kickerfish1

You guys aren't very good influences here. Nice photos Jeff!

You may have just gotten a bad batch. About every line manufacturer seems to have some slip through the cracks. Glad the 2nd try was a charm. I have been using it for about 4 years now. Outside of the price it is my favorite line. The sale/special certainly helps. Thanks for putting up the follow up review.

There is a small amount of "back play" in most Shimanos. As long as the reel was put back together correctly and the handle nut is tight it should be fine.

Thanks for the comparison shots. I may have to donate a kidney to get one, but I think this thing will be a pretty fun reel.

I knew you were on the naughty list for a reason and this is another example Please let us know what you find out when you go to cast it and your thoughts on what should be pretty nice internals.

The 4 inch is about the only size I use on a Texas rig or jig trailer.

I don't think anyone would could a Symetre to be high end. At the Stradic level and above, the reels tend to separate themselves...

Thanks for the clarification. I too am a bit brand loyal for reels and only run Daiwa/Shimano. The Tatula is a VERY good reel and can be found for just a bit over $100 on EBAY. I purchased mine in mint condition here for about $75. The reel is extremely user friendly and nearly impossible to backlash even when trying to put a bit of something extra behind the cast. It is also very good when casting into the wind. The drag is smooth and strong the retrieve is smooth and powerful. Just make sure the frame of the reel is comfortable in your hands as it is a bit larger than other casting reels. The Tatula CT should be a bit more compact and more palmable. Would also be worth a look but I have not used the CT version.

What bait casters have you used or are you currently trying to use? Cheap reals can be frustrating to learn. There are lots of good choices both new and used that are pretty user friendly for around $100. Lots has been written here and there are several articles on how to setup your bait caster as well as several tips and tricks like making a cast, pulling extra line out, then placing a small piece of tape right there to prevent future backlashes from going further than that point. I would look for a used Shimano Citica E or G as they utilize the VBS system which is pretty user friendly and can be found for well under $100.

I always have one with me and I have 8 spinning rigs for bass. For me, I enjoy finesse fishing so they are worth it.

Here in the Midwest we don't have true giant fish. Not many fish over 7 pounds caught in this state on yearly basis. A bigger bass here is a 5-6 pound fish. Over the last 15 years the biggest bass I have caught have came off of Texas rigged plastics, jigs, and topwater frogs. Our lakes are only open for about 9 months a year. Of those 9 moths 7 of them have substantial weed growth around nearly every inch of the lake. I just don't have the consistent water clarity or size of fish to toss magnum sized swimbaits and be able to keep them from getting vegetation on every cast. Live bait no doubt is proven and effective. But for me it takes some of the sport out of the quest...

I wouldn't even attempt it.

MB Orichi XX EMTF with a Scorpion 1000xt and 12 # Sniper. I also used a Dobyns Savvy 734 with a Tatula and 40# braid if I am fishing them around heavy vegetation.

There should be a few GA guys on here that could probably help you out or give you some lakes to try. Try a post on the Southeast forum to try to connect with the guys in the Georgia area.

Beautiful colored fish WB!

So you have the reel spooled with Tatsu, but you are running a flourocarbon leader of some other line? Could it be that the jagged rocks are home to zebra mussels? If so, no line will be of much use here.

Shimano Alde 50mg. This reel will complete my 50 series collection and will be joining a Core 50, Chronarch 50e, Curado 50e, and Scorpion 1000xt.

I can't comment on the new extreme HP models as I haven't taken the plunge yet. However, I have owned several of the older extremes and the H3. The sensitivity was better on the H3 but the balance and looks were better on the Extreme. With the blank and guide upgrades on the new HP extremes I would be willing to bet they would have every bit the feel of the H3. I think member "Iabass8" has or has owned both the H3 and new extreme HP. He should be able to provide an accurate assessment of the rods if he sees this...

So if I am not mistaken the new Antares DC is just a shade over 7 ounces if I am doing the conversion correctly? Also it appears that the frame is a bit smaller and hopefully more palmable over the previous generation Antares DC? When it arrives if you could take a few photos of it next the older Antares and also confirm the weight. Of course I want to know the casting capabilities of the reel, but I think that goes without saying!

You are a bad man. I have been debaiting this reel or the Met MGL.

Yea, I run Tatsu on about 4 outfits. I buy it when TW has it on sale for about $30 during their 25 days of savings sale. Great handling, strong, great feel, very low memory. Expensive, but when combined with backing it becomes a bit more affordable. Glad you like it!

5 inch single tail grub or 4inch paddle style trailer.

Nice flasback memories there Hootie! I think I may still have an older Bantum from the 80s. Too bad the prices didn't remain the same! I remember when about $140 would get you a top of the line reel and $50 bought you a mid priced offering.

Ask the guys on your club our other local tournament guys in the area. With all the brush and larger than average sized fish it may not be the same size or type of line some of us use. Guys fishing spooky bass in clear water, guys fishing heavy weeds in Florida, and guys like me in the Midwest fishing a mix of everything but without truly giant fish are all using different lines and sizes. Maybe someone one here fishes the same bodies of water you frequent and can lend some advice. It sounds like money isn't an issue so maybe buy a good mix of lines and some sizes to try. See what you like and what you don't.

They are actually the only Huddleston baits I have used as I am just not a swimbait guy. I have caught bass and even some really nice walleye on them. They seem to cast pretty well, swim well, and are surpisingly weedless. I would buy a few more especially for the price being about $8