adam32

I'm pretty certain p-line cxx is a copolymer. I've used it for a few years, it's strong but does have some memory especially for the first dozen or so casts of the day.

I doubt they will be as good as the new imx series, which were a big disappointment for me anyway. I'm not getting my hopes up.

Call me crazy but I prefer my handles with years of grime and slime like the one in the first picture. The handles look great though, nice job! What kind of filler did you use?

I would look for the discontinued diawa zillion. They can still be found under 200 dollars if you look. None of the reels mentioned so far even compare.

The 3000 has the same diameter spool as the 2500, just deeper. It will not increase your casting distance,a larger outside diameter spool is what increases casting distance not spool capacity. The 4000 size has a larger diameter spool and weighs only 9 oz. I love my 4000 ci4+, better cranking power, better casting distance, and 9 oz balances well on most of my spinning rods.

Tw has these E6x casting models priced in the 189-199 range compared to the casting model gl2s at 200-220. Twenty dollar difference between similar length and action models.

St.Croix Avid AVC70MF.

I have a W&M sabalos spinning reel I bought on sale a few years ago. It's been a good reel and it's still going strong. I wouldn't buy any of their casting reels though, just too many good options out there.

I guess I should have said darker bottom areas, which in my area are usually mud/muck. They tend to be a little warmer on a sunny day and a few degrees can make a big difference when water temps are in the 30's.

Don't always concentrate on the deepest water. Check shallower sunbaked soft bottom areas near deeper water. I always look for areas that have a place for smallmouth to escape the current no matter how high the water gets throughout the winter. Also don't be afraid to let your jig sit for 30 seconds at a time, or even longer.

Streams and creeks that hold big smallmouth in the spring and summer don't always hold fish in the winter. Especially if it's close to the confluence of a bigger or deeper river.

They still have an upgrade plan if you send in a broken rod and pay the 50 or 75 dollar replacement fee. I just sent in an broken avid and upgraded to a legend tournament. You just have to pay the difference in price.

The 30 size mgx weighs 7.5 oz. Thats pretty light for a spinning reel imo.

I've tried about every line out there at one time or another over the years on my spinning reels. Fireline will outcast all of them, but that's the ONLY good thing about it in my opinion.

I wish I lived near a bass pro shops that actually had stuff in stock.

It's just really disappointing. I love my old imx's and glx jig n worm rods! I should have stocked up. I'm not a fan of any of the new loomis handles either.

I ordered a 7'1" m/h when they first came out. I sold it after using a few times. I'll stick with my old imx's, they are better balanced and have better sensitivity and a better feel overall compared to the new ones. Very disappointing. I highly doubt I'll be buying any new loomis rods in the future.

http://www.threeltuningandcleaning.com/Threeltuningandcleaning_LLC/Reel_Service.html

Yep it's definitely not a musky rod. It's a moderate action crankbait rod. I have one and i use it for bigger cranks.

It sucks that the pro qualifier reel sale is in store only. I'm sure my local bass pro won't have many in stock.

×2 I still use my D's and they are still smooth after many years. I can't say that about any shimano casting reels I've owned since.

The last lamiglass rod I looked at was made in china. It was a lower end Excell rod though.

That was my conclusion a long time ago, but I still hear people talk about removing shields but never how they removed them. The retaining clip shields and the orange seals I can understand, but the pressed in one's like shimanos I don't see how you can get them off without ruining the bearing.

How do you guys remove pressed in shields without damaging the bearing? I always hear people talk about removing shields on sealed bearings but I've never figured out how to get a pressed in shield off without ruining the cage.

I use 10lb braid with a 7' medium power fast action spinning rod. 10lb invisx for casting gear.