baluga

For the right handed reel: 1. a cast control cap that is button down pushes the spool to the left side of the reel housing, exposing the right side of the spool more than the left. 2. a cast control cap that is loose, creates more space for the spool in the right side of the reel(crank side). That's the reason why they wobble. when the cast control cap is loose it tends to expose the left side of the spool more and making a portion of the right side of the spool go inside the reel housing when spooling it with line. The line tension added when spooling, pulls the spool into the space on the right side of the reel since there's not much space in the left side of the reel. The reverse happens for the left handed reel.

Very true! That's why I shifted to Seaguar InvizX

Considering that the there's no issue with the reel, un even spooling happens: 1. when the cast control cap is too loose, the left side fills more. 2. When the cast control cap is too tight, the right side of the spool is filled more. 3. If the spool is filled more in the middle and less on both edges, more like an arc, you are either holding the line for tensioning too close to the reel or you line counter is setup too close to the reel.

It may or may not affect the bass to commit to bite the lure but it definitely helps in bringing the confidence of the person using the it. The more you are confident in the modified lure the better you work and present it. The better chance in getting that lunker to bite.

a VMC O’Shaughnessy Treble Hooks in Perma steel would be close enough to be white.

Last week I just had a relaxing weekend (Oct 2, 2011). I caught my biggest bass on a dropshot/5" berkley jerkshad on w/ 12# FC inviziX using Calais on CUC68M. But I have to admit it gave me a sore arm and wrist after the fight and letting it go back to the deep. If you think this is boring then I have no clue what is your definition of fun... oh btw, I balance the cuc68M by sticking a dime and a quarter at the butt end with shoe goo then added a felt slider sticker with the size of a quarter.

Two years ago I developed a rotator cuff and elbow issues from using a tip heavy rod and it took me 9 months to recover. I switched to a good balance rod like Dobyns DX and Phenix UMBX, and to this date I have not had any fatigue or sore shoulder/arm/elbow and wrist after my usual fishing trips. I did not even have to go to a PT or get any exercise or change my casting style.

Fishing is supposed to be relaxing, why would anyone need to train their body to be fit just to enjoy fishing? With the balance rod you don't even have to be in shape and fit to enjoy fishing. Try to use a balance rod like Dobyns DX or a phenix umbx rods and you'll find out why a lot of folks here talk about balancing a rod. Take if from somebody who's only exercise is a weekend fishing.

A balance rod makes life easier may it be saltwater inshore or freshwater fishing. It's less stressful and less fatigue to the arm, elbow and wrist when working the baits for topwater, dropshot or throwing hard baits. The only time we don't care if the rod is tip heavy is when we are soaking bait, simply because we set the rod on a rod holder. JMHO.

Very true, it's much cheaper to have them do it. They only charge me $35 for everything including shipping. If I compute for the cost of the parts: Pinion gear, drags, 3 bearings, main gear and anti-reverse bearing it would easily cost me more if I did it myself.

Yup, just had my CU100B serviced by shimano last year and they practically replaced all the internal parts. They definitely still have those parts for some of the discontinued reels.

PHAT!!! Great job!

Just charcoal grill them whole after gutting them. The skin with scales can be peeled off pretty easy when cooked. Stuff in some lemon grass inside the belly before grilling. But the best way to prep them is to stuff the belly them with: Chopped onion Chopped tomato Chopped Cilantro Mixed with achovy ( can be replaced with salt and pepper). Grilled whole in charcoal. Note: do not scale them. The scale will be more of a cover the meat from getting charred.

cu50e

Phenix umbx 660H $138.08 on sale today. I like this one better than DX703 or CUC X68MH

I like the Cumara Reaction CUC63H.

megabass pop max

Overheard an old codger saying, "When I was a kid, Mom would send me to the store with a dollar and I'd come home with a bag of potatoes, two loaves of bread, three bottles of milk, a chunk of cheese, some tea, six eggs and two chocolate bars. Can't do that now. Too many darn security cameras!

Any Salwater bay fishing I would use 3" Big Hammer swimbait with 1/4 oz to 3/8 Oz ball leadhead in Keylime pattern. Cast out and let it fall then very slow retrieve. Dropshooting 5" white Zoom Fluke or Berkly Saltwater Jerkshad will also be effective if your not getting a bite on swimbait. If you see boils/fish feeding frenzy, I would throw in Zara Spook Jr in Okie shad pattern.

That's a HAWG, no matter how much it weights. Congrats to your Dad's PB, nothing like a memorable catch with Dad.

WOW!!! You are pretty consistent on those HAWGS!!!

Phenix UMBX 606H, there's one on the sale in OC craig's list. Best one for both salt and fresh. I like this one better than my DX703C.

That's a double HAWG!!! Great job

It's a flexible flashlight that you can wear around your neck, got from costco. I usually fish the local parks early in the gray and needed some light for changing lures. I feel its better than those clips on the cap or those head gear flash lights.

Yes, I use the white 5" fluke for drop shooting on deeper waters like the harbors and bays pretty effective although I get a lot more short halibuts before I can get a legal size.