Still using mine for cranking. Have it paired with Dobyns 704cb.

Mods:
Carbontex Drag
Boca ABEC 7 OS
Drive shaft bearing
Alpha R edition Star
Lew's CF 4 bearing swept handles
Some carbon fiber/aluminum knobs from fleabay

Nelson Mandela.

For a while it was the MBR 782 IMX, but it struggles in ripping the bait in the CA Delta because of the vegetation. Still great for open waters. Then I had a custom made on a broken Steez SVF that broke at the reel seat nut. It is 6'2" and spiral wrapped. The rod is not as fast since it was shorten ...

If you can get a hold of an older model Certate, get it. It is a solid reel with great drag, all you need to do is add knob bearings and a drag bearing. You can get one for about $200 that will perform better than the Ballistic.

Since you are building your own rods, do you still have time to salmon fish?

I have Lew's CF handles with Abu foam knobs on mine but any will fit. You will need the handle collar and modify the star drag. Shave the top of the star and sand the edges down, then polish it. It will look really nice.

I never fished there but you don't need crazy heavy gear. I don't use anything crazy. I use my 843 MBR GLX with a Zillion 7.1 ratio spooled with 12lb P-Line CXX casting live blue gills from boat and bank and land 10-15 lbers easy. But if you plan on casting large top water lures or swimbaits, then a...

I don't have a 705 but have a 704. I use a Luna 103 and it balance really well. I changed out the stock star to as Alphas R swept star, Lews CF handle, some carbon and aluminum knobs from fleabay to shave about 3/4 oz off. The 103 is slow enough to have some cranking power but fast enough to catch u...

You picked up where you left off, nice one.

I have one of each speed and I must say, those reels are really heavy. Not the best reel to be fishing all day. But it is a strong reel that cast really well.

Hopefully the replacement is a lot lighter, maybe in the 9-10oz range.

Thanks. I think i will buy more at next deal. I bot my steez spinning 701 @$190 from tw. daiwa warranty is awesome...very easy and quick replacement. They have a great warranty which is part of the cost. I emailed them, they said sent it in with an explanation and I had a new rod on my front door i...

Punching and Umbrella rig with blades on the wires.

Bass are food. It's really that simple. If you have a legal license and a legal limit and want to eat fish, knock yourself out. I'm tired of people telling other people what they can and can't do...especially when they have every legal right to be doing what they're doing. If I gut hook a fish, I g...

I sold a right hand BNIB for $160 about a month ago. I wanted $170, but no one was willing to pay that price. Since the supply of LH reels are low and the demands are high, it may get you about the same price I sold my new one.

Those are great reels, but just a lot of options out there.

I first knocked a little off the edge of the top washer and polished it, same result. Knocked off a little more and same result. Really puzzling.