Alpster

I have 11 Shimano reels and they all perform flawlessly. This includes 2 Stradics both are used in Salt water a 4000 and a 6000. Never had to repair a Shimano reel, just routine maintenance. I also have a couple of nice ABUs and a Pflueger President. No complaints with any of them. Ronnie

Allen, Decide on the blank you will build on and where the reel seat will be positioned on the rod. Measure with a caliper the width (diameter) of the blank in mm at the widest point (back of the seat where it will meet the grip). I usually get the next smaller size (if it measures 16.5mm I get a 16.0) so I can ream it out a little and make it fit perfectly. I hope this makes sense and helps you out. Ronnie

Question #1 There is nothing that says you must kill a record fish. However, getting that fish weighed, measured and hardest of all, witnessed properly is most likely going to cause a LOT of stress on the fish. Unless you have a very specific plan and all the resources in place when you catch him, his odds are not good. Question # 2 State or world record, I would do my best to save the fish. A certifiable world record would be worth so much money and fame that you would have to be nuts to sacrifice it for the sake of the fish. I would want the world record certified properly so I could retire and go on the teaching tour. If the fish survived, all the better. If he did'nt make it, that's really sad, he would then get mounted and appreciated properly by all. JMHO Ronnie

Raul, No doubt about it! I was certainly rationalizing the 'bait monkey'. You are correct my friend! Ronnie

Shameless plug for the BassResource.com Road trip. Sorry if I confused you! :-? Ronnie

Notice this is about Fishing line and rods so it will be appropriate for this section of the board. Also, for you equipment junkies (like me) that may have missed the sticky on the General board ...... check it out... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1192161967 Now that the "3rd annual BR Road trip" destination is set, I saw no reason to waste any time spending some money in preparation for the big event. LOL I clicked on the old Cabellas banner at the top of the page so BR would be supported by my purchase and grabbed myself a couple of canvas bags to carry my 3700 boxes in and 3- 600 yard spools of Yo-Zuri Ultra soft. Also snagged a few rod blanks "on sale" at 'Mudhole' to get a new rod or two in the works for said trip. Not a lot of money spent, but I sure love planning for a special fishing trip . The planning and the journey are half the fun. Guntersville in March 08, No excuses! Be there! Ronnie

I fish for as big a fish as I can catch. I get skunked a lot because I'm not interested in dinks. JMHO Ronnie

You can get away with overspooling a little with braid because it's so limp. It's recipe for disaster with mono & floro. JMHE Ronnie

I am guessing TF's parents would have some serious issues with him traveling cross country with strangers to fish for a week. Otherwise I would pick him up in the BassBus, he's on my way. Ronnie

California has the most lawyers. New Jersey has the most "Superfund Toxic waste sites" WHY?? Because NJ got first pick! Ronnie

"Snagless Sally" is the only in-line spinner I have ever used. I have tore em up with Sally a few times. Ronnie

It only requires heat and some way to charge/magnetize the work piece. Most hobby guys use a toaster oven for baits and small parts. You can buy kits from Harbor Freight, Northern tool etc. that are not real expensive. Ronnie

Yep, if you stand on a tall ladder and look straight down at me, I look just like 'Yule Brenner', 'Telly Savalis' and 'Sean Connery'. LOL Sorry! couldn't resist. Ronnie

I think it's a person preference issue more than anything. I feel I have more control of my line for casting accuracy and lure action on the retrieve with baitcasting gear. That's probably because that's what I have used 90% of the time for the last 40 years. Use what you have confidence in and what's fun for you. Let's not forget this is a hobby and is supposed to FUN! Ronnie

Praying for his family now. Ronnie

Baitcasting 5'6" Lamiglass MH with Shimano 50Mg 6' Loomis CR724 IMX with another 50Mg 7' Loomis MB844 IMX with another 50Mg 7'6" Loomis FS905 IMX Flippin stick with a Quantun Tour edition 7' Lamiglas crankin rod with a Shimano Calcutta TE200DC 8' Loomis Back Bounce swimbait rod with a Calcutta 400 Spinning 6'10" Loomis DSR820S GLX Dropshot with Shimano Stella 1000FB 6' Loomis SJ722 IMX with Shimano Twin Power 2500 6'6" St. Croix Premier with a Pflueger President 7' Lamiglas Inshore with Shimano Stradic 4000 10' Lamiglas Surf rod with a Stradic 6000FG Too many Fly rods & reels to list here (they are an addiction of their own) Except for the Dropshot and the St. Croix all the above are my own builds. Ronnie

Back off the drag and remove the spool, when you replace the spool, the shaft is squared off so the spool will only go on the right way. Turn the spool till it goes onto the shaft screw on the drag knob and tighten the drag. You can't really do it wrong. Ronnie

Welcome aboard!!! Ronnie

EXCELLENT!!!!

David, I love it! It seems I am doing underwraps on all my rods, just because it is so easy to do. LOL I will have some pics up soon of a feminine rod I built for a fishing partner's wife on one of 'Mudhole's' purple blanks. Keep posting your work, it looks great! Ronnie

My wife worked full time at a nursing home almost a month past her due date with my first born. (had to be induced). Unless the doc says there are problems, don't buy the I can't do it story. Ronnie

Beautiful work as usual David! I am working on a rod with a burl split grip. I will post some pictures when I'm a little farther along. You are an inspiration sir! Great work! Ronnie

Regular Hybrid is a little stiff and has some memory. Use the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft and I guarantee you will like it. 12# on the setup you described will be PERFECT! JMHO Ronnie

Yes, that is very cool! Ronnie

A knot tying tool helps me be more consistent knot to knot and I think it always helps to lubricate any knot when tightening, including the palomar. JMHE Testing any theory is time well spent and you came up with some valid conclusions. Good Job! Ronnie