diehardbassfishing

Spooled up fine. There is nothing to be concerned with on the left/right line height. Small diff like that is NOT a reel issue. Likely not a spool tension issue either. Keep in mind your reel is working with "STRING". Lots of small variables that are out of your control. I hold my line as I reel in - you should see the variations when doing that!! Karl

This could be helped with the proper solvent. There's only three to try. 1- Alcohol (Isopropyl) 2 - Lighter fluid (Naphtha) 3 - Nail polish remover (Acetone) I've listed them in the order I'd try. Use small amount on a rag on the "sticky" area. If it removes the "infection", you may be good to go. Good Luck! Karl

This doesn't apply to the Fuego reel.

Last year similar conditions - river was off, lake was on. A bit of a "drive". Karl

"...wash and repeat"!

Put down the live bait. Learn to fish like a Pro! Karl

Ask the minnow - he's doing all the fishing! Throw out a top-water lure, and more bass fisherman (especially the experts) can tell you exactly what's happening! Karl

Yea, I don't think anything good can come out of this. It's easy to feel "imbalance" when handling static in your house. Remember, you're fishing with this stick! With the basic load of any type of lure, the static feeling you're experiencing goes right out the window! I thought my new 7'4", 5.7 oz fiberglass rod was going to feel heavy or off balance with my reel. No. Not when on the water. Karl

What speed is the reel? I'm seeing some consistency with Gold on 8.5:1 and Gunmetal on 7.4:1 speeds. Karl

All I see are Charters. I'd like to have a bass guide with a bass boat. Maybe there are "unadvertised" guys out there? Karl

You're not alone! It's like casting with a broom stick. I bought together on special with a MH - Fast Crucial. That rod is fine. Karl

Better to be called a 19 and measure closer to 20, than a 20 that measures closer to 19! Karl

I don't use braid (but have used it on fishing guide's rod), but would like to understand how it could be considered cheating? Simply it's strength for pulling in fish? It's (over-rated) sensitivity? Karl (Reason why say the sensitivity is over-rated is a "peck" of a bass on a lure doesn't put much stretch stress on a fishing line. The tiny small diff in sensitivity didn't overcome it's downsides for me.)

Mono/fluoro. All the time. Karl

Yes there is. Basically grip tape used for tennis rackets, or golf clubs. Yonex grip tape - made for tennis. Winn grip tape - made for golf. Yonex is the thinner of the two. Winn is more padded. I use both. Yonex the most because when I use on a rod I usually build up the area with a thick double sided tape first. I make foregrips on rods that don't have one. Look for them on eBay. Many different colors. Karl

After catching your first fish with this rod, you'll forget about the whole thing. Or, you'll wish your old rod was like the "new improved" version! Karl

Maybe this easy?

Ouch - sounds too high of a temp. I only know generally when my folks did this, it was about 1/2 that temp. And roasted over a longer time. Google for instructions - you'll find a lot. Decide from there. Au Jus - again Google around. Meat drippings and a lot of garlic is a start. Karl

It's an amazing trailer. There's nothing like it. Karl

T-Rig! Go fishin'! Karl

Yakima - EasyRider Karl

Spawn activity has started. Normal. Karl

Glass builds a rod that has a lower resonance frequency. If you tap a glass rod, and tap a similar spec graphite rod, you'll see and feel the difference in the frequency of the vibration. A rod is a bit like a tuning fork - it has a natural resonance frequency. They are also more forgiving in their flex characteristic. More flexible. A longer spring to make an analogy. Thought is this helps to keep fish "pinned" as a bass swims far to near. Try one. Only way to really know if you'll like it. I like 'em. Fish with both. Enjoy using both glass and graphite. But I like changing things up - as long as changing between two things that perform well. Karl

Sure is! I measured my 40 yd cast using Google Maps (satellite Google Earth). Did think is was more than 40 judging by eye. Thought it was over 50. Karl

Without wind, 40 yrds is pretty darn good! Baitcaster, between 1/2 and 3/4 oz lure. Could likely bomb one 50, without accuracy. Karl