kickerfish1

Outstanding setup! Which model Destroyer is that?

Too much! In the last 2 weeks... Chatterbaits from Bluebasser! Jigs from Northstar Steeze 100ha T3-1016 supertuned Bling parts and reel servicing supplies from HH Studios Custom rod which should be completed by months and.

Roboworm and Jackall are my most productive.

Steeze 100HA. Just got it in today and it will satisfy the "weight weenie" user! Getting it cleaned up internally so it will be ready for its first spring outing in a few months.

From what I understand your first choice, the 842 will be a good blank similar to the old Loomis IMX rods. The middle choice is close to the GLX blanks of the past. I am having a rod built on the MHX Hi Mod Heavy series blank. Not sure about where option 3 fits in. I am not sure how they will fish a true 1/8 oz jig but should be good for 1/4 oz.

Interesting about how the changed the body composition for the 1000 size vs the 2500 size. Here is a link to at TT review. The info is under the construction/quality portion. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanostradicfjpg3.html

Not 100% true... the side plate and rotor are graphite but not the entire body.

I would think so. Have you used the E series reels before? It will fish quite similar to the Chronarch 200E or Curado 200E. I haven't used this reel personally but from I understand, outside of the color their are a few internal differences (likely with the bearings and the backup anti reverse mechanism being removed). Right now the market is quite in the sellers favor for these "E" series reels. Seems like they are drawing good money. I have seen Curado and Chronarch 200E reels go anywhere between $130 and $200 depending upon condition. The price you mentioned is right in the middle not to mention it is a bit more rare than the US Chronarch and Curado so it would be more appealing to enthusiasts and collectors should you decided to part with it. Buy it, fish it, and evaluate it but keep a reel cover on it when not in use. If you don't like if for whatever reason sell it. You should have no problem getting close if not all of what you paid for it. I sold a near mint Curado 200E with Abec 5 bearings, box, paperwork, and few bling parts from HH studios for $160 shipped.

I would say so for a NIB reel. The G series was one that was lost in the shuffle between the ever popular E series and love it or hate it "I" series which is where Shimano changed the breaking system. Enjoy your reel!

I can see it both ways. Really fishing comes down to 3 camps. In camp one you have what I call the "old school" guys. These guys have been fishing for years, been using the same rods, reels, lines, baits, etc. They catch fish the same as anyone else yet they never feel the need to "keep up with the Jones's". In the 2nd camp you have what I would call the "young'ns or new school angers? They may have never used mono, don't know about old baits, lures, and slow gear ratio reels. Finally in camp 3 you have the "adapters". These anglers have been around for a while and tend to tweak things to their liking after fishing with about everything out there. They have tried mono, flouro, braid, copoly and most other superlines. They have their preferences for what setup (rod/reel/line/lure type) they would want for fishing a jig or a frog in this case. Usually they can catch fish with any setup a friend or stranger gives them but through trial and error they have developed what they believe to be optimal choices for that application. More than likely they will have technique specific gear for their favorite apps... If I needed one line to cover every app I would select mono and be plenty happy. In this case if I could afford to have a dedicated "frog only" setup I am picking a 7 foot plus MH or Heavy rod, a high speed gear ratio low profile BC in a 7:1 ratio or better, braided line, and something like a Spro hollow body frog. For years I used mono but that was before I had a dedicated setup. I am one of the few people that royally hate braid but for frogs I prefer it. The casting distance strength, and ability of the line to slice through vegetation are all of my personal factors for picking it. Just my $.02

Here are my thoughts between a 2500 and 1000 series Shimano spinning reel. 1000 Size - More suited to line between 4-8 #. I run 6# Tatsu on both of mine. They are also lighter in weight so if you are trying to balance them on a lighter or shorter rod they may balance better. I tend to use mine for drop shots, light shakey heads, flickshakes, small jerkbaits, and other application from 1/4 oz down. 2500 Size - More geared to all around use and line between 6-12 #. I use 8# on mine either Tatsu or Sniper. The larger spool will allow for more line capacity and larger # line. I you fish senkos, tubes, dropshots, and other "general" finesse apps I would slightly favor the 2500 size. You also have a slightly more powerful drag in the 2500 series size as well. For what you describe I would lean towards the 2500 size but either would get the job done.

Have you used these on a build yet? Does the paint seem to hold up during the build process (reaming) and when mounting and removing a reel? Any idea on costs for these?

Lots of these knockoff style baits that are sold cheaper are ok alternatives though they will differ from the original they were based off of. (In this case the Keitech). Look at a Yamamoto Senko and all the copy cat baits. Softness of plastic, colors, action, & scent is why I prefer the Keitechs over other knockoff varieties...

This is exactly what you want for what you described. Rage baits have LOTS of action and are better for agressive fish. Watch Matt Allen's ***n video on jig trailers. Good explanation of exactly this.

Man, that place could have hid Bin Laden for years!

Good looking jigs! Add some living rubber to your next batch. Good action or should I say a different action. I am thinking about expanding my jig materials to create some unique combinations but I have a few other projects in play right now... Keep up the good work!

^ Stellar Group!

I don't fish Lews. Good luck

Keep reading as there are far more breaking systems than just these two. Mag force Z Mag force V Mag 3D Air Brake VBS SVS Dual breaking Basic centrifugal Basic Magnetic DC (Digital Control) The list goes on. Some of these are variations of your standard magnetic and centrifugal breaking systems. Which is best? Like Raul said, that is up to you to figure out. Generally guys that voluntarily fish all one brand of reel do so because they heavily favor one breaking system over the other. All will cast baits from point A to point B.

Great colors, great price, durable, catches fish and can be fished several ways including on a swim jig!

All parts needed have been ordered through Matagi, including the gloss painted reel seat. Thanks all!

8 to 12# line will work just fine in both flourocarbon and mono.

Nice test. Keeping the rod the same would be the only other controlled variable outside of the uncontrollable wind gusts. I will be doing something similar this spring. If you haven't purchased any practice casting plugs they are great for yard tests without having to remove hooks from baits. They have them in a 1/4 to a 1/2 oz size from I have found. I have found it easy to spool the Alphas SV with a 1/4 oz practice plug with 10# mono.

The 78 series LC pointer is a 3/8 oz jerkbait. I usually toss mine a medium or medium light spinning rod. I have used a ML casting rod but I didn't care for the rod I had so I sold. Haven't decided if I will purchase another ML casting rod for smaller jerkbaits yet. I usually run 6 or 8# line for these smaller baits.

Exactly, your supposed question number one is unclear.