.RM.

Muddy that isn't a minor repair. I would take cleaning up the area (removing the threads etc) and re-coating the finish. I would recommend that you check your local yellow pages for rod repair or custom building. You could also check with the MFG of the rod for repair. Just my .02¢ from the rod bench. Tight Lines!!!

Agree X2 Well RW we found out were this one was going...

Which is why guys who fish hard, 3-5 times a week, aren't going to spend the extra money on a custom rod. Even if it was a blank failure I would have to wait longer and spend more money to get the thing replaced. The majority of us don't have the luxry of extra time and money to spend. Infidel, As a custom builder, sorry I just gotta say this.... You don't fish hard you fish stupid. I have seen how the anglers in CA fish, and IMPO none of them are a good candidate for custom gear.... There now its off my chest........ 8-) Oh and BTW the original question was "Question: Do you use custom rods?"

Haven't seen the Dark Night yet Only one question...Does Gordon tell you who the next villain is at the end like Begins did?

LOL........I was thinking the exact same thing. Very nice place. X3 hey Robert how connected is he, Looks like he was living large before the business sale. Looks like the hacienda of a well connected guy I worked for in NewPort Beach Ca. That is truly some sweet living....

What are we doing here folks this thread is over 2 month old (05/19/08) .. To much time on your hands try getting out and fishing......

Aaron, That's great. Remember, on the ceramics to re-lube (one drop) those babies every few outings (depending on how much you use the reel). They don't stay lubricated for very long. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

megastrike, IMO moderate tip action, and probably slower. Ulgly Stick style.. The_Natural, Got to question that statement. Load up with 20 - 50 lb braided line on a Xfast tip with the drags tightened down (like most anglers do) and see what happens to an Xfast rod tip. I have...Tight Lines!!!!

Muddy, Haven't thrown one in a while, but used a 6'6" for Zara Spooks in medium fast for a long time... Remember also every rod I use/used was/is spiral wrapped. Tight Lines!!!!

megastrike, Can you say marketing hype. What does it say on the rod. A good cranking rod will be in the medium power, moderate tip action range. Some of todays medium power, fast tip action rods can be cranking rods also. Just depends on how deep and large the bait goes... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

bassripper2000, I use a 5'6" pistol in med fast for most all of my soft jerk baits (Zulu) have use upto a 6' med fast w/7" straight grip for some of my hard jerk baits (Chugbug). Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Hey _B_u_r_l_e_y_, 3.7 oz Carrots, what field did you pull that out of..... ;D Oh crap your still talking about those rods .... Sorry...

Most definitely scratches on a rod will weaken it. Especially if they are in a heavy flex area. Say in the tip action or even in the backbone area if the fight is a heavy one. I have had rods explode after setting and missing a fish were the lure came back and made contact with the rod blank (custom built Fenwick HMG), then next cast and setting the hook and getting the fish hooked, the rod exploded in my hands sounded like a gun going off. So be verwy, verwy careful with your rods ... But seriously always check them before an outing just to be safe. Tight Lines!!!

I see no differance, all the bearings I use to replace stock BB's in tuneups, and, any that I use in upgrades are shielded on both sides. Some of Shimanos ARB's are shielded only on one side, Quantums PT bearings are shielded on one side. Some of Shimano's spinning bearings are shielded only on one side... Oh fyi, the single shielded bearings might be easier to clean and lube for someone that doesn't do it all the time...

chanrocks93, OUCH from Lewiston, Maine to Las Vegas. Wow what a culture shock, not to mention from moderate temps to hotter than hell....joeyd50, I really hate that system. It's guys like you that have new to BC reel anglers trying to cast as far as they can before they can even hit a bucket at 10'.... Because most all users of BC equipment (when telling the truth) always get some king of backlash, then you wind up leaving the tape on the spool. I had a friend try it, lure hit the water fish took the lure and no more line to let out because of the tape.. Guess what he looked like a d**n fool trying to get the tape off of the spool so he could fight the fish, need less to say he lost a heck of a fish to that system.. I SAY NO TO THAT TIP!!

Hey chanrocks93, islandbass has given you some great info here. Next I would like to add that in the price range your buying your rods at, I would not expect to much in quality (ie guides slightly off center, or heavy feeling rods). Then you can eyeball the build quality. This alone will help more than buying top of the line gear for your first system. Your parents might have something to say about that....LOLGood Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Hey Roostertails, I have to agree with your wife about worry about scratches on the reels it the nature of outdoor sports. But impo you need to find a better way to store your treble hooked baits. When you scratch the finish of a rod blank enough times it's like making the mark to cut glass with. Place enough flex in that spot and you will hear an explosion and snap the rod. So beware and very anal about scratches on your rods...... Tight Lines!!!

Yup, to help protect the balls in the race, but dirt and grim gets in anyway, the only one I have seen really well protected are sealed for salt...

To all that do welcome to the 1% club. It is a fact only 1% of the angling public use true custom rods. Tight Lines!!!!

I really doesn't matter. I always place the shielded side out. Tight Lines!!

Dedicated inshore rods are usually built with guide that will stand up to the salty environments.Tight Lines!!!!

chanrocks93, WAIT! I would take the day off. Unless your practicing pitching or educating your thumb while watching a movie or something. The basement in my opinion isn't a good place to try and practice any kind of sidearm or roll type casting. Save that for the outdoors, re-read the article, at the bottom of it about educating the thumb... Just my .02¢ from the bench... Tight Lines!!!!

If you don't use a no-slip backer before spooling braids, I suspect that we will read about how your drags are slipping. This is the result of no backer...and not the drags. Just my .02¢ from the bench. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Sorry for the mix up Aaron, I read the discounted as discontinued ..(my mistake) :-[ There are always Calcutta on the flea market side of the forum, and probably on the internets largest garage sale.. Tight Lines!!!!

Thanks RW. Tight Lines!!!!