Delaware Valley Tackle

A modern rod that length will most likely be an ultra-light rod. That will be fine if you'll be fishing small baits for pan fish and small trout, even small bass. They should be readily available. Cabelas has a Pflueger combo for $60.

If it's not braid then either the drag is not adjusted properly or it is malfunctioning.

Welcome! I see you mentioned braid. If the reel you're having trouble with has braid it is likely slipping on the spool making the drag appear not to be working. Braid needs either tape or monon backing on the spool to give it some bite. To check, press down on gthe spool while cranking and watch the spool rim. If the spool is turning and no line is comong in, the braid is slipping. Also, there is a forum here dedicated to reel, lines and rods. You'll get more answers quicker if you post this type of question there.

There are too many variables and options to get a feel for what a build would cost based on someone else's. A custom built high permance rod is much more within reach than many people seem to think. I'm happy to discuss options and quote a build with no obligation. As an example, a MH/F 7' with Fuji alconite guides and seat, single color guide wrap with trim and personalized inscription all on a quality MHX blank goes for about $225. There are options above and below this point.

I have a Ci4 mounted on a custom ML rod that I use for the same applications. A great combo.

Flushing the bearings on the Winch helps a ton. They also respond well to Super Tuning.

Actually, the main gear in a 5:1 is smaller. It acts as the front sprocket would on a bike. The pinion gear is a 1:1 with the spool. I believe the winch gears are brass though making them heavier than the alloy I think is in the Premier. At the end of the day I think the result would be less than envisioned.

I just cracked one open last night that was tight enough that I don't think anyone else has been in it and it had an opaque grease in it. I haven't seen or heard anything official from Quantum but I suspect you are correct.

I here ya about your own stuff taking a back seat. At least I'm not alone there. It's like the old analogy of the shoe cobbler who's kids were barefoot.lol I agree too, that lubes can be used to really fine tune for conditions.

Don't be too quick to assume that the RX8 is inferior to an NFC blank. Also The RX8 should be compared to an SCIV or SCV for apples to apples comparison w/ St Croix.

The teeth on the drive gears of a spinning reel are much more course. I use a heavier grease and more liberal application there. I use a heavier oil or grease on spinning reel bearings since they don't spin fast. As far as only using certain brand lubes on certain reels, I'd pay no attention to that. Car manufacturers tried that in the 80's to dodge warranty issues and it didn't work out too well. Now if you put oil where a grease is called for etc that's another story.

All else being equal, a shorter rod will cast more accurately and a longer rod will cast further. 7' is the average right now but a 6'6" rod is perfectly usable.

That'll work, especially in semi-heavy cover. In the real slop I'd say step up to an 845 or 944. This will make a nice jig and t-rig rod as well. The Alconite line is probably the biggest value in guides. Sounds like you're on a good track. Good luck!

Personally I don't like the red dye all over everything. The Hot Sauce oil works well for bearings, but I don't like the grease at all. The is no secret, magic lube same as there is no magic lure. Keep stuff clean and lubed with something appropriate for the application and you'll be fine.

At its core a fishing rod is a tool. Form should follow function. The thing I don't care for in the Bucco is the moderate action rating. Fish can be caught with a cane pole and bailer twine but we're trying to stack the odds a little. IMO a rod for jigs and plastics is worthy of a little higher budget, for moving baits like cranks, not so much. The Lightning is a good budget rod, only you know if you can afford better. If spending the money is causing you anxiety, you probably shouldn't. Fish the Lightning and have fun. If you can swing a little higher end rod and feel good about it, your fishing experience will probably be enhanced. The point of diminishing returns on a factory rod is around $225 +/- IMO up to that point you get what you pay for to some extent.

The type of miles is more important than the number. My commuter car has 225,000 miles ona V6 and doesn't miss a beat. The catch is that a majority of those miles are interstate cruise control miles. In the minds of some people a truck is a "work" vehicle and gets little TLC. Check for loose door hinges and worn foot pedals. These can be signs of wear that are overlooked when a vehicle is buttered up fot sale.

I believe this is a graphite frame reel. If that's the case, it's one more argument for one of the other on-sale reels.

Batson makes a fine blank. Gary's NFC blanks are good of course but very pricy. Batson has a very robust line of blanks with something to fit just about every application. Let me know what blank is recommended and what the application will be and I'll throw in my $.02 if you want.

Or you could use my secret weapon for light baits: a $70 spinning reel. Just sayin'

Not to say it can't be done, but the Shimano spool is not designed with disassembly in mind. If I were you I'd keep looking for the spool you really want.

I'd lean toward the MH if fishing cover and ripping weeds

Take a look at your knot and be sure the tag ends are trimmed off closely. I have had mono tag ends catch if not trimmed since they point toward the guide when casting. A size 4 guide should pass your connections without too much problem. Unless abbrasion is a concern like when fishing zebra mussel beds tying direct is your best bet.

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You can try scraping gently with a razor. Don't saw back and forth with it. A little heat (no more than your bare hand can tolerate should soften the epoxy enough to peel the excess off with a thumb nail. More than an insert coming out, I'd be careful about peeling back the epoxy off the guide wrap. Denatured alcohol is about as strong a solvent as I'd use.

I'm with you Bill. Just couldn't swing the big trip this year. Nate Follmer pulled a few together for a PA meeting last yr but I had a scheduling conflict and couldn't make that either. I'd be in and pitch in whatever it'd takes to put together.