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That depends upon the model and your application. Contact us at our shop rather than YT for specific info, 714-840-4500 / 714-846-6452.

Sorry to hear, but well understood.

Good questions, answers need to be based upon your application and approach. A bent butt rod really has a couple of uses, fishing from a chair or to bring trolling line down, closer to the water when in a trolling situation: better tracking of lure. I’m going to assume you’re land based shaking. If that’s the application a bent butt probably isnt what I’ll suggest. I would suggest a standup style rod which is designed for the drag load you should be running if you’re getting set up for 200lb line. Rod choice would likely be a “rail rod” from United Composites 70 or 76 Gladiator. Best always to contact us personally at our shop. I’m only available weekday mornings, my son Sergey can also field your questions and help with recommendations. A 130 fished standup style…, that’s quite a load if you’re not in a chair. An 80 is easier to handle standup. Depending upon the drag load you are willing/capable of handling it may not be worth the weight and bulk. I’d want to discuss things further with you to be sure you’re getting outfitted with gear you’ll want to fish, hard and often.

Sorry, I can't be of a whole lot of help in terms of Seeker models these days. Everything changed several years ago when a fellow purchased Seeker, destroyed the firm in order to raise money for the purpose of buying another well known SoCal rod company. That sale did not go thru, but Seeker was left without the ability or tallent to make their own rods. The guy that destroyed the firm, found another person to buy what was left...just a name with another firm building their blanks. So, in my estimation, Seeker is not a real player any more. Their old production manager for over 20 years is Randy Penny, is now the owner of United Composites, previousely known as Graphite USA. GUSA/UC always produced the best blanks, had the best technology, and they still do but have upgraded given Randy's pedigree. You ask about a long jig stick, Ulua. That's Randy's strong suit, and he has you very well covered with a lighter, stronger, more casting friendly blank. If it's typical Surface Iron, 40# test line, the UC GP 9E is the best blank in the business - by far. (in factory built form RGP 9E). It's a no-brainer if you stop by our shop and pick up the 9E, much nicer bend for casting, much lighter in the hands, in all ways a much better piece to own.

Really its a subjective question and your experience will prove more useful than my guesses from a distance. I can't speak to the power of lift of the drone, line tests, weights... From the standpoint of Avet vs. Makaira, both have strengths. Avet's value leads the market. Makaira performance, freespool, smoothness of drag, warranty, all lead in those categories. Avets are built like tanks, Makairas are too, but to me are a little more refined. Both are great long term ownership pieces, both manufacturers have excellent factory service. So, I'll say "heads you win, tails you win".

@@CharkBaitUSA Thank you for the excellent response! Appreciate your input very much

@@CharkBaitUSA Any recommendations on which rod to pair with either one of those? I'm looking at using 200-lb braid and will eventually be targeting large sharks using the drone, if that helps.

Thanks for the feedback, exactly what we wanted to hear from you. Nice upgrade and the pricing improved, too.

The issue we found on first production was corrected. Still criticisms presented are accurate. The larger models can serve an angler well, get them into the game relatively inexpensively, but if budget allows there are far better options available from both Penn and other manufacturers.

Should be just fine, they can take some hits and keep on ticking.

Well, I opened it up with a hammer. I had a lot of water in it from over a year ago and the magnetic bottom rusted out on one fish. It’s all good next time I won’t keep the hook in the magnet which I did on accident didn’t realize it.

@@CharkBaitUSA I just ordered salta one thanks

@@fishonj2319 Me too, that's why I mention not keeping the hooks in the receiver. On the new SALTA versions, the magnet assembly can be easily replaced, less of an issue. But, still when in storage I'll not keep hook within the receiver. The new finishes from SALTA look great!

@@CharkBaitUSA thanks I still order two older versions just in case but I’m gonna be ordering some more saltes if I like them

You're hearing the flex coat break in. No worries, it's common, UC, Calstar, Seeker all will do the same on new rods. The thicker the flex coat, the more you'll hear initially.

Thanks for visiting our YT channel, and please do visit our shop's website: www.charkbait.com You will note we offer excellent value, including braid and mono rigging on most models.

Hi Jorge, I'm still around but have moved on from Seeker given they don't even make their own rods these days. The whole landscape of USA made West Coast rod building has changed since I made this video many years ago. United Composites, new name for Graphine USA, is the prime manufacturer of quality blanks and finished rods these days. Better blanks, better technology, and Seeker's old production manager (Randy Penny) is the owner. Please catch the video I posted 3-4 years ago regarding UC.

@CharkBaitUSA thankyou very much for getting back to me, I'm looking for the video as I type with my thumb.

GUSA/UC created the spiral wrap technique (see my other video on UC history). The specific "patterns" cuts of material, angles...all that stuff was very proprietary and not shared to public or competitors. Even GUSA's helix build, while mentioned promotionally, the specifics of what was done was limited. Workers had non-disclosure type agreements. So, sharing specifics of technique wasn't something desired by manufacturer. Now, 2024, we see other firms try to emulate and reverse engenier what Dick Kantner did for us fishermen back in the '80's in terms of advancing the state of the art.

@@marksmith4452 Thank you for your time for the explanation. I watched the other vid which was great and you have heaps of others i'm interested in. Your info has taken me down a great rabbit hole. Cheers from NZ

Measure at the bottom of the arrow on the tell-tale. 2 lbs off on a spring scale, I'll take that in a heartbeat depending upon the weight range of scale and what's being tested. If a 25# scale and you're setting drag at 10 lbs, that's one thing. If a 50# scale and you're setting drag for 30 plus or minus 2 lbs, nothing to fret about. If you've found the scale off by 2 lbs, that's easy to compensate for on your end. 2 lb descrepancy on a 50# scale, hard if not impossible to discern...

Thanks for asking. We don't handle consignment reels, don't sell used gear thru our business...unless I'm adding to my own arsenal and wife puts me on restricted diet....

@@marksmith4452 what rod would you recommend fishing with a Avet JX 6.0 single speed, fishing 40 pound monofilament/ or braid 50-65 pound ? It would be a jig rod set up

Thanks for visiting our channel. They were wonderful rods, Leon Todd was a classic, just like the rods he created. Leon passed away a few years ago, the company he created looks to be passing as well. Things move forward, United Composites now occupys the higher end of SoCal rod building. Designs and methods of production have advanced, but that takes nothing away from what Leon accomplished during his prime years.

​@@CharkBaitUSA yes, you are right. I remember calstar rod's all the way back in the early 90s. Definitely strong, well made beef sticks. My favorite was the 90J jig stick, i had a penn 3/0 with a newell conversion kit to fish 30 pound monofilament on my 90J

@@jasonallen7779 Classics, I loved my old Newells. Sold them all off a few years ago. They were great reels for use during the mono only days. Use of braid makes 'em seem large for their intended line classes. 90J's, classic jig stick. Put a pull on a UC 9E (Reaper), you'll be impressed with how far things have come.

Wonderful reels, glad we're meeting expectations in the shipping side of things. Thanks for the feedback. You'll enjoy the reel!

Del Marsh is very much missed. He was a great guy, always made others feel welcomed and appreciated. He was Leon Todd's friend for many years, an ambassador for Calstar in many ways. We can hope that Del and Leon are laughing together and sharing tales, as both have passed on from this world. Calstar is essentially gone from the marketplace these days, far from the company it once was.

YEIKES Kevin you found an old one! This vid goes back to 2003-4 I'm thinking, reloaded to YT a few years later. Video equipment sure has improved. PLine and Izor mono on the wall. PLine not the player they used to be, Izor gained a much wider following since that time.

Negative. For lefty reels go Avet or Accurate. One of the brothers who own Avet is a lefty, thus they have best source for true lefty reels. Accurate followed Avets lead, so they al;so offer true left hand crank reels across entire line.

Thanks bro, hope all going great for you, too!

Like the email said, check the Weekly Specials page. We try to serve both sides, our online clients and our shop patrons. This is the one time of the year we're not consistent between both channels, but we do try to offer our online clients similar benefit. Check the Weekly Specials page.

Good point, another opportunity for a brief video. I've got some pretty good images of ToroTamer's 4, 8, 12, 16 strand braids. Might provide an excuse to break out the microscope and laptop and shoot some others. Hmm, now I've stretched a 5 minute vid into 20... This might take me a while to do. Feel free to give me a call at the shop and we can discuss. Bottom line, the more strands the smoother the braid. 3 and 4 strand lines are rough, while 8 strand and above are far smoother to the touch. This translates to less cuts, easier on your rods guides, and since those lines are rounder in shape, better casting properties. Having said that, there are some applications where the rougher braid has it's place. Some of our calico bass guys prefer a rougher line, short 6' leader. That's a "kelp cutter" rig, allowing the angler to saw their way thru kelp.

@CharkBaitUSA i recently ordered a makira 30 from you and had it spooled with 12, but looking at the options i was kinda lost. Ty for the quick overview. Will definitely have to call

All good here, thank you.

Thanks Boomer!

Thanks for the kind words and support.

Never left, just sidetracked...as usual. We had a mellow Monday, just my wife and Sam in shipping working so I had to talk to someone...might as well get on the stick and post some vids I'd been wanting to do.

@@CharkBaitUSA long live!

Thank you, just juggling time and space to play with the camera. Monday was a nice mellow day, only my wife and Sam in shipping working. Sergey was off playing with girlfriend. So, once my wife left I couldn't yack at her. Sam had a bunch of things to ship, couldn't yack at him... So, might as well yack at the camera and get on with some vids I'd wanted to post!

@@CharkBaitUSA I enjoy your videos sir. You make it very easy to understand what's going on & you explain things so someone who knows nothing about fishing is now grasping the concepts. Thank you:)

@@CharkBaitUSA Thank you again!

Much appreciated Emilio. The new website Sergey created will make some things much easier going forward for our international clients in terms of shipping rates being posted and that sort of stuff.

@@CharkBaitUSA ❤️

Thanks, no doubt will do...

Shucks, I'll mention this to my wife in the hope it changes her mind about my salty and well weathered exterior. First time someone has said I was looking good in a long, long time. LOL

Thank you sir, we were certainly the most underfunded business when I started out. Nothing but a cashed in IRA and credit card debt to fund my little dream. The business has been good to me and my family, kept me away from a regulation type day job. Even better in a lot of ways now since we're more of a family business and we're dependent upon one another. The guys working here, heck they're wonderful people and we're appreciative of them all.

Yeah great question. I'd also be interested as to which hook brand and size would be recommended. Thanks

There are some good options out there to pick from. I like the VMC's which were early in this arena and on our site. Owner also has some, but I'm partial to the VMC's for this size lure. Subjective. In terms of size, probably the 6/0 or 7/0 would be my call.

Yep, agree in most cases. Certainly for the tuna it's a single. Yellowtail, can go either way but with their softer mouth I still like trebles. For a big mouth grouper, you can make a case both ways. No doubt a single is easier to get out of the fish's mouth, probably more false strikes though. Like trolling feathers, better penetration off a single, less false strikes off the double tuna hook.... AHA! that's another route to go, like the old Rapala CD18's running a double tuna hook. That's another option to play around with. Might be best of both words.

Cool. Thanks for getting back to us.

These things are going to cost me some bucks, too. Can't go on an 8 day'r without 'em.

Mark - ok to rig these with 150lb flouro leader for SoCal bluefin? Any preference on direct tie vs crimping?

Absolutely! I got a call this week from one of our clients from Oregon who spends a lot of time in Puerto Vallarta fishing. He picked up a dozen in several color patterns for yellowfin tuna. He said the older style MagTrak proved deadly for big tuna, and jumped all over the new patterns. We had some guys running 'em successfully for bluefin in NorCal as well. No drama with these lures, they get bit, hold up well, and the new version will prove even better than the older version.

Do you prefer the old one or this one?

Thanks Jamie! I'm working on it, but I have to say I'm still having a lot of fun with this and given my wonderful wife and oldest son are engaged here, even my youngest boy when the school day is done, chances are I''ll be playing here until I drop. The older we get the faster time flies, and there are a few things on my bucket list...

@@CharkBaitUSA If you love what you do it’s not “work” enjoy the quality of life which is presented to you. I don’t have to tell you that. You’re a wise man. Your knowledge and customer service are second to none. The fruits of your labor will go on for generations to come. 🇺🇸 Land of opportunity if you take advantage of the opportunity.

Target larger fish and see the levelwind fail, line test inadequate for a larger grade fish, etc... Reel may be fine for your application, but larger fish demand more capable gear.

I couldn't agree more, and that's exactly the direction we took. Lots of back story on Calstar and Seeker, both were once cutting edge lines but time moves on and neither firm is as they once were. Seeker doesn't even make their own rods these days.

It's a matter of price point and how much you want to invest into your fishing gear. The piece lends itself to 60-80# applications. The gear ratio, low gear is now better suited to larger fish.. That's a plus. But, it's a light bodied reel and not made up to the level of other reels which are made from better stuff. As example, Avet's HX Raptor is machined aluminum, Okuma's Alijos 16 (similar size) is made from machined aluminum, Okuma Makaira, made from machined aluminum (with 5 year warranty) as is Penn's Torque (suffers from too high a low gear for the application mentioned) and International 16 (which is made from the right stuff), The Fathoms offer good performance at a low price. Will they hold up as long as the others I mentioned, I do not believe so. Will they catch you some fish, sure bet. But, their lifespan will be less. The better gear I mentioned become lifetime products, while I consider the Fathoms to be disposable. No knock, but one does get what they pay for and lower price is indicative of poorer materials and construction. They get a guy into the game at a shallower price, but investing more has lasting merit. Just my opinion....

Couple ways to go, I'd suggest running 100# braid with 80#, say 500-600 yds braid and prob about 200 mono.