FishTank

I have both and both are great reels but the Metanium is just an all around better reel.

A lot of the strip pits I have fished have super clear water and all the fish are line shy and bait shy. Anytime I go to these spots either in my kayak or just fishing from the bank, it always means two things.... down size everything and long casts. So that means small baits and light line. I generally will go with a small topwater popper, a spy bait, little jigs and small trout size lures. It use to be spinning gear and either 4 or 6lb test line but now I have come to like BFS gear for this type of fishing. When the bite is on, it's a blast.

12lb Seaguar Tatsu. I have it on my Antares 70A. This will be it's third season on this reel.

Sunline Defier Armilo or regular Defier (has more stretch though). Great all around line that has lasted 2 seasons of cranking so far.

Different place. They don't sell used but I know where you purchased the ones you have.

And you probably know why I didn't mention it by name.

I know a place that has them for $133 new.

The best bang for the buck is the Zillion. It checks all the boxes. The only thing I have heard with the Zillion is the finish is not that durable but so far I haven't had that issue with mine. As far as the Steez goes, one hour or less with a crankbait isn't enough to say how good it would be for jigs and Texas rigged softplastic but I'm pretty sure it would fine. It does have the special feel the Zillion has but it's just slightly better. For jigs, I like the Shimano Metanium 8.X:1. Not to say the Zillion isn't great but the Metanium feels better in hand to me for jigs and the handle is bigger. Also, there is the Zillion HD. I have had limited use of mine but so far it's awesome for big jigs. I would look at this way....If you are a fan of the Steez and you got to have it, go for it in the 7.x:1. On the other hand, if you factor the cost of the Steez at around $400, the smart choice would be to get a Zillion in the 7.x:1 for softplastic and a Metanium (or another Zillion) in the 8.x:1 for jigs, that way you have all your bases covered.

Took it out today for about an hour. It was about 65 degrees, go figure. All the ice at my local pond was melted. I caught a couple of large mouth and one crappie. The reel was awesome. It is slightly better than the new Zillion. Is it $150 more better? As usual, probably not but it can cast further than any of the Daiwa reels I have used. It's smoother than the previous Steez A and close to the smoothness of the Steez CT. Casting this reel is something special though. It just seems to keep going. I tried pitching the crankbait I had on just for the fun of it and it blew me away how far it went. I currently have it on a G. Loomis IMX Pro 865 CBR Deep Flex. I might be waisting it's potential by using it for crankbaits but one thing is for sure, Daiwa hit it out of the park again with this reel. I can't imagine what a new Steez SV might feel like.

I bought some of those eggs at Target over the weekend. They were $3.89. What crazy place is selling them for $8.12?

I think it effects everything from Japan. There was a notice at work about specific electronic components going up in price starting January 9th due shipping and an increase in the Yen. This was the reason I ordered two rods and two reels before the New Year.

It's hard to say. Maybe Texas rigged soft plastic or the Magdraft. Jigs are good but I like a longer rod for that technique. Big spinnerbaits aren't bad either. I have also tried some bigger square bills and liked it for that as well.

I throw the 6in Magdraft on it. It weighs 1.25oz and it does just fine. It's a strange rod to me though. It's like someone put multiple rods and tapers into one rod. Definitely a fun rod to fish.

I carry a Leatherman Signal. It has worked great for whatever I have encountered.

I mentioned myself and my buddy but the guys I tournament fish went all in on this bait. Like me they are looking for a cheaper alternative to the 110. When some of them find a bait they like, they don't buy one or two to try out. They buy a dozen or so of the colors they like or one case I know a guy that bought 30 of the Shad Fillet (Skeleton color?). All of them have struggled with this bait. I have tried it on my go to pond where I can catch fish on anything and still no good. Like I said, I haven't completely given up on this bait. I still need to fish it in cold water but until it gets bit, I am sticking with the 110 and the LC Pointer SP.

I hate to say it but the Stunna has been my most disappointing bait of 2022. Zero fish and zero bites. Not sure what it is. It looks good in the water but no takers. I even gave two to buddy of mine and he too hasn't caught a fish. The odd thing, I can cast just about any other similar colored jerkbait in the same areas and get bit. I will keep trying it though. It looks too good.

My thoughts as well. They all fade and 832 is one of the worst. It also frays faster than most but it does do a good job upto that point. My suggestion, if it's not too late..... Sunline Xplasma. It's thinner, holds up better, and doesn't fade as fast.

I have the P5 Super Destroyer as well and it should work fine for most of what you are looking to throw. I think a 3/8oz lure might be a struggle though. Another one to look at is Megabass Valkyrie 6'9'' M+. It might be a little heavier and softer than the P5 but if it's like the 7'1'' Heavy I have, it should be extremely versatile.

To me it depends on the reel and the bearing you use. I have put them in a few and noticed a difference in mainly my older Shimano's. The ones that improved the most.... Curado 201G, Chronarch 51e, Calcutta 251, Core 51 and 101, and a 2 Antares 2012's. All of these reels have had the original bearings cleaned and oiled just to test the difference. At first there was only a small improvement with the ceramics but over time the distance and a small bit of smoothness increased. I have tried different brands and come to find I like Bocca's ABEC 7 ceramic (non orange sealed) the best. I would say in the newer reels, Shimano has the best stock bearings. If you have a bad one that needs replaced, I would consider getting Shimano's top of the line bearings they put in the new Antares. I put them in a buddy's Curado B's and they cast a mile. They are generally cheaper than ceramics as well.

3/4oz is the heaviest jig with trailer I have thrown on it but a 1/2oz with trailer is my favorite. I have also used some 3/4oz frogs and a 3/4oz punching weight with a beaver. All have been fine on this rod. I also have the 895C NRX+. It is also rated up to 1oz but this rod is way more powerful than the 904C. I would say it could easily handle a 1oz jig with trailer, probably up to 1.5oz.

It's been 50+ degrees the past few days and the lakes by me are still 75% covered in ice. I am hoping to try it out on Sunday. The water temps will probably be in the upper 30's but at least I will be able to cast a lure with it.

I mainly use two... Plano Edge 3700 Thin and a Plano Edge 3700 Terminal. The Terminal was a game changer for me. I also have a small old Plano box that I use when fish from the bank or just need a quick grab of something. I keep a few of everything in it. I am not sure what size it is but it is smaller than a 3500.

If it is what I think it is, it's an easy fix. One of my Calcuttas had been sitting on the shelf for years before I bought it and it made this loud noise on the cast. This video below shows how to oil the right spot to fix it.

I have used mine up to 1 ounce but nothing heavier. The frame has a little flex to it and I think anything heavier would be trouble. To me, it shines at the 3/16 to 1/2 oz mark, which probably is where I am with 75% of my fishing. Like mentioned above, the Steez A or the new A II would be the ticket.

So this guy arrived today. To be honest, in hand it's hard to totally distinguish it from the Zillion. We will see how it performs when spring comes.