I kinda don't trust a brand that began selling some $70 noname reels for $300. How else are they to stay viable in today's climate? They made a huge mistake by going away from spools to begin with. Every spool they have ever made still brings a premium. Unfortunately, their absense from that niche ...

The Piscifun Alloy M reel is a solid option. I wouldnt pay the $90 full price for it, but for the $66 shipped that I paid for it, its a good reel. It was never slick-smooth, but again, still a good reel for what I paid. I suspect that the lower ratio reels would be smoother. Mine is 8.4 ratio.

I wouldn't be interested but that spool looks a lot like the Elite Long Cast spool. That spool is just a standard Tatula inductor and spring fitted to a light weight G1 Duralumin spool and that apparently makes all the difference transforming it into an effortless caster and offering excellent cont...

Just_Bass wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:39 am

It’s been quite awhile since I hold a big slab. Worth the cold and got up at two in the morning. Only one crappie but damn 5 bass.

That is fine table fare!

Cal, the global moderator here on TT, lives right in that area. If you don't hear anything, maybe send him a PM.

okay its up on the Daiwa US page. $750 :shock: :crying: The line capacity is larger. 14lb/100yds. JDM is 12lb/80m. Maybe a deeper spool? Cant see it being wider... Wish the JDM had the US line capacity! I'm ok with the JDM line capacity. I'll be using braid, anyway. Heck, if it us as I suspect, 32m...

I ended up ordering AE Hybrids as I was very unhappy with the performance (freespin, feel choked off at the end of the cast throwing 1/4 oz stuff with braid) of the stock Alphas SV TW 800s ones and Hedgehog doesn’t have the right size for the one on the spool. Dry, the AE bearing itself spins forev...

Just got a Tatula 80 and picked up a cheap carbon handle with long EVA knobs. Reel and handle was like $130 total. Reminds me of a mini Zillion HD. https://i.ibb.co/Qnk9sFv/Screenshot-20240106-114446-Gallery.jpg https://i.ibb.co/hfJqJYf/Screenshot-20240106-114319-Gallery.jpg Sweet. The tat 80 is th...

The current Zillion HD spool holds 20 yds more of 14# line than the standard zillion spool. It is really special with 1/2 oz and up.

A Shimano Pro staff mentioned Ci4+ side plates on US version, both side plates or just palming side plate? Screws going into a handle side Ci4+ side plate is a big NO NO for me. It would be madness for them to abandon a practice that's 30+ yrs old. All the reels I've seen that have screws going int...

I'd say a good, old-fashioned magnifying glass and a bright flashlight would help. I use a small, lit magnifying glass with an articulating arm on my workbench now. My 50 yr old eyes just dont cooperate as well as they once did. Thanks Tim, I’ll give this a try. If you remember, this is the same ro...

I'd say a good, old-fashioned magnifying glass and a bright flashlight would help. I use a small, lit magnifying glass with an articulating arm on my workbench now. My 50 yr old eyes just dont cooperate as well as they once did.

A small can of aerosol anti-perspirant works great to waterproof flies(must contain an aluminum compound). It never washes off and is 100% hydrophobic. Aerosol silicone spray for tent waterproofing works well as a pre-treat, also.

Since you mentioned it above, I have and love love love my Gekkabijin X. It has quickly become my favorite eggbeater. I have it on a 2 pc ML rod that stays in the xterra. I've used it extensively, and I've caught some 4-6# fish with it. I have zero complaints, and it is still as smooth as day one. I...

Was always curious about this specific model. Watching for responses here.