jimmyjoe

You need to know your body, and what you like and what you dislike. The answers other people give you are applicable to them, but may or may not be applicable to you. Ultimately, only you can answer the question you asked us. jj

There. That's better for these old eyes. ? jj

It is, perhaps, more of a perceived problem than a real problem, at least for some people. But I have a tendency to use line that is lighter rather than heavier, because I'm a shorecaster and want distance. And because I fish regularly in waters that have pike, musky and wipers, I can foresee the extra friction under heavy load might be critical. Let's put it another way; I don't want to break one of my lighter lines to find out where that little red line lies. ? As always ...... I could be wrong. jj

Your point, @Mick D, about the friction of line through the levelwind is a telling one. I think what we need to do here is separate ideal theory from everyday practicality. He doesn't know how I fight fish, does he? ??? Seriously - I would look to a spiral wrap as more advantageous for a rod that would be heavily loaded than one not heavily loaded. Under heavy drag settings, fighting a large fish that works back and forth, trying to get to cover, is easier with a spinning rod provided you have a spinning rod of the appropriate power. Spiral wrap could, possibly, give you this "ease" in a much-easier-to-handle package (casting) if it really kept the line off the blank. Just my outlook. I believe that the critical point is made here; this system, like so many systems, needs to be done correctly. It's like tuning race engines; each needs to be tuned correctly. However ..... I'm not a racecar driver. Other people, however, are. jj

Yeah, I know what you mean. There's a difference between being forced to participate when you're a kid and looking on as a (moderately) interested adult. jj

Redemption, indeed! I had not noticed that. It's a really nice combo at a good price!. jj

For all single-hook techniques, I would err on the heavier power side rather than the lighter side. For the techniques you described, I would go MH/F, possibly MH/MF. Unfortunately, some things you have to try to see how they work for you rather than the guy next to you. That's life. BTW - @MN Fisher has given you good advice. jj

For several years, I was limited to spinning gear due to arthritis. I threw 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits on a 6'-06" St. Croix avid M/F spinning rod, 3/16-5/8 and 6-12 lb. test rating. I was kinda tentative, but several people here assured me that the rod was adequate to the task ...... and it was. If I were to do it all over again, I would choose the 7' Avid-X MH/F, but right now I don't need to. Reel was at first a size 40 Pflueger, and then a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000FB, which I still have. I used 12 lb. Trilene XL. I, as well as many other people, prefer baitcasters for heavier lures or lures with greater resistance. That is preference only; it's not chiselled in stone. jj

Spirals load the upper blank the same way as spinning rods do. They do not load the blank in the same manner as spinning rods in the transition area - at least not the ones I have tried. Remember; I like moderate actions and more progressive loading than many people do. It seems to make some small difference. To an extent, I agree. The cagey system simply optimizes line efficiency under load towards one side, while sacrificing it towards the opposite side. Not good for the way I fish. Left-handed cagey spiral loaded to the left: Left-handed cagey spiral loaded to the right: And these are fast actions, not moderate. I would expect the moderate action to be "worse". jj

This is my opinion: Spiral wraps are not practical for me for one reason; they reduce line friction and blank torsion towards one side, but increase it towards the opposite side. I cast equally to my right as I do towards my left, especially with spinnerbaits. And I hook fish (and fight them) equally as often towards my right side as I do my left. If I'm not mistaken (and I might be!) the Cagey Hook Wrap makes this difference even more obvious. jj

If you satisfy the minimum contract requirements, there are Asian companies that will manufacture merchandise that they have, with your specifications on color and packaging, including language, logo and printing. As for the Cotton Cordell name, AFAIK Pradco owns it. The can put it on anything they want. jj

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Hahaha - haha! Yeeaaah ... you wish! ????

When I was little, Mom would always put molasses in ham-n-bean soup. A lot of the old folks used molasses for a lot of things. But then again, many of the Old Way raised cane and made their own molasses, so that was probably why. I left that world in 1967. I've not seen anyone make their own molasses since. Who knows ......... maybe I should return one of these days and see how things have (not) changed. jj

If we're talking about the Mississippi, there's no way. We don't call it "The Sewer of The Midwest" for nothing! Lakes? Hmmmmmm ............ I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. jj

Sorry to hear of your Reynaud's disease. The best thing I can think of is to find a pair of mittens with a pocket for handwarmers, like these: You can also search the web for battery heated gloves; they're all over. jj

I put them in order in a 3700 box. On the inside of the lid, I stick self-adhesive labels with the info that I believe is pertinent. The labels for the front lures are closest to the hinge, the ones for the lures in the rear are closest to the snaps. Pop the top, and .... Voila! ..... right in order, scan and pick. jj I don't have the depth on these labels because I'm a shorecaster, and don't use really deep divers.

Thank you for remembering Charlie Helin. Nowadays, most people call it the "Worden's Flatfish", but in no way does plastic replicate wood. jj

I have several brands of spinnerbaits, all rated 1/2 oz. They weigh .75 to .81 ounces total. The big "thumper" Colorado blades pull like a freight train. If you know how your rod reacts to weights and resistances, you can figure from this information what you need to know. Personally, I only use rods rated to 1 oz. or more for 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits .......... but! ......... I drag those suckers right over the rocks most of the time, too. That makes a big difference. jj

Yeah, that's why I deleted the recipe I posted. It wasn't really chili at all, but bean soup with chili seasonings. I lived in Texas for a year or 15 months, and I learned REAL quick what chili was ....... and wasn't. jj

deleted.

Sometimes the rotors on Magforce-Z reels gets "stuck". Take the left sideplate off, and VERY CAREFULLY see whether the rotor will move in and out easily. If it doesn't you have your problem right there. If it does, take the finest oil you know of and oil the shaft on the spool, then re-assemble the reel and cast several times. See if there's not a change. Good luck! jj

This is a bible of trolling in very few words. Read it well! JJ

Like @WRB said, it depends on what you're using for a lure. Trolling rods range anywhere from ultralight (the Lamiglas Kokanee trolling rods made from fiberglass) to medium (like the Shimano Compre rods made from graphite) to heavy (like the Lamiglas XCC rods made from a graphite lower section and fiberglass tip). So your M/M rod DEFINITELY fits in there somewhere. You just need to determine exactly where. Good luck! Trolling can be flat-out fun! jj

Dang! That's a composite rod if ever I saw one! ??? jj