.RM.

You aren't going to make one from cork that's for sure. You will probably have to use a grip wrap of some sort and build up the area that you want to increase grip size in. Keeping in mind if you do increase the size (OD) you will also increase the weight of the butt section of the rod, changing the balance a bunch. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Oh yeah, I would change a couple of things in them, 1.- Drill some holes to the frame to shave some tenths of an ounce 2.- The dry drag for a wet drag 3.- The color scheme, something more eye catching and groovy, not that I don 't like silver but it 's too serious looking. What is a wet drag and a dry drag? Really self explanatoryWet Drag = any drag system that requires lubrication of the drag pads in the stack. Dry Drag = The opposite Tight Lines!!!

I won't say that yet they haven't been out all that long, and I still think they have a weak spot built in, and Daiwa knows it. Again just MY .02¢ from the bench... Tight Lines!!!

You can do it yourself.....Rod Tip Repair Or if your in the Wichita area look me up.....I'll do it! Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

What I would consider the "Best Buy" and what you would consider the "Best Buy", would be worlds apart. I consider the "Best Buy" for me any reel I can get for under $100. My old 97 Curado B's are the "Best Buy" I have ever made. All of the high count bearing reels I don't consider reliable, more parts more can go wrong. As far as cost take a look yourself they are all over priced in my book. Again just my .02¢ Tight Lines!!!

That is the main problem with Daiwa® lately. They don't have anyone to copy, so they have to copy within their own lines. Setting one reel against the other, there is definitely a problem at Daiwa®... Just my .02¢ from the bench. Tight Lines!!!!

If considering a Daiwa® gimmick reel then why not go with the original Viento®, less that 1 spool revolution between them. Oh btw the other bearings aren't anywhere you will notice them.... Just my .02¢ from the bench.. Tight Lines!!!

I use a old 2 burner Coleman stove and an old steel pot. Used the same system years ago when I was making plastics out in Poway. Always done outside... Just my .02¢ Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Call Shimano® and ask them..... : Customer Service: 877-577-0600 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday Pacific Standard Time

Yup big wait to get the upgrade parts into the US from Canada.You all keep forgetting to mention that Mikes is in Canada..... Or in my supply shop....Bearings & PadsTight Lines!!!!

Never used one have held some they are heavy... The TideMaster is the Inshore rod series : * Premium quality SCII graphite. * Outstanding strength, sensitivity and hook-setting power. * Designed specifically for inshore saltwater angling. * Batson Forecast® hard aluminum-oxide guides with 316 stainless-steel frames for dramatically improved corrosion resistance compared to 304 stainless-steel frames. * Fuji® ECS or TCS reel seat/frosted silver hood on casting models. * Premium-grade cork handle. * Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish. * 5-year warranty backed by unmatched St. Croix service. * Handcrafted in the U.S.A. Tight Lines!!!!!

st00pid, IMPO I hold some of my BC reels the same as you describe, and some I hold more into the palm, and some I hold more on the grip. The style you chose will be whatever feels comfortable to you, with that rod/reel combo. So I would say it is going to be personal preferences...Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!! Why does he need 50 pound anything on a fresh water reel?He said "The castability is awsome, the accuracy is awsome."

Reels come that way sometimes......Sometimes they come over lubricated.... Just use the lubrication chart provided with the reel. Crank paddles, spool support bearings, and spool shaft end shims (one drop of oil). Do not open up the crank side of the reel unless you have done it before... Tight Lines!!!!!

If one of your buddies has a deep frier, just put it in with the bird! That should cover all the bases. Now thats what I would call an oil bath... L-B-H yup for temp only....

L-B-H, One drop of oil on each spool support bearing, and on each spool shaft end shim should stop the screaming....They are probably dried out.... Tight Lines & Grip On The Rods!!

Yeah I was in on RedlineRoberts breakdown and paint job of a Daiwa® Itö.I will be real surprised when it's all done, if it goes together right and actually works. As AnthonyRSS stated the tolerances are tight and the reels don't accept painting well, they need to be stripped down to bare or a sealed state. Keep the pics coming this will be interesting for sure... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

I'm assuming your wanting to build... A blank is just a blank I have used spinning blanks for baitcasting rods before. The properties you speak of would be the taper. The casting blank may have more taper then a spinning.

First off I wouldn't build strictly to the reel. I would build for the technique. Lure and line weight, will have more to do with the rod than the reel. The reel only influences the balance of the finished rod, it only holds and pays out the line. Just my .02¢ from my rod bench. Tight Lines!!!

Nope, not as much as the swim... 8-)

At a $500 price tag they better hold up. My bench hasn't seen any for service since their release. But then again who can really afford them..... Just my .02¢ from the bench. Tight Lines!!!

I can tell you it is a discontinued reel (no parts available for service). Might be time to upgrade to newer equipment... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

A quick point here. The tip top got damaged from clearing a hang by using the tip of the rod or cranking a sinker up into the tip being in a hurry taking up an empty hook. Not from the line..... Tight Lines!!!!

You are right I do.. Matt is right on with the way I fish. I use my high GR 6.2 or higher reels for T-rig worm/Jig fishin, and 5.4:1 for all my spinner and buzz bait fishing. I get into 4.5:1 and 3.8:1 for cranks. I haven't gotten into swimbaits so can't comment on them... Tight Lines All!

The main reason I always recommend testing and practicing with rod/reel in an open park or wide open area.To close for comfort.......

Yea Muddy go with the rod guys. If you coat that with epoxy it will just crack again when it's flexed. Rod finish is flexible and NOT considered an epoxy. Most are 2 part polymers... Tight Lines!!!!