Tim S.

I removed the hook keeper from a couple of Phenix UMBX rods. Gary is exactly right regarding removal. If you need someone close by for removal and/or epoxy work, shoot me a text. I know a guy about an hour from you. He did a new keeper and threadwrap/epoxy on both of my rods and they turned out very nice and the cost was very reasonable.

Those wraps look great, Gary! Very tight and flat. I think you've got the whole "building a custom rod" thing. Let me know about that ul blank we discussed, as soon as you get by there to put hands on them.

I have and like the Compre 6-10 mh. Mine are the full-cork models before the split grips and stupid reel seats. I like them a lot, though I hardly use one of them.

It fishes larger jerkbaits like a Vision 110 just fine and it loads well with a fish on. But it is a little stiffer than I prefer for lighter, smaller treble hook baits-except squarebills around hard cover and 1/2 oz. rat-l-traps. It works great for a 3/8 spinnerbait/chatterbait. I'm actually looking for the 6-10 ML for lighter baits like a #11 Rapala floater.

I have the 6-10 MH and the 6-10 M. They are extremely nice rods and among the lightest I have ever fished. As light as any comparable Steez rod, but with way more sensitivity. Mine will be with me for a long, long time.

MajorCraft for me, too. There are many varieties. For under $200 including shipping from Japan, you can get quite a few really nice rods. Here's the place to look, and the search is already done for you. http://global.rakuten.com/en/search/?tl=201899&k=majorcraft+bfs&l-id=search_regular

I love the finished product. Glad it's done...I was getting itchy with the teaser pics you sent me during the build.

x2. Steve has built a couple rods for me and has done modifications on several others. He does good work. PM me for his cell #.

Same here. I have a Volkey BFS 6-8 light and it is a fun little rod. I landed a 5# hyrid(wiper) this afternoon on it and it was a blast. If you're looking for a BFS rod for single-hook baits(moving or bottom-contact), then look no further. On a budget, the JDM Daiwa Blazon rods are nice, also.

Send an email. They are just starting the lead molds section up and looking for active input into what people are looking for. There's a good chance that you can have something made that fits your needs without paying custom mold prices.

I have a T3 MX with a DIY Air spool in it. On a Majorcraft Volkey 682L BFS rod and 15/4 Spiderwire Invisibraid spooled on, I can cast a # 5 shallow Shad Rap a solid 25-30 yds. I get down to the last few layers of line left on the spool on a good cast and it's a blast when a 4 lb. freight train whacks that crank. Just for grins and giggles, I tied on a 1/16 oz. crappie jig and was able to cast a fishable distance with pretty good accuracy. But at that weight, I prefer a spinning set-up for a little more distance.

A nice Calais 100A would be sweet for jerkbaits. The gear ratio is perfect and you can't beat the quality of that series. And that's coming from a Daiwa guy.

Even cheaper here(free shipping on small stuff) and they are great to deal with. http://jpangler.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=alphas Any of these 3 will fit any Alphas, Sol or MB Zonda.

Stay away from that guy, he's a shyster. He lists rods built on powers/lengths/actions that Shikari never manufactured.

I know a guy......lots of Shikari blanks stashed away.......crazy-low prices......gotta buy in bulk, though.....