Delaware Valley Tackle

Let’s disregard the subjective term ML for a minute. What baits are you rigging? What other techniques and bait weights will you use it for?

“best” rod, is subjective and personal preference and opinions vary so there’s no right or wrong. Personally, I relegate the highest modulus, light weight minimalist rods to bottom contact finesse fishing. That’s not to say that feeling a crank bait wobble or spinner bait thump has no benefit. I can accomplish that without the highest end components though.

It’s not rocket science as they say and they all work off the same general principle. Many models have a “gottcha” somewhere. Go slow and pay attention. Put aside enough time to do the whole job. Things can get fuzzy over night.

I think the spool not only starts up easier is slows more gradually which makes them actually easier to control. The fear of better freespool making a reel some unruly monster is irrational.

The benefit of ceramic bearings depends on what you’re starting with and what you’re trying to accomplish. Compared to quality stock bearings like shimano uses that have been flushed and properly oiled, the difference is modest. Corrosion resistance and ease of casting are the main improvements. I find the easier casting improves accuracy and any gained distance is ancillary.

There’s not that much that affects the spool tension. It’s entirely possible that the tension cap has been replaced with an ill fitting one. If the spindle is seated and the spacers are all there, the cap is where I’d concentrate. Use this link and see if the parts match what you see. The cap is discontinued. https://www.ereplacementparts.com/abu-garcia-6500-ambassadeur-parts-c-187196_187197_187496.html

More concerning than be dunked is the brackish water. A deep clean and lube are strongly recommended.

Shimano uses some of the best stock bearings. I highly doubt they were bad and ceramics are louder by nature. As for the brakes alcohol on a swab followed by a swab of light oil is all you need. Those are indeed centrifugal brakes. They swing out to make contact with the cone as opposed to sliding out to contact a ring. The notion that a reel should or will be totally silent, especially after some use isn’t realistic in most cases.

My wife and I looking at going to Branson second week of September next year 2023. I’d like to do a midweek day on the lake with a guide. Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Blessings and well wishes from our family to yours. May 2023 be kind to us all. Cheers, tight lines! Mike

You tube is a good resource. Like any other media some is accurate while other is erroneous. It’s up to you to use your common sense to sort it out.

“Micro” guides is used to describe a range of sizes typically 5>. The right guide is the smallest , lightest ones that will pass your connections and hold up to the application. Saying you like one better than the other is like saying Phillips head screwdrivers are better than slotted or torx. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Pm sent

I have a M/H spinning rod for skipping and casting into heavy wind.

The old claim that fluoro Chas no or less stretch has been disproven. It stretches as much or more than mono but has less elasticity. Once stretched, it does not fully return to original and weakens to a degree. Just don’t lean into it too much.

My post is all the info I’ve been given over time. All I can add is that I’ve built on dozens of Rodgeeks blanks and they perform impeccably. Imho all that alphabet soup referencing technology is mostly marketing.

I also recommend turning the rod by hand for the first one or two. Not only to save $ in case you decide this isn’t for you, but more importantly so you see and understand how epoxy finish flows and acts while drying.

Short answer is No, but those terms are subjective within them you’ll find blanks that work better than others. The “different animal” description points to one such option. That is not to say as Mick, point out that there are not equally or perhaps even better choices that are not marketed as BFS and in fact originally intended to an altogether different application.

Rodgeeks is owned by st Croix and has always used the same tooling, materials and tech as ST Croix branded. Only difference is that they offer some actions not used in production rods.

It’s nothing new and in all sporting goods. Supposedly for habitat etc. usually baked into the price. This is just their way of shining a light on the fact that they’re taxed. If you sell rods you owe the tax as well. “Logic” being that you’ve now created a new item for sale. Another example of double dipping by IRS. I’ll leave it there or risk being banned. Lol

At $100> msrp, among the name brands you can hardly go wrong quality wise. If you have specific features or preferences post them and you’ll get suggestions beyond just everyone’s personal favorite.

This is the same thing as each reel manufacturer coming up with a catchy name for a bearing supported pinion gear. Something Daiwa did matter of factly decades ago.

Kudos for being an adult and taking responsibility for a mistake rather than bash an equipment manufacturer. Nice fish!

I found Pure Fishing CS to be good until the Covid shutdown. They haven’t been the same since.

Getting tension those old round springs is enough to make someone quit the biz.