twisted_metal

I am sure it's the best of the best. I looked around and you can get them for a better deal from Japan for $614.00 digitaka.com. No way I'd spend $1,300 on a rod, I could swing it but I'd be embarrassed to have one amongst my fishing buddies. I don't want to be "that guy".

I bought some 13's on sale just because around 2yrs ago. Concept A's and Inceptions. In all reality the Inceptions were a better reel believe it or not (the gun metal gray ones). I have since flipped everyone of them and don't miss them a bit, especially the A's, they had that stupid pointed side plate that stabbed your palm. I don't not miss them, wouldn't buy another and if someone gave me one I'd give it away. There are better options in my opinion even at $99.00.

My crank'n/jerkbait rods are definitely technique specific (very moderate action- treble hooks). Also my flip'n sticks are used for their intended application. My finesse spinning gear is technique specific. Outside of that all my fast action 6'6" to 7'6" are used for a wide variety of techniques jig, worm, c-rigs/t-rigs, some topwater, flukes, small paddle tails swimbaits and Spinnerbaits to name a few.

I am very OCD on how my reels should perform. I service them myself so I like the familiarity of working on one brand (for me it's Daiwa [over 20 now], and one Shimano). The Shimano is a 201E 5.5:1 in a lefty (my deep cranking reel, great reel I might add).

THKustoms, Trey is great. Look him up, he's on all the social media platforms. He's easy to get ahold of Instagram @THKUSTOMS via messenger.

Shimano Chronarch 201E5 left handed 5.5:1 gear ratio. It's on my Megabass 7'-11" XX Launcher. It's the best deep cranking reel I have.

I bought a Steez Aii last month for $313.00USD to my door from Japan via Amazon. Took like 8 days to get it. Same reel US MSRP is $650.00. Yeah I know, free cleaning for like 5yrs w/ US MSRP but I do that myself anyway. I wonder how much longer this will go on (avoiding US MSRP buying direct from Japan). These days it's so easy. US retailers have to be a bit perplexed on this.... This day and age it is way too easy to find the best price online including internationally.

I bought a Revo Premier years ago. At the time most of my reels were the OG "Green" Curados, which were super solid and easy to setup. I tried and tried to get the Revo dialed to no avail. No matter what I did outside of casting 3/4oz and up jigs I couldn't get it to work with any consistency. I would fight that reel even when I had it working at its best. I couldn't stand the reel and gave it away. I will not buy an Abu Garcia after that experience. I currently have all daiwa for casting and all shimano for spinning.

Equipment not so much. Baits sometimes.

My Dobyns Champ 865CB Glass seems to be good to me. I like to throw large spinnerbaits and it is exceptional at that. I use it a lot, so I force the luckiness but it is a great rod.

The Steez A2 is my favorite reel by a wide margin. I have the 8.5, 7.1 and 6.3. I also have Steez A1's zillions, TAT Elites, TAT SV's and a T3 (I can use that T3 SV spool in my Steez A2). I swap out the Mag-Z boost spool with the SV for light crankbaits <3/8oz on my 6.3 (its that way now ready for finesse spring cranking). The Mag-Z boost spool is great for anything >3/8oz. Great reel.

Same reel. Amazon puts the QR code decal on higher priced items so if there is a return it can be properly processed when back at Amazon (in the event the customer does not return the original box with the UPC code information). Good deal on that reel!!!

Depends if I'm up in the cover or open water. flip'n it dosent seem to matter as much- clear water green pumpkin, dingy water black/blue any chunk or craw to match size of jig. Open water with a football jig I'd say my best ever is a 5" twin tail yamamoto hula grub.