Hogsticker

The specs may seem the same on paper, aside from a magnesium frame. Real time differences can be seen on the water in terms of performance and longevity. We are talking stamped mass produced parts vs. Machined quality high tolerance parts. I have no problem with Lews reels, they are good, but to me there is a noticable difference between good and great. When comparing Lews highest offering to say a Core, the Lews just doen not have that "it" factor that I personally desire. A person can't draw this conclusion until they have actually used both reels for a fair amount of time. Just making claims based off specs is useless, however most of the reviews you see are exactly that. Why pay 100 dollars more for a Shimano when I can get the same thing rolled into a Lews package? It boils down to labor, quality control, quality of parts used, etc.

I use Hedgehog Alchemy oil on the spool bearings and send the reel off for maintnance to somebody who knows what the heck they are doing

Get what you like, buy what you can afford. These threads can get out of hand, and you will never get all non bias responses. The previous response made me chuckle. Gave a Stella to your son and bought a Plueger as it had 10 bearings. Pflueger makes nice bang for your buck spinning reels, but I'm shocked to see that people still believe if a reel has more bearings it must be better, even if the bearings used are total crap. Quality and innovation is what keeps me with Shimano and Daiwa. To me, OEM reels are a dime a dozen. My E series Citica is still the best 120 bucks I ever spent on a reel. No cookie cutters for me. You can spend 100 bucks on a Shimano spinning reel and it will last you a very long time and bring you years of enjoyment. My dad has Shimano spinning reels dating back to the early 90s that are still getting used. Let me know where you're Lews is in 20 years.

1st I make sure the handle length is going to be ideal for what I plan on using the rod for, and how I personally handle the rod while fishing that technique. Then I look for the handle grip material I prefer, and address how how much usable area there is on the upper portion of the split grip if not a full handle. I make sure the rod utilizes quality stainless or titanium guides and quality ceramic inserts. No recoils or guides that don't have inserts for this guy. I need a reel seat that I'm familar with and feels right. Most importantly I want the rods action to be ideal for what I'm using it for, and trust me, this varies from person to person and every rod companies actions are a touch different. I want to make sure the rod has enough backbone also. I prefer mid micro size guides as bigger guides tend to stick out to far and can cause line wrap with thiiner lines, lighter baits, and wind. True micros are just to small for my taste. Lastly, and this one is important...build quality. I read and ask a lot to make sure the company does not have a lot of quality control issues, and the rods are being built with care, slop free, meaning no excess epoxy and glue, guides are straight, no visible gaps between any seems, etc. If you can hold the rod make sure the blank is dead straight.

Just make sure those suckers aren't even a hair over 84 inches long. I've always shipped 2 day priority as it has been the least expensive, though I noticed shipping costs went up a few bucks. Try and make a friend at the post office. Some pretty interesting folks can be found working there for sure.

The President is the best 50 dollar spinning reel ever made IMO. With that being said, each step up from that point is an improvement and worth the money. Pflueger does it right with spinning reels.

In terms of versatility, the Fenwick Elite Tech smallmoth mod fast blanks are the best I have used. You can only tell its a mod fast when you're towing a resistance type bait or hooked up with a fish. It fishes jigs and such equally effective and feels like a fast untill you hook up. Both the Dobyns Champion and Champion graphite crankin rods are pretty darn versatile as well. If you want to spend the cash, the Megabass XX rods are about as versatile of a stick you're gonna find.

I love the color/marking variations between the two pigs you're holding side by side. Smallies rock! Beautiful fish -

There is a ton of options out there. If you're set on a composite rod, Phenix X series are awesome and Powell makes some nice composite sticks as well in both the Endurance and Inferno series. They will both be better built rods than those Quantum KVD rods. Why no St. Croix graphite Avid or Premier mod fast cranking rods?

This is why I've never been a fan of dual brakes. To many possibilities to maximize effeciency for my keep it simple taste. I like Shimanos VBS and Daiwas Z. I can set it and forget with both and just fish. If I had a reel with dual braking I would rely on the cent brakes and only utilize the magnets as conditions indicated

Man has this topic strayed a bit, but then again the title was a little odd to begin with. Should have just read new Cabelas reel. Daiwa and Shimano build around what they assume is warranted and wanted by U.S anglers, hence the deep spools. Look on the Japanese side and you will find just the opposite. I do agree however, bring a new Sol type platform to the U.S market. What I don't like about Cabelas, the one in my neck of the woods anyhow, is that they stock and push Cabelas house brand items more so than anything else, plus they drove everybody else out of business. For those who are Cabelas loyalists, I'm glad to see that they are using Daiwa again rather than Quantum. Though the new Verano casting reel appears to be an Okuma Helios.

So are these rods inspected for quality control before hitting the stores by Lami, or are they direct to the stores from China? I know Kistler claims they inspect their lower end rods made in China before being released, but sometimes I wonder. The build quality on my KLX is better than my made in China Kistlers. Sorry to stray off topic. Lamiglass makes some great blanks, but I've only used their rods assembled in the Lami factory.

LOL.....Good stuff for sure

Wasn't there another thread just started on this topic?

Yes, the regular is close to the same as another companies mod fast. If you're fishing open water and don't plan on going above a half ounce, the medium should be fine. Otherwise, get the MH

I prefer the Aruku shad. I've smacked them into rocks and they seem durable except the finishes. Never really been a fan of Strike King baits, but the red eye seems popular. The Spro is the best priced quality lipless crank out IMO. It comes with Gamakatsu hooks so no need to change unless you want bigger or smaller hooks. I would change the hooks on the red eye though. The Aruku and the Yo Zuri rattlin vibe have been my two most successful lipless baits

Lamiglass factory is located in Woodland Washington. Interesting the sticker on the butt cap reads made in China.

I fondled some of the ZX rods at Cabelas. I wasn't very impressed. They were tip heavy, and heavy all together. They all felt kinda moderate fast to me, which I actually prefer, but the blank diameters were thick and huge. If I were set on a new 100 dollar rod I would swoop up a new Fenwick HMG. A whole lotta rod for 100 bucks IMO

I prefer the Fuego. Smaller size with a ton of spool options. If you plan on doing upgrades the Fuego is a great reel to start with. The only thing I don't care for is the stock handle, but you can purchase a handle replacement for pretty cheap.

The T3 was way more innovative than the Tatula IMO. Then after Shimano introduces the new Cuardo, Daiwa will come out with something like a smaller Tatula with 3D braking, ball in Shimanos court and so on. Its a ping pong ball. Both companies do it right and make great reels. As for the Zillion Tatula comparisons, I'm not certain they utilize the same blanks. They just utilize the same construction process. The Zillion rod blanks appear to be thinner in diameter to me

T3 Ballsitic on a new model Fenwick HMG

Is it a shield or a clip? I'm sure you can get a replacement from an online Quantum dealer. If you run them unshielded which is fine, just make sure you remove them and clean them more often

Two totally different animals. If sensitivity especially on slack line is your main concern, go with red label. If abrasion resistance is of concern, go with fluoroclear. The fluoroclear can be a pain in the butt for management, and any fluoro can develop weak spots when fished around cover and structure. Two different natures. Personally, I think Yo Zuri hybrid is more what your looking for as an all purpose kinda line. Don't buy the other stuff just cause its on sale. Hybrid is still affordable

Oh yeah, auto change line! Just give me an aluminum version of the T3 without the pop up hood. I hope its coming Daiwa

Who knows where Kistler sourced the blanks for the CS that came and went so quickly. But then again, I have no idea what blanks Denali uses either. If the CS fishes like the older magnesiums it should be a decent stick. If warranty is of concern, go with Denali