.ghoti.

This is the only correct action. Steroid pills for a four or five day course may be prescribed as well, or in place of the shot.

Decent mechanical skills are what you need to get started building rods. You need not be "artistic" to build a perfectly functional rod. If you look at the rodbuilding forums, you will find rods built by some people who have real artistic talent. Doesn't make their rods fish any better, but, man, some of them are beautiful. Personally, I'm not into bling, for bling's sake. I'd rather spend my time making sure everything is fitted together, aligned, wrapped and finished as perfectly as I can. I find some "beauty" in that. Don't allow any perceived artistic deficiencies stop you from trying your hand at rod building. Just beware. You might like it. And, it's no way to save money.

I have a 7' ML-R Tatula rod, and use it mostly for small cranks. But I have used it for very light plastics and micro jigs. It is easily sensitive enough for bottom contact presentations. As long as your hooks are sharp, hooksets are no problem. And you don't need braid either. I use 8lb test mono on mine. I think there is a general misconception about just what a mod-fast action rod is. A mod-fast rating does not mean the rod has no power, or backbone. It simply means that the power is a little further down the blank. You don't have to swing any harder, you don't have to swing any faster, you just have to swing a little bit farther. I have several rods now with regular, or mod-fast actions, and I'm liking them more and more. There's a reason so many of the ultra high end Japanese sticks are regular action. I think they're onto something, and have been for a while. We have yet to catch up. If any of the Walmarts near me had those rods at those prices, I'd go get some.

I have two blanks standing by, waiting for my four week Christmas break. A St Coix spinning blank 5S70MLFG and a K2 TX683ML-C. Both to be built as bait finesse casting rods for reels I just acquired; a TD-Z I'm in the middle of tuning, and an SS SV, which I think needs no tuning at all. The SCV is rated down to 1/8oz and the K2 down to 1/16oz. I have two of the new Alps MVT carbon fiber real seats, and two sets of Recoils. I'm going for a light as possible, minimalist build on both rods. The K2 blank weighs 1.23oz, and I'm hoping to get a rod not much over 2oz when finished. The SCV is a 1.5oz blank, so 2oz finished weight is not possible, at least for me. Custom is probably your best route to what you want, but you're not gonna get there for 250 bucks. Unless you do it yourself, of course. If I were you, I'd contact DVT, and see what he can do for you.

Tony, I have three rods capable in that weight range, and you're not gonna like hearing about any of them. 1. Setyr 6'6" M-F The tip on this one is very soft. It's almost an XF action, and loads well with 1/8oz. Good luck finding one of these. Setyr went out of business a few years back. 2. Kistler Helium LTA, one the original series 7' ML-MF. Loads well with 1/8oz, rubberized cork split grip that I really like. Good luck again finding this one. 3. Tatula 7' ML-R Another mod-fast action good down to 1/8oz, but with a full length EVA grip. $150 MSRP. Out of my selections, the easy one to find. I really like mine. It usually has a small crankbait tied on, but I have used it for light plastics, micro jig duty, and it is easily sensitive enough for any bottom contact presentations. A ML top end with at least medium backbone. 4. St Croix 6'9" ML-XF LTB. I had one of the full cork handle versions, and, in a fit of stupidity, sold it. I took it on a White River trout trip once, and was throwing a 1/16oz bucktail jig. I don't know if the newer 6'10" version is as good at the lower end of the range.

If you have the schematic, give me the part number. I have a lot of Daiwa parts, and can send you one, if I have it.

i've never had a problem with returns at BPS. I give them and Cabelas both top marks for customer service. They've both went above and beyond for me.

Despite my aversion to doing so, I have started saving reel boxes. Just in case. In reality, once I get a reel, I'll upgrade spool bearings and drag washers, do a full internal polish, add bearings where posible, and put on a four bearing handle with smooth knobs. Once I've done all that, they are really mine, and it's very difficult to part with them. Besides, who am I to argue with anybody elses neuroses. I have a lot more fun argueing with my own.

I keep thinking I want to try a 70mm handle. But I just can't quite pull the trigger. I have all Daiwa baitcasters, and have 80mm TD-Z handles on most of them. A shorter handle equates to a lot less wrist movement when working baits. I know the common thinking is to use a longer handle for more "power". I'm 6'1", 270lbs. Lack of power is not an issue. Besides, I know how to properly use rod and drag to subdue the fish.

I have a casting combo dedicated to shakey heads. It always has a jighead rigged and ready to go. I'm most comfortable with casting gear, so I use it most of the time. Except when it doesn't make sense. S Hovanec gave the exact right anwer. Spinning gear is what you want for drop-shotting deeper than about ten feet.

I actually prefer a shorter handle. 80mm is just about right for me. I'd like to try a 70mm sometime.

I saw the creepiest thing in the water a couple of years ago. Fishing with a buddy at Trophy Country, in Missouri. I'd spotted what looked like from a distance like a mostly submerged soccer ball. We fished all the way around a small cove before getting close enough to see what it was. It was a small deer; maybe a year old or so, dead as old dad's hatband. It was suspended in the water, with the top of it's head just breaking the surface, and the completely intact body hanging straight down. It was bleached out to an almost pure white from head to toe. Creeped me out. We left. Didn't catch any fish back in that area anyway.

You're saying nothing good at all about this company. What the %#$^* are you thinking; asking for a raise? With that attitude you should be looking for job.

I wasn't being skeptical. LOL Nice reel, except for the handle being on the wrong side. BWAAHAAAHHAAA!!!!!

I'm just about finished building my rod building / reel tuning bench at my cabin. When It's done, I'll take some pics and post the Team Daiwa starting lineup. I'll put the SS SV front and center, because I think it's going to prove to be the best reel I have.

Just got a Daiwa SS SV. Used, but doesn't look like it. 5.3 ounces, hedgehog air bearings, smooth as your baby's bottom, quiet as a church mouse. Spooled,it with #8 supernatural and mounted it on a 7' ML Kistler Helium LTA. Was casting and pitching a bare 1/8oz jighead with no problems. I have five Alphas. I hope this thing doesn't turn them into the red-headed stepchildren of my reel collection. I'm in reel trouble if that happens.

Now that's funny, right there.

Simple Green, is very effective, cheap, smells pleasant, and is biodegradable. Perfect Solution is great for more stubborn, old grease, but has a much harsher odor.

I've never understood this either. When I get a reel, once I've determined that there is no out of the box warranty issue, the box goes in the trash. I keep all schematics. I also keep any lube that may come with the reel. I figure I can use it for something. The small "tools" that sometimes come with reels are cheap pieces of trash, and also go in file13. I once had a guy interested in buying a reel I had up for sale, and his first question was about "box and papers". I told him sure, I got boxes and papers. What do you want. I can give a cigar box, shoe box, bread box, cereal box, even a tampon box if that's what you want. Papers? I got newspapers, toilet paper, wrapping paper, and I can go buy some rolling papers if necessary. Just let me know what kind of box and papers you think you need. I'll make it happen. Needless to say, he did not buy the reel. Got a little pissy with me about the whole thing, he did. I got a chuckle out of it, and sold the reel to somebody else.

6'10" Daiwa TD-X spinning, 25 size Supreme XT, 6lb Invisix on the main spool, 8lb supernatural on the spare spool

You bet. Just don't hold your breath. It's gonna be a while before I have any time to devote to this. I'm teaching five courses this semester, working on a plant-wide power monitoring system as a side job, and trying to get a cabin fixed up before it gets too cold. I'm coming up for breath sometime, just not sure when. On a positive note, at the cabin I have my rod building / reel tuning bench almost ready to put in service.

That's the beauty of it. It can be as simple, or complex, as you'd like it to be.

An occupational hazard for a musician, my friend. And yes, it takes one to know one.LOL I used to drink way too much. Now I don't. There some days I'm pretty sure I don't drink enough. I like wine. My wife and i will split a bottle for dinner a couple of times a week. I'll drink a beer or two now and then. I'm partial to single malt scotch and fine old cognac, but I never drink very much of either at any one time. Moderation in all things.

Tom Kirkman, and some of the guys on the rodbuilding forum have been building a Common Cents System database. It has a considerable amount of information freely available. It would be a fine thing, if all of us who are interested would sign up at rodbuilding.org and contribute to the database.

Had the very same thoughts myself. Is this a case of great minds think alike, or feeble minds never differ?