Angry John

I built the lower end with handle found the spine, did the reel seet, and spaced and aligned the guides. Wrapping and filing down the feet was something that I feel is best learned with a mentor or in a class.

Fixed above

I have to agree a kit was what I got. Never had the nack for wrapping guides. Yeah I was responding to the mud hole kit but a response was inserted in the middle. I tried a kit with the basics and guide wrapping was not for me.

Not saying a pro service might not help just a tool guy and a decent one to have around.

Hedgehog sells the tool for around 20 dollars and it's easy to do.

The sv-103 is one of the smoothest reels I have ever fished. If you are looking for something for a little liter work the alphas are amazing. They are by far my favourite. The steez is super and very light. My steez is on my jig rod and that's where it's going to stay.

Megabass 79 or71? These are good reels unless you want a round reel then the lin 10 is very sexy. Truth be told I love my sv103 it's a hell of a reel and a lot cheaper. Not on board with the twing so I cannot speak directly about that version of the steez. Got a first and second gen and love them also. Also consider a td-Ito.

I was thinking a rat might be the most realistic. Have read a few guys that like to do this but I have ice on my water so I'll be passing on the topwater.

4/0 is a good hook in the 4.8. Think the largest is using a 10/0 so you 8/0 might work well in the second largest. Yet to fish the new ones.

So putting l and l directly on the guides helps. I was thinking of trying that to see. Good tip#!!

I like the spro but been eyeing these for a bit. Any detailed feedback?

Rod length seems to change for a few reasons. Taller guys seem to like a little longer. Style are you a tip down or to the side. I like the 66mf avid but I tip down and I am tall. Shorter guys like a 6 or 62 for that style. If you jerk to the side you may like up to a 7 ish foot rod.

Nope the train is full

Both rods were using 832 one in 30 the other in 15. Is there a difference in how they act by brand. I could imagine but would have guessed not.

Yeah braking or loosing a larger bait seems to hurt much more.

I would loosen the reel seat after fishing, to prevent excessive stress from heat cycling maybe I just worry to much.

Figuring out also why northern guys hate micros. #frozenFun

Reel Magic Used To Have A Warning About FLOROCARBON On The can. You may want to check.

I used to hide inside most times and would not fish below 50. Trying to broaden my skills. Grew up in san Diego and lived near the coast almost my entire life. My time in Connecticut I just hid from the cold. My next adventure will be to see if kvd line and lure helps when aplied to the line and sprayed on the guides. My fluorocarbon was not doing any better yesterday

Yeah I have a rof 12 should have said that.

Huddleston 6" is 2.25 Oz ish. I will not throw it on my st Croix heavy. That is only thrown on my dobyns 806. Hudds are heavy. 168 swaiver are just under 2oz

So it's recently very cold in tenessee, and being that I will try and fish any water that is not solid, I figured I would go out for some more testing. I grabbed my spinning setups without a second thought and I was off to drag a tube for some cold water action. First cast was perfect and it was going to be a good day. Sun shinning and a brisk 24 with a 3-5 mph wind. Reel up for second cast and a mess of braid comes off the spool. Well that sucks. Get it undone and fire off a short shot. Again no big deal. Third cast I am back to a mess again. Never again braid below freezing.... arrrrg

Both the listed rods have short handles. Don't know your preferred length. For deep divers with a big lip putting the handle under your arm to take the strain off your wrist helps a lot. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewphenixx13.html http://www.tackletour.net/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=52542 Everyone has there own likes. I planed on using a custom x13 for 10xds

The 168 is a very nice bait for the price and can be found on flea bay for around 14 dollars new. I have a few huds and have yet to get a bitter but they have mass apeal. I view the 68 and 8 as mid sized baits and a ten is truly large. Huds are very heavy when they get larger and over a 6 or 68 will require a dedicated setup. A small hard gill is one ounce and a great snack size meal. If you would like to see some direct size comparison pm me your number and I can send some pictures of the baits I have.

You in a boat or yak. The dobyns 805rm and phoenix x12/13 may work well for you.