PhishLI

Uh boy. Me either... You took the time that I didn't to articulate some of the reasons plastic reels can be an issue like torsion spring mooring holes getting wallowed out, which BTW can also happen to aluminum framed reels if those points don't receive grease. Throw in limited cycling of coarse threads in and out of the frame, etc. Just goes to support the idea that if you can get a different yet competitively priced disposable reel it might as well have an aluminum frame.

I'll take a stab at defending Bigbox. He owns high end gear and is a gear head. Across various forums and in several incarnations, I know this is true. He also has a thing for ferreting out and buying high quality budget gear, then attempting to pass that info on. His point in this thread is that one can do way better for the dollar. I suppose his frustration comes from the fact that he's brought this info to light often over the years with little reaction based on reluctance to purchase from certain overseas sellers. Honestly, there's not much about them that's graphite. They're plastic, and if you take apart and reassemble a plastic reel, you'll have a different feeling about them. Most people never even have their reels serviced, so most people don't think about things like this. I do, so does @Bigbox99 so if there's a competitively priced metal framed reel available it's a no-brainer.

So, use the info you've gather here and pick what you think is suitable for his saltwater setup. That can happen with fluoro and a newbie. I'd be willing to meet the up with you and your son locally (Wantaugh area) for a lesson. I've broken down and can articulate the mechanics of casting with a BC to the degree where I've taught even the most frightened to use them, both young and old, including those who've had terrible initial experiences and gave up. Even successfully taught my 10-year-old niece in a half hour. PM me if you're interested and I'll find the time.

How do you feel about breaking him in on one of your baitcasting setups? You've seen the waters around here. Choked out. Even a deep lake like Ronkonkoma is topped out with weeds which will stand tall and not be knocked down until the deep freezes of January. A BC spooled with straight 30lb braid is a very effective tool for the better part of the fishing season around here, especially for shore fishing.

Show a pic and it'll be sleuthed out in no time.

Those lakes are a tough nut to crack, so it can go that way. Took me quite some time to solve that puzzle, and they're still tricky but that's what makes things interesting. Try Massapequa Reservoir down the road. It's a bit more forgiving and easier to fish. Yup. Nice guys.

Good idea, and they're also pretty durable. Last time I was at Causeway B&T in Wantagh they had a few models in the racks. Some DSG stores have them too, AFAIK. Bayshore and Patchogue have 7' Mediums in stock.

I'll stick with my rec for the Ugly Stik GX2 6'MH moderate. It's nearly bombproof, and perfect for a kid. Second rec would for be for an Okuma Stratus 7 spinning reel from DSG for $39. My brother has been running the white version for years in the salt without a glitch. Once again, perfect for a kid who might drop it or dump it in the dirt or sand. Where are you guys' dock fishing? Freeport? Long Beach? Captree? That rod will have no problem hauling fish up from long drops.

The reel is fine. Get this rod. Perfect for a kid as it's affordable and very durable. Good for hauling fish up to docks. Ugly Stik 6’ GX2 Spinning Rod, One Piece Spinning Rod - Walmart.com UGLY STIK 6’ GX2 SPINNING ROD: The next-gen Ugly Stik, featuring better balance and improved components. From the makers of the #1 rod series in the world. 8-20LB LINE RATING, HEAVY POWER, MODERATE FAST ACTION: Built tough to stand up to what's next. Lure rating of 3/8-1 oz. DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Constructed from graphite and fiberglass for a lighter weight rod, while maintaining legendary toughness and strength. 6 DURABLE GUIDES: Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides provide excellent corrosion resistance and durability, and eliminate insert pop-outs during rough treatment. REEL SEAT: Graphite reel seat provides ultralight strength, comfort, and durability. COMFORTABLE GRIP: Premium type-E EVA rod handle is lightweight and slip-resistant, so you can hold on when fishing gets tough. ONE PIECE FISHING ROD features Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity. 7 YEAR WARRANTY: Ugly Stik Fishing Rods are covered by a 7 year warranty you won't find anywhere else.

Berkley Fusion 19 7/0 Swimbait hook laid over an Owner Beast 6/0. Keitech Noisy Flapper rigged on the Fusion. Might work for you. Berkley Fusion19 Swimbait Hooks 4pk | Tackle Warehouse

As long as you're sticking to mono/plastic mainline, what do you have to lose for 36 clams and some change? Braid will cut the SS tip-top insert eventually. Whoop on it the first trip out to eliminate infant mortality.

I think you're right, and for people close to me who can't comprehend why I fish given my devotion to my animals, I offer them this: Walking through the gate at my local lake is like passing through a filter for my mind. Whatever might have been burdening me beforehand is magically screened out, even the worst news imaginable, and nothing else is left to think about other than fishing.

6th Sense Axle Swimbait Jig Heads | Tackle Warehouse

Stock is 0 on the 2pc. ...and Kittery won't ship it to CONUS for some reason.

The fish will be there when you're straightened out. Be smart and rest it.

Correct. It exists on their webpage as AIRX702MHFB. However, this rod hasn't been available other than random store stock for years. Not even on Amazon. My buddy tried to order one through a Daiwa dealer 4 years ago after he used mine, but they couldn't get it. There's one NOS on Ebay, but the seller wants $37.00 to ship. Still worth it at $90 total IMO for a hard to find 2pc. Daiwa Aird-X Casting | eBay

Choose 7' in either M or MH and 2pc. Personally, I'd go with the MH. My son in law fishes with these, so I know them well. 5 seasons now and no breakage with a few 7 pounders caught the mix. $64.99 and Free shipping. Lightning Rod™ Casting

Yeah. Use these instead, but you'll need a head with a keeper that works with elaztech. Z-Man Slim Swimz Swimbait | Tackle Warehouse

$60 and free shipping. 7' Medium Heavy. You'll be thrilled. BTW, I have one myself. Daiwa Aird X Casting Rods | Tackle Warehouse

Yup, and that year was 2018-2019 where it was red hot. I could've totally misfired a cast and chucked a WP into the woods and bass would've self-hooked itself on one. Since then? (Insert farting sound) Now it's just a hail Mary bait only accounting for a few dozen fish since then.

Dead? While not an impossibility, a bad power or bad output(s) transformer would be a rarity. Short of that your unit is easily salvageable, as is most vintage tube gear. If you haven't chucked it, say so and I'll direct you to a forum via DM where the gang there will gladly and generously help you figure it out. No special knowledge and a cheap multimeter is all you'd need to at least figure that part out.

The Chinese, eastern bloc countries, and even a US company like Western Electric produce audio tubes. They bought the EI machines which were originally Telefunken, so that whole catalog is a possibility. Now that graphene is in the mix, it's a whole new world. I'm not worried about it, and neither are most of the mainstream high end tube amp companies. I've been a R&D consultant to this industry for decades, and I haven't heard any true fears expressed. Wars have messed up supply chains in the past, but they've always bounced back. Asians love tube amps, so the market is massive.

Not me, Holmes! I just set them up at CES shows when they were $10K, which was in itself stressful and terrifying. No oopsies allowed. I cap out at $2k myself, and I'm perfectly fine with many $500 carts. They're fantastic.

Bro, simple 9 pin dual triodes, and standard output pentodes and tetrodes are being produced at scale today, are good quality, and easily sourced. Guitar players are fine forever at this point as are most audio people. I dabbled in the analog tube-deck reel-to-reel world for a bit, which btw still crushes all other formats with respect to true dynamic range, but it was just ultimately too much work.