New toy by Cal Sheets

[thunnus69]

Just got my Penn LT back from Cal.  He tricked it out for me:  Super 12 with larger drag, bearing sleeve, and 2 speed.  I added a new handle, Tiburon topless frame.  It free spools like a dream.  The rod I have it mounted on is almost complete.  I spiral wrapped the rod (Seeker Inshore) and used a basic sparkler pattern of metalic red and gold on the butt wrap from "teh book" (the photo sucks, need to work on this).  Only a couple more guides and she'll be ready in time for Stripers off Block Island.

[bluefish69]

Did you use one of Billy Varona's Books for the wrap?

[thunnus69]

That's "teh" joke.  When I see or reference Billy I make fun of his typing.  He always mistypes the word "the".  He turned me on to a lot of new techniques in rod building and I own him a lot.  The Plano box sitting below the rod is one of those techniques for pulling 4 to 6 strings at once.  The man is a wonder and freak of nature.

[bluefish69]

If you remember his Butt wraps he did the Wrench Inlays for me. I work in Sheephead Bay.

[kamuwela]

nice toy, too nice to use.

[wallacewt]

cmon kamu, thats not the hawaiian way 

[alantani]

you know, he's got a point.......   

[BMITCH]

Those Block Island cows don't stand a chance. Nice setup. Good luck!

[Alto Mare]

I would place it in the center of my custom cabinet, so I could look at it as I relax.

[thunnus69]

Thanks for the compliments.  Cal double dogged it so she's gonna be fished.  I'll enjoy looking at this reel in the rod holder on the way out. 

Bluefish69 I don't remember the rod you're referring to and haven't been back to Billy's shop since he got wiped out by the storm.  Here's another rod I finally finished last summer with the same reel mounted on it.
Grateful Dead theme with an "Uncle Sam" weave.

[bluefish69]

I have to say your doing really nice work on the rods.

[reelgood]

So this reel is in case you hook a 175# tuna while striper fishing?   

[thunnus69]

Reel Good-
Cal assured me it could do just that.    I have to hand it to Cals2Speed,  every time I called (at least half a dozen times) I actually got to speak with Cal who walked me through the ins and outs of reel design/modifications to best match my type of fishing.  As a rod builder I can appreciate the details.  The guy has a lot of wisdom.  The kind of guy you just learn more from by keeping your mouth shut and listening.  I had a similar experience with Capt. Al Anderson whom I fished with last summer aboard his 40' Custom Carolina.  He was inducted in the IGFA Hall of Fame just after I fished with him and man was he full of wisdom.  I didn't reel in a single fish that trip.  Instead, I chose to stay in the cockpit and just listened to him for hours.