Dr. Perf

I use braid on most of my setups and with the exception of frogging and punching combinations, a FC leader with the braid. The Alberto's Knot (modified Albright) is a great knot for strength and reduced size, but I find it difficult to tie correctly/consistently. After some searching, I found the Improved Albright, which is easier to tie and, so far, just as strong as a correctly tied Alberto's. I generally make 9 wraps around both leader strands and mainline, then 3-4 wraps around a single leader strand and the mainline. The Improved Albright knot is small, so there is no issue flowing through a small line guide, such as on a Dobyns DX 702C. With regards to strength, I have never had a break-off at the knot and straightened some hooks when pulling free from snags. Doc

+1 I broke a 7'1" Steez Compile-X and Daiwa replaced it without any 'fuss'. My tackle shop mailed it back and received the replacement. My fishing partner broke the spinning Compile-X, contacted Daiwa who send a replacement and he mailed the broken rod back in the replacement's tube. Should not be an issue with replacing your rod. Doc

Yep. No reason to mess with perfection. I had a bad experience using acetone as cleaning agent, I accidentally spilled some on our formal dining table and it made a permanent marking on the finish. Another one is the splatter marks on my study/work table finish from the splatter of break cleaning agent. These are some of the reason why I go for goo gone. But the main reason is that those acetone, carb and brake cleaners freeze and cooked up my skin everytime my hands gets in contact with them. Then don't let the chemicals come into contact with your skin. : Or, try using those chemicals outside or in the garage. : That would work too. I guess ****** is as ****** does. Tough crowd :'( ;D

No, it is made by Toray to Bass Pro's specifications. Doc

I have been using braid with a fluorocarbon leader on all of my spinning and most of my baitcasting setups since last summer. After some experimentation, all of the leaders are the length of the rod plus a few inches to ensure the main line/leader knot is not on the spool and is between the spool/first line guide when casting. Initially, I used a uni/uni knot for the main line/leader, but my experience was that the knot was too large, especially for smaller guides, and did not provide consistent knot strength. The knot that I used after that was the Stren knot (uni/improved clinch), which results in a much smaller knot and retains close to 100% of its strength. Another knot I have been experimenting with for the past few weeks is this version of the Improved Albright. The knot is just as small as the uni/improved clinch and appears to retain 100% of its strength consistently. Last weekend I got snagged a couple of times and straightened the hook when getting free using 16# braid/12# fluorocarbon leader. That experience has me changing all of the my leader knots to that version of the Improved Albright. Doc

I am using a braid/fluorocarbon combination with various setups. The braid varies from 10-30# with a 6-14# fluorocarbon leader. After initially using a uni-uni combination to join the two lines, last summer I moved to the Stren knot (uni/improved clinch). The knot is smaller than a uni-uni and when tied correctly retains close to 100% of the lightest line's rating. My experience to date is that braid appears to have increased sensitivity/bite detection over straight fluorocarbon in some cases. Still using straight fluorocarbon for some setups. Also, I have not noticed "braid noise" when used with Recoil guides. That may have to do with the brand of braid used. Doc

The Keitech Swing Impact Fat is my favorite paddletail bait, slightly edging out the Basstrix. The primary advantage of the Keitech for me is the ability to retrieve it slowly and still have significant paddletail action. Here is a nice "chunk" caught using the Keitech.

Boca Orange Seal spool bearings - all Chronarch models: http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.aspx?p=product&id=17028&n=*FR-008C-OS all Curado models: http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.aspx?p=product&id=17028&n=*FR-008C-OS

Here is some "food for thought" 8-) Doc

I had an opportunity to fish with a G2 Dobyns rod in May and was "blown away", which was not easy to do since my fishing up to that point had been with Steez Compile-X, Loomis GLX, Megabass, Evergreen, etc. Since then I have purchased a 735C, DX702C, two DX784C rods and now deciding between a DX704C or DX744C. My experience to date is that the G2 Dobyns rods "hold their own" in comparison with similar (length, power, action, etc.) 'high-end' rods that I own/used, but at a lower cost and great warranty/customer service. Doc

Try this 'Stren' knot (uni/improved clinch) to join braid to a backing line. It is smaller than an uni/uni knot and just as strong if not stronger. Do not have enough posts to include the link , so Google or Bing is your friend 8-) Doc

While it appears that Gloomis.us is an Evergreen dealer, there is no statement anywhere on the website that speaks to warranty other than G.Loomis products. It would be informative to know if the establishment provides an explicit warranty for the Megabass and Evergreen rods they sell. While I am willing to speculate they will intercede for a customer in the case of a defective product, that is not the same as an explicit warranty, which gives the purchaser legal rights. So, if some type of warranty coverage is a factor in a purchase decision, make sure it is in "black and white". Doc

"Peg-It" and "Peg-It 2" are much better and easier to use (don't have 10 posts, so cannot post a link; check out Tackle Warehouse for the items). Doc

I have been using Eagle One NanoWax (not allowed to post URLs yet) on both my rods and reels for almost a year. Easy to apply, provides some protection, and looks good 8-) Doc

I have used the 5, 6, and 8lb on my Steez spinning reels since last summer/fall and would rate it at least as good as Sunline Super FC Sniper. It feels very similar to the Sunline, but slightly smoother. No problems with line twist or any of the other issues some have experienced with FC and spinning reels. It is now my #2 FC for spinning reels, moving the Sunline to #3. Doc

Tried both methods before buying my first baitcasting combination last summer. While either method worked, it felt better to me to cast right/crank left, the same as how I use a spinning combination. Doc

Where do you get that reel for $300. I want to start getting some JDM reels. I realized that outside of fishing collecting reels is another hobby of mine. As of a couple of weeks ago, MegabassUSA had NIB Alphas Ito Ai reels for $275. Doc