MontclairDave

First day using Ark Gravity bfs reel. Followed instructions and set internal brakes to II and spool tension to no side-to-side play and outside knob to a quarter turn looser than half way. Threw a 1/8 jig head and 2.75 paddle tale to start, on 8 lb J Braid Grand to 7 lb Fluoro leader. Wow. Not a single backlash and chucking really far casts. Some casts were not exactly finesse either: a few kinda jerky heaves on the backhand to hit some water under a tree before river current took me too far away and still didn’t backlash. And the drag seems very good, but only caught smallies to around a pound, not sure where the big ones went today. Now for the next test tomorrow: much lighter baits. Gonna start with some 1/16 ounce finesse jigs and 1/10 neds, maybe a Rhythm Wag split tail on a 1/0 weightless hook. Interested to see whether I will have to change reel settings at all. I had read this reel could be a bit hard to dial in. Not for me so far!

Update: I do think the snag thing was part of the problem because I did a long cast on water and back paddled my kayak until the most of the line was off the spool and then retrieved the line back with moderate pressure on the line with my fingers (gloved). Definitely helped a lot but here’s the kicker: I finally noticed that I had some extra side-to-side play in the spool, which is NOT my usual setting. So I tightened the spool tension knob a smidge and voila, not a single backlash all day long. Was slinging a 1/2 ounce frog a mile. Now, if I can suck a bit less at frog fishing… but that’s for another post 🥹

x2 on the short frog rod. I use my Falcon Expert 6’ 10” Head Turner Heavy/Mod Fast but it’s really a MH+ and can handle most moderate cover frogging. When the frog bite isn’t there I cut it off and junk fish with it for most single-hook applications. Want to go up a power to the Bayou for really heavy pads and slop but I don’t fish that kind of cover enough to warrant the $$ (bait monkey disagrees). Reel and line in transition (another thread!)

If my wife sees another rod tube on the porch I think I am toast.

Digitaka has Vanford for $150, which is about $100 less than some U.S. sites. A few other 20% to 30% off sales on Shimano and Daiwa reels. That plus the still weak yen = great buying opportunity.

I’ve read a lot of posts on this and seen all of the recommended fixes, including ensuring drag isn’t locked down, avoiding hard jerk casts, peeling line off the reel by hand and then reeling in to avoid loose line, using line conditioner, fiddling with cast control settings on reel, etc., all of which I will try. But here’s my question: could it just be the braid itself? It’s three-year-old Sufix 832 30 lb. I am tempted to try a different braid first, to eliminate that as the issue. (Maybe Smackdown or 131). Or is that just me looking for a quick fix to what is probably mostly a user-error issue on my part? Reel is an SLX DC. P.S I’ve also read 30-lb braid is more prone to digging in that 40 or 50, but there is not universal agreement on that piece of this puzzle….And I want to use this reel for frogging so I will be going up to at least 40 if not 50 lb anyway. Thanks!

Expert Head Turner is my fav rod for moving single-hook baits (swim jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits). Also can be a short frog rod in a pinch. And handles 6” Mag Drafts well. My most versatile rod.

A bit confusing on Digitaka site which model you mean. Can you send me link? Thanks

Ha! I hear you. As noted I already have one and love it. Wish I had gotten a slightly slower gear ratio, so that it’s a bit more of an all-rounder. Lots to think about based on Tatula feedback. Will report back my decision!

JDM Zillion, $238. Tatula SV 70 $230. Which one would you buy for 1/4-3/4 ounce baits (finesse jig, cranks, light T-rigs, etc.)? I already have a Zillion 8.6; this next reel definitely a slower gear ratio. This would be for use on Dobyns Kaden 713C.

Got me one as well and fished it a few times. Feels really close in quality to my Curado MGL 70. Killer deal for $99

SLX XT DC.

What exactly is the modification? Been tying Alberto knot for years with no problems but if there’s a way to make it even stronger I’m all in.

What is a better way to do it? I’ve seen the wet rag suggested by a lot of folks.

Hmmm… that might have been the issue. Didn’t check that until after I put the line on. Might have been a bit loose.

Line went on a bit uneven. Enough to be a problem? I tightened down drag, held line in front of me, held line with wet rag, etc. also: there are two metal bars. One has the line guide. Then there’s one behind it. When I threaded the line through the guide, I then laid it over—not under—that second bar. Is that right or wrong? I know this is basic stuff but I’ve only been throwing baitcasters a few years and usually have shop load reels. But I just got a bunch of bulk spools to save money. Thanks.

Agree 100%, definitely my next reel. But it costs around $200 on Digitaka I think, and the new SLX 70 is $150. For the extra $50 a no-brainer to me but that could be a big jump in price for the OP. I got the “old” SLX MGL 70 on ALF for $99 and of course now I have new tech envy. But not sure the MGL3 spool and silent tune is gonna make a noticeable difference. (At least that’s what I am telling myself.) I nearly spooled my Curado 70 throwing a 3.5” Cover Scat. Crazy dense and aerodynamic bait. Not bad at catching fish either 😉

My favorite rod is my G. Loomis IMX 783. Pinpoint accuracy out of my kayak, and great for bank fishing under trees. I have 7’ 3” rods and I do use them when I really need to bomb cast but in terms of overall feel and confidence that 6’ 6” Loomis is my sweet spot. Have a few other “short” rods like a 6’ 10” Expert Head Turner for heavier duty action around docks and overhangs, love that one as well. And a 6’ 9” Kaden for jerks and finesse jigs. And a sub-7 for jerkbaits. I think it just comes down to what you’re comfortable with and what you’re throwing and the distance versus accuracy thing. No right or wrong, really.

Agree 100%!! I have 2 Zillions and frankly can’t think of another reel I’d spend $350 on. (Although I spent $225 for the JDM version but that’s for another thread!) I just know there are a lot of dedicated Lew’s guys out there, so the Hypermag may be a good option for them if they want a really light reel. Although if you do a deep dive on initial reviews of the new Hypermag, some are questioning whether the $100 premium in price over the last iteration is worth it. I’m not familiar with the older version so I don’t know.

The Lew’s Hypermag is VERY tempting and a great choice for inclusion in the article. Plus some other great options were mentioned, including the new Curado M. But the SEVIIN at $120? I totally get the need to include a budget reel in any buyer’s guide. But this one was a miss for me, when you can get a Shimano SLX for $10 more, or a Lew’s LFS for $20 less. And the statement “the SEVIIN GF has seven decades of design and manufacturing expertise behind it” is a bit misleading. Yes—St. Croix has that experience for rods, but for reels? I don’t think so.

Amazing feedback as usual. Leaning towards getting another Falcon, probably the Finesse jig model in Cara line, since I am curious to see gain in sensitivity over Expert. Also thinking of Expride but a bit outside the box: the 6’ 10” Medium, which the TB boys say of course is their fav jerkbait rod but could also double as a finesse jig rod. Anyone use that model for finesse jigs? Or I can save $$$$ and just hand-line for bass 🙃

A tad lighter than the Head Turner. Compact/finesse jigs up to 3/8 ounce.

7’ is my preferred length cause I fish out of a kayak and beat the bank in close quarters mostly. Reel is a Zillion. Preferred line is straight fluoro (Abrazx 15-17 lb) but I sometimes throw braid to leader (40 lb PP to 15 lb Sunline Sniper). Ha! I have a Falcon Expert Head Turner and it’s a pretty sweet rod. More of a moving bait rod that bottom contact though. Always wanted to try a Cara.

What do you guys think are some of the best bang-for-the-buck bottom contact jig/T-Rig rods for around $300? I know Shimano Exprides get a lot of love, as do MG Orochi. Deserved? Others?

Just curious: I see you’re selling your Sierra 682. Did you try it for 1/16 or 1/8 and the lures you mentioned? If so, how’d that go? (It’s rated low end is 3/16 so I can see that could be a tad too much power for what you’re wanting to do?)