JayW

I really know nothing about them, but as a rod builder... I can say that you usually get what you pay for! Quality components and blanks aren't cheap! That's not to say that they won't catch fish.

Not to rub it in... but ALWAYS try the reel you're thinking about buying out before buying it! When I bought my Calcutta's, I looked them over for at least 5 minutes checking everything out. Now that you know... I bet you'll never do that again! When you take it back... ask them what they think the problem is, I'm curious.

Well there are a lot of different types of guides. It all depends on what you're going to be using the rod for? In most cases, I use Fuji Hardloy guides. The Fuji standard ceramic is all most will ever need, but some people want more. Some guides are harder and smoother and aid in casting supposedly. Maybe this will help: http://shop.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Guides;jsessionid=0a0016441f43c4b8cdf426f0440287c88a460772e150.e3eSbNqNc38Le34Pa38Ta38Maxv0 I prefer Fuji, some prefer Pac Bay or American Tackle or Batson, ETC... As far as more guides go... typically more is better if the rod needs it and if they are the right size and so forth. I typically put 9 guides + tip for a total of 10 on say a 6'6" MHF rod. They need to be positioned properly and drop in size quickly for weight and better casting. This is just my opinion from building custom rods of over 10 yrs. The guy who taught me this system has been building rods since 1970 and it's similar to the Fuji New Concept system but he was using it before Fuji ever thought of it.

Don't know about that particular model, but I do have a older Penn (I'd say 10yrs old) and it's like a rock! I've dropped it totally under the saltwater at least 3 times and it keeps on going strong! I use it for Snook and Reds mostly.

It's something you're just going to have to get used to. I remember when I first bought a baitcaster... 23 or 24 yrs ago... I didn't have a clue and even took it back and told the guy that something was wrong with that reel! Then, he asked me a few questions and I learned that it was not quite the same as a Zebco 33! Once you do as the others have stated... you'll figure it out and never go back!

Great all around reel. I would suggest using it as a worm reel, but don't think of it as a worm only set up. A 6'6" - 7'0" MH rod would be a nice combo.

I prefer Shimano!

They're in there! I've seen them. I lived down that way for about a year in the early 90's.

Not trying to sound mean, but I agree. A Rhino is not worth repairing when weighing the cost between replacing a guide and buying a new one.

What's a backlash?

Yo Zuri Hybrid for me! I've tried others... but I always come back to the Hybrid. Some of the best casting and strongest mono line I have ever used.

I haven't built once since November. I'm thinking about building one for a reel that I have just sitting around. I have a Abu 3600 Tournament series reel that's only been used 2 or 3 times. I bought it as a collectible but I'm getting tired of just looking at it sitting there. I wonder how it would get along with my Calcutta's? :-?

I caught a lot of Bass off those worms back in the early 80's! Like someone said earlier... I still see them at Wal-Mart. I even still have one in my tackle bag somewhere... I just haven't used in in forever!

Yes it does! I've caught some other large ones (6-9lb range) out of Ariana in the past. As of late... it's been kinda dead out there! Ariana is about a 1/2 mile from where I live. I've caught some big ones out of Whistler and Arietta too! In 1987 I caught a 11# and a 9# Bass back to back on the same worm out of Whistler! The pic in my avatar was taken at Lk Ariana.

Thanks for the info! I'll let you know what happens. I plan on going fishing Tuesday. I didn't even know there was a Starbucks off of Socrum Loop? I know the road, but don't go down there too often. I'm sure I can find it if it's directly off of Socrum Loop. I use a lot of finesse rigs (Zoom finesse modified to 4" with a 1/0 hook being my favorite). I caught a 12.11# and a 10.6# Bass last spring using that set up. Both were released. My largest was a 13.1# Bass out of Ariana if you can believe that. Of course that was back in July of 1999 using a silver/blue rattle trap in 12' of water. Here's a pic of the 13.1...

You know... I've fished Lk Gibson from the shore many years ago, but I've never had a boat in there. Where the heck is the ramp even at? Is it a shallow lake? Can you run across it without worrying? I've fished Saddle Creek in years past, but unfortunately, the parks reputation has kept from going back. It's been years since I've fished it and it's only 5 miles or so from my house. Thanks for the info! Jay

Sweet reel! 8-)

Yep, he does great work! He made these up for my V-Max...

With the water being so low... I've had to abandon some of my fishing holes in search of somewhere with a good ramp that still has water for a fairly large boat. Anyone know of a good lake to hit up this Tuesday morning? My boat is a 20 foot flats boat and a lot of lake ramps are out of the water now. I was out at Tenoroc a few weeks back putting in at Fish Hook Lake and the trailer went off of the ramp pad and I had a heck of a time getting it back on and bent a rim in the process. Seems there was a massive drop off at the end of the ramp.

Nice job! 8-)

Those are some nice Bass! 8-)

BTW, what is bassboatsaver?

Yeah, I washed it with some Dawn to remove any wax and it made it look kinda dull. After some fresh wax...

Finished product. All it needs now is some wax! I washed it down with Dawn dishwashing soap this morning before the install to make sure that there was no wax to hinder the bonding process of the stickers.

Cool deal! 8-)