FishTank

I have had rods with both small guides and micro and don't see a benefit from either one. The micro guides on one rod I have might make it a little more sensitive but I have no way of knowing it. I also wouldn't go out of my way to buy a rod with micro guides either.

I would go with either 12lb or 15lb Seaguar Invizx for casting gear. If you want to use 20lb, save it for flipping and pitching. Also, 6lb or 8lb would be great for spinning gear. I like Trilene XL 100% FC.

I worked on a buddies CU-200s every year and replaced all of this drag washers this year. They had become flattened and rounded out. I just cut them from a sheet of carbontex I ordered from Amazon. You just have to be careful what thickness you get. They worked great. https://www.amazon.com/Cabric-0-5mm-Carbon-Sheet-Washer/dp/B07XQJ4HDV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=carbontex+sheet&qid=1620337532&sr=8-1

Not so much where I work and around us. We interview about 25-50 people a week that want a job but they suck, to be polite. Where my daughter works they just hired 500+ people at $16.75 hour, putting together medical kits. On another note.....My niece used her government money to pay rent as her place of employment went under and she can't get work in her industry at this time. Some of my coworkers have donated their money to others around them in need or to their families. So from my perspective, I see that money being either spent or allocated. I have been donating mine to this Bait Monkey guy. If you see him, tell him I'll be a little short this week. ?

I think the current state of things has made a shortage of people at work (not necessarily a shortage of work) and made them want to get outside more. It seems the outdoor activity industry has a boom going on as well as a lack of raw materials and available workers. In my place of employment, we sell and manufacture outdoor manufacturing tools and we can't answer our phones fast enough or make enough product to sell. We and others in our industry are experiencing growth we are not sure how to account for. It sure is interesting times.

Bummer. I lost a Core 101mg not to long ago. I really liked this reel. I think again you would like the Bantam. Think round reel in a low profile. I have been using mine for cranking since I got it. Great little powerhouse.

If you don't still have the reel, the Bantam would be a good choice. Also, I work on a few reels from time to time and have only seen maybe 6 or 7 reels that have had gear wear and only 4 of those actually needed replacing. These reels come from tournament fisherman so they have seen heavy use. I am curious as to what caused such heavy wear, especially on a Calcutta Conquest? I have a Calcutta 251 that is 15+ years old , has been abused and the gears are still smooth.

By hand. It's the way I learned 40 years ago. Pull the line and close the bail at the same time.

I would buy a new set of gears and probably bearings and keep the reel you have. I don't think a finer, more durable reel exists.

7'2'' M Moderate St. Croix Legend Glass.

Definitely a great reel. I use it for crankbaits. Just well made.

For tomorrow's outing.... Daiwa Steez SV TW Shimano Curado DC Shimano Vanquish 3000 Shimano Antares 70A Shimano Antares 12

It's funny you bring this up. I have a St. Croix Mojo Yak casting rod that now sees a lot of my kayak fishing. It's a 7' M Fast and when I first got it, it reminded me of a crankbait rod, soft tip and little whippy. My next thought was why didn't I buy a glass spinning rod (the same one you have). I like they way Mod or Mod-fast rods load when I sitting down in my kayak. Most of the techniques I use when I am in a kayak lend themselves towards spinning gear.

I have tried a couple over the years and so far my favorite glass rod is the St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M Mod. To me it's the perfect crankbait rod. Not too sensitive and not totally dead but very well made. It also has plenty of power and will cast a 3/8oz crankbait a mile.

I wouldn't go for a DC reel right away unless you intend it to be the only baitcasting reel you will ever own. I would learn how to use a regular baitcaster first then expand into the DC reels. One that I like as a good beginner reel.... The Shimano SLX. At $100, it will give you some extra cash to invest in a good rod and it's pretty user friendly.

My thoughts on casting BFS....... I will still probably buy one at some point.

They are a good site to order from. Just a few things to keep in mind, I believe they have a national holiday that starts this week and is about a week or so long. They only ship a few times a week but otherwise once shipped it arrives quickly. Their prices are good and they will answer questions as they can. It seems like a big operation but from a few emails from them, they are actually a small set up. Also, I can't tell you about the new Met. I have been looking to get a reel for either light weight stuff or a do it all reel. Can't decide between the Met or the Aldebaran 30.

I have a couple of the flipping jigs and have done well with them. No complaints.

Texas rigged soft plastic, jekbaits.and light jigs

Shimano SLX....

3/0 but also use a 2/0 with an underspin.

Top water. Especially the whopper plopper.

These guys are great. Good quality and good prices but it does take awhile to get.

Jigs and T rig for me. I hardly fish a spinnerbait anymore. Just doesn't produce on the lakes I fish as much as it used to.

If you used this reel around or in saltwater that adds whole nother element to the puzzle > salt corrosion. Again, I would have it cleaned. Also I don't think this reel is really saltwater compatible. You might be able to rinse it with freshwater, not a dunk under water though. This will get the surface salt and help with stopping getting more inside.