FishTank

Try cleaning all the bearings, including the AR, in acetone like you did with the pinion and main gear. In most cases, it's the AR bearing. It's easy to check. When the reel is apart, take the sleeve and use it turn the spool.

I really like it so far. I have thrown baits on it from around 1/2oz up to 2oz. I have used it for everything from jigs to crankbaits and I have been pleased with how it performs all around. It wouldn't be my first go to for jigs though. My favorites baits for it are topwater and the Alabama rig. Just a few notes on this rod.... It has an extendable handle and it has spiral wrapped guides. Also, the overall action of this rod is somewhere between a glass rod and a graphite rod so it's both soft and sensitive.

I have been using two different setups for the MagDraft..... Megabass P5 Super Destroyer and a 2012 Antares 5.x:1 with 15lb Tatsu. Megabass Valkyrie 7'1'' Heavy and a 2012 Antares 7.x: with 14lb Sunline Shooter. I just reel slowly Both of these set ups have been great and will cast 6in MagDraft a mile. Between the two I like the Valkyrie the best for this bait.

I have my Steez CT on a NRX+ 802C. I use if for shaky head soft plastic (usually a roboworm with a 1/16 or 1/8oz head), small swimbaits, and occasionally a 5in weightless senko (this will max the rod though). I would call what I use on it not quite BFS. This set up is super light and it kind of has that magical feel to it.

This is most of the stuff I ordered but not all. My wife confiscated some of my orders as they arrived. She wrapped each piece individually, including the hooks and split rings. I could have killed her. It took a good long time to open them all.

G. Loomis NRX+ 895C and a Daiwa Zillion HD with 15lb Abrazx. I will probably switching to braid next year for cutting through the vegetation but I have had no issues with the Abrazx so far.

I have two suggestions.... First, Abu Garcia Kurofune LT. A buddy of mine has one of these he ordered from Japan and it's not bad. He uses it for crankbaits. It reminds me of a bigger Revo SX with a big handle. Second. Daiwa Dynastar from Digitaka. I was eyeing this reel a few years back for swimbaits but found a used/new Calcutta for the same price. It runs around $120 at this time. Too bad, the OP didn't ask two weeks ago. That would have been a good time to get in on the discount code barrage at Pure Fishing.

I was waiting as well. I got an email from my guy at JPL and I went to purchase one. I had something to take care and was away from computer for 15min and the one I wanted was gone. Went to Digitaka instead. It was about $25+ more from them but it's on the way. I plan to use it for crankbaits but I may change my mind. We will see how it compares to the Zillion.

It will be a few days before it gets here but he got me today....

I was recently was on a search for the same kind of rod. I was looking for something that could throw a deep crank a long way, not destroy my arm on the retrieve and do a good job of setting the hook. I ended up with the G. Loomis IMX Pro 866CBR Deep Flex. I have only used it a few times but it handles big baits really well but it seems under powered or just thin for a deep heavy rod. I also have the Megabass Valkyrie 7'1'' H with spiral wrapped guide. This rod can do just about anything. I have thrown up to the Big M on it and down to 1/2oz frogs. It can cast anything a mile. My only gripe is that when using deep baits it can vibrate pretty hard but it's not a huge deal.

I have mine on a St. Croix 6'8'' Med Fast. I use it for light Texas rigged soft plastic and jerkbaits.

Good luck. I have had friends and family go through it and every situation is different. Good news is you are an adult that gets to start with a clean slate. You know what needs to be done. Be the example and the reason.

I considered the Blade a while back but ended up with the Super Destroyer. I have thrown 6in Magdrafts on it with no issue. I have thrown a few crankbaits on it but nothing below 1/2oz. In general, this rod is capable fishing almost anything. Also, if you are looking to get a P5, I would do it soon. I just noticed the prices have changed on the Megabass US website but not as of yet at most tackle websites.

I don't think it matters much to me anymore which one I use. I believe conditions, lure size, and line weight have more to do with it. For example, casting light braid on spinning gear with a 1/8oz lure into a 15+mph wind is not a good recipe for accuracy.

I haven't had much luck with their spinner baits but only have one. The skipping jig looks identical to the flipping jig. The only difference I think is the weed guard is thicker on the the flipping jig.

Got several boxes in today and I'm still going through it all..... My jigs for next year. I wasn't much of a jig fisherman in the past but over the past three years it's been my go to for big fish. The OSP jigs have been great when the bite gets tough but I still don't think you can beat the quality of Siebert's. The Berkley's have done well for me too and with the sale they had, you can't go wrong.

Looks like Spiderwire, either Dura braid or the old version of Stealth braid. Not a fan of this line.

My Geecrack order finally arrived from Japan. The Craws have been fantastic for me both as a trailer and Texas rigged. The Firecraw color especially. I haven't found anything else that looks like it.

I think the 843C CBR would be ideal for 3/8oz squarebills. As to why Loomis doesn't have a GLX crankbait rod.... they use to and discontinued them. I owned one and didn't like it. It was actually too sensitive and it didn't have a good arc to keep the fish pinned. I would loose fish with it and the constant heavy thump would drive me crazy. I ended up selling it. Other rods to consider, look at St. Croix Legend Tournament and at the Megabass P5. The P5's to me are very versatile. I have been very pleased with the ones I have.

For what the OP wants to use, I would go with the 843C IMX CBR. I have the 903C and use it for square bills and chatterbaits. Great rod. It is a little faster than some crankbait rods but not as fast as the MBR series. With that said, the 842 might be more versatile and better for small paddle tail swimbaits.

Zillion for sure. Great reel. Probably my favorite of all the Daiwa reels I have owned.

They had a deal were you buy four hardaits, get 25% off, then they had a buy so many get one free, and finally the 50% off coupon. I only put the code in and somehow got all the discounts. I also picked up some other baits. The Stunna's came out to be around $5.50 and crankbaits between $3-$4. Some are for me and some are for gifts Figured, why not. I think I spent around $100 total. I will post some pics when it all arrives.

I will throw some topwater in winter like a popper or a spook but I do it slow. I also fish a crankbait quickly in winter as well.

I had no luck with the Hella Craws. The Swammers worked for me but no different than any other paddle tail. I know nothing about the Hellraizer.

One of a few orders that I placed showed up today. This is my first Slideswimmer and will probably be the most expensive bait I have ever thrown . It better catch some big ones.