Goby

I remove the snap rings and use the VMC Crankbait snaps, I think I get better action with this set up. That way you don't have to store rods in the locker with trebles.

I honestly prefer a Texas rig for tubes more often than not.

My opinion is, if the rod is high end enough for them to put real cork on it and not junk, then I like cork. Otherwise, put EVA or something else on it.

Sufix 832 is the gold standard in my opinion. I have used it since it was first introduced for everything from steelhead, Bass, Salmon, Pike & Musky, never had a complaint.

Just received two ARK Reinforcer spinning rods, this is my first experience with ARK rods. I ordered directly from them, paid full price. The 7'1" Medium spinning rod has extremely crooked wrapped guides. It has horrible quality cork, more than 50% of the total surface area of the cork on the handles is filler. The 7'3" Medium Light has two large scratches on the blank, one between the rear split grip, the other in the butt section of the rod. It also has that burnt logo in the cork at the butt of the rod placed very crooked and when I was removing the plastic covering the cork on the butt end of the rod, there was like a glue or something that caused the plastic to pull a pretty big chunk of cork off the rod, the quality of cork on this rod is very nice and the guides are wrapped straight. If you could somehow combine the two builds, you would have a very nice rod, but neither rods are up to par, especially for their price range. I just received them late on Friday, so I have yet to see how ARK will handle this, but I am requesting both rods to be replaced at ARKs expense "they cover return shipping" and inspected prior to shipping so I don't have to deal with this again.

What is the difference in reels ordered from these sites and say a reel ordered from Tackle Warehouse? Prices seem very cheap?

I have two of the Reinforcer series rods ordered, both spinning models. I have not used them to speak to the durability of the guides, but have read a lot of skepticism without any real issues being experienced. You still own this rod? Any issues after a year+ use? I know recoil guides grooved, but they were not actually titanium as these guides inserts and frames are said to be. Titanium frames are definitely superior to stainless all things being equal. I think titanium gets a bad wrap due to Recoils, but most don't realize, they weren't pure titanium. Thanks!