ARK and Haibo are actually partners in the design and manufacturing of these reels. ARK markets and sells in the Americas and Haibo in Asia. Patent for the braking system is shared between the two companies.

Baitcasting Young Guns: Fresh New Low-Profile Reels http://www.tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast23baitcastersyoungguns.jpg Introduction: When it comes to baitcasters Shimano and Daiwa are typically top of mind as they not only have the largest marketshare but are able to support the most prop...

Hardbaits at ICAST, from Swimbaits to BFS http://www.tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast23lureshardbaits.jpg Introduction: This year at ICAST hardbait manufacturers seemed to focus on extremes, with a number of notable introductions in full sized swimbaits and on the opposite end of the spectru...

Not JDM, but I considering you're on the West Coast, I know Phenix Rods has some very popular options in the trout market: https://phenixrods.com/trout/ And actually, I've handled the new Drew's Ultimate Ned rods from Zman and have to say, they are just UL rods in disguise: http://tackletour.com/pre...

The Worthy, Wild, and Just Plain Weird Soft Lures at ICAST 2023 http://www.tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast23luressoft.jpg Introduction: This ICAST there was a wide range of soft-bodied lures introduced by American, JDM, and even a few independent manufacturers just breaking onto the scene. ...

Unless you're getting money back from Daiwa each time you buy a reel, I think you mean "loyalty"

Costa's Most Advanced Frames Yet. Hail the King Tide. http://www.tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast2023costakingtide.jpg Introduction: Costa has established itself as a leader in optics and has always done a great job catering to the unique needs and challenges that anglers face. This ICAST, t...

Shimano’s Stradic Moves Closer to Stella in Major Refresh http://www.tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast23shimanostradic.jpg Introduction: The Shimano Stradic has long been the workhorse reel in Shimano’s spinning lineup and this season the series gets a major refresh with features that debuted...

Daiwa’s Tatula 100 Grows Fangs http://www.tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast23tatula100.jpg Introduction: Daiwa refreshes its top-selling Tatula Series reels with a completely new form factor that places an emphasis on ergonomics. However, the redesign is more than skin deep, as HYPERDRIVE fea...

KastKing Makes Big Moves with the iReel One http://tackletour.com/images24/featurebanicast2023kastking.jpg Introduction: KastKing, once known primarily for their value reels, made big moves this ICAST with the launch of their own smart reel. The iReel brings the Internet of Things (IoT) to US angle...

I'll leave this for Zander to respond. I was not in attendance this year and was on vacation instead catching up on a planned trip we had in 2020, prior to the blip

Without having tried one, but going off historical precedent, my guess is they’d be legit. Okuma has made very good swimbait rods in the past and at a very good value.

What you're feeling with the Aldebaran is likely the frame and sideplate material, not the gear. The gear is aluminum. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the reviews we provide on this site to learn more about casting reel options available today, but in short, if you want something high end wi...

Pretty sure anything that fits the old Steez 103 and TDZ reels will fit... here's an option:

https://japantackle.com/tuning-parts/sp ... 02410.html

Not likely... Megabass knobs are the same as Daiwa generally