On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:35:59 -0700, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

The Ugly sticks are mostly too heavy for the size. And not as much
sensitivity as a lot of rods.

I used to think you knew what you were talking about - now? Not so
much. :)

My heavy rod is a Penn Sabre and my light rods, except for Kokanee,
are Shimano and Fenwick.

See above.

My reels are Abu's, Avet SX and Shimano 251 for and smaller
sal****er fish.

I like the Avet reels, but for some reason I find them a little
awkward to use - it seems like the handles have too much leverage for
me - I have trouble controlling the rod. But they are great reels.

Don't care for Shimano reels - I've had a few of them over the years
and every one has either stripped a gear or blew through the drag
clutches on a heavy fish. I know others like them and I have no
reason to complain except my eperience with Shimano reels has not been
positive.

By Kokanee rods are Vance Tackle Roberts wraps and small Garcia left
hand reels.

I've never understood the mechanics of the Vance spiral wrap. I
understand the concept and it makes some sense, but the dynamics of E
glass rod blanks are all in how the guides worked with or against the
spine of the blank. It seems counterintuitive to work guides against
the weak sides of the glass.

Also, when you think about it, changing direction of the line in 90
degree segments doens't work with the strengths of the blank or
guides. I know other custom builders who have done this with heavier
rods, but it never seems to work out. The whole idea of the half
cast/half spinning rod seems silly - spinning rods have their
strengths and casting rods have theirs.

Then again, a lot of folks on the Left Coast like them, so they must
have something going for them.