I popped the silver cap off and unscrew the knob. I was pleasantly surprised to find the screw supported by a bearing. So yes you can replace the stock knob.

Nothing mentioned on the reel's diagram but I'm sure you could pop of the silver tab, remove a screw and remove the stock t-knob. I don't have the reel in front of me at the moment.

It will limit casting distance especially if you use mono. The first guide will really reduce the line flow and limit casting distance. Also if the rod is spline correctly, it will bend the wrong way. BUT if you use smaller reel, say a 1000 size and use 8-10lb test braided line, and move that first ...

Here are some pics. Max drag tested was about 13lbs. I don't want to go any higher because I rarely set drag past 5 lbs when using 15-20lb braids. Drag was very smooth to about 9lbs. The body is very similar to the Caldia Kix/ TD Sol. Note that the Certate and Caldia Kix, TD Sol have bearing support...

I find Waterone's information and evaluations reflect what I have experience using various Daiwa reels. I too have a bunch of the older Whisker SS series as well as some Daiwa Predator rod. It's a great lightweight combo for 2 oz and under rig. The older Whisker works very well with braid. Even thou...

Throw away your Certate, Caldia Kix, TDSol Spinning!!!!! :D . I just got the 2500 size Exceler this morning and just spooled it with 15lb Tufline XP. All I can say is WOW considering the price point. Sitting next to the Certate 2500, line wrap is identical, flat and smooth, and a nice cross wrap tha...

Count me in as a relic who still owns a lot of this relic reels. Snidley, the newer TDA advantage and older SS-II are nothing like the older Whisker SS series. They are much heavier when you compare line capacity to weight ratio. I know a lot of you would pick up the Whisker SS and wonder what the b...

I think I will get some. The spool design looks superb, much better than the TDA advantage. Looks like the spool shape is very similar to a Certate or Caldia Kix/TD Sol(have at least one of each). It almost looks like the RCS replacement spool. It's probably too much to ask for a worm gear but looki...

It depends on what size reel you are looking for. If you are looking for a 4000 size reel, then it's hard to beat the Stella FB 4000 since it weighs a good 2 oz less than a comparable Certate. If you are looking for a 2500 size then either reel would do. A Certate 2500 is pretty compact but so is th...

Cal, I'm surprised that you can only get 70-80ft using 1/2 oz plug. Maybe it's the 30lb PP. Using 20lb PP and a 7.5 ft Loomis GL3 HSR900C, a 120ft cast is pretty easy with a Super Spook JR and a 150ft cast is doable with a slight breeze behind. I have two of the Coastal Inshore and if you underspool...

I thought this is a don't ask don't tell forum. Let's just say I have more than I can keep track off. From an old Daiwa PMA-10s to the Stella FB.

It's a great rod for the saltwater environment. No more worry about rusted guide feet. Also, the rod has much more backbone than the rating on it. It is powerful and pretty light.

No need to worry about using braid on recoil guide. I've caught 18-20lb Cobia, 25lb+ black drums, countless stingrays, and 2-3 lb Pompanos on the Loomis GLX worm and Jig series and the sound it makes when the drag is screaming is music. I had some reservations about the sound braid makes when jiggin...

That Stella 4000FB will be use for all purpose. I already have some Cabo PT spooled up with 30lb and 50lb braid for Tarpon, and a Sustain 5000 with 40lb for big snooks.

I jsut found out the same guy sells a spare spool too for $90. So I got a 4000FB for under $500 with a spare spool!!

Yes the V spool does dig in with braid and it's best to use braid in the 30lb class since the diameter match better with 8-10lb mono. And you do lose a little bit of distance compare to slick/limp mono of the same diameter. This is very noticeable with lighter lure but not as noticeable with topwate...