Halcyon

we have bluefin running in Monterey bay, the teel is a virgin from the 80's time to spool her! tight lines, Rich

I fish Monterey Bay. The water is deep. It's good to have handle you can get your fist around when you cranking up a twenty pounder off the bottom at 50 fathoms. I've put Gomexus handles on a few reels and although the handle feels good the hardware (screws, bearings etc.) are completely inadequate to the work. Just a word to the wise; if you want something you can really lean on forget Gomexus. Tight Lines, Rich

slot limit! slot limit! SLOT LIMIT! NOW!

I get that stiff lines work better on convention reel for casting. So, which are the stiffest of the bunch? Tight Lines, Rich

I'm surf-casting real light with and ABU GARCIA rocket. What is you best choice for braid less than 20lb? Tight Lines, Rich

My experiences have shown me that for convention boat fishing a top shot of about 30 feet tied on with an fg knot works nicely. Tying at terminal end is much easier and a little bit of shock absorbing is preferable. For convention at the surf having about 4 or 5 wraps around the spool of mono tied on with an fg that is plenty strong enough to be safe for the weight I'm heaving works best for me, When it comes to spinning I've found that tying on a length of mono with an fg to be a bad idea as the braid does not untwist properly. The mono stops the untwisting process facilitated by the bale line roller, line tension and the swivel on terminal tackle.. So it's a swivel to snap with a mono or flouro leader when I'm spinning & as the saying goes "tight lines" always. Slack when spinning with braid is a sure way to end up with an air knot. Cheers, Rich

I've been using the Centauri knot for 50 years for all mono and flouro knots. I works with the real heavy stuff quite well. The secret is to tease it into a figure 8 and lubricate it with spit. Braid to mono it's FG for me. It takes a little practice but it's sure worth it. Braid to gear it's a Palomar always. End loops are either a perfection end loop or a surgeon's loop. I think the later is stronger but the former is very small and quite clean. For tying on teasers I have a variation of a lefty loop I use for 20lb and up that seems stronger than the original. I have also discovered that a dropper loop in a flouro leader becomes the weakest link. Tight Lines, Rich

My learning process on conventional casting has taught me that it's best to start with more spool tension than is optimal and very gradually reduce it over the first hand full of casts until you have it match the conditions. Another very important part of the casting process is the retrieve. Steady tension while spooling is critical. i often run the line through my thumb and forefinger just ahead of the spool to insure that it's constant. Casting with a spinner requires a sudden well timed release. Casting with conventional requires gradual accelerated loading prior to release along with an educated thumb which comes with practice and muscle memory. Fishing is very much about applied tension. Tension control is better on conventional IMHO. Line twist is not an issue on a conventional, nor are air knots, over runs are. but for very light offerings I clearly it lack facility. Nobody said it would be easy. Make sure you gear is well balance and practice, practice, practice. Tight Lines, Rich

You have to go back in time to the 50's for a reel that has no roller bearings, will allow all internal parts to be lightly greased and has a quick take-apart feature that facilitates warm water soak after submersion. It's a fine piece of simple engineering. The real is on the heavy side but with upgraded drag washers it's a fine reel. Any guesses as to the best model? Secrets: They're the reel fun of fishin'! Tight Lines, Rich

For fluorocarbon and mono I have used a centauri knot for all line tests from 2 to 200. I don't have failures and with a little practice it's quick and easy. The tricks are to get the knot once built into a figure 8 appearance then wet it with saliva. As it's drawn up watch the turns stack on to the steel eye your pulling on. Done right little line is wasted. tight lines, Rich

caught in 20 fathoms north of Santa Cruz on 11/13

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Came down with da weatherguy. So much to see, So much to learn. And so much B.S. it's hard to tell what's unreal, but that's fishin'! Super location and grand group of fisherman. gonna try for the real big bass late this summer. Never know when a white one will show. Workin' on some gear to fool one. Tight lines, Rich

Thanx for the feed back. I hope to hear from Alan. tight lines, Rich

For years I have been working on the engineering of creating a sealed spinning reel with concealed drag system and several other revolutionary features and incorporating them with some tried and true ones. The right hook up to develop this project is one would like to pursue. I just don't have it. Maybe the right connection is here at SurfTalk. Sing out if you have genuine interest and can help. Tight Lines, Rich

I have found that "Super Lube Synthetic Grease" works quite well on cork drags. Tight lines, Rich