Jaderose

I don't know that you can patch it but you can fix it. This reel is set up incorrectly. Your line appears to be going under the support bar and not through the line guide. How this is even working is kinda beyond me but it's easily fixable. The grooves are most likely there forever but if you fix the line shouldn't cause an issue at all as the line shouldn't be touching that part of the reel.

Ain't done but so far my MVP has been the old Havoc Pit Boss in Watermelon/Orange Fleck. However, I could also argue that my real star is not the bait but what it's mounted on. I love, love, LOVE the Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head Jigs. I haven't really found much I CAN'T do with these and they are indispensable in my boat

Yep..you're over-thinking this. Get some money back, put some clear nail polish on it and fish. If it's gonna break, it'll break the first time you set the hook on a log or a big girl and you'll get a new one.

Yeah..that ain't right. That looks like line grooving rather than "chipping".

The Nutrinail Hardenner will fix it right up. Take the discount, slop of this on it and fish. Winter's coming so if it breaks you still get a new one when the snow is flying and who cares then

No offense, but yes it is.

"I've used a lot of brands, they all seem to take on water." This just isn't true. They will take on water if they are damaged or if you've had a blow up but most major brands are well engineered and do not take on water. I throw frogs as much or more than anyone else on this site and have never had an issue with Scumfrog Trophy series, Pad Crashers, LiveTarget, Spro, or River2Sea. That's pretty much the extent of what I throw but that's enough. I squeeze them out occasionally, I suppose, but not to the point that I even notice it, let alone have it bother me 90% of the time I am throwing a Scumfrog TS but to any newb to froggin, I would always recommend the Booyah Pad Crasher in any and all sizes and colors. They are cheap, durable, and well-engineered. The one frog I would say to avoid is the BPS Kermy. They WILL take on water and do not last. I think I lost the weights on everyone I ever owned.

Looks like a winner!

The best advice you got above was the dowel rod. NEVER use your rod (no matter the cost) to unsnag a lure. Keep a short piece of dowel handy, wrap the line around it (removing the rod from the equation) and use that. Also, as said above, never use your hand unless you want a trip to the ER. It happens. We've all broken rods. Wait'll you break one you love that is discontinued. a whole different level of misery...lol

I have tried to contact these folks but have never gotten an answer

That is just fantastic. I admire the heck out of the ability to achieve this level of craftsmanship. Bravo!

Now hang on.....I've got 5 of the old gen PQ's in my line-up and they are fantastic reels. They've gotten better as they've gotten older. Good cleaning/lube every year and a little upkeep through the season and they are rock steady. Built like a tank. I love em. I have "better" reels but for the money I paid (back then especially) they are hard to beat. Just my 02. I have no clue about the PQ2. I also have a JM Signature that I have never fallen in love with. It's ok but something about it does not make me love it and has always made me think about replacing it.

Needing some custom color tubes made for next spring. NOT in a hurry. Looking for 4 to 5" replica of an old Netbait BK Tube Called "Lou's Special". Dark smoke with silver "confetti" and black glitter. I could also see this in Black with silver confetti and Orange/Copper glitter. Whatta ya think?

Sounds to me like you want a Revo Rocket. 18 lbs of drag. 10.1:1 gearing. 41 IPT.

I'm sure you're right. I don't throw that many jerks. My home lake has so many stumps and submerged wood that it's just not that conducive to it.

Got any Netbait "Lou's Special" Tubes? I'll take everyone you got.

Nope. If I can't land a fish on a lure with 2 treble hooks hanging off of it, Having them be sharper or "better" isn't going to help.

I got some I'll let go for 1/2 price!

Then don't. I have never understood why people get so caught up in trying to "walk" a frog. You wanna walk a lure, throw one made to be walked. With that said, there are time when I want to throw something between a frog and spook. I can throw a toad OR I can throw a "secret" weapon. A few years ago I was tossing a frog in a sparse lily field and wasn't getting anything. I decided to downsize my frog to a little Pad Crasher jr. I had. It was old and when I tied it on, the legs crumbled. The legs were GONE. I threw it anyway and HOLY SMOKES! I don't know what the fish thought it was other than a little nugget of ruckus that they were hammering. It didn't really "walk" per se, but it did move around alot. Sputter and spit and basically just raised hell. Give it a try. I make a few every year and they are definitely in my regular rotation.

The level wind is the only issue I've ever had with a BPS reel. I have several old PQ's and a JM signature. The level winds will get dirty or just start being balky after awhile. Clean and give em a little oil and they'll come out of it

Weight. If I feel weight, however slight, I'm setting the hook.

I use which ever tool is suitable for the technique I'm using.

Don't over think it. I've had one of these for years for my Pond Prowler and it works fine....

Yep....same with Popular Mechanics. It's a shell of it's former self

All my plastics get a dip in JJ's Chartreuse. Just the tip! All my frogs, spinners, and jigs get slathered in Megastrike. Might even put a smear on cranks.