FishTank

That is a beast in little package.

Back at you.....

Shimano Bantam MGL. It has plenty of line capacity, palms well, and is built like a tank.

I have only held this rod in hand but I would say it's a broom stick. 5/8 Oz lures would be the lowest I would go. I think you could use it for top water, frogs, medium sized swimbaits, jigs and heavy texas rigged soft plastic.

You should be good for a long time with the washers you have. I have upgraded a few over the years but only had to replace a couple in my reels, mainly because I had accidentally over tightened them or they had just started to fall apart. I think the one I replaced this year was about 15 years old in my Shimano Calcutta.

The answer is yes...... 6-8lb Trilene XL 100% FC on spinning gear 12lb Invizx> General Purpose 12lb Tatsu> Main line for T-rig Soft Plastic 15lb Tatsu> Jigs and heavier soft plastic 15lb Abrazx> Anything in heavy structure 20lb Invizx> Flip and Pitch

My fishing buddy has one and has yet to catch anything on it but it looks promising.

MS American Shad and Ghost Minnow.

I have a pair of Smith's that I posted on another thread that have mirror polychromatic amber lenses. They have the highest contrast out of any lens I have used and zero glare.

Smith's Guide's Choice.

I would order it. I played this game before and it was not worth the hassle. The head, length, diameter and thread size have to be exact. Also, they are not common US sizes. When I order from Shimano, I always order extra screws, e clips, bearing retainers, and springs. They are cheap and don't mind spending a couple of bucks to save head ache.

Nice. Why couldn't I find something like this for my wife for mother's day? Saving this for the next go around. Just in case, I have to admit, any big purchase I discuss with my wife, which includes fishing equipment. It's her money as well as it is mine.

Found a Shimano Calcutta 251 for I think $35. It's been awhile. Got it at a junk/antique store but pawn shops are to me just crazy. I avoid them at all costs.

And I wonder why I don't shop at Ali Express.....

Like stated above, you received good customer service. Not all sites can update their inventory in real time and it is highly possible to place an order for something at the same time as someone else. I was surprised you received a call at all. They made a personal choice instead of just sending a bulk email that your items was out of stock. Anytime a business confronts a situation first hand, its the only positive thing they can do if the item is out of stock.

Another vote for St.Croix Legend Glass. By far the best crank bait rod I have used. Also, personal preference, I don't care for moderate rods for top water or chatter baits. For top water I like a fast rod MH or Heavy. For chatter baits I like a moderate fast rod or a jerkbait rod.

I have a couple K's and have no issues casting a 3/8oz lure, especially jerk baits. My preferred line is 10lb FC and a Medium Fast rod with a soft tip.

I have had rods with both small guides and micro and don't see a benefit from either one. The micro guides on one rod I have might make it a little more sensitive but I have no way of knowing it. I also wouldn't go out of my way to buy a rod with micro guides either.

I would go with either 12lb or 15lb Seaguar Invizx for casting gear. If you want to use 20lb, save it for flipping and pitching. Also, 6lb or 8lb would be great for spinning gear. I like Trilene XL 100% FC.

I worked on a buddies CU-200s every year and replaced all of this drag washers this year. They had become flattened and rounded out. I just cut them from a sheet of carbontex I ordered from Amazon. You just have to be careful what thickness you get. They worked great. https://www.amazon.com/Cabric-0-5mm-Carbon-Sheet-Washer/dp/B07XQJ4HDV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=carbontex+sheet&qid=1620337532&sr=8-1

Not so much where I work and around us. We interview about 25-50 people a week that want a job but they suck, to be polite. Where my daughter works they just hired 500+ people at $16.75 hour, putting together medical kits. On another note.....My niece used her government money to pay rent as her place of employment went under and she can't get work in her industry at this time. Some of my coworkers have donated their money to others around them in need or to their families. So from my perspective, I see that money being either spent or allocated. I have been donating mine to this Bait Monkey guy. If you see him, tell him I'll be a little short this week. ?

I think the current state of things has made a shortage of people at work (not necessarily a shortage of work) and made them want to get outside more. It seems the outdoor activity industry has a boom going on as well as a lack of raw materials and available workers. In my place of employment, we sell and manufacture outdoor manufacturing tools and we can't answer our phones fast enough or make enough product to sell. We and others in our industry are experiencing growth we are not sure how to account for. It sure is interesting times.

Bummer. I lost a Core 101mg not to long ago. I really liked this reel. I think again you would like the Bantam. Think round reel in a low profile. I have been using mine for cranking since I got it. Great little powerhouse.

If you don't still have the reel, the Bantam would be a good choice. Also, I work on a few reels from time to time and have only seen maybe 6 or 7 reels that have had gear wear and only 4 of those actually needed replacing. These reels come from tournament fisherman so they have seen heavy use. I am curious as to what caused such heavy wear, especially on a Calcutta Conquest? I have a Calcutta 251 that is 15+ years old , has been abused and the gears are still smooth.

By hand. It's the way I learned 40 years ago. Pull the line and close the bail at the same time.