woolleyfooley

Did you find the steez big or small? I find the steez a2 to be quite wide.

Original packaging here.

Which daiwa and Shimano reel models are made in China?

I could be wrong. Looking at the quantum s3, it does look very similar to a lews/doyo.

I just read the thread on here about the sale. Seems like Gary is keeping his whole team there and is still involved in the day to day operations. I’m cautiously optimistic that Dobyns quality etc will remain the same. Time will tell.

Wait, Dobyns was sold? When did this happen? I was under the impression Gary Dobyns was still in charge.

I have a few lews, granted nothing below the $200 dollar tournament pro and they’re all 8-10 years old or older. But I really do like them. They’ve held up well all these years and the features you get for $200 seem like a good deal. In any case, are quantum reels made in the same doyo factory as lews? From what I’ve read, doyo do make quality products.

Thank you both! I’d really love to try an NRX+ or a steez ags to feel the difference for myself. I wish I could find someone local with one so I didn’t have to shell out the big bucks just to try it. Anyone else with opinions like these would be much appreciated!

This is going to be very specific, but how does the sensitivity compare to the dobyns xtasy? Have you ever used a dobyns champion extreme? Edit: d**n Randy! I didn’t realize you revived a 5 month old thread! 😂 Hopefully OP sees this.

Nice! Thanks!

Awesome! Love your stuff!

Wanted to ask a question. Like I said, I love my champion extreme, but there are times when I wonder “did my bait just fall off some grass? Or was that a bite?” Combine that with seeing people on various online platforms claim rods like the NRX+, conquest, steez ags and similar are in a “different galaxy” compared to the champion extreme, I’d like to hear from people who have used the champion extreme and rods like the NRX, conquest, steez ags etc. How much more sensitivity can be had going from a champion extreme to one of the “super rods” listed above? Would it really make a big difference in feeling bites for someone like me who keeps the line on my finger?

I was holding a zillion 10.0 the other day and couldn’t fathom what it would feel like having a 10:1 gear ratio. I’ve never used anything over mid 7s.

I could see the caffeine shad working well as a chatter bait trailer. It would probably look similar to a spunk shad. I’m planning on comparing the caffeine shad to the Yamamoto D shad. I guess I’ll also be comparing the caffeine shad and the spunk shad as chatterbait trailers. Thank you for the idea!

What?? 😮

Not trying to derail the thread, so apologies in advance, but you seem like the Daiwa guru on here. What’s the difference as far as brakes between the zillion and the steez a2?

Wow. Got a lot more replies than I expected! Thank you all. As far as braid vs Fluoro, I use Fluoro as I find the semi slack line sensitivity much better which makes it much easier to detect strikes. I love my champion extreme, and I do feel like I can feel everything going on down there. However, there are certain times when I feel my bait do something and I wonder “was that a bite, or was it my bait just falling off some grass?” That combined with comments I’ve seen from some people saying rods like the NRX+, the conquest, the steez ags and other $500+ rods “are in a different galaxy” to rods like my champion extreme does leave me wondering if upgrading would allow me to better interpret what I’m feeling, equaling more hook sets with a fish on the other end. I also believe the fact that I use my finger to feel the line makes a big difference. This is one of the reasons I have some doubts as to how much of a difference the rod actually makes for me. How much of what I’m feeling is from the line on my finger, and how much is from the rod? I think the only way to find out for sure would be to try one of the expensive rods and see for myself. I’m sure it’s different for everyone. Thanks again for all the replies. I’m really enjoying reading all of the feedback you’ve all given me!

I’ve seen this topic come up in certain threads and wanted to explore it further. For a while I’ve thought that I needed the most sensitive rod for jigs, Texas rigs, senkos and the like. I keep the line over my index finger, so I get feedback on bottom composition and strikes that way, but I also combine that information with what I feel in my hand through the rod. I use a dobyns champion extreme 745 and it’s very sensitive in my opinion, but I can’t help but wonder how much more sensitive other rods like the NRX, the conquest, the Daiwa steez ags etc are. I also can’t help but wonder if “upgrading” to a more sensitive rod would help me detect more bites. All that said, how much do you think sensitivity matters? Would it be foolish of me to chase sensitivity and buy a more sensitive rod than what I have?

Will do!

I really want to try that megalo dooon spinnerbait by Jackall. It comes in 1 and a half ounces and 2 ounces iirc.

How do you like that megabass sv3 spinnerbait?

Didn’t we just do this? But yes I do, if you consider the zoom ol monster a ribbon tail. I’m in Florida as well, so that changes things depending on where you are.

I would think having a non biologist removing the tags would be a bad idea. I’m surprised to hear they do that.

Agreed. Absolutely love that feeling!

Definitely agree with this. The D shad is an amazing bait. Basically a fluke that falls like a senko. Only downside is the durability, but it’s a worthwhile trade off for the action you get. Also very curious how the caffeine shad compares to the D shad. I’ve never tried the caffeine shad, but maybe I’ll pick a few packs up.