bass1980

Pitching jigs would benefit from a fast ratio reel. Many times I'm just pitching into pockets between vegetation, jig once or twice, reel back and pitch again. I can cover ground faster because many times they bite on the fall anyways so no point of working the jig too long.

OP what you did was just fine, switch brand. "WE" all have bought products for our daily lives and we all have had bad or not up to par products but 98% of us have never or thought of writing a letter of complaint. A forum is just that, to brag, complain, discuss, debate, and inform on social media.

This debate is getting "color" and "details" mixed up. I can take a KVD 1.5 sexy shad and paint that sucker up bright chartreuse and in the right condition it'll catch fish. Now if I add all these little details like scales, bleeding gills, orange belly, ect ect will it catch more fish than my custom chartreuse???....??? IMO a reaction bait is just that, getting a fish to react to the motion of a lure. I highly doubt the fish will pick up on the small details otherwise you all would be fighting the lines for those gimmick Koppers bait ball. A crank wobbles so much that how could a bass possible see that it has a bleeding gill? Color on the other hand I believe will play a role in some certain condition. Most stock colors of from manufacturers should fill the list. I believe fishing is a hobby just like any other. If you enjoy custom lures, gives you more confidence, and makes the hobby more enjoyable, then it is not a waste of money. My sisters think a $1000 setup is a waste of money but thinks a Louie Baton purse for $1000 is a bargain. Enjoy the fishing hobby my friends and hope your wife doesn't get into purses .

I guess I'm used to the *** rods and people have said the handle length on those are short for them. They fit me fine though. I always two hand cast, my forearm just isn't strong enough and I do have smaller hands. I'm 5'7 if that matters but I don't have a problem 2 hand casting a GL2. The GL2 CBR 845C is a nice cranking rod. Just not THE one for me. I one day want to try the Dobyns 704 or 705cb(composite) or the Gloomis GLX cranking rod. Those are $250 and $450.....ouch!

I have not but they have great reviews and a few members here loves them.

That's why choosing the Gloomis GL2 cranking rod may be a good option. Most major retail store has them. They have good warrantee and include the over the counter Wild card. Just a suggestion. I still haven't found the crank rod that is for me just yet. The GLX feels great for at $450 it's too expensive.

I had both the Phenix X10 and Gloomis CBR 845C and between the two I liked the X10 better. Just my opinion but the X10's blank felt better, more sensitive, and lighter. The Loomis I like the reel seat and corks better so where my hand is touching the rod n reel it felt better. If I had to do it all over again I would take the Loomis because even though they both have great warrantee the Loomis offers the wild card on their GL2. In store counter exchange saves you time and you'll have more shops that sells Loomis over Phenix.

Chronarch 50E and call it a day. I love mine so much that I won't go lower in the Shimano Baitcast reel lineup. If I get another Shimano reel it'll be another 50 series or stepping it up to a Core or Metanium.

^^^ excactly. A 30lb braid line has the diameter of the average 8lb mono line. You should be able to get more lines now.

Something is wrong with me lately. I have been misinterpreting a lot on this forum haha. Well good luck on your item though.

kwhorne....I have order from TW many times. I once got the wrong product and all it took was a phone call. They said they would send the product right away and for me to keep the item they messed up on. I know it does not cost as much as your purchases, but TW has a pretty good reputation. I'm not question, but just asking, how come you didn't just call their customer service number? Yes I know they should have responded right away through email as well but sometimes it's just better giving a phone call. I have gotten emails from then within a day so I am not sure why they would stall this time. That is not professional. Also just about all bigger stores/shop offer price adjustment within 14 days of purchase if the item you bought goes on sale. That's just proper business. If they didn't all the buyer would have to do is return the item and then buy new ones. This doesn't help both parties out. Also I didn't find your post as whiney.

I just don't see how you could pass up on the higher end T3 at the sale price if you're looking at the three. No need to upgrade the T3B and spend extra money on bearings and handles when after everything it'll cost about the same as the T3 that's on sale. All the owners of the T3 claims it's a phenomenal caster. Has 14 pounds of drag, weighs 6.5oz, and has a small profile for easy palming. Even some die hard T3 users think it was over price at $429 but I guess Daiwa was charging for the R&D, name, and hype. Still at $215 it's a steal. Just because they are discontinuing it doesn't mean it was a bad reel. If you look at Daiwas history they have discontinued some great reels like the Alpha, Sol, and Fuego. The premium Daiwa charges the sales are sure to stall. The Tatula will be a good seller considering its in the ball park of $150-$200. If I would have gotten into baitcasting just a tad bit earlier it would have unloaded my wallet on those clearances Curado 50 Es. Once TW is out of stock on those T3's it'll be hard to find price like that, even used.

Trying to revive this thread with fishing technique talks. I find that a lot of tips you read online seems more suited for southern lakes and reservoirs and doesn't always reflect our northern natural lakes with tons of vegetations. First off drop shot. I'm still learning this technique and want to be better at it during those long hot summer days. 6-8lb line, drop shot hook, and spinning reel is the preferred choice but I find myself rigging it to weedless hooks and 20lb braids. With all that vegetation I just don't feel confident with a typical setup. So hard to find structures and no vegetation in mn lakes. Am I thinking wrong? Also do you guys drop shot docks? I started to do that, basically slowing down big time at docks to really bait them. Been working for me, but I don't know it it's because of drop shoting or they would have taken it with anything I threw because there was a hungry fish. Thoughts?

I love pitching. It's the reason I went to all lefty reels. Pitch, cast, fight, play with fish all with my strong hand never having to switch hands. I'm so glad I did.

5" Yamamoto senko in black/blue. If I'm looking for size then a black neon jig with a red paca chunk trailer.

War eagle you are correct on that.

Ok this is not my picture, it is from TT. If anyone or the owner wants me to take the picture off let me know and I will. The overall width is about the same but only near the top is different. In a game of millimeters to some people it makes a difference. Other than that the reel is very close in the same size. I would guess people with larger hands wouldn't notice much difference. I say go to a store and feel for yourself.

Confidence is the word. Zion feels different, but could it stand the pressure of people pulling 4lbers, absolutely. The feel of Zion automatically makes people think it's brittle. It's a tough market, Zion and Ci4 is not strong enough, magnesium is too expensive, and aluminum is too heavy. Yes I am aware a few people had issues with grooving when first launched. Weather it was user error or Daiwa fixed it, the mass T3/B users doesn't even think twice about the grooving issues. There's actually a T3 enthusiast group and they all have dismissed the grooving issue in other forums. I did my research before buying the reel. My two current T3 I won't be using braids as one is for finesse and one is for small moving baits but I wouldn't hesitate. If Zion or the hood makes anyone even worry a bit then do get the Tatula as I'm sure it is a nice reel. Like I said the only common complaint I hear about it is the width of the reel. I can post up a really nice picture of a guy comparing the Tatula to the Zillion.

Internet spreads like wild fire....... T3 platform only caused groove on TT's test because the tester used a spiral wrap rod. I used braids on my T3B for a few outings, no damage at all. It actually performed better with braid, power pro SS. Even hauled a bass froggin in thick pads. Zion feel different, but unless you guys are landing 15lb bass in thick slop the frame isn't going to flex and even that it probably wouldn't.

Agree with Delcosol to a point. I also think a big factor is aluminum vs CI4 materials. If your into traditional aluminum reels anything but aluminum will be a no no. Just like all the Daiwa guys love that loves the Zillion hates the T3 Zion. Even with graphite side plates aluminum body just feels better. I try to keep an open mind. Understanding it will feel different and to just live with it. If it was me Id take the Ci4+ over the E. I owned three E's and have cast the CI4 a few times. Casting and smoothness ci4+ hands down. Duel brakes is a bonus. Sometimes I feel like two brakes is not enough and three is too much. Ci4 should take care of that. Ci4+ will be my next reel. I just had to pass on it to hop in the T3 sale.

Last year they had Yama senkos for $2.99.......been waiting for a year on that deal lol.

Ordered two. Been messing around with one I already got. Excellent reel for the price. If it wasn't Christmas season I would get 2 more! Can't wait until this sub zero weather goes away so I can really use it on some Smallies.

PQ is a magnificent reel even though I sold mine. Very smooth for its price. If you could bare the weight it's very nice with duel brakes and cast 1/2oz cranks very well. Although it has plenty of power with the lower gear set my only complaint would be the short handles.

Would a Shimano Aldebaran gear set work? It seems to be close to the 50 series size and has a 5.8:1 ratio? Just throwing it out there for the reel gurus.

Thanks for the reply everyone. Keep them coming. If anyone is interested they are for sale for the 4" version at $2.19 at Overstockbaits!!!