diehardbassfishing

I recently purchased a fishing kayak. (Purchased but not fished yet). Did tons of research. Read plenty of reviews on the most stable fishing kayaks. Would like to be able to stand and fish. One measure of this ability is to look at the hull design. Is it "pontoon like". The Bonifide SS 107 (no, not the RS 117) made my short list. I eventually went with Wilderness Systems Radar 115. I'm bringing this up because sounds like you may be going down a similar path that I walked through. Karl

Believe me, if this was true I would not use Fluoro. I use Fluoro... Karl

Spool difference - Tatula has an Axle, Zillion spool is Free Floating. Free Floating spool is supported by a bearing on spool tension side. Spool tension is achieved by a plastic rod (that does not turn) between the spool tension cap and the spool. Tatula axle rides against the tension cap directly. Karl

I spell grips - CORK. Karl

It's a fashion statement. But a pretty good one. Go to this extreme - the guides tilted (even slightly) back. It would just look so wrong! The rod needs to have a foward look to it. Its duty is to cast forward. This line guide tilt exemplifies this. Karl (Level line guides - no harm no foul)

Any spool side to side play yields "no spool break". There is no need to think about this side to side play distance. What is important is the "zero side play" adjustment. This is the exact point where any tightening beyond will provide spool break force. I like my reels set to aprox 1/16 to 1/8 turn beyond zero side play. This gives just enough tension to the spool that you won't get a backlash by simply being in free-spool. Just enough tension for the spool to keep it well behaved. Karl

Correct - casting distance does not suffer. Always a pleasant surprise when I shift from one of my Daiwa Mag Force Z reels to an Ambassadeur 4000 or 5000 series Ultra-cast (C3/C4 design), two brake block reel. They just do it right! Karl

When the magnets are "self aligned", this is the position of max Mag Force. Karl

Love this cast! I call it a roll cast - mainly because I usually put a distinctive roll on the bait using the rod tip. Can't do this using a "broomstick"! Can really appreciate a good match of lure weight and rod action. Distance, accuracy, and comfort. Nice break from those more typical "hard charging" casting styles. Karl

Remove shield on one side. Keep some oil "splash out" protection. Cleans just as well. Karl

3/0, 4/0, 5/0 Available at Tackle Warehouse. The straight "bait through" with this hook makes it fantastic! Just tuck the point into the soft-plastic. Stays in position cast after cast. Easy to rig too.

Residue might be a strong word. If you let a drop dry on stainless steel, the only thing you'll see left over after evaporation is a very thin ring outline of the original drop. And that wipes clean with a dry cloth. Hazard to guess less residue than if the same test was done with distilled water. Karl

When 13 Fishing introduced their Concept "Z" reel, talk came around as how the "Z"s "new" plastic-type bearing (bushing) has been done before. It was and is a good idea. As with anything else, I don't try to overly judge a concept, just the implementation. If designed and implemented well, that usually yields success. I'd first simply clean (flush) around the bearing. I'd guess the plastic bushing can be run dry, but even the "Z" bushing is oiled from the factory. I'm a lighter-fluid guy. I know many are acetone folks. With either, test the fluid on the side of the bearing for possible "attack" (melt). Lightly oil. See how it casts! Karl (My guess would be that lighter-fluid would be safe. It's a petroleum product.)

Field and Stream has eyes in their fly fishing dept. Karl

Special tools? Not really. A jeweler's screwdriver set is handy when working on anything this small. C-clip is the trickiest part. The Daiwa clips I've removed from inductor haven't had the typical openings where a small screwdriver allows you to just "pop" it off. You have to push the clip off from the open end. You can use a couple small screwdrivers to do this. I always like to use something wooden around aluminum parts. I can remove this clip using 2 toothpicks pushing against the ends of the c-clip. Now; putting it back ON is the hard part... Karl

Like every other RULE. Made to be broken... Karl

On our forums here: I've found baitcaster bearing oil to "spin-out" and leave a bearing dry no matter the viscosity, in about the same time. So now I go with the light oils. The performance is great, and the maintenance is the same. I use Hedgehog Studio Ultra Light. Karl

Retro re-issue, new build mod Ultracast. 5500 to 4500 conversion. Karl

I'm a fan... Karl

Correct. The anti-reverse pawl system is messed up somehow. Just sorta waiting for some feedback on if indeed the handle spins backwards all the time. Karl

This reel has anti-reverse pawl & ratchet system, not ant-reverse bearing. (found the schematic). From what we're hearing on the symptom(s), doesn't it seem like the handle would turn backwards by hand? Casting or retrieve mode. Karl

Can only think of the mechanics involved in a general sense without having the reel in hand. Sounds like in free spool mode, the levers and yoke are not going fully into place. A dry grease problem? When in free spool mode, you feel a certain amount of resistance when trying to turn the handle to get the spool to engage. I'm wondering what this handle feels like when turning it to re-engage the spool. It sounds like at least often when turning the handle, the spool does not engage. Or at least feels "FISHY" (couldn't resist). Not solid re-engagement. Karl

Have used it on baitcasters - from 8lb to 20. Like it... Karl

It is a VMC #6.

Get a DEERING 10 Gram scale (purchase on-line or a smoke shop). Weigh the Pointer's treble hook. Buy a selection of hooks that look like they are the same. Weigh each to see who "wins"! Yes, the Pointer is a suspending lure - you must get the hook replacement right. Likely have to settle on a slow sink or slow float. Your line is also a factor in how it slow floats or sinks (fluoro/mono), and can help in the matrix of getting the suspension you want. You may find a hook that is so close to the original that you'll have no worries. Karl