Thanks fellas for the replies! First I'll try to give a bit more information into what I am considering. I intentionally left the questioning vague an open ended to get a broader answer base. So here it goes...... Species wise, I'm willing to bet it's an overkill to use 60-80lb class gear in NorCal to chase after albacore on the troll. But considering I do spend more time on party boats
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Hey fellas, what advantages/disadvantages are there in using steel framed rollers (Aftco, All American) versus aluminum frame rollers (Batson, Stuart, Winthrop). Is it a weight/balance factor or other performance concern? Tolerances? Heat dissapation? Flexibility? etc..... Just curious as I am about to venture into a 60-80lb class trolling rod and using 80-100lb hollow core spectra and appr
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Thanks Kevin and BIlly! The Virtus lites are very nice...I got them to go on some heavy freshwater/light freshwater swimbait rods and they look great! Just wondering if the Heavy version would actually work for up to 80lb gear? Personally, I don't care for how the turbo-style guides look but its function over forum for me....if the turbos would operate/function subjectively "better
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Hey fellas, has anyone built up any heavier salt water rods using the AmTak Virtus Heavy guides? If so, what is your overall impression on the guide? And, at what point (ie line class) does the Virtus Heavy cross over to the AmTak Titan Turbo guide? Been thinking about wrapping up some live bait and trolling sticks for albacore fishing here in . I don't really see the need for using a roll
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Hey Jeff, the Fuji PSS seat is a great seat when you're slinging big baits for a longer period of time. On some factory rods I have, they use the Fuji size 17 seats and a couple inshore rods even use a size 18. After a while the trigger seems to dig into my fingers a bit more. Granted, this could be caused by my grip position. But when using the PSS, I find that my hand rests more naturall
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Hmm, I looked thru the AR page Jim, prolly missed it somewhere....I'll give MH a shout. Gonna need to find some bigger sizes tho too!?
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Hey fellas anyone got any idea where I can find the KDPS in 17/18/20 sizes respectively, beside Matagi? I've found the 16 at Mudhole but drawing blanks everywhere else including the sponsors for the other sizes. Thanks!
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Thanks Tom and Bill for the replies! What you mentioned Tom makes perfect sense! Bill, what do you mean by "false underwrap?" A pic for me would be great! I'm a bit fuzzy on this one.... Well here's what I left out: The rods are going to be used for heavy freshwater swimbaits from 4-10oz primarily for largemouth bass but I can see them being used for musky also. The rods wil
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Well fellas I hate to drag up an old topic again but I was hoping to get a bit more opinions and thoughts. My personal decision is to go with underwraps with my current builds using double foot baitcasting guides. But my question is what affect(s) does a full length underwrap (that is the entire length of the guide) versus an interupted (that is an underwrap under each guide foot) have on t
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Hey thanks for all the info fellas! I'm gonna spring for some files and Dremel attachments and work away on some practice guides before plopping down some cash! Thanks again!
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Thanks Roger for the info. Been a little bit hesistant to use grinder/sander to prep guides in fear of weaking the guide feet and potentially causing breakages. Hence I figured using hand files, but it'll take more time and maybe end up with a less finish product compared to a grinder/sander. How about using a Dremel instead?
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Hey Darrin or Joe, what are the guide spec's on the Virtus Lite and Heavy guides? Looking for guide height and guide length for all sizes. Thanks!
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Thanks fellas....any particular brands I should consider or just any "name" brand? Hey George, with regards to the concave underside, you had mentioned strokes in the direction of the cut. Can you please elaborate what you mean? I'm a bit fuzzy there....do you mean from the center of the guide outward to the tip or vice versa? Thanks again!
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Hey folks, for those of you that are guide prep-ping using hand files, what kinda files are you using? I can't seem to get my fingers coordinated enough to work the smaller guides on a dremel so I figure i better use some hand files. If I don't, I forsee myself inadvertently grinding off a guide foot or two! Thanks!
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Hey thanks Craig! How's the action on them? Are they pretty stiff thru the entire length or do the tips have a bit of action too? I figured if the blanks have a mag-fast action it'd be perfect for moving WSB, cobia and tarpon sized species quick.
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Hey fellas been wondering if anyone has built up any of the IMU-series for inshore duties? Been thinking of building some of the 7'+ models for chunking bait and working artificials? The ratings seems pretty favorable for bottom fishing too. Are their actions pretty close to the ISWB (swimbait) or are they a bit stiffer thru-out? Thanks!
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Hey Barry, could I please get a forward copy of the Guide Prep Tutorial too please? Thanks Will
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Hey Tom, Billy and Steven, many thanks for the replies. Tom, I forgot the EVA+flock option, glad you mentioned it :) Just looking for the lightest combination available for full length foregrip and rear grip for an inshore rod. Rigidity and durability are pluses too. Thanks again fellas!
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Okay fellas, my searching skills are weak and I can't seem to find any recent threads so here we go... Given a grip that is made with either straight EVA or cork plus X-flock, which would yield a lighter overall grip with a OD 1" with 12" length and ID 1/2"? Thanks!
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What's the new company name?
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Sweet beans Billy V! Thanks for the info!
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Hey Brian, where did you get the kit or did you make it from scratch?
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Hey fellas, anyone by chance have blank weights for the following Grafighters? GF700ML, 700M, 700MH GF800ML, 800M, 800MH Thanks!
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Hey Ridge, as far as I know there are no lure rating specs on the webpage, just line weight guidelines.
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Hey fellas wondering for those that have built up any of the 8' Black Diamond blanks if you think they'd work well as jigging rods? I should clarify though, what I term as "jigging." By making a long cast up current and then hopping the jig back to the boat while keeping in constant contact with the bottom. Kinda like working a bass jig. I've been using the discontinued GLoomis
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Thanks Jim! Anybody else?
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Hey fellas, looking into building up some SCII 3 piece inshore rods and was wondering has anyone built up any using these blanks? If so, any tips to make sure everything lines up? Pitfalls? Thanks!
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Thanks a bunch Karry! Now that's the type of info I wanted!
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Well fellas I booked a trip up a fall trip to AK. Got a pretty good idea what to bring for the coho and kings (mooching/jigging gear) but was wondering what you fellas would recommend blank wise to build up for halibut and lingcod? Guide says barndoors are quite possible with 50-100lb'ers consistently with smaller/lighter ones mixed in. The lingcod 20-30lb'ers with occational 50-60lb'ers. He
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Yeah the grooving issue is with the tip top and many have suggested a ringed tip top as the likely alternative. Thanks fellas.
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