rippin-lips

Other part of my HH order showed up today. Added some more purple to the Steez. 'frame screws and levelwind screw' Forgot to put the knob caps in before taking a pic.

I use the uni on all line types except braid. I use a Palomar with braid. Both have worked great for years.

Same exact handle but 10mm longer. I can't do 80mm. It's too short for my liking.

New rod came today and she's a beauty. MB Racing Condition World Edition 723H

90mm carbon fiber. Just like you find on the zillion type r.

Come to papa! I was able to source the Megabass 2017 limited rooster set. It won't be here for a few weeks so I used another pic. It looks better anyways since mine won't ever get opened.

Pic 1 - jigs Pic 2 - TX rig 'pegged/unpegged' Almost anything you want to know is at your fingertips.

Final finished product. Knob caps in and spool swapped out.

Daiwa is the reel maker.

Wera Kraftform 7pc set I then bought 3 kraftform hex drivers separately. 1.5-2-2.5 for hedgehog parts and Megabass reels since they use hex heads for a lot of stuff.

What tool holder is that?

I will tell you that once you use quality tools it's night and day. I started with basic tools from Lowes when I got into reel maintenance. Once I switched to wera drivers my life got easier. First time you strip out a screw or hex head you'll see what I'm talking about. I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago and I've had it for at least 3yrs now. It's been used a lot too. The new version was improved compared to the original and I don't see it wearing out. Possibly the pin on the end of the cross wrench but it's now replaceable also. My pin never broke on me. The threads in the body gave out but it's aluminum and was just tapped and threaded. The wrench was steel though. The new one has a stainless insert in the body. Much better design.

The SV105 is a steal at $180 also.

The deal on the ss is better but the reel is not. The ss is not exactly a finesse reel as someone mentioned. It holds 90 yards of #16 which is roughly the same as the 103 and not the line size typically used for finesse. It has less drag but 8lbs is plenty. I used mine for weightless plastics. All sv spool reels can cast light baits. The problem with the ss is it's made of zaion and has a very hollow feel to it. Also the spool used in it is very overbraked. I'd take a 103 10/10 times against the ss. Still a nice little reel but it was a let down to me and many others.

The SV103 is $202 right now for the classic sale. That's a pretty dang good deal.

Enjoy the reel and don't worry about it. 11lbs is more than enough for anything bass fishing. Considering a lot of Daiwas only had 8lbs max 'TDZ' and do just fine. You can add another shim under the drag star if you really feel the need to get a little more drag pressure out of it.

It's just an old saying. @nameiztaken

Gotta color coordinate. I went with black Steez SV spools in the 103's also.

Nothing wrong with that at all. It will just cost you more to buy new, unless you get a Lauda or FX. The rest will be $500+ and for me that's a hard pill to swallow. MB reels are very nice and you will enjoy it.

There's nothing wrong with buying used. Some people take really good care of their gear and you'd never know it wasn't new. I have a Zonda 68l and I can tell you that the factory paint is crap. It's the same for the IS paint too. It's not cleared and will wear rather easily. I take very good care of my reels and my Zonda started to wear down on the top of the frame where I rest my thumb. It's getting sent out to be custom painted here in a couple weeks. Once I finally decide on a color scheme. Megabass is to Daiwa as Shelby is to Mustangs. It's just a tuned up Daiwa reel with different paint. Other than the monoblock family there's not any regular MB reel that wows me. Some of the rare ones do but they'll cost you and it's more from a collectors standpoint. Owning a reel that's only released in limited numbers. The Lauda would be a good start to dipping your toes in the water. My favorite still has to be the J dream 7.9. It's just nice on the eyes.

Used 1st gen Daiwa Steez $200-250 Used Megabass Orochi XX $200-250

For me they're even because I plan to keep them for quite some time. I want a quality reel that with proper maintenance will last me 5yrs or more. I want a quality rod that is well built and as sensitive as I can get for the money I can spend on it. Warranty plays a small part also. You have a great budget and you can get a solid combo for $400-500. I'd put $250 into a rod and $200 into a reel.

Those rods use Fuji K series main guides. The tip will be a Fuji FC 'micro casting top' with a 4mm alconite ring. You can get one from Mudhole.

Haha that was good. I can tell you that a sub 6oz reel will balance out a perfect pitch dang near 'perfect' Some folks are behind the times and don't like change. A 7.8oz 'top' reel and a 5.5oz 'bottom' reel on the same 4.8oz rod. Which is a 7'2 mh diablo spec R. Balance point is nearly the same. Dont mind the mess. Slowly working on refinishing the basement.

Sent you a pm @Bunnielab