Delaware Valley Tackle

I’m not sure what’s going on there but don’t see how just running across a guide kinks line. The line runs across the guide regardless of size as well so that shouldn’t be a factor either.

Daiwa has gone 180 degrees from what I liked about them: limited models all quality with unique features. Now they’re like Lews more models than you can keep straight.

I stand corrected. I don’t see a lot of those.

Yup. And will need new drag washers. May as well upgrade them to carbontex

I don’t think ambassadeurs benefit much from bearing upgrades. Due to the non-disengaging level wind you’ll see more gains from cleaning, polishing and proper lubrication.

Very little if any. Are you sure it’s moving?

Extreme light weight and smoothness are not wholly compatible regardless of gear material.

I would have gone with spinning to enhance the vertical spiral fall. Not the end of the world though.

First and foremost the rod needs to load properly and cast well. A mod or mod-fast action helps keep them pinned. Casting tackle handles deep diving, high resistance baits better IMO. Spinning tackle works well for jerkbaits and small cranks.

Just brush a light coat on. Make sure it gets in the groove, that’s where the contact is. Anything is better that nothing in most cases but grease collects too much contamination. It can actually end up as more of an abrasive paste.

Try a bath in 80-140 gear oil for frame bearings and a film of it on sliding parts and worm gear. I use it on nylon gears as well.

How would you know what parts to buy ahead of time? It varies but after 6-7 yrs parts start to be discontinued and not all at once or on any predetermined schedule.

Personally I keep second hand purchases to 60% of retail. If you went by that this might be a fair deal if in immaculate condition but not a steal.

That’s a clever hack.

Hope you’re well Bud!!!

The 50e and core are my personal favorites

When an individual brake is activated, centrifugal force will push it out to contact the drum. They retract when the spool slows. When locked in place they are off. Does this help?

All it takes is one loose coil on the spool to throw things off. Same for a poor knot from backing to mainline.

I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to try to overcome such a bad reputation whether it’s deserved or not. I wish them luck, they’re going to need it.

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but st Croix makes as quality a blank as you’ll find anywhere. High modulus rods are super sensitive but intolerant of any level of misuse. This includes overloading, high sticking and rough handling. High sticking is any motion that bends the tip past 90* to the butt, which may not involve pointing the tip vertically. In the OP circumstances I think there was a combination of overload and over flex that contributed. IMO honesty is the best policy. Just tell them what happened and ask respectfully what they can do to help. Good luck.

What’s your reason for wanting a leader?

I’ve never bought a kit but if I were to consider it I’d price the components separately to see how much the kit saves.

That’s right, it’s for casting. With proper technique the deadlift capacity of most rods far exceeds any spec on it. I Won’t go into details. I don’t need a bunch of angry emails from people testing the theory.

No. That’s the recommendation for line test and is virtually meaningless on a freshwater rod.

If you tell a GOOD builder about the application and what you like and dislike about rods you’ve tried they can advise you regarding components , power action, all of it. That’s where the true value lies. Lesser builders just take orders and assemble parts. Most of my personal fishing time (what little there is lately) I spend on R & D trying different blanks and the newest techniques so I can speak about them with confidence.