PGA Dropout

Between those sites and the Flea Market, I've got a spending problem.

I've got the Chronarch 51e on the 6'8" MF Cumara Jig and Worm. It's a very light setup and casts nicely. I guess the F's are for worms and the XF's are recommended for jigs. The M is only rated 1/8 to 1/4 oz but I feel like it is a conservative rating. I'm sure 3/8 oz would be doable. I bought a gen 2 Cumara for exactly the reason you described. It's a very good looking rod. You should handle one first. It's a different handle design but I really like it. At this point I'm trying extremely hard not to buy more Cumaras.

You could always pick up another Cumara for consistency's sake.

Even if it's a little light, I would pick the 733 for the techniques you have specified. You may want to bump up to the Champion, as the word around here is that Savvy's aren't the best for bottom contact rods.

Ok, checked the teeth and the drag nut. All good. No visible stripping. Spring washers seem pretty flat, but there's still a little space between them. I'm going to go ahead and say there was an issue with the reel before I broke it down, since I only messed with the drag spacers and washers after it was suggested to check them. I flipped the spacer around; tried it with gold side up and gold side down. Gold side down seemed better, but the internet seems to recommend gold side up. I'm only $47 into this reel and I can still take it back. It's my current frog reel, so I don't want it letting out line. This is what I get for buying display models from a store that doesn't keep good tabs on their fishing gear. Good excuse to buy a Chronarch or Super Duty, says the Bait Monkey. I appreciate the help guys. This has been a fun one.

I'll check the AR bearing. If it is damaged, I'm going to take it back or send it in. Side note: could overgreased drag also be a contributor?

Thanks for the help. Certainly learning a lot! I do have braid backed with a good fifty yards of mono. I have a chronarch with 11 lbs max drag as well but I can't pull out any line on lockdown. That's what is making me suspicious. In regards to the spring washers, they may be flattened. Reel was a display and I seem to remember the drag being sort of tight. It's also probable that they were originally installed )(, which would cause the shavings as described and maybe flatten them prematurely. I'm going do see about bending them. Shimano will send me two new ones for $3.78 if this fixes it. Again, thanks for the good help all around.

Too bad they aren't LH. Nice deal though.

Well that's good regarding the play. However, I have another question. I took the spacers out and a large amount of metal shavings came out with them. Like, a lot. There was also a fair amount of metal shavings on the gear shaft when I took the drag star off. Is this normal? It seems like a lot of damage for a "new" reel that I've used for not even two weeks. And of course, the locked down drag still feels like it is letting out line too easily.

The drag star was fully seated. However, there seems to be some play in the drag star with the handle on. Is it possible that I have unreasonable expectations for the drag on the Citicia G?

Update. Took the handle off again and put it back together as described. Drag still lets line out too easily. How tight does the nut after the spacers have to be?

You may be on to something. I didn't take the spacers off but maybe they got shifted around.

The spool wouldn't come out so I took the tension knob off. This released the spool but i had to take the drag star off to get it back on.

I don't feel that straight braid is all that bad. Then again, I am fishing it on a Cumara and I still miss some bites. I'm in the same boat as you, switching to either yellow braid or opening the can of worms that is fluorocarbon. You have to buy good quality fluoro and line conditioner is recommended. It's a jump in cost that I'm hesitant to make when my straight Power Pro is "fine". There's always Yo Zuri Hybrid, which is popular. I've got a spinning reel coming with an extra spool and TW should be having a Labor Day sale. Line will be purchased, testing will happen, and I'll send you my opinions then. I think a Heavy power *** is a good rod. You might have some trouble throwing 1/4 oz weight and plastic on it though. On the upside, great frog rod.

I just put my Citica 201G6 back together and two things seem off. 1) Small amount of back and forth play in the handle, even with the drag locked down. This leads me to number two. 2) With the drag locked down, line comes out a little too easily. I know the Citica doesn't have strong drag, but I don't think I should be able to pull line out with it clicked down all the way. I followed the schematic and didn't have any major catastrophes in the process. Does anyone have any ideas before I take it apart again?

3 brakes on. Magnets off or barely on, below 1.

I'm really into the gen 2 Cumaras. I love the stupid truncated handle. I don't know why. They can be had for less than $200. If you're set on Dobyns, you can get a good deal on a Champion on flea bay.

That might be a Bandit.

I want to say that Cabela's had some in store last time I was in there. They definitely had sub warts, unsure if they were the perch or bluegill. Happen to have a local Cabela's store?

No, it's crap. Mail it to me, I'll dispose of it for you. Thanks. Now for serious answer! Straight braid is fine. I fish leaderless green Power Pro in sort of clear water and it works out. If you start with straight braid and you don't feel confident, try it with a leader. The leader/no leader might matter more to anglers than fish.

In his defense, my glasses were a tad cloudy. Water misting off the spool while casting and such.

I would fill the spool first, but if you're still having issues after that, I would swap the MH for a Medium. I feel you on the drought thing. It's been a tough summer. The nice thing about Senkos is that they can be a do-nothing bait. Cast it out, let it sit, sip beer, wait for fish, reel it in if no fish come and try again.

That is a great idea!

Big worms and brush hogs are good choices. I also like a trick worm. Then again, trick worm is my answer to everything.

Does the rod feel like it is loading during the cast or remaining stiff? A MH Veritas is a stiff stick, in my opinion. 10 lb. mono should be fine, but 8 lb. Stren sounds better. Fill the spool, stopping at just 1/8" under the lip. An underfilled spool can be murder on distance. You also might want to consider fishing the Senko weightless, but that's a different thread.