J Francho

This is by far the nicest spincast reel. I have one, and it's a tank.

You can rig a second one in parallel, but it's best to buy the two together. You'll only have as much capacity as the weaker battery allows.

^10 This version is clean.

I started running my finesse reels dry a few years ago, and it's working well. Before that, I went dry with my cranking reels. It's a toss up for those. I like everything smooth on a cranker, and even grease the knob bearings. None of my drags are hammered down.

I used to run Cal's on my Carbontex, because I liked the smooth feel, but dry lets line out just as smooth, never sticks, and requires no regular cleaning or maintenance. It also is always smooth regardless of temperature. Wet drags can get sticky in the cold, if that's a concern. Some like that silky smooth feel, and that works too. No harm in greasing, just know there's some maintenance involved. If you go with grease, only use a vapor thin layer of it. Any more, and it squeezes out and makes a mess.

Some people also jump off bridges. Not recommended for optimum bass care.

I have a show demo rod that is pre IPC tapers, no Alconites, and has a hand written date from 2000.

I would, lol. Here's the funny thing: It's tied with an FG knot. I actually got one to stick!

I have a leader on my jig and worm rig I tied on early last fall. Hasn't given me any issues, though. Lazy enough?

Compared with some the NRX I've seen posted, the straight guides, tight wraps, clean epoxy on Avids definitely don't stand the test of time.

I have found the opposite is true with drag power, in almost every single Carbontex upgrade. Especially in the case where the washer material wasn't carbon fiber and/or multiple washers are used in a stack. Whether that increase is usable depends on the reel, the rod, and the user. The best reason to use Carbontex is the performance consistency and low maintenance. Run them dry, then set and forget about them.

T-H Marine makes a product called Troll Perfect that may help, though like Tom said it takes practice. More thrust doesn't always = more speed. I can't imagine anyone needing more than 80# on a small boat.

These (Shellcracker or Gill Wake?) fly as well as any other lipped crank bait. Sounds the rig may not be balanced with the bait as well as it could be. I use a Heavy/Mod-Fast rod rated up to 2 oz. for them.

My kayaks range from 350 to 600 lbs. capacity. I can pull way more than 9 lbs. The boat, my gear and myself probably weighs close to 300 lbs. Will it move? Yes, but not straight down. None of this has anything to do with needing more than 9 lbs. of drag for bass fishing or breaking rods on a hookset. I don't think it's totally unreasonable to go for 12 lbs. of drag with an aftermarket improvement, and operate around 65-75% of the the max. That would put you at 8-9 lbs., which probably not far off what I set my heavy cover gear. More than that is too much for any rod meant for bass fishing.

What do you mean by "more power"?? Do you mean greater speed? Longer battery life? Better pick up to speed?

I was gonna say a small twister tail grub and ball head.

I caught a 6-0 and 6-8 on almost back to back casts into the same laydown. I made at least a dozen casts previously, and three other guys in kayaks already hit that laydown before me. If you think it was thoroughly worked, it probably wasn't.

I have a couple dozen Avids and do not regret purchasing any of them. Some are 20 years old.

I upgrade any reel I can with Carbontex, usually a dry setup, no drag grease. I prefer the feel and consistency of it. It will inherently increase drag potential, sometimes by quite a bit. But why do you need more than 9 lbs.? Would you lift more than 9 lbs, with your rod? Tie a gallon of milk on, and yank. Let me know what happens!

I use a plug knocker for baits. I have a few Michigan Crickets for combos that go over.

The manufacturer can probably do the best job of authenticating your rods. https://www.gloomis.com/content/gloomis/northamerica/usfly/en/homepage/CONTACT_US.html

It's a tie. 15# and 6# Tatsu.

I could eat PB&J every day for the rest of my life before I could settle on one line.

Filters prevent me from expressing my true feelings. That really stinks.