jimmyjoe

????? Hallelujah! jj

"shallow' or "deep" describes the arbor size on the spool. Those reels you see with fat, perforated spools are shallow spools. They do quite well with shorter quantities of braid or monofilament, and they're lighter. Being lighter, they accelerate faster with smaller, lighter lures. Here's an extreme shallow spool: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-Reel-Spool-Wire-Cup-Light-Weight-for-Baitcasting-Reel-Anti-corrosion/223781275022?_trkparms=aid%3D1110012%26algo%3DSPLICE.SOIPOST%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200122160600%26meid%3D55394b9a00774521a74868d97315c1d8%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D223567715075%26itm%3D223781275022%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2%26brand%3DUnbranded%2FGeneric&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850 jj

Well, you've got the easy part all finished. Now comes the hard part. Don't worry; it's hard but FUN! Get used to each rig. Get used to the feel, the balance on off-angle casts, the hookset and the sensitivity. Don't have it set in your mind that you're gonna use this or that setup for this or that technique; experiment and keep an open mind. You've got three excellent rods and three excellent reels there. They'll be capable of many different things, and might just surprise you. Be prepared to change lines if you think it might benefit you. If you saved the old supply spool, you won't have to throw your change-out line away. Again, what you're doing is experimenting. You may end up liking a totally different line than what you think right now..... or not. Pay attention to YOUR results, and how they compare to YOUR expectations. You're the fisherman, not someone else. Everyone here can give you advice, but ultimately it's gonna be your decision. The decision to go with the 3000 spinning reel was fine. Absolutely fine. Don't worry about it. Two other things: 1) save all your receipts. Accidents can happen, and warranty usually requires a receipt. 2) I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway; keep your reels cleaned and lubed. You'll want to get the best out of them that you can. Good luck! jj

Congratulations! jj

I've heard a lot of good words about that lure from some old fishing buddies who are now retired. I don't know whether it's the lure or the fact that they can now devote all the time to fishing that they want. I do know one thing, though; nobody I know, young or old, talks bad about this lure. jj

The deeper spool (smaller arbor) on the 3000 was made for greater nylon line capacity. I didn't think I needed it when I bought the 2500, and I don't think I need it now. Of course, you need to remember 2 things: 1) I use nylon of .010 in. diameter (10 mil) max on my 2500, and 2) I don't fish for steelhead or fish inshore specie. If I did, I might very well appreciate the extra capacity of the 3000. jj

1) Sazerac 2) Sazerac and a beer 3) Hancock's and a beer. I'd post a pic, but it's kinda dark in there. ?? jj

Above and beyond all others, the Rapala CRR-5 Crankin' Rap squarebill. It's discontinued, but you can still get some off the auction site. Although I use the Bomber 13A as a twitchbait, I've also had good luck with it on a steady retrieve. And then there's the 1/2 oz. 3' Storm Arashi Shad squarebill. It's quite a ways down on my list compared to the others, but it works. jj

Whoa, whoa, there! I checked the thread and length of shaft, I didn't examine the handle length closely! So hold on and let me go out and check again. (darn kids!) ? jj Ok ...... yeah. The length, the angle and the standoff all seem to be the same. Hope this helps ya! jj

Yup. I just went out and swapped the handles on my Ci4+ 2500FA and my Ci4+ 4000FB, and they swapped perfectly. jj

Give me a few minutes. jj

Yes, I re-stain every other or every third year. Unavoidable. I use Cabot. I absolutely refuse to use that composite stuff that sags, bends and warps. jj

Absolutely! Call Shimano in California and ask them! 1-877-577-0600 jj

The OP stated that he had a Daiwa Fuego CT reel. That was the reel under discussion. I had one of those reels last year. The pinion (and I suspect the main gear also) decided to crap out not from 9 lbs. of drag, but from casting one ounce spoons. I suspected (and still suspect) poor quality brass alloy in the pinion. I had a conversation with Daiwa that did not leave me happy. If the OP (or anyone else) decides to put a Fuego CT100 to high-stress use, I would caution them to be very, very careful. The pinion is the crunch point. As for drags in general; most drags will be stable and smooth up to approximately 30% or so of their max. Above that, they may chatter, stick intermittently or heat up too hot from the friction. Carbontex washers will help this, certainly. How much they'll help remains to be seen on each and every individual model of reel. Some (less expensive) models won't even remain smooth at the 30% mark after they get hot. Others when hot won't maintain the same drag poundage; they will slip. jj

Great vid! Thanks! jj

... and if it doesn't, put some duct tape or USPS packing tape on the locking collar. jj

I'm not impressed with Loomis stuff, although some people are. For me, it would be between the Avid-X and the Dobyns rods. The Dobyns has a limited lifetime guarantee, which means that there is a replacement fee. http://dobynsrods.com/warranty/ St. Croix Avid-X has a 15 year warranty. Their replacement fees, however, are less expensive under warranty. https://stcroixrods.com/pages/service-warranty-2020#4859022 Where will YOU be in 15 years? After that, I'd probably buy a new one. That's just me, though. jj

Too true, too true. It's like the speedometer on your car. Do you really want to try and go that fast? ? jj

Maybe try these? (Yes, know they're ugly.) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-Rod-Butt-Cushions-4-Pack-/302812297587

1) I've been told that below 5' in dirty water and below 8' in clear water, pink turns to gray. 2) When bass are hitting on the crappie fry, pink works great. Otherwise, kinda so-so. jj

I have two ci4+ 2500 FA reels, and I love them. I also have an FB series reel, and had one that I returned. It is my opinion that the FB series has much poorer quality control than the FA series had. If I needed that size reel again, I'd go metal (brand new). Probably the Daiwa BG2500 for the money. Possibly the Stradic 2500FL. But ..... I'd get a used Ci4+ FA series Stradic, also. I wouldn't worry about that. You're not paying for my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. ?? jj

Do not ask that question on this forum. I found out the hard way long ago that we're ALL crazy here. ??? jj

^^^^^^ This! ^^^^^^^ Most of the time the cracked insert will be in the tiptop. jj

Sounds like what we did for my mother-in-law. ??? jj

I hear drool on the keyboard can have that effect. Where you been going? ? jj