I use a 6.3:1 round reel that was given to me that I can lock down the drag on 65 lb line. It's used with a 7.5' heavy action extending rod that was given to me also. My bait is a tube with a 1 1/8 oz tungsten weight. I recently was thinking about building a better rod and probably will. I usually fish all winter in central FL but I have a health problem and won't make it this year.
Forum: rodboard

Looks good from my house.
Forum: rodboard

Another thing to think about is a 1/2 oz jig is considerably over 1/2 oz when you add a plastic trailer.
Forum: rodboard

Ed, IMO the best blanks are to be used for bottom contact baits. Worms, jigs, etc.
Forum: rodboard

Welcome Norm. You have helped me a couple of times with advice and parts which I appreciate. You'll make a great moderator.
Forum: rodboard

Rainshadow IMMS68ML-TC works. I caught 5 bass last afternoon. I was using an IMMWS62MXF-TC and can't really tell the difference in the bite yet except the longer rod casts further. I wanted the Fast to see if I could feel the bite more than the Extra fast.
Forum: rodboard

Rainshadow IMMS68ML-TC for finesse worm fishing. 6 lb mono or 10 lb braid. Palm swell seat, SSR guides. Built last week but can't use it in this cold weather. I'm a wuss.
Forum: rodboard

For real light lures, 1/32 and below a softer action, moderate, will cast further but will be harder to control. IMO
Forum: rodboard

Work as an assembly line to get it done faster. Lay all 4 rods out, glue the spacers into the reel seats, ream the grips and seats, glue them all to the blanks. The wrapping will be done one at a time. Get different colors of thread for each kid's rod. Have fun with your building. They won't be all perfect.
Forum: rodboard

Your best bet to get Shimano discontinued parts is to go on @#$%& and buy junk reels. I had a couple of reels with bad one way bearings that I tried to repair. Still didn't work consistantly. Found some old reels that I scavanged the parts from. Kels has the most Shimano parts and they'll most certainly have the line roller. They're in Orlando.
Forum: rodboard

For the past few years I've been using either Minima or SSR guides and have been pleased with the results. I use light, 6 and 8 lb, mono on the rods I've built and haven't any problems. Ceramic tip tops of course. On my next build I'll try the Adaman coated guides. Thanks Norm.
Forum: rodboard

When I cut the IMMS62MXF, which is 6'2", down to 5'6" I noticed it is faster. I've been using it for several years with decent results. It's used with 6 lb mono, 1/16th or 1/8th oz slip sinker and a finesse worm 99% of the time. I've tried it with braid and, in the river, I don't feel the bite as well as the mono. BTW I've never fished in the Flint for shoal bass, only in the rivers
Forum: rodboard

BTW I'm not fishing for smallmouth. Mostly Alabama and shoal bass in GA and LM in FL. I'm almost sure I'll like it.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the insight guys. I have other rods I use for different applications but not for worm fishing in small rivers like I do. I made the short rod to shoot under trees along the banks floating down the rivers but I'll have to learn to cast again. I'll give a report on the rod when it's built and when I'm using it.
Forum: rodboard

I'm primarily a bass fisherman and fish with a 6'2" Immortal for lake fishing and the same rod cut to 5'6" for river fishing with a spinning reel and a finesse worm. I use a 6' MHX rod for baitcasting a larger worm.
Forum: rodboard

Had a problem setting the hook on a few river bass last week, couldn't catch up with them, and was wondering if a longer rod would help. I'm using an IMMWS62MXF-TC cut to 5 1/2' now and have been for several years. It's caught hundreds of bass with 6 lb mono but everyone, but me, is using longer rods now. I use the IMMWS62MXF-TC, full length, for lake bass with no problem with hook sets. I th
Forum: rodboard

I've tried a few different reel seats and found the palm swell style the most comfortable. It's a little heavier than others.
Forum: rodboard

I used to be a motorcycle mechanic and had to have 3 sets of tools; SAE for domestic, metric for European and Asian and British Standard for Triumphs, BSAs and Nortons. I also have a couple of tape measures with standard on top and metric on the bottom so they're not hard to find. Digital calipers are also in both. IMO metric is much easier to use and I'm old.
Forum: rodboard

I'm a glasses wearer and used to use clip-ons. My buddy wore Cocoons and I tried those and they are much better than the clip-ons. My fishing buddy wears glass Costas and can see much more than I can. When I get the cataract out of my right eye I will invest in a pair and wear reading glasses to tie hooks.
Forum: rodboard

<p>Power hump grip.</p>
Forum: rodboard

<p>Handle help.</p>
Forum: rodboard

There are new reels that handle light line much better than older ones. $$$. That being said the lightest I use with a bait caster is 8 lb line with an 1/8 oz weight and a 4 3/4 " finesse worm. Good luck with your build and let us know.
Forum: rodboard

1/2 of a fresh medium shrimp, #1 short shank heavy hook,1/4 oz slip sinker, 8 or 10 lb fluorocarbon line. Wait until the rod goes down to set.
Forum: rodboard

As Norm said there are lots of suitable blanks out there. I've built several rods with the Rainshadow IMMWS62MXF 6'2" walleye blank. I use them for a different purpose but they're extremely sensitive. I use either minima or Mudhole SSR guides with a ceramic tip top.
Forum: rodboard

When I was 10 I went to a park where they were having fly casting and fly tying lessons. My folks dropped me off and I was on my way to become a fly fisherman. The last few years I had arthritis in my shoulder that kept me from fly fishing very much but I do cast for bream when I'm wintering in FL. I went to a fishing show several years ago and Lefty Kreh was there asking for a volunteer to gi
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, so I'm not crazy after all.
Forum: rodboard

Have you considered a narrower reel?
Forum: rodboard

Are thread sizes the same throughout the manufacturers? Reason is I bought some Fugi thread and it seems thinner than Mudhole's Prowrap.
Forum: rodboard

Thank you. The SSRs are probably 1/2 the weight of any Fugis and that's why I use them.
Forum: rodboard

...Mudhole SSR guides with Fugi KR guide placement software?
Forum: rodboard