FrnkNsteen

Yep.... All my Daiwa reels have zero spool tension. Spool knob is just tightened enough to eliminate side to side play. Then I back off the brakes til it starts to fluff, then bump back up a step or two. They cast great with no real concerns about over-run.

I bought a few cheap Daiwa Procasters around that time that Walmart was closing out. If I remember right they were a 7.1 or 7.3 and thought they were fast. I remember when the first 8spds started coming out.

Thats about right. I'd say 3 or 4 years. Bought them at BPS spring classic sale the same year they were offering the silver and blue special edition Pro Qualifier 2s

It's what I use in most of mine. I dumped all the little bottles that come with the reels in a needle tipped dispensing bottle and have enough to last quite a while. I also have a bottle of the "Precision Oil" that I keep in the boat in case I need it out on the boat.

I can't help you with the brake pads, but wanted to compliment you on the sentiment. I have some of my Dad's old rod & reels,... Very cool!! I understand your desire to get it working properly again!

Huh!! In all my time growing up, I can't think of many times I was bit off on topwater. Spinners, Rapalas, ... Pretty much anything else, but can't remember ever losing poppers, "Bass-orenos" or "Superfrogs" to northerns. In fact,.. I've lost more fish to northerns than topwater lures.... Meaning catch a bass, perch, or walleye and have a big northern grab them while trying to reel them in. Often times you can reel them right up to the boat before the northern lets go.

FYI,.... RTW was joking that hook-up rate was terrible because the image you included had no hooks. ?

I typically run heavier mono on my topwater and don't typically worry too much about northerns on topwater. Very rarely have I had northerns hit a topwater. Sub-surface baits,... Absolutely, but typically not topwater. One benefit of living where I do now is not having to worry about northerns, though I'd take them if it meant having my Minnesota fishing back!! (Born and raised there!!)

I wouldn't think so. Typically once they go, they go.

Yep,... I would pack them in my own vehicle if possible

If you like Dobyns, the 806cb says it is made for the 10XD. The Dobyns site is listing the Fred Roumbanis 803SB in their blowout section for $139. From what I have read, that Roumbanis 803SB uses the same blank as the 10XD, so should be a good rod for the deep cranks like the 8XD and 10XD. Just looked and Dobyns still has them in their Blowouts section and that Boom Boom Roumbanis 803SB specifically lists the 10XD in its applications. Sounds like a deal at $139!

For some reason I was thinking that Fireline wasn't a braid, but rather some kind of "Fused" extrusion. I've always liked Fireline once it gets a little broken in. It's a little course and wiry at first, but smooths out over time and is pretty abrasion resistent. I've use X5 and X9 a bit, but not really enough to rate it. It seems to work well and is pretty smooth casting. I was throwing some mepps spinners on it up north though and found it doesn't hold well to toothy critters like northerns!! ?

There is no standard for a rods power rating. Different rods at a same "M" or "MH" can have very different power levels and different actions. Some rods run heavier or " Faster" than others. In your case, it's quite possible that the Triumph rod is a little lighter power or has a little softer tip so it casts better, while the Mach 2 might be a little heavier with a faster tip and not cast as well. My advice,... Play with them and see what they work best at and use them for those techniques.

I've only got 1 Lews rod that I liked enough to buy. It's one of the newer Custom Speed Sticks (6'10" MH F Spinnerbait model) that have that "Gforce" Grip, or what ever it's called. The rest just don't feel right to me. I have a good friend that LOVES Lews rods! He has models ranging from the Mach series, to TP1, and Custom Lite. They are the first ones he looks at when we go hit different stores. To answer your question,.. I think they make good rods for their various price points. It's just personal preference if you like the feel of them or not.

I see your point and have to agree... Mine has held up well. I have no complaints with mine,.... Just something feels a little different. Definitely worth people checking out to see if they like it!

I like a full handle for jigs and worms. I think they balance a bit better and I just like that extra handle space if I need extra leverage.

I have one Inception in 8.1 gear ratio I bought at Gander Mountain when they closed many of their stores a while back and had everything at 40 - 60% off. Bought quite a few reels then given the prices. They were pretty picked over when I got there and pretty much only had a few Inceptions and some various Lews. I ended up picking up a BB1, two Custom SLPs, a Tournament MB, and an LFS. Anyways,.. I liked the Inception ok. Pretty smooth and has held up well. I currently have it on my frogging rod. Haven't bought any more from that manufacturer. I like the size and shape of it, but don't know that I would buy it over an XLS or Fuego.

My issue has been finding ones short enough for my shorter spinning rods and some of my 6' casting rigs. I have shortened some of them. I get mine locally at Academy, but they only carry one size of each (Spinning and Casting) I mark where I want them to be and simply slide on some 3/8" heat shrink I picked up at Menards. I tried to slide the heat shrink over the original tip, but it wouldn't quite fit, so I cut it off where I needed it, put the same tri-fold back in that was originally there and positioned the heat shrink to hang over the tip about 1/4". Shrunk it down in place with a heat gun and good as gold. Open end is still original and now it is short enough to work on 5.5' to 6.5' rods, I don't like them long enough to reach the reel as then they get caught on lures hooked on keeper if in front of reel.

I don't worry about it. I just put them on so the tip of one doesn't go between the line and rod of another and get tangled up. As long as it reaches the last guide closest to the reel, I am fine with them. Keeps them from getting tangled in the rod locker.

This,... Only I tend to use the 90 size. I couldn't tell you how many fish I've caught on Whopper Plipper and Choppos. ALWAYS have one on deck. I don't pulse them like a popper,... I just wind them slow and let them slowly chug along.

Agreed,... That reel must have been from the good old days when reel companies gave a spare spool with their reels, even if it was a much cheaper version.. Most did it. I remember when Daiwa Regals, Pflueger Presidents, and a lot of others all came with them. Keep it as a backup with the same type line on it, or put braid on one and mono on the other to be able to switch easily.

Personally,.. I have not had good luck with Quantum reels. I've heard of a few people who have recommended certain models, but I'm not one of them. What do they cost? Lot's of good optuons in the $80 - $100 range. For cheaper, I think I would go entry level Abu Garcia (Black Max) or Lews Laser series. I would suggest an aluminum framed option like Daiwa CA80, Fuego, SLX, etc

I was going to suggest these same models. The other one that came to me is the H20 Express Mettle at Academy Sports. I know it used to be an aluminum framed 10 bearing reel that actually cast really nice. The only downfall I had with them is Right Handed only and only availabke in a 6.4 ratio.

Link doesnt work and I went to the PureFishing site and couldn't find anything. You have me curious because I love my ET Smallmouth rods

I agree,... I think he's just using the lb test numbers (8,10,12) as a point of reference. The point is that larger lines and different types of line can affect the action of the lure. Most experienced people know that, but good information for those that dont.