JustJames

Did you make sure the lash to open your side plate is not on close position?

I'm not sure if I can be a lot of help. I don't have any reels in front of me. I think your problem is spool not sit in right, I would remove tension spool knob, try to fit spool in flush and try to close side plate. You can also try to fit spool into side plate and see if the brake block can fit in brass ring without any interfering.

Check on brake blocks one might be in the way.

If it is anything like curado I, You have to release that tension spool knob a whole lot.

Just like everyone who own pescador pro. i got pescador pro 100. PRO: cheap very light weight easy to maneuver pretty comfort seat The storage is good for short trip not a whole nine yard. Con not very stable for standing, even at highest seat I can flip this kayak with ease. The two rod holder is a joke and useless without some modification.

Yes I also like to use arbor knot with or without hole. I think I can tie arbor knot pretty quick with either braid or mono. I never have problem of line slipping and most of my reels got braid backing.

I did DIY rod rack. I support the end butt and less than half of rod blank (3' apart) that way you rods dont bend in the middle.

There are some high-end reel from both shimano and daiwa with drag clicker, there are also some modifications washer parts for curado 70 or 50e to make it drag clicking sound. It is somewhat cool to have drag clicking sound when bass run, but like @Bluebasser86mentioned a lot of bass don't pull out line even at 2lbs drag I set, so it might not worth to make it click

I, too like old set it and forget it from old shimano, but after you get dial in and used to with new SVS system especially newer model shimano, you will really appreciate the new technology, fluid cast and distance of newer one. for OP if you like to throw those weightless plastic, the daiwa SV might be the way to go. For the problem of knot thru T-wing, you can solve that easily, use smaller dia. line or Alberto knot, don't use too long leader or just abit backing or no backing at all.

I'm not really into BFS especially for bass but I do own 7' UL Daiwa spinmatic pair with my old culcutta 50b for trout and panfish. I used this setup mostly for inline spinner and kastmaster. But even that I still struggle anything below 1/16oz. As DVT mentioned I didn't use this as often as my spinning setup with Sahara 750 where is more efficient. For bass I got majorcraft Light rod pair with SV105 but my target is not BFS but for nedrig and 1/8 lures. I'm thinking of either get shallow spool for my 70 or 50e

I've never caught crappies with jerkbait even my lake got plenty of them ?. I hope I have time for giant snake head or Barramundi next week since I'm in Thailand.

What weight you plan to use with your dropshot? I don't have problem casting dropshot weight down to 3/16 with any of my baitcaster. Just like you with my dropshot I care more about light weight of reel/rod and comfort when palm. My dropshot rod is not as soft as other (crucial dropshot gen2) I used Calcutta 50b, curado 100d 50e curado 70 SV105 and aldebaran mg7.

I'm also right handed and start with right hand bait caster reel and left hand spning reel. I can cast with right and left hand but accuracy goes to my right hand. When I cast left hand reel with my right hand I palm just like normal so no switching position to me. I use left hand reel for mostly jig but also with spinnerbait and jerkbait. I still preferred right hand reel since it smoother when reeling with my right.

Congrat for your daughter PB.

I like it KISS. Before I do all kind of stuffs shrink tube/plastic straw/rubber band/etc.. to not buy wacky rig o-ring with tool. I don't fish wacky rig enough so end up bought a tool plus 300 o-ring for like 10 bucks and that should last me a very long time

First carp I caught hit my Senko with charteuse tail, I'm not sure if he think it was a piece of corn. Second one I'm not sure but my jerkbait on hit top lip.

Sound like Fluke to me, LOL. I like using 5" Fluke or Magnum 7" Fluke on grass, fish it at the top, let it sink into hole and rip it up thru grass.

X3 here with no treble hook. I don't even like top hook any more. I only use 68 weedless. I like it crawling along bottom, the most action come when you try to reel the hudd over rock/wood/weed on the bottom and also most of the strike happen.

I dont have my favorite yet but I know for sure what I don't like very much. It gamakatsu weedless wacky hook. The plastic for For weedless part is too soft and oftentimes it would wrap itself when fish hook. It would last only a few fish until the part become un-usable. This when I wacky Senko with o-ring.

Search you tube for critica or curado I for service and maintenance (give that your citica is the same as curado I). Watch how they do it over and over, you might find the way you did wrong. Make sure to have schematic on hand. Seem like you not set main gear correctly. Did you do anything to worm gear?

depends on what kind of vacation are we talking here? If it is my fishing vacation, I would bring all I have. If it is family vacation, then just as many as I can comfortably carry without any burden to my other family members.

I'll let you know, next time I catch a dink, I'll let it run around with hook in its mouth. Lol oops we are not supposed to talk illegal stuff here.

I would say yes. Those dinks are the worst, they would attack anything that move.

Here how you copy an image link. Goto Share, copy and paste the link on "direct link" not just link (the 2nd choice)

I was looking for one a few months back before I ended up with keitech 7.8" and Zman Mag swimZ 8". Let me know how it work for ya, I might pick up some as everyday lure instead of Huddleston.