Capt.Bob

solid advice, this would be what I would do to my customers reels, unless the bearings have been contaminated with salt water or are bad for some other reason, But Shimano bearings will run as good as any ABEC5 bearing if they are lubed the same. The carbontex drag is hands down an improvement, on any reel that doesn't use them.

I couldn't agree more!! Thank you!

some don't use rope for everything. 2 and 6 pound you better learn how to do more than real em in when your catching 8 to 12 pound Eyes, and same system works for Pike and Musky, with 15 to 20 lbs line!! Size means nothing when you learn how to play any species on ultra light line, you just chase fish with heavier line!!!! Big fish heavier line like you fish, or smaller fish lighter line like I usually fish same requierments! Get them Big Musky near heavy weeds and I will go to 30 LBS. test for big musky, you know weeds like we have hear coontail and the likes, maybe you don't know I think those are pretty scarce in salt water???

Both Excellent for DEEP CRANKIN The Calcutta has no equal here, But I would pair it with the St. Croix big cranker, although the Lamiglass is abetter choice than the Duckett or Kistler, but nothing beats an American made Croix!!

Berkly Vanish, worst line ever, other than that maybe a Shimano G6 Curado, WOW what a step backwards! Other than that I have been very happy but for all my gear I only buy, Avid or better St. Croix, Shimano, and Lew's, how could I not be happy!!

Knot a problem, (Pun intended) really, if you use a proper knot and the right line it should never be a problem. I have never had an issue with breaking off, and have been in my backing a time or two, it just takes a little longer to rig. I use a 10 to 12 foot Fluorocarbon leader on all my setup's so there would be a failure at the leader first if I was going to have one at the backing, never been a problem, and I have been rigging this way for over 20 years, I just used mono before there was Fluorocarbon.

Trilene big game backer, blood knot to braid or fireline, then blood knot to fluoro. spin or casting, sometimes use big game as a leader instead of fluoro, in cloudy water rivers and such.

just watch 2 4000FJ's sell on sleazbay the last 2 days for less than $137.00 from very reliable sellers and w/free shipping! They're out there you just got to search.

????????are we job search'n????????

In cold weather where I am any grease, will be a bad thing, March, April, Oct, and Nov. when Temps in the 30's and lower are common. there are times I used to just use Yellow rocket fuel for everything bit the gears, I would run 5w20 mobile 1, on the gears just for those months mentioned, and then go to heavier, TJ's liquid grease for warm weather, this also works for one gear lube for all season's but will be a little stiff in cold weather, stay with YRF for everything else. Hot sauce was good in cold weather but needs reapplied often!! For Drag grease, Shimano is good, but I prefer Cal's and use it in all my own reels, and my customers reels.

Sir it is obvious the fever has struck with that Curado purchase!!! Just want to warn,,,,,,,If you got a fever that quick, upgrading from an Abu,,,,,,,Please heed the warning and don't try a Lew's, if you do get another job!!!

The new Sradic will be an even bigger difference with the same load on both reels, I have a Sustain still, sold my FD's, but the FE is as smooth as my same size Stradic FJ,,,,,,,,until you get a healthy fish on, then the FJ shows it's real difference in smooth efficient gearing. I had the same opinion of the ci4 and the Saros, with those bodies being made with a material that is supposedly more stable in temperature changes I would have thought they would have been smoother, but for me the only benefit was lighter, (not noticeable) and corrosion resistance if used in salt water, (I don't) so I don't even look at the plastic bodies anymore!

I own the Stradic FJ in 1000, 3000, and 4000 size I also as I said own the 1000, and 2000 MgFB's and a 4000FI, The 3000 FE Sustain, a 1000F Saros and Symetre 2500FH and 2500 FI, they are all great reels, the little 1000Saros is the equal to the FI model Stradics, and the Symetre's I only slightly less as smooth and efficient. But out of all my spinning reels the FJ is hands down the smoothest of all. The new Saros and Symetre are of no interest to me with their graphite construction. I only fish freshwater, and prefer as much aluminum in the construction as I can get. I had the great Stradic ci4 and that was a short lived love afair!! It has been long gone as I think it is lacking the smoothness and efficiency of even the the FH stradics(which I feel are one of the best models ever produced). But I stand on my opinion based on the reels I currently own, and have owned all the older models in one or more size of the reels I mentioned here, the Stradic FJ is the smoothest and most efficient to date, and the equal if not slightly better than the Sustain FE. You Can not find a better buy on the planet the shimano FJ, their is a size for all freshwater species and most Saltwater. One Thing is for sure, when I sold all my other spinning gear 20 years ago and went to all Shimano, I never looked back! I use other brands from time to time when fishing buddies bring new models on board with us, and it doesn't take long to hand them back and pick up the best, I love my Shimano Spinning gear!

100% spot on, noisy if you run em dry, and wont see a difference if you run them wet. Boca is a brand and they come in any grade you like, I suggest an Abec 5 to my customers as most won't see the difference in the 7's, the very best is the Abec7's in my book, and from Boca as good as it gets for fishing reel applications. Unless you want the noise for hardly any noticeable difference with a lot of noise! Abec 5 Flushed and lubed with a quality light oil, and you will be delighted!!

Stradic 1000 hands down the smoothest and toughest of the 2 models!! I had a ci4 and sold it when I bought my FJ Sradic, sold all my older Stradics except a 1000, and a 2000 MgFB replaced the rest with the new FJ, the best Stradic to date!! Symetre is a great real, but noticeably not as smooth as the FJ Stradic, even more so under a load!

I would recomend a tournament or tournament pro, they both have the mag and centrifugal braking, the tournament mg is mag only. I think for the money the best buy is the Tournament Pro, lightest of the three, dual braking and you get the carbon handle, and my favorite, same as the Team, but lighter with a graphite side plate instead of aluminum!!

I install abec,5's. 7's and 9's which are the orange seals. I tell my customers to save the expense as the orange seals are more money and most will agree don't outperform the 7's in reel applications. I prefer a top quality abec 5 for performance in reel fishing situations. Very few would ever tell the difference in real world use! With that being said, add a few bucks to it and but a Lews or Shimano, and SMILE,,,,,you will be happy!!!

Well glen for the most part today Colt is just a name, it has been sold and traded off so many times who knows what it is today, plus there are Manufacturers that were willing to update weapons with much more modern materials, manufacturing processes and that sells. Kind of like the plastic guns???? a fad that the younger gun owners see as better than something that will last a life time and superior to the less expensive black guns. As for the Barrette I will just say, if you need 19 rounds, well maybe there is a better choice. I have 2 nephews over seas that are carrying 1911's they purchased in favor of the 9mm they were issued, and they tell me a lot of their buddies are doing the same, they want something that will defend their lives and the 45 acp. is a better cartridge if you are willing to practice and master it. I think the fad for large capacity is winding down also, and one shot stopping power is easier to attain with a slightly questionable shot with the bigger slug. The new plastic trend does concern me though as I am afraid we are going to see the firearms industry build what sells, whether it as reliable and durable as guns that were in operation a century ago and still are or not. Yes I know a lot of police are going 9mm 40 cal, and plastic. But I am the range officer at our county conservation club, and a lot of LEO's that use our range tell me they have no choice and have to use what the dept. requires, against their better judgement. A lot to do with political correct, and little to be what is best. There is the fact that most young shooters don't want real world experience or time practicing, and like fads, they are told its good so they think it is. Plus I think the cost of cheap ammo makes them like it better weather it is or not, you can by 9mm and 38 ammo for 1/2 the price or less than 40 or 45 cal ammo, the want noise over results, JMO. But I know what works better if you can spend the time to be proficient with it. I watch many young shooters use their gun at 20 feet and think they will be as calm and have as much time to react in real world situations as they do with their budies shooting a piece of paper. You should know Glenn, as Bob Dillon warned us, "THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING" and not always for the better!

I dont like guns made out of plastic or holsters, Rob Leahy, this guy is one of the best craftsman and a supper person period. my 1911 is in this rig daily for years, mI use it inside the waste with his optional straps. http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Cuda-.cfm?item_id=155&parent=669

Oh so true, why I carry my 1911, and I feel confident if I have to pull it I will have full control of the situation with a single shot, IF NEEDED! outa Bed to in bed, on my side, If I am hunting or defending myself from critters, well I have real poison for that. The Ruger Bisley Blackhawks are the 45 Colt, much more than your everyday 44 mag in the way of power for big game, 5 1/2" and 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter!! Rare! The Encore is chambered for the 460 S&W cartridge, 2786 FPS with a 200 grain factory load, I have taken Whitetail deer with it out to 260 yards, it will comfortably work out 300 yards, with 340 grain heavy handloads it will work on any big game animal in the world! I quit hunting with rifles over a decade ago, and have used hanguns for hunting for over a quarter century now, I will never feel under gunned.

For a first gun, get you a 4 or 6 inch barrled .22 rimfire or 357, if you choose the 357, use 38 spcl. ammo till get familiar with it and can hit what you are aiming at, if you can't hit your mark with the 38's forget trying 357. When you get familiar with one of those you can grow from there.

Till you are proficient, with any handgun, pulling one is a good way to end your life, get one and learn to use it. When you do get the the most powerfull one you can use 100% and is 100% reliable. I have been shooting handguns for over 50 years, I shoot about 3000 rounds a year and used to shoot a lot when I was younger. I prefer the tried and true 1911. I fully intend to take full control of a situation with the first shot if I ever have to pull it! My weapon of choice, DW Valor V-BOB completly reliable out of the box, and now that Dave Severns has finished it in his HH treatment and completed a tactical dehorn, I can accomplish that! No weapon will save your life if you can't quickly and efficiently use it, if you can't do that pulling it on an armed assailant will probably get you killed!

Of course, as soon as I put my pants on, before I leave the bedroom, till I hit the bed at night. If I am on my couch watchin TV, its on my side! DW Valor V-BOB 45 acp Stainless Steel, with Severens Hard Hat and very tasteful tactical dehorn!

Way to go, nice job! Fine deer, and great grub!

When it starts getting cold and they gotta eat, put yourself between him and the food source and you stand a good chance, January has been very good to me over the years for good bucks, when I don't score in the rut, this is my second favorite time to anchor bigger bucks.