Finesse baitcaster under 220ish

[d510addict]

All,
I've been hunting for an Alphas CTSV in left hand for awhile but it seems the lefties require a steep premium. Is there a reel, JDM or USDM that rocks for baits in the 1/8th to 1/4 oz range for under 220? Or possibly a cheaper reel that can be upgraded readily with a shallower and lighter weight spool? I can almost get where I want with an old Daiwa AIRD. It performs surprisingly well compared to my equally old Lews Speed Spool LFS and Johnny Morris Pro Qualifier. But the bearings arent the best and im sure surf casting 3 -5 ounces didnt do it any favors.
I also have an SLX BFS which works great but I am worried about its durability....it feels like a cheap toy.

My end goal is to throw Ned baits that will range from 4.5 to 6.5ish grams depending on the plastic design, with a light powered rod.

Thank you,

[LowRange]

You have a ton of options. Does the ability to skip the bait have any importance to you?

[dragon1]

See if you can locate an OG Aldebaran BFS or Aldebaran MG7 and drop a finesse spool into it.

Also, a 34 mm LH Daiwa gives you a lot of finesse/BFS spool options.

[d510addict]

Not alot to skip under. What year aldebaren?

[Aquaftm45]

All,
I've been hunting for an Alphas CTSV in left hand for awhile but it seems the lefties require a steep premium.

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/r10 ... ch_suggest

This will be about 165 tyd.

[Craiger12]

All,
I've been hunting for an Alphas CTSV in left hand for awhile but it seems the lefties require a steep premium. Is there a reel, JDM or USDM that rocks for baits in the 1/8th to 1/4 oz range for under 220? Or possibly a cheaper reel that can be upgraded readily with a shallower and lighter weight spool? I can almost get where I want with an old Daiwa AIRD. It performs surprisingly well compared to my equally old Lews Speed Spool LFS and Johnny Morris Pro Qualifier. But the bearings arent the best and im sure surf casting 3 -5 ounces didnt do it any favors.
I also have an SLX BFS which works great but I am worried about its durability....it feels like a cheap toy.

My end goal is to throw Ned baits that will range from 4.5 to 6.5ish grams depending on the plastic design, with a light powered rod.

Thank you,

Are you not a fan of the current Alphas SV TW? The JDM shallow spool lefty can be had for ~$190 from at least one well known retailer. Seems like a no brainer unless I'm missing something. It would be my first pick to do exactly what you are looking to do.

[d510addict]

I've been eyeing it. Have you used one?

[d510addict]

All,
I've been hunting for an Alphas CTSV in left hand for awhile but it seems the lefties require a steep premium. Is there a reel, JDM or USDM that rocks for baits in the 1/8th to 1/4 oz range for under 220? Or possibly a cheaper reel that can be upgraded readily with a shallower and lighter weight spool? I can almost get where I want with an old Daiwa AIRD. It performs surprisingly well compared to my equally old Lews Speed Spool LFS and Johnny Morris Pro Qualifier. But the bearings arent the best and im sure surf casting 3 -5 ounces didnt do it any favors.
I also have an SLX BFS which works great but I am worried about its durability....it feels like a cheap toy.

My end goal is to throw Ned baits that will range from 4.5 to 6.5ish grams depending on the plastic design, with a light powered rod.

Thank you,

Are you not a fan of the current Alphas SV TW? The JDM shallow spool lefty can be had for ~$190 from at least one well known retailer. Seems like a no brainer unless I'm missing something. It would be my first pick to do exactly what you are looking to do.

Ive never put hands on the Alphas. But I keep reading that the reels lower limit isn't much below 1/4oz. I would hope that not to be the case as my AIRD launches 1/4 oz baits. I know it's a smoking deal, what are the spool options for it?

[dragon1]

Not alot to skip under. What year aldebaren?

2013 Alde BFS: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewbfsvt3airfinalpt1.html

OG 2009-2012 Aldebaran:
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanoaldebaran.html

[Craiger12]

All,
I've been hunting for an Alphas CTSV in left hand for awhile but it seems the lefties require a steep premium. Is there a reel, JDM or USDM that rocks for baits in the 1/8th to 1/4 oz range for under 220? Or possibly a cheaper reel that can be upgraded readily with a shallower and lighter weight spool? I can almost get where I want with an old Daiwa AIRD. It performs surprisingly well compared to my equally old Lews Speed Spool LFS and Johnny Morris Pro Qualifier. But the bearings arent the best and im sure surf casting 3 -5 ounces didnt do it any favors.
I also have an SLX BFS which works great but I am worried about its durability....it feels like a cheap toy.

My end goal is to throw Ned baits that will range from 4.5 to 6.5ish grams depending on the plastic design, with a light powered rod.

Thank you,

Are you not a fan of the current Alphas SV TW? The JDM shallow spool lefty can be had for ~$190 from at least one well known retailer. Seems like a no brainer unless I'm missing something. It would be my first pick to do exactly what you are looking to do.

Ive never put hands on the Alphas. But I keep reading that the reels lower limit isn't much below 1/4oz. I would hope that not to be the case as my AIRD launches 1/4 oz baits. I know it's a smoking deal, what are the spool options for it?

Good point. It might not be the best option for 1/8 oz but would be great for 1/4 oz. I have the Alphas Air but not the Alphas SV TW. I don't know of any 32mm spools available, but I'm sure others can comment on that.

[dragon1]

Another reel worth considering is an Alphas SV 105.