jtesch

I've been using it for a year now and it's great. Super smooth and flexible, it almost feels like it comes with a line conditioner already on it. Sunline super mono is pretty good also.

A dozen casting rods and 5-6 spinning rods on the boat, fishing with someone else 6-8 rods total

I will say this, Crucials and Cumaras have a unique feel to them. It doesn't make them better or worse it just makes them different. I have read it described as a "crisp" action and that is a perfect description. My Rage is 7'1" medium/fast and I have a Crucial 7'2" medium/fast and they couldn't be more different. Crucials just have a stiffer tip section than a lot of other rods. The quantum Smokes kind of feel the same and a rod worth looking at is the new Daiwa Tatula. I played with a couple at BPS and they feel real nice. Honestly you can't go wrong with the Crucials, the warranty is awesome and trust me I've used it several times, all of which were my fault not the rods

I've got about 10 Crucials and at that price range the only other rods I have used that I thought were as sensitive are Bass Pro Carbonlite and JM Signature. Veritas aren't even close, my Powell Endurance isn't either. I have a Kistler micro mag and it doesn't compare either. My Croix Rage isn't as sensitive, I have a Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth spinning rod that is every bit as sensitive as my Cumara so that would be in your price range and they are great rods.

Hey J Francho, do you like the Daiwa x pitching reels. I have 3 X's I got on Ebay that I cleaned up and tuned and I like them as much as some of my $300 reels but I don't have the pitching version and I'm thinking that should be my next project.

Daiwa Advantage HSTA is a really nice real for the money. Very under appreciated in my view

aavery2, I'm with you. I love some of the older Daiwa's and pick them up when I can. Even if they need a little work it's fun to upgrade them and you can end up with a truly great reel at a nice price. I have cleaned, tuned and upgraded 3 Daiwa x's so far and a Sol is next in my sights

O.K. lets start a fun topic. What is the best baitcaster you have ever owned for under $125.00, New or used mine is a Daiwa td-x 103 hsdf got it on the Bay for $65 in near mint condition. put a Zillion bent drag star on it for $25 and a stock Zillion handle that I had laying around and bright gold handle nut and retainer from Mike's for $15 for a total of $105. It is now my go to pitching reel and the only reel I own that I can actually cast all the line off the spool if I don't watch what I'm doing.

Look at the reel your 100% right. Can't really tell who makes it

Pretty sure they are Daiwa reels as most Cabelas reels are and they are on Cabelas web sight for $39

Revo MGX with Boca Orange seal bearings will do a pretty good job at a decent price and it's a great fit on the Cumara, crazy light

I have the same rod and it's pretty much an all purpose action. I wouldn't have a problem throwing a jig with it if I had too. It's not a classic moderate action spinnerbait rod like some companies build so I think it is a case of Shimano using a little marketing ploy. Still a great rod for the money, I have 7 or 8 crucials and love them. It would be a great rod for swim jigs and chatterbaits, really any kind of reaction bait. Not a crankbait rod though

O.K. guys, is their any advantage to spooling a baitcaster with flouro versus spooling braid and using a flouro leader. The obvious one is the knot used in connecting the leader but is their any other good reasons to go all flouro???

Fine

Orange seals are ABEC 7, I have found that in some reels they make a big difference and in others not so much. What they really help with is pitching. The bearings allow the spool to start much easier and faster which translates to easier, longer and more accurate pitches and it also means less effort so you don't tire out. I have a couple of Revo MGX's and with the orange seals it really is more like a wrist flick to pitch a lure. one more thing, they allow you to use lighter lures. I wouldn't recommend putting them in a cheaper real as the breaking systems may not be able to keep up with the faster spool and you will have to dial up the cast control thus defeating the purpose of the faster bearings. Just my opinion

Thanks guys, been using orange seals for a couple of years and was just wondering about the VXB's for a couple of "project" reels

Has anyone tried VXB bearings and if so give me a review. they are pretty cheap on the Bay.

Great reels but outdated in my opinion. The way reel oscillates creates so much wobble it is really annoying and makes you appreciate the reels we have today.

Thanks, I think the key is to be selective on what reels you choose to do it too. A lot of the older stuff isn't worth it but the Team Daiwa X's, Z's and S's are and older Shimano's are also. I started this when I bought a TD-X 103 HSDF on the Bay that was in close to mint condition for $50. When I got it I could tell something was wrong internally but I didn't want to send it back because it was in such nice shape. I took the plunge and took it apart and found it was missing the pinion bearing ( seller must have tried to service the reel and not put it back together right) So I ordered the parts from Mikes reel repair and I realized it wasn't that big of a deal to fix and upgrade the older reels and away I went. I have to say the X's are some of the longest casting reels I've ever used. Mike's reel repair was great and Tackle Trap.com also has a good selection of parts and ships super fast. One bit of advice, if you choose to do this be prepared to spend some cash.

So, my new thing is finding old Daiwa reels on the bay and tuning them up. So far I have got 2 team Daiwa x reels on the Bay and tricked them out and I have to say that they are equal to the reels I have bought in the last 3 years. I have MGX's , Premiers, Zillions, and other top quality reels and the Diawa X's after being cleaned, oiled and to take it a step farther, bent drag star and bent handles added and bearings if I feel it necessary are as good or better. The X's are costing about 50-60 bucks and the handle and drag star costs about $70, add bearings for $30 and it costs $160 for a great reel. Am I crazy or am I just tinkering.

I change the bearings to Boca orange seals on all my reels. Some it really helps, some not so much

Cumara, Cumara, Cumara

Try going opposite and double the braid and wrap the floro around it with 20 wraps

I have been waiting for someone to ask this question and thank god it finally happened.

The always on anti-reverse on the smoke I have drives me insane. It's a decent reel but for the price shimano and daiwa reels are better in my opinion and I have all of them. The Daiwa Aird is a nice reel for the money but you can't beat the Stradic .