you that much trouble with line conditioner, get a different line.

Looks like you're maybe fishing a smallish pond? That would be a good fit for the SRS. This crank has its places IMO, but not so much an all around general purpose kinda crank. I may buy one deep version just to try them out. And Dwight can't wake up cranky. He catches more big fish than just about all of us.

Can you elevate the seat or change to a sit on top?

Take a half ounce lipless crank and zing it out as far as you can. Experiment with your retrieve. Fan cast the area about 30 timed. Move down the shore about 20 yards and repeat. Once you've caught a few fish from the same area you can adjust your bait selection.

I think we've all done it among other stupid crap. If you say you haven't you're probably lying. My bow mount has taking a beating for sure