Bass4Me007

Haven't fully decided yet, but thank you all for your informed opinions. I really appreciate it!

I'm looking to purchase a new Daiwa reel and am seeking advice as to which one. This reel will be used primarily for such things as casting or skipping tubes with light weight, down to 1/8 oz. I'm seeking to replace an old red Fuego that I have been using for this purpose. Steez line is out of my range, but anything around $300 or less would interest me. To be a little more helpful, if you believe the Tatula SV TWS would accomplish this as well as an SV103 or a Zillion SV TW, please let me know. I'm obviously not interested in spending more than necesssary. :-). Those are three I am particularly interested in, but not limited to. Thanks for any responses!

Floroclear was very problematic for me, much in the same vein as Team9nine. As you can see, I do not comment a lot here, and I certainly don't customarily "badmouth" rods, reels, line, etc. However, my experience with this line has led me to warn others about it. Maybe they have improved it since I tried it. I would hope so. I have never had any other line of various sizes on different spools have the kind of unexplained breaks. My adult son who fishes more than anyone else I personally know had the exact same experience. To be completely fair, I have read others who really like the line. That's a real head-scratcher to me. Btw, other P-line products are excellent. But again, this is obviously just my opinion.

I've always just used baking soda in water and a tooth brush. Works well.

Once was the time that Sensation was pretty much all I used. Then I moved away from it to try a variety of other lines. Last year, I decided to try some Sensation once again. I had moved to mostly FC, so there was a bit of an adjustment in sensitivity, but not all that much. I still believe from my experience that Sensation is a very good line. It has less stretch than most lines by diameter (not referencing braid, of course). I've not tested it, but my experience tells me it has less stretch than XT if equal diameters are compared. It has good sensitivity, and surprisingly good abrasion resistance. It is still my favorite non-FC, none braid line.

I know several guys who like to use Fireline on their spinning reels. They prefer it to the more limp braided lines. It is somewhat popular around here. Then there are others who prefer PP, or some other braid. Of course, there are those who won't use braid at all. Personally, I fish so much rock I don't use braid or fused lines all that much, as it seems rocks cut right through them. Everybody has their own opinion. Just wanted to say that Fireline is used quite a bit in my circles.

Lowest stretch mono or copolymer line I have used is probably Berkley Sensation.

Any number of tube jigs would have to be in the running. Some are a little tougher than others.

To illustrate the issue of personal preference, I really like the handle and especially the feel of the slight hump but will not use the Avid spinning because it is too narrow in my hand and thus awkward. You really need to handle one and see how it feels for yourself. I don't find the cork in front of the reel seat a problem at all.

I'm from Iowa but I guess I started off different than many in the north. I used a BC for several years before I ever tried a spinner. That was because I started out catfishing at the age of five. Brakes were basically nonexistent back then and one had to educate his thumb very quickly. When I started bass fishing I still used a BC, but then realized the really light stuff could better be handled with a spincast reel. It wasn't until later that I began walleye fishing and bought my first spinning rod and reel. Now I mainly still use casters but also spinning for lighter applications, especially for smallies and walleyes. I know some disagree, and if the facts are otherwise don't confuse me with them <smile>, but the nature of a spinning rod seems to make it a bit more sensitive. Nonetheless, I prefer baitcasters, and think one can be more accurate with them, although after all the years of experience I've had with both it really makes little difference, I guess. Doesn't much matter. I just love to fish! Don't we all?!

This is what I heard Rick Clunn say, as well. Not MH, but H seven foot rods. He was using up to 10 of them all identical. I'm not exactly capable of fishing some techniques wth a heavy. Maybe Mr. Clunn was/is, but I'm not. I guess if he changed his mind to go to all the same rods he can change it again. Now, what motivates that change I'll leave up to mind readers, but I reckon we have certain guesses.

I, too, do not like to post negatively about a product, let alone P-Line. But I must concur. Of all the line I have used in my good number of years, this would be one of two I absolutely would never try again.

For what it's worth, the following is what Seaguar has on its website. I think this is the source of some of the confusion. "MYTH: All 100% fluorocarbons are created equal. FACT: No. Just because the product says 100% fluorocarbon does not mean it is just like any other on the market. Only Seaguar makes fluorocarbon lines and leaders from beginning to end without any outside companies involved. The difference of quality varies from brand to brand." Assuming the truthfulness of the claim, this doesn't say no one else manufactures their own line. For me to say anything else would be to go beyond my knowledge of the issue. As to lines, I really like Tatsu. I haven't tried all the lines, but of the many I have tried I would put Tatsu as the best balance of manageability, abrasion resistance, and knot strength. It is probably not the most sensitive, but it is very sensitive in its own right.

Don't know for sure, but you might look at the Worm Factory. Looks like one of theirs. It will indeed twist or rotate when retrieved, requiring a swivel.

I don't know if you we're using the new Trilene XL, or not. My experience this year was a strange one. I tied on 8# and couldn't get it to hold a knot worth anything. It was so bad, I finally had to take it off without even fishing it. At the same time I put 4# on another reel. It was good and strong, and in fishing it I couldn't believe how strong it was. I'm hoping the 8# was a rare fluke rather than evidence that the new formula is producing inconsistent results. I certainly can't make a conclusion on just two spools, but thought I'd add my experience, for what it's worth.

Shot in the dark, but might be 1310 mg. This was a pretty good reel in its day. One of the more reliable Quantums. I'd do just basic cleaning, oiling, etc, and see what that does. Could be so many things. Gotta start somewhere.

1a- Fuego 1b- Zillion

"NEW! MULTI-POLYMER FORMULA gives Sensation EXTREME SENSITIVITY, STRENGTH, and CONTROL. Ultrasensitive and ultra strong, Sensation is abrasion-resistant and easy to cast. Small baits cast more easily, crankbaits go deeper, and spinnerbaits run truer. Sensation gives you total control over your presentation, from cast to hook set." This is how Berkley promoted this line. a muti-polymer. Anyway, as was said, it is a mono (one) filament (strand) line as are all copolymers. I really like Sensation. It is sensitive, low stretch compared to other monos. My favorite, actually. If one is used to Trilene XL or a similar line, Sensation will not be as manageable. But it doesn't have terrible memory. I have heard of some having line breakage, but I never have. I do change out line more often than some, though. Its low stretch might be a problem for some who set hard with a snap on slack line. I don't use it as much as I used to because I now use more fluorocarbon in its place. I am going back to it on some spinning reels this year.

Unless the weight bothers you, this will be a smooth, dependable reel. It is well worth the $$$. I really like all these TD-X reels. Newer, lighter ones have been made, but the TD-X's have been used in their fair shair of tournaments. I still use them. Never a problem, except one developed a somewhat sticky drag. Not a major problem.

I think the Avid AVC66MHM or Avid AVC70MHM will fill the bill. Good all-around cranking rods. While St. Croix rods tend to have heavier power (Mediums fish closer to a Medium-Heavy) than typical of the ratings, this is not true with the cranking rods. For what you want, I wouldn't go down to the MM. They do normally go for $180.

I totally agree on this reel. I used to have a number of different brands, but over the years have migrated to almost all Daiwas. I also agree with the view stated a few posts above about the Fuego. I really like that reel. It depends on the application, actually, especially the weight I am casting and the rod it is matched with. But the TD-X 103 HSD has been extremely dependable.

Simply a great all-around rod. What a buy! Hope you got it!

No kidding ? I used to LOVE my Regal Z's ! That right there was just about all I needed to hear ! I might have to get one of these "and" a Pflueger, then beat the heck out of them throwing heavy swimbaits (oh, you guys remember I'm the whacko that uses spinning for everything, right ? ) and see which one holds up the best. Of course, I'm sure I can wear them both out, but then I can see which one outlasts the other.... Peace, Fish I don't mean to mislead you into thinking it's the exacty same reel. There are some differences. But in fishing them, I find them very similar. I've always been amazed at Daiwa spinning drags at even the Regal Z price point. Same with this one. The Hardbodyz came after the old Z's. I think it will serve you well.

Probably one of the better reels for the $$$ you can buy. Has a very smooth drag. Does the job well. Daiwa has made this for Cabelas for several years. Very similar to Daiwa's old Regal Z.

I totally agree with everything said above. Let me add one more possibilty, IF you can spend a bit more and aren't tied to BPS. For $20 more, Cabelas has a Daiwa Exceler Combo that I think would be a pretty good deal for you. Just an idea. Enjoy whatever you get!