{?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?} Kevin Van Dam Forums http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/ Kevin Van Dam Forums en Copyright 2013 2013-05-25T23:24:28-05:00 Putting my 8wt bass rod to use http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11440/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11440/#When:23:10:52Z <p>Long time ago I bought an 8wt predator fly rod. It’s a 7’10” broom stick that’s tuff to cast. A friend recommended a type of line that was 80$. I got that and holy smoke! I can plop a deer hair mouse just about anywhere. I also picked some 30lb nylon wire tippet for pike hunting. Ive been tying up some gruesome pike flies. I also picked up a 7wt TFO Clouser rod for smallies too. I just want to change it up a little bit.</p> 2013-05-25T23:10:52-05:00 Abu Garcia Vendettas and Veritas http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/9626/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/9626/#When:16:59:22Z <p>I went to BPS today to pick up a Vendetta i had ordered and the first 2 inches of the tip was broken off. I thought what a break, i’ll just spend the extra ten bucks and get the Veritas instead. Talking to the Ship to Store lady, she said they were getting a lot of returns for the Vendetta and the Veritas, more than any other rods, that had broken so i told her just cancel the order.</p> <p>Anyone else having problems with either of these 2 rods breaking on them?&nbsp; Thanks!</p> 2012-07-27T16:59:22-05:00 could use some line help http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11378/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11378/#When:00:16:10Z <p>I’m getting ready for bass season that starts here in Michigan next weekend. (Thank goodness! I thought it would never get here)&nbsp; The lakes I fish are clear &amp; weedy. I can’t decide if I want to stick with braid for my flipping &amp; pitching, or go with 25# fluorocarbon.&nbsp; fluoro might be better on the pressured lakes I fish because it’s less visible &amp; quite, but on the other hand braid is basically bullet proof. Does any one have thoughts?</p> 2013-04-18T00:16:10-05:00 Crankin reel http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11097/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11097/#When:23:15:45Z <p>So I received my TFO rods today and one was a MH 7’6 fast which feels perfect for deep cranks (my intentions of getting this rod in the first place), because most companies fail to cater to us leftys and rarely offer a low gear ratio reel, i’m aiming for a BPS pro qualifier reel. I hear they are great reels and they offer 2 low ratio reels. I have a choice of a 5:2:1 or a 4:7:1 .&nbsp; What’s your opinions on this and what should be the best choice? I know both will be a fine choice, I just want to get your opinions….</p> 2013-01-31T23:15:45-05:00 Alright, I’m like seriously done this time, like seriously, seriously! http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11362/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11362/#When:16:58:00Z <p>I ordered a Toro 50 off Amazon’s Warehouse deals the other day, lists for $270 &amp; they had it for $170 in “Like new” condition. Well, when it showed up, I opened up the Revo box only to discover a Daiwa Procaster Black in the box, a $70 reel that’s been out of production for several years &amp; used to the point where the lettering on the palm plate was almost completely gone. Someone without scruples pulled a switcheroo somewhere along the way. If it’d been someone swapping an Abu for a Daiwa, I’d have guessed our pro bowler Fla from a couple years ago did it. lol Needless to say, that one is going back. Anyways, since I decided to spend $170 I hadn’t really planned on spending on a casting reel, I decided I needed to buy something else more fitting(I honestly don’t know what I’d use a Toro for, Gen 2 Winches handle most of my heavier lure apps just fine) for my arsenal. </p> <p>I’m getting rid of my MGX-SHS in the not too distant future, the IVCB drives me nuts, going from super easy long casts to blowing up out of nowhere. The final straw was the other day throwing a 1/4oz jerk with 10lb mono with the wind &amp; it was blowing up every other cast even with n00b tension &amp; high IVCB settings. I’m too used to dual braking at this point to adjust, so I need another high speed LP to replace it. Found a good deal on eBay for Gen 3 STX-HS &amp; Winch which would run me about $300 for both after using my eBay Bucks, so I pulled the trigger on those a couple hours ago &amp; they already shipped them out. So after thinning out &amp; consolidating my reels last year, where I went from 13 or 14 low profiles down to 6, I’ve managed to get right back up to 11 now. </p> <p>But this time I am done, done, I have to be, I must be… :D</p> 2013-04-09T16:58:00-05:00 Abu silver max combo vs bass pro tourney special combo http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/8654/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/8654/#When:09:00:47Z <p>I’m buying a new baitcaster combo. Whats better bass tourney special or Abu Garcia silver max ?</p> 2012-03-10T09:00:47-05:00 Sweet Deal !! http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11310/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11310/#When:18:09:39Z <p>Oh once in a while I get lucky.&nbsp; Was at the Northwest Sportshow today and found a Shimano Calcutta TE 300 reel for $90.&nbsp; The regular price is $359.99 !!!<br /> The TE line of Calcuttas is one of the finest made….simply one of the smoothest and best built reels around.&nbsp; They were discontinued this season and I found one on the back of a shelf at the show for 90 bucks.</p> <p>Oh happy day !!&nbsp; <img src="lol.gif" width="19" height="19" alt="LOL" style="border:0;" /></p> 2013-03-23T18:09:39-05:00 Kistler Magnesium Rods sale http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11237/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11237/#When:17:42:31Z <p>Link below—</p> <p><a href="http://www.kevinvandam.com/?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wideopenspaces.com%2Fkistler.html%3Futm_campaign%3Demailsendgrid%26utm_source%3Dsendgrid%26utm_term%3Dsalesevent%26utm_medium%3Demail">Kistler Magnesium rods</a><br /> <a href="http://www.kevinvandam.com/?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wideopenspaces.com%2Fkistler.html%3Futm_campaign%3Demailsendgrid%26utm_source%3Dsendgrid%26utm_term%3Dsalesevent%26utm_medium%3Demail">http://www.wideopenspaces.com/kistler.html?utm_campaign=emailsendgrid&amp;utm_source=sendgrid&amp;utm_term=salesevent&amp;utm_medium=email</a></p> 2013-03-10T17:42:31-05:00 KVD1000HXD Adjustment http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11171/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11171/#When:08:06:22Z <p>New to the site…lot’s of info!&nbsp; I have done a search and cannot find much on the reel I have.</p> <p>I have a 7.1 : 1 Quantum KVD1000HXD.&nbsp; I got it on a rod I purchased used for $25 more than the rod alone.&nbsp; From the eBay prices, not too bad of a deal.</p> <p>My problem is, when I adjust the centrifugal brake to OFF, the reel is completely uncastable.&nbsp; The line just free spools off.&nbsp; When I adjust it to the first position, which engages the first row of three centrifugal brakes, the reel doesn’t cast well at all.&nbsp; I have cleaned the race and put a light coat of reel grease on it and that did not help.&nbsp; The rest of my reels are Revo’s.&nbsp; With them, I can disable brakes to get a custom braking level.&nbsp; Is this possible with this reel?&nbsp; I have played with the back drum which holds the centrifugal brakes and don’t see any way.</p> <p>Thanks for any and all input!</p> <p>WJones</p> 2013-03-02T08:06:22-05:00 Stocking Up !! http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11142/ http://www.kevinvandam.com/forums/viewthread/11142/#When:15:55:49Z <p>Headed to see friends next week but first a stop at the St Croix factory store is on my agenda.</p> <p>I have budgeted for 4 new St Croix Legend Tournament rods this year.&nbsp; All will be 7 footers (or near that).&nbsp; Going to get two medium action rods and one MH rod as well as one heavy. These will be added to my current Legend Tournament arsenal, and complete my quest to have ALL the same brand and model rods.&nbsp; Consistency is here at last. </p> <p>These rods are amazing !!!!!!....I heartily advise everyone giving one a try !!!&nbsp; You will be spoiled forever.</p> 2013-02-25T15:55:49-05:00