I have an NRX854 and an NRX852. Two weeks ago, I received my first Z-bone LE custom M1 and have since caught redfish and speckled trout with it. My next purchase will be another LE custom Z-bone, M3 or M4 to control larger baits.

Charles

The Core 50mg7 is a high quality awesome reel. Let's keep it that way.

Charles

Years ago I lived and worked in Japan.

I suggest you find a resident that can help you with the laws and customs as they can be quite different from those in the USA.

Charles

I used purchase receipts from a listed Loomis dealer to obtain wildcards and followed the instructions under the tabs Conventional, then Service on the www.gloomis.com site.

Charles

I have 4 of the rings left to use after giving some away.

Charles

It is basically a grooved ring. The groove contains material, when wrapped circumferentially 3-4 times with braid, that will allow pulling slack out of the knots to make them tight and smaller.

Charles

The finger saver removes the potential for getting line cuts from the braid while allowing the knots to be pulled tight.

If you need small diameter Albright knots for micro guides consider using one.

Charles

I just spent $40 to ship and insure an NRX854 to Loomis for warranty work. The added $20 in the future is probably not enough to ensure perfectionists do not return rods nor to pay Loomis enough to fix their QC problems. Time marches on.

Charles

I believe the attitude of the sales force at the large stores is a function of the local attitude towards being friendly that typically translates into customer service. If you live in a part of the country where the local attitude towards others is not friendly and helpful, you will see this approa...

From what I read, the Wildcard should still just be a simple replacement at the dealer when you turn in the broken rod.

Charles

Kistler has some 8ft Z-bone blanks for sale on their website.

Charles

I am using Sufix 20lb braid and 14lb fluoro leader with a mod Albright knot. I pull the knot tight with the Finger Saver and get a max knot diameter of 0.050-0.055 inches.

The 4.5mm rigid micro SIC guides seem to handle this knot better than the lightweight wire guides.

Charles

Thank you for including the comments on the braid-knot-leader problems wiht the recoil guides while using lighter weight lures.

Charles

The handle may be loose on the drive shaft. If so, tightening the nut will help reduce the loose feeling.

Charles

The SSN line diameters tend to correspond to the JDM diameters. The line rating is more accurate than other mfgs. I have used 12lb with no problems so far.

Charles