I look at it as ID vs guide size. Torzites allow me to go a size down in running guides. As more slim ring designs come into play, this narrows. and to me really only matters on the lightweights. Or it just makes me feel better
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The FAF LMX are the worst ones. They test my patience. The classic and Gama Beta are hand sanded. So you “lucked” out
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Just going off of Peter’s comment, look at the Batson Rain shadow RX6 inshore popping just as a reference
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The NFC P700 or CB701 will work well for light lures and smaller bass. These are the lightest I have built in a while and I ordered the CB701 by mistake (704) so take it for what it is worth. The 701 has a softer tip. I fished the 700 yesterday with 4gram lures and it did quite well. I cut 6” off each for their specific usage. Are you wanting something with a more parabolic bend?
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X3, lower tension otherwise it digs in and you can’t pack. If you can wrap towards the butt. Some days off the foot flows, others…..the LMX FAF are bears. Just cut off and redo the bad ones until you hit the groove, pun intended.
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Biggest benefit to me is having the butt secured. Having it steady allows the thread to track better. I have a Flexcoat even though I do like 3 jaw chucks. Maybe I can repurpose the old southbend or have the nephew print me a mini chuck. The newer DC motors are very nice. The 3 jaw are much faster to me as it is all sizes. That said, for flyrods, I would only use power on longer ferule wraps
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My go to spinners for a while have been Spheros, just a lot of bang for the buck. I didn’t notice that much difference with the pricier versions. Saltwater baitcasters, was a Lews bargain hunter, but they don’t seem to hold up, i tried a Curado DC, meh. I did hear the higher end jdm reels have much better electronics. Curado 70 and BFS are great. Recently got a Zillion for a Birthday present. Da
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I’m the odd man and like shorter rods. The 8-4” meridian is very nice. I fish inshore marshes and don’t wade. So boat or kayak, redfish or bass. The shorter rods are quite handy and much easier on the shoulder. 90% of my shots are undef 40. In the scheme of Don’t Do It ;) I had an extra Iconoglass 8wt blank (nephew who fishes a Method didn’t like mine) so for grins, I cut a foot off the bu
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For freshwater I always used snakes. For salt I like recoils. The black recoils squeak way less. I think a cerecoil 16 is very slightly smaller than a Fuji 16. Someone here probably knows the exact ID off the top of their head. Mix and match to your heart’s content. I like full wells on everything, but I will put a mini or bull nose version on lighter or short builds. Some of that will be
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Thanks David, I have come close to trying the classic on several occasions. Moderate or fast. When you get down to 5/6 in a series, I get nervous without feeling one. Just because I like the 8 doesn’t mean the 5 or 6 has any backbone.
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Well of course lines matter. I have enough lines to chose from to help with testing, looking at the blank options. Distance is also a big consideration in the equation. Bigger flies short distance.
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Thanks, I have a couple light crankbait rods needing a home, so I ordered some #5’s in titanium from the Seaguide TiXMG and AT to try out.
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Looking at any alternatives to the Fuji kb/kt for inshore Light-Medium saltwater casting and fly. I have always used Fuji guides, Typically Fuji from 5.5-6. In Ti, the price between sic and Torzite only ends up being about $15 a rod in the smaller sizes. So to me, the Torzite and the bigger ring opening is a no brainer. Any take on Fuji CC vs Ti? I live in a salt marsh area for reference. Loo
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Thanks, I have an LMX 8wt and it is a great blank. That is as fast as I care to go anymore as I am finding myself supplanting my fast rods with more moderate ones. Unless I’m in wind over 15, it is just more enjoyable. I do have a cts 7mx coming to give it a shot. The matrix was tempting for the shorter length and mod-fast. But I agree they seem to be slowly phased out in favor of the newer
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Just adding this here as it is a continuation of 5 wts. Any opinions on the Matrix 805 2 piece? Looking for a 5wt for small streamers or foam hoppers and not long distance. Looking for a bit of butt power. Just playing around with this build so not a real pricey blank. Also echoing an above sentiment, I really like the NFC Iconoglass 4wt for mountain streams.
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I think St Croix still makes the mojo bass at 7-11, no blanks at geeks
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For the John. flexcoat guy. If measuring by weight, is it 50/50 or slightly off?
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My last order shipped exactly 2 weeks after order. 10 blanks. Arrived today. Everything in order. They are different to deal with, but they are a manufacturer vs others. No bad experience. Just slower compared to Voodoo. Maybe Michael or someone can chime in on the backbone of the Point Blank 701L would fit
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;)
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Bass fishing tournament rules is under 8 I believe, so look at bass Rods. CTS will custom make or has options for shorter. A few in glass too Barclay 777 or Graywolf 7/8
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Regarding Fuji, I just had to order from three different suppliers to complete a couple guide trains in titanium guides. Bit of a scavenger hunt of late.
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Look of corks wins out for me, but I admit to liking the feel of carbon and starting to use it more. Super easy to fit. Seems like all the manufacturers have started using less resin and different fabrics for a better feel. Winn Grips. Well they feel great on golf clubs, but they don’t last. I don’t know if there is a different formula for reel seats or improvements in the past years.
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With that seat, I put a little glue in the hood end and spread around. Put insert in from opposite end. When insert is most of the way, put glue around the rear of the insert and push it in the rest of the way.
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A salt 6wt makes a good streamer rod. 7wt if more wind. Blank action and distance play a big part in my choices. As I get older, I like the faster rods less and less. Editing of what Michael said, the quickline is similar to NFC LMX? Fish an LMX 8 a lot. It is as fast as I care to go. Distance for me. Up closer, I like the Lamson saltwater 6wt (now cobalt). More of a mod fast to me and will loa
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The NFC gmma alpha is very nice, but 8’-6”
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Thanks. Small reel, zillion Thought it was interesting that nfc listed the same layout for spiral and spinning. I used their casting layout just with the running guides 180. Pretty much spot on. just normal process. Glued on seat, grip and tip with guides held in place with bands. It was pretty close with standard layout, only had to adjust two guides to get a line path I was happy with.
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Thanks Tom
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Bringing this back to life rather than create another spiral thread. Was just wrapping a light popping blank and figured I would try a spiral. I had it set up RV 6, kb5, kb4.5 then kt4 to tip. 10+tip on 7 foot blank. Will that guide train work rotating everyone to a simple spiral? I could work a kw 5 double foot in or an extra KB? Thanks
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Shane at Graywolf did a run of short spinning blanks. Not sure if he has them for sale as blanks or not. Not cheap but tailored to your application
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I like the clean look of the flex coat supports and the alps chuck ;) oh well. I have often wondered if the flex coat supports would fit my garage tool holder track. Might just order a support to see.
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