FillupD

I use nanofil on the lighter stuff, 6-8 #. I realy like this dental flooss feeling stuff for spinning. I use 832 green on a few reels, including baitcasters. Great line. I used the ghost because the green worked out well and was disappointed. The ghost seemed stiff and didn't flow out as well. Probably a bad spool or my imagination? either way, the ghost it off, I tried to like it but it just wasn't as smmoth as the green 832. I have slick8 on a few now and it throws real nice but seems to fray, not bad but a little. I have som ultra-cast invisline coming today from a BF sale to try out next. Having a flouro leader helps out with just about all my braided lines, except top water.

One more vote for the swim'n senko. I even got the assortment box. I even own a couple of Dancin eels. Like new, never been bit.

I use a Dobyns 704 rod & Zillion reel with Slick 8 Power Pro. IMO, you don't need a super sensitive expensive rod for the reaction bait such as a frog. I think a rod +7' would be better than a seven footer though, it is on my short list.The rod action is going to change on the conditons but one thing probably will be used around 85-90% of the time and that is braided line that floats. I also use a short 15# floro leader because it has some abrasion resistance and if I get snagged up hard, I can break it off if need be + it just makes me feel good. Like said above though, it does save your main line from being used if you change or re-tie often. Sunline has a line they label as a pitch and frog line that is braid but it sinks, I can see it sinking for pitching but for frogs? can't figure that one out. I tend to lean towards Power Pro products for main line.

I have a President, a Supreme and a Patriarch. All nice reels but you can't go wrong with a President for the price. I also have an older quantum with TiMag III bail trip. It is heavy but I absolutely love that litte reel. You are on the right track with looking at Plueger or Quantum, but that is just my opinion, each to his own.

To add to the New Braid trick-if you have lost a little line over the years and want to get a full spool of braid back, tie on some mono and load your spool up. Now have someone hold the end of the line and walk it off until the spool is empty. Go back to the "holder" and retie the mono to the spool and load er up tight. Now you have new mono backing so the line dosen't spin on the spool and you end up with a full spool of unused braid.

I do notice a difference in performance when upgrading a reel, just not noticable performance change between running dry hybrids or lubed hybrids like you said in the above post. It sounds like some lube, some don't. It would probably be rare to experience a bearing worn out if its being maintained anyway. I'm curious DVT, do you have customer requests for bearings treated with tsi 301? (or do you have the opinion its hockus pockus)

I've heard a lot about the TSI 321 and 301 oils for stock bearings that was mentioned in that article. There have been some discussions about it by alan tani in his reel repair and building forums. It is supposed to be the cats meow to wake up stock bearings that are in good conditon. Its been stated that worn bearings should be replaced because they will be noisy because 301 & 321 is a dry lube. I haven't read or heard enough about it for use on ceramics, from the small amount I have been told is that it is only about 5% or so improvement if any at all for ceramics but for a stock SS bearing it has been great. If you like to tinker there is probably going to be some improvement treating SS bearings with this stuff and care and procedures should be followed. It is also very expensive but one bottle goes a long way. I was thinking about soaking the worm drive, brass gears and polished clutch plates in it so the metal would absord the lube so no more lubing those areas. Winter is coming and I don't ice fish so some tinkering and experimenting may be in order.

I've installed BOCA Orange Seal #7 bearings in many reels. Some are dry and are a little noisy, a little oil quiets them down and I personally don't see any casting differencse except quieter bearings. There are opinions that running dry will shorten life. The ceramic ball does not need lube but the SS outside race does. Some enthuisists state that runing dry will not effect life at all. Since I didn't realize an advantage (in casting distance) running dry I give each bearing a half drop of oil. The real difference is of course in the spin test after cleanng, dry runs forever but a litle lube will slow them down, but under load? I'm in the opinion that lube is an advantage and does not hinder spinrate (to a noticable level). They are not noisy and there is an advantage of having a light film of oil for the bearing. I've never worn a bearing out to where you could physically tell it was time for the trash bin. Probably replaced a few-no apparent reason, just wanted brand new. What do you guys do and what do you think about the life expectancy of a bearing.

I'm with aavery2 on the Daiwa wagon. The quick start-up and the brake release of a Magforce Z or Magforce V can'y be beat. I have reels with both and really like them, of course I am a Daiwa fan no doubt. Lets put a tuned zillion in the mix with magforce Z, Oh-Oh Shimano and Lew's. You lose. I also have a Curado 51E and a 201E7 (with BOCA OS#7) and they cast very well, I can't imagine the Lews being night and day different in casting ability. The Lew's Tournament Pro deserves a look at IMO and I'm curious to handle the reel to see how it performs. I'll have to agree with post above, the Shimano's are built well (as good as the older ones??) but I'm not crazy about sliding the side plate out of the way to adjust braking; although I understand it is kind of rare after you get your reel dialed in. I picked up one of the new 51 Chronarchs and put a Core mg handle & knobs on it. I will say, that that is probably one of the smoothest (reeling) reels I have ever had. It was buttery smooth and almost too smooth, kind of felt plasticy, cheaper than the older 51E Curado. I see why Shimano has had a succsessful exceptance to their most recent reel changes, They are still an "OK" reel. Off the casting distance debate, Here is an interesting article that will tell you just about everything you wanted to know about brakes and their attributs available on several manufacturers of reels. http://www.japantackle.com/Topics/brake_system.htm

I've been on outings where I had only used senko's but had other baits close by. I think I would feel helpless if I was unable to attempt to try to find a pattern for a succesful outing if the fish were not cooperating. There is the possiblity that you would use one type of lure and be lucky enough to hit it right, but I would not feel comfortable not having options. Personally I couldn't stand the thought of going out with only one rod & reel setup.

I've had braid on a few reels for a couple of years. I only use flouro for leaders but I would guess that the floro would get alittle springy after more than a few months on a reel even with some KVD Line & Lure conditioner. I've removed some older braid when swithching to PP Slick 8 line and the old stuff still looks great. I've prety much only had experience with Power Pro line and some 832. I would assume most braids would with stand an idle season. I my experience, the line stores perfectly right on the reel it is spooled on. Keep the reel covers on or put the reels back in the box for better protection. Maybe give the rods and reels a wipe down with some Reel Magic spray if you have any laying around.

I don't think he received it. He felt bad enough to at least pay some of the costs. I just thought I would point out that doing what I did should not have even been mentioned on the forum. Not all guys with low post counts are bad people and not all guys with high post counts are good people. I will say, it could have went worse for me. I could have got stiffed!

New or low count forum members. Beware of taking advice from the Good seller/buyers list post as quoted below. It states it is just a suggestion albeit a poor one, (in my case). Sales can go both ways, the new guy can be a stand-up guy and deliver as promised but as the quote expresses below, the tables may get turned and the new guy is the victim. Quoted from “Good seller/trader list” on the forum pinned posts. For the newer members trying to sell items with no BR 'feedback' built up....it should at least be considered that you ship your items first once a deal is reached. Shipping first will give the buyer peace of mind that they are not getting hosed and prove to other members that you are here to be an honest seller. Once the deal is complete, you will receive one positive point and your name will be added to the list. I've seen this work on other forums in the past. However, it's just a suggestion, not a "written in stone" rule. Message received from Buyer: Hi, I'm interested in the Calcutta. My concern is you have only 20 posts since 2007 and not one posted feedback, and it just makes me uncomfortable as I've been burnt in the past. I'm an active member and contribute daily, and have feedback. I would be willing to pay the full amount upon receipt of the reel. I can paypal the funds as a gift so there would be no fees to you. Also, who changed the spool bearings? Just want to be sure it was done using the correct tool to press out the shaft pin, as the shaft can become damaged if done with pliers. Let me know your thoughts. My Reply: I haven't been active in this forum very much at all. (Lurked alot) I changed the spool bearings and have done many of the pin removals, mostly on Daiwa reels. I found a pair of pliers that works perfect for them but I still would like to get the ones from BOCA, just haven't pulled the trigger on those yet. I've seen alot of your posts, I enjoy a lot of your comments. Send me your address and I'll send you the reel, if you don't like it, send it back. email me and I'll paypal the return postage to you or paypal my account to pay for the reel. I've been burned also, I know how you feel. Fair enough? Let me know what you want to do. What Happened: I sent the reel, the post office tracking recorded it as delivered. The buyer said when he got home, his mailbox was open and the only thing that was in it was wet letters. Communication was good between us and there was effort to track the reel down. At the end, no reel showed up and he offered to pay $150.00 of the $230.00 that was promised. I guess it is better than getting hung out to dry. It is a lesson that doesn’t sit well with me though. I believe the statement in the Good seller/trader list to even considering this sort of transaction should be deleted. A high an active post count probably should not factor in with sale transactions. Just my opinion and experience.

I was told the post office there was contacted and they were not much help. It seemd like they could care less if it was stolen. I would assume if theft was suspected that a police report would be made but it does not sound like that is in the plans for him. Maybe it is something I can explore.

That is kinda funny, the address house number is 66. It wouldn't matter in this case. Thanks for the comment though!