offsidewing

what reel do you have mounted on yours? I'm having trouble finding one that balances well which puts my hand awkwardly on the reels seat.

Is there a way to change the reel seat on a factory LTB without destroying the rod? I have the Spinning LTB 68MXF and it still has the tags on it because I'm not sure what I think about the reel seat in my hands...

Didn't mean to hijack the OPs thread... The free spool description was to illustrate the amount of friction obviously present in the mechanical function of the reel. Something is wrong with my reel, not the entire Aldebaran production run. I subsequently sent it off for a professional disassembly and cleaning - hopefully that's all it takes. I'm not Shimano bashing as I've fished Shimano spinning reels exclusively for 20 years. It would seem perhaps I got a bad reel and, as a JDM purchase, no warranty support. Thems the breaks with grey market items. I've strapped this thing on a 7'1" MHXF and a 7'1" MM throwing 3/8 oz and it struggles to cast 45 feet with no wind. I've put it on a 6'6" MHF throwing 3/4 oz and same results. The "nylon rubbing on nylon' feel (and sound) during retrieve indicates something is amiss. It's not the 'smooth and consistent' retrieve so many others have noted in forum posts. I'm thinking something was over tightened on the reel in assembly. Or it could be something with the centrifugal braking system causing constant friction on the spool. I'm optimistic that stripping it to the frame, giving it a good cleaning, and proper reassembly will fix the issue.

Basser - I can't put my finger on it. Yes, it has less heft than any of my Lews Reels (Tourney and BB1 Pro) but that's not what feels cheap. No matter where the spool tension knob is set, there is resistance on the cast and retrieve. I've turned off all the brakes, set the external to brake setting to it's lowest setting. Spinning the spool it gets less than 2 seconds "free spool" time and when I flip the handle it won't make two rotations on it's own. The best way to describe it is like this - Have you ever taken apart a spin cast reel, then not screwed the front cover on correctly? When you reel it in, the bail rubs against the front cover and there is a grindy resistance. That's exactly what my Aldebaran feels like and it has that plastic on plastic grinding "woosh" on the retrieve. Something is going on. I've taken off the side plate, removed the excess grease off the gears and added some bantam oil. No improvement. I've sent it off for a proper cleaning down to the frame, so hopefully that solves the issue. The reel palms easily and feels great in your hand. I love the look of it too. I was going to buy a Core for jig work, then heard rumors of this reel and waited for it. I've only ever owned Lews and Abu Garcia baitcasters - this is my first shimano and first Magnesium framed reel. I can't imagine the feeling I've described is typical of lightweight baitcasters. The next closest by comparison that I've tried is the Quantum Tour Mg 100 - and (prepare for butt hurt) it mechanically felt better. Maybe the silent tune feature on mine is putting too much pressure on the spool or something is up with the spool tension knob area.

I kinda feel the same way about mine. I have all Shimano spinning gear and a JDM 2015 Aldebaran 50HG was my first Shimano Bait caster. Out of the box my Lews reels felt better and casted better. It just feels "off." I sent mine off to DVT hoping all it needs is a good cleaning. I may have to jump on a full retail priced Core 50 before they are gone forever.

I tie Palomar knots with braid and have no issues. My father uses a weird Palomar type knot for Crankbaits using Fluro and sometimes that slips, but it's not a textbook Palomar.

y u do dis?

Why buy one when I can have both at twice the price!

Hello All, So I am taking the plunge and getting another high end JDM baitcaster. Given the cost of the reel, I want to get as much versatility out of it as possible. While mounting it to a rod appropriate for the required technique, I see myself using this reel for Worms/plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, and occasionally crankbaits (fishing the top 3-5 feet of water) all targeting bass. While I can get 7-9 fewer handle cranks per cast with a 7.4, I'm thinking that the 6.2 gear ratio will provide better presentation speed with the crank/spinner baits than the 7.4. All I'm losing with a 6.2 when fishing plastics/jigs is retrieve time through dead water. So I'm thinking getting my new high end baitcaster in a 6.2 gear ratio. I'm a weekend warrior fishing 3-4 hours a day on the weekends from now until October, so I'm not too concerned with fatigue. I have a dedicated finesse spinning combo and a punching/pitching/flipping bc set ups. Am I correct in the logic I'm using when comparing the two gear ratios for maximum versatility?

Zerust tabs by Flambeau and airing out my trays after fishing have done the trick for me. Some other good ideas mentioned here too.

Oh man, golf course ponds. Grab A couple 4/0 owner hooks and a pack of 6 or 7 inch black ribbon tail worms. T rig weightless. Find the sizable ponds that have an above ground drainage pipe leading into them. Go the morning after a day or (preferrably) night of rain when water is pouring out of the pipe into the pond. Throw your worm into the swell and prepare for sore arms. If it's shallow at the swell, cast away from the swell in 2 foot increments until your worm gets smashed - then cast to that spot every time.

I have an 853c JWR. It feels tip heavy slightly with my Aldebaran mounted, which is really light reel. It balances out really well with my lews Speed spool tourneys that I use for Crankbait. I'm thinking my 853 will balance well with a reel in the six ounce range (read: excuse to buy metanium or chronarch Ci4).

How do you have yours set up? First 50 casts on mine with a 3/8 practice weight were a dream. Two breaks on and dial set on 3. Last 20 were non-stop bird nests.

I bought the Cabelas ZX baitcast for me in Crankbait and worm spinning rod for my 13 y/o son. The palm swell and Winn Grip feel so good on the spinning reel I'm thinking about having them installed on my St Croix LTB spinning rod.

Or the yen is losing value against the dollar as the central bank intervenes...

I went into my local Cabela's to pick up a Plunger President after catching the Supreme XT on sale for $99 the week before. Sitting one row up on the reel bar was the Smoke 30PTi for $59. Yes, the reels were marked down 100 dollars plus the hoodie mail-in offer. They only had one left in the box or I would have bought two. Figured I'd try one out for the price.

How do you like that Quantum Tour MG? I'm looking for a 100 sized lightweight Bait caster and was considering that or a JDM Metanium.

Among other rods, I have 6'6" MF St Croix Premier that is a pretty versatile rod. Dunno that I'd use it for Stripers but I've thrown just about every type of 1/4 to 5/8 oz lure/bait with it and caught fish. It comes with me on just about every fishing trip I go on.

I've been catching LM and smallies on Rebel Jointed minnows most of my life. I like the jointed because of the action if you twitch them. Great producer for me and my go-to crank bait in clear and slightly stained water for smallies in the conditions you described.

Thanks. This is my first high end reel. May send it off to have it cleaned and prepped vs screwing it up myself.

I have one too. Quick question, how does it feel turning the handle? Mine feels like there is a little resistance when turning the handle, almost like it was tightened a little too much. It's super smooth and OMG light,but it feels a little different turning the handle than my other bait casters.

So I insisted on filling my wife's car with gas after reading this. Coincidentally I ended up at the gas station right across the street from the local Cabela's, so naturally I was obligated to stop in. Unfortunately No E6Xs in the Columbus, OH store

I already have one E6x...

Must. Not. Go. To. Cabela's.

I just bought one. I feel shame...