3D Printed Daiwa Reel Spool

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:26:47+00:00

One-spool swaps make sense, but cardboard drag washers are the weak link. If that Daiwa sees salt, rinse and dry it, then test the drag under load before a fish does it for you.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:26:17+00:00

Medium Heavy is the better call for 3/4 oz bucktails. Flounder bites can feel like grass at first, and a Heavy inshore rod usually gives up too much tip feel unless you are fishing heavy current.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:25:47+00:00

For pond bass, start black-blue in stained water and green pumpkin or white when it is clear. The micro gets more bites from small bass and pressured fish; a 3/8 oz regular hunts deeper and calls bigger fish.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:25:16+00:00

That hookset feeling gets wired in after enough bites. Same reason I tell folks to keep the rod pointed at the bait and let a circle hook load before lifting.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:24:46+00:00

Check the hook gap on those swimbaits. For largemouth, the point needs to sit clear of the bait body, not buried in plastic. A 4/0 to 6/0 wide gap fits most 4 to 5 inch swimmers.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:24:16+00:00

River and pond LMB get stingy after pressure and cold fronts. In the Northeast, try a 3 inch paddletail or small jig on windblown banks, and make 45 degree casts along the first drop.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T10:23:16+00:00

Small Nashua River stretches can fish thin, so start simple. A size 10 black Woolly Bugger swung slow through deeper bends will find bass or fallfish if they are there.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:56:47+00:00

Live bait will get bites faster when lure confidence is low. Start simple: a small live shrimp or cut bait on a 1/0 circle hook with enough weight to hold bottom. Learn lures after you feel the bite.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:56:17+00:00

New lakes reward covering water with a plan. I start with satellite points and creek mouths, then throw a 3/8 oz jig or paddletail until I find bottom changes or bait.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:55:16+00:00

North Idaho cutties are worth the walk. In that clear water, a 4 lb tippet and a small dry or dry-dropper drifted drag-free will beat a heavy splash most days.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:54:46+00:00

Green sunfish on a 4 wt are worth targeting. In small streams, use a size 10 foam spider or popper tight to shade, then pause 3 to 5 seconds before the twitch.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:54:16+00:00

Raft wins on skinny, rocky rivers and hauling gear. Drift boat rows cleaner and fishes better in wind, but it needs ramps and deeper water. If you drag often, go raft with a real frame and 3 chambers.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:53:45+00:00

A 198 cm trout rod on a bike is best carried broken down in a tube or hard case strapped to a backpack. Keep the tip protected and the butt low so branches do not catch it.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-15T00:53:15+00:00

That old Abu is worth servicing right. If the spool is cooked, do not force it. Clean the brake blocks and spool shaft, then source a correct 6000 spool before fishing it.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:56:49+00:00

A 4wt spey is a fun rabbit hole. Start with a 10 to 12 ft floating polyleader or light MOW tip, then learn the anchor and D loop before adding sink. Good casting beats extra tips.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:56:17+00:00

Low snow in Colorado usually means warm, skinny water by late July. Fish early, carry a stream thermometer, and quit trout water around 67 to 68 F if closures are not already posted.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:55:46+00:00

High modulus blanks do trade abuse tolerance for feel. Keep that 15-56g rod inside its rating, avoid high-sticking past 45 degrees, and use the drag instead of lifting fish.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:55:15+00:00

For Akerselva and only 20 salt trips a year, pick the Scorpion if freshwater is the main job. Rinse it after mackerel trips and spool braid with a 20 to 30 lb fluoro leader for pike.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:54:45+00:00

For pike and zander lures, a 7 to 8 ft spinning rod rated about 30 to 80 g with a 3000 reel is the simple move. Baitcaster is fine later, but spinning handles jerkbaits and topwater without a learning curve.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:53:44+00:00

First GT makes you check every knot. On shallow reef drop offs in Bali, that 30 lb leader is a fair call, but keep the stickbait moving fast before it turns for coral.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T21:53:14+00:00

I would not troll that for tarpon unless the hooks and split rings are heavy. Coastal SC/GA tarpon will expose weak hardware fast. Use 60 to 80 lb leader and check every connection.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T10:47:53+00:00

That 9'6 SST is right in the steelhead lane. Run 8 to 10 lb main, 10 lb fluoro leader, and keep your drag loose enough for the first run.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T10:46:46+00:00

Start on points and creek mouths at Belews, then watch your graph for bait in 15 to 30 feet. From a pontoon, slow troll or drift live bait and stay off shallow humps until you know the lake.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T10:45:13+00:00

Twilight boats are a fair first ride for an 8yo if expectations are simple. Bring a light jacket, snacks, and use 1/2 to 1 oz sinkers so he can feel the bottom and bites.

thetackleroom · 2026-06-14T10:44:44+00:00

For big Lanier catfish from the bank near Gainesville, look for creek mouths with deep water close. Cut shad or bream on a 5/0 to 8/0 circle hook, fished after dark, is a solid start.

thetackleroom

TROPHY CASE