webertime

Rods are going down though

https://a.co/d/4V0ARqM These are basically 2 3700s wide and give 2" front to back clearance for a 3700. I used old wood bookshelves for a while as well. Now I have a metal shelving unit. I use 3600s, 3700, various waterproof ammo cans etc for my gear so limiting to one size for storage just didn't make sense.

The precieved "lower" build based on a Tatula frame mostly. 1016 (think of it as a 100 frame) 15xx (think of it as a 150+ frame) There are none I would avoid short of being abused. I don't like SV so I prefer the old ones and new/current boost ones, but... you can swap spools etc (whole different rabbit hole) for the middle gen. The middle generation(s) are fine and for the money (same as a new SLX), you are getting a better reel for the money. The OG for around $100 is awesome (still plenty of parts for the most part). Newest ones for $225-245 new is an excellent buy. The 1520 if you're looking for a big line reel is special.

OG zillion and many variations (including the HLC you posted) were first. Based off TD-Z platform. Like an old Rolex. A gazillion variations values from sub $100 to $350+. Spools, trim pieces, etc were the differences. The next model included the T wing. Not as well received but still good (the 2016 you posted). Think random 2010's Toyota Camry, nothing memorable but by no means bad. $125ish plus not as many variations. Zillion G the current one (Silver or HD flat black) Within the 2nd gen there were bigger bodied reels called the Zillion as well (1520 HD, CatalinaTWS). Those are swimbait-ish reels. Those fetch a pretty penny now $250+ That's a broad explanation of them.

The new Spro boxes are pretty deep too. Above is about as comprehensive a list as there is. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/SPRO_TBX_50_Medium_Deep-3600_Tackle_Tray/descpage-STMDH.html

Baijo is the founder of Costa. Seem really nice but if you have a big head you look funny. Smith are super impressive lately

I have that rod with tweaked Citica E 201 (longer handle, bearing under the driveshaft, carbontex drag). 65lb braid to a 16-20lb leader. I love that set up. Bigger braid I guess could help on the oopsies that happen on a cast. But it's biggest advantage is that it doesn't really dig on itself since it still has a pretty big diameter. Casting distance isn't really noticeably shorter. Haven't casted anything off (yet, lol). Throw 68 Huddlestons, tiny klash, osakana slides, islide 187r, G-Dash and 6" Magdrafts with it. Cool rod but yeah a 300+ shimano is overkill on it. A Daiwa 200 (same capacity as a 300 Shimano with a smaller profile) would be good too if you are squirrely about braid and want the capacity of 16-25lb line. If you want to get Gucci find a Daiwa Zillion 1520 (or Catalina tws with a 1520 spool). Holy smokes it's amazing, I have it on my up to 5 oz rod and it would absolutely work on the St Croix. My 4-8oz rod runs a Tatula 200 with no issues (250's and K9s). Just food for thought.

Fuego SLX Last gen Tatulas are around.

Phenix Rock Crawler does the same and is way cheaper

Keep Steez and OG Zillion. It's a catch 22. Ones I'd sell also don't get much in the market right now. I will say that thr performance of one of your reels after say a good cleaning and drag upgrade is nearly as good as what you can get from a new reel under say $200 msrp.

You use your 4/0 and swap out to the xl sized cps springs. They're sold separately.

Mend-it for the salvagable ones. I like using bored out ones as trailers on footballs (skirt or not). Sniper the nose off and sort of use them as a skittering feeding baitfish/goby. Think stiffer shaky head.

For $175... SLX 70/71 with money left over for line

Learned from an OG on Champlain that if the boat drifts at .8 to 1.1 mph you'll get bit (Summer). Well that has proven to be true for hundreds (thousands? I'm old...) of smallies up here for me. That's not terribly fast. St Lawrence only SLIGHTLY faster than the current that being said I have caught them at 6mph drifts there. So to me it's matching a realistic speed of the little creepy crawly on the bottom in a given environment. Think of it this way. If it were a like creature that weighed half an ounce (craw/helgrimite). Would it have enough muscle/energy to skitter quickly on the bottom the same distance as a cast? No, not consistently or realistily. If you're doing a Fluke then would a dying fish have that energy and chose to be on the bottom where it can't escape? Nope. For me understanding drifts of fishing a nymph in fly fishing was a huge advantage to learning to rig. Verrrrrrrrrrry similar ideas.

I was going to get a new blank anyway so I got a sheet coming. We shall see...

They 79 Tatula swimbait rod (last made for the 2024 year). Has a completely different seat than any other Tatula rod. https://copperstatetackle.com/products/copy-of-daiwa-dx-swimbait-rods?srsltid=AfmBOoqK7aCJ_KI6xbX4sopbAkNyNPXRQIUmWLiVqpantEy6aJ6BHD0I

Ended Saturday

I have the Tatula and had the Fury. Tatula is very nice but reel seat might be weird for you

Read this thread. Shrug. Goes to Latest Sale thread...

Raid Osakana Slide is great. $30 but I think there's a bogo deal now. Stock they stay about a foot below the surface. Add a 3/32 nail behind the ft hook slot and they run 2-3' easily. Pretty durable and absolutely catch. There's a jdm bait that the name escapes me (Glideway?). The Nessie from Berkley was inspired by it. Supposed to be great but not very durable. Nessie...meh very mechanical and not that good.

I throw fat ikas everywhere on that set up. And I set the hook like a roid raging monster and haven't snapped the thing in 16 years (jeez I'm old). Those little pit bosses are like a quarter ounce so it's very light especially with a missing tip on the rod.

Short xf medium spinning rod with 30lb braid... so weird to say but I love that set up for irresponsible fishing.

I have used that knot on a jig that got snagged and stopped a 21PHX dead in 6mph current on the St Lawrence. It's very strong.

I have used it, really no difference that I saw.

It's sooooo cute! That's all I got.