Fishin Dad

Darn it, this gets confusing not being able to see and handle these beauties. Then with all the after market and JDM stuff. Wow. I really appreciate your knowledge, ideas, and buying info. Just wish I had more of your knowledge and experience. I really like my Zillion SV for skipping and pitching. I will check out some of these other reels, but maybe the Alphas CT SV isn’t right for me. I really want to use it for light jigs, t rigs, and weightless Senkos. Nothing over 3/8 oz.

iabass, I was going to throw this question out to you too. It seems like you have the Daiwa thing figured out as well. You can’t get an Alpha 105 anymore, can you? I thought the Alpha CT SV might be a good replacement, and with deal Red threw out there, it sounds like a winner. Please advise. Just for reference, I have a Zillion SV and Tatula SV’s and like them both.

Thanks again! How do you like the Alphas CT SV?

Wow, if I can figure out how to read the prices and shipping and make sure I get it ordered correctly, I am grabbing one of those.

Here we go again

I really appreciate Glenn and the moderators who all provide a wealth of information and fun as well as a logical, controlled environment where the topics stay on fishing and aren’t allowed to progress to anything nasty. I really believe this is why everyone gets along here. I also LOVE the platform here. I am a tech idiot and appreciate a lot of the features here compared to other websites (a delineation line to show where new content starts, the tabs sectioned just right, Notifications, etc.) It is really, really well done. Thank you All!!

I am a fisherman and do not consider myself gullible or stupid, YMMV. I make informed choices on what will work for me in my area. I don't remember being “Forced” to buy fishing equipment.

Well darn it. Let’s recap. So, I was correct in seeing pros do this. Some say it is crazy TO do it, some say it is crazy NOT To do it. I guess it has been the rare case for me when I have felt I needed more than the drag, with correct line, on the correct rod, and having the ability to drop my rod towards and into the water. In thinking about it, I was worried about my thumb not knowing how hard to push, if I let off too much would it backlash, would it burn my thumb. All legit concerns. Thanks for all the replies. It still has me thinking. I may just try it once on a smaller bass to see what the deal is. I also don’t want to break $300 reels.

I have seen what I think are pros releasing their spools and then thumbing the line (Spool)as a type of drag. Is this true? Do any of you guys do this? I have usually seen this as fish make runs boat side. It seems to make some sense having control over the spool, but not sure how it would work. Curious if others have used this method and how it works for you.

Scott, I have the 735 CB and have fished it a ton over the last few years. Usually fish 1/2 oz. chatterbaits on it. It is a little more stout then I like, but it has been a good rod for bladed jigs. With that being said, I would for sure pick the 735 over the 736. I fish 3/8 oz. chatters with a Quantum KVD Glass cranking rod that maxes Out at 3/8 oz. and love it. Have caught many bass over 6 lbs. on it with no problems. You do have to be a little careful to not load it hard while casting, but I really like that mushy feel. I do not lose fish on this rod.

I really like the Sieberts Dredge Dock Rocker in 3/8 oz. with a Rage Bug, Pit Boss, Beaver, or craw depending on season or what the bass want that day. The Dredge series has a hook bend that really helps Hold your plastic on and a flat head that skips very well. The color options, wire tie, and price are fantastic. I have heard Mike, the owner, is a great guy too. Like to support the smaller company that are good people to boot.

Happy Birthday! Hope he loves fishing and the outdoors! I love to see it.

Midway was great to me. I ordered twice. I love the companies philosophy as well. I have a few more things in a cart there right. Trying to fight off the monkey.

Wow, great info. Thanks. I am going to pick up some D shades and work with them a little. Unfortunately, I won’t get to try them in all the awesome places you get too. Sounds sweet!!!

Toxic, great explanation! I am going to play with this and try to use these more. Would you be willing to elaborate even more on your hook, line, and where you fish these? I would appreciate it.

I tried fluke fishing for the first time this Spring. I first tried it with just an EWG hook. I then tried it with a VMC drop dead weighted hook. Only 1/16 oz. That made it A lot more fishable for me. I caught about 5 bass in an hour, but just didn’t feel like I got it. I tried it a couple more times without much success and just went back more to my comfort zone. I still feel like I need to try again with that weighted hook or the caffeine Shad or Yamamoto d Shad.

Nice move! They happen to leave them in my truck and they just disappear into my rod locker............?‍♂️

I have two daughters, hair ties everywhere. They work great!

I just tied some up this weekend. 3/8 and 1/2 oz. with weed guards. I used black with purple accent. I suck at tying them and making them look neat, but they work. I used some *** jigs I had. They have the rubber weed guards so I figured the marabou would not stick in them like they would a fiber weed guard.

Hey DVT, I really respect your knowledge and expertise through working on reels, dealing with companies. I have read a lot of your posts. With this knowledge, what reel would you recommend in this $100 range or so. I am not sure what the Shimano AR is. Thanks in advance.

Before COVID, you could easily find them for under $80. Now, most are selling for retail and some for more. Wait until next year, I am hoping things get really cheap with much of the market saturated and companies fully stocked again.

Hey Columbia Craw, I have a Fuego and it has worked fine for me. I have caught bass over 5 lbs. on it and bigger pike with no issues. Since you have 3 styles of Daiwa, I have a couple questions. What does the Procyon offer over the Fuego and how do you like it? Is the Ballistic worth the extra cost? Thanks

I seem to find that a T-rig comes through cover better a lot of times for me. I also have both tied on every time I go out. I like fishing a jig so I can skip it and pitch it. Some days fish seem to show a real preference for one or the other. I feel like I fish both equally as often though. Our lakes have such a variety of vegetation, wood, rock, etc. that we just have to adjust to the conditions and the bite in different areas.

I have noticed that when buying the exact same brand and size, I actually get some that rise and some that stay down really well. I have to assume it is the angle of the eye the blade attaches to or something like that.

Great ideas. Thanks guys. I may pick one up and give it a try. I deep them so rarely (thankfully) that I don’t have a lot of experience, but want to do the best I can to save fish.