FishTank

@UmairF The 872S has a softer tip and is a fast rod (more moderate). I use that one for small jerk baits, drop shot, and small swimbaits. The 803S has an x-fast tip and more powerful middle than the 852S but when you get to the bottom of the 852S is just as stout as the 803S. Also, the tip on the 803S is easier to flick, which is why I like it for skipping.

For skipping, I like the 803S. It's short and powerful. I am able to skip a 6in senko with it fairly easily. So if you are wanting something to complement the 852S with something that can do a little more stuff on the heavier side, these two make for a good one two punch. Another suggestion, but not quite as sensitive as the NRX+, is the Megabass P5 Windbuster. It is longer but it sort of a good do all rod. It handle a 1/4oz weight and a 4in DoLive Beaver with no issues. For the lighter side of things the two mentioned above, the 821S and the 822S would be good as well.

@MediumMouthBass I have tried both the Chad Shad and a few of 13 Fishing's versions and so far I have had no luck but I may not have given them enough time on the water just yet. I have had better luck with the Deps Slide Swimmer 175 but again, I have only fished it sparingly. I did catch a few on it though. I was able to pick two of them up at a JDM site for around $60 each. Got a favorite color or does it matter?

Hi Float or Low Float?

How about this one? I remember someone saying this was taboo or something.

Raid Egu Dama is my go to shallow water jig. There is also the Keitech Mono Spin jig but it's really small. Another good one is the OSP Hunt Football Jig in 3.5 grams. One more, the Bottom Up Kosmo. This an awesome all around small jig.

I'm wanting to do more offshore fishing (no FFS but using side and down imaging). I'm going to throw some 20+ft diving cranks, big football jigs, heavier drop shot, and maybe some heavier Texas Rigged plastic. Specifically, I'm trying the Megabass Deep Six and OSP Blitz Magnum EX DR. Drop shot, I'm going to do a 3/8oz weight with something like the 6th Sense Whale. I'm also trying a split drop shot rig. I saw this in a Japanese angler's video. It looked cool. I ordered the split barrel swivels so we will see how it goes. Oh and dice, lots of fuzzy dice.

I just purchased a Daiwa Steez Real Control Rod and was this close 🤏 to putting a Shimano Metanium DC on it or I thought of waiting for the new 25 Antares but it just didn't seem right. I picked up a 24 Steez SV TW instead. With that said I mix and match my reels all the time to whatever rod feels best. I think I have 3 or 4 Daiwa reels on G. Loomis (Shimano) rods now..... Sacrilege

I've been reading all the comments on this thread and have been wanting to respond but wasn't sure if I should or if I did, what would be the right thing to say. I could go into detail about my experiences with the other reels outside of Daiwa and Shimano or explain why l prefer Daiwa and Shimano but instead I think I will answer the original question this way.... Why would you buy an ABU over a Shimano or a Daiwa? Some people want to be different and that's ok.

I guess what I'm saying is that the gears are probably the last thing it could be and that is most likely one of the two x-ship bearings. Also.....It's a crapshoot sometimes when it comes to getting a new reel that is oiled and greased correctly. Some have it on too heavy and others are bone dry (the Tatulas are often this way, for example). If they are making noise, greasing the gears fixes it. Daiwa makes a great gear grease by the way. And there are also reels that have thin/light frame walls like the Aldebaran and Steez Air. You can feel the gears if they are not greased.

I've worked on over a hundred Shimano reels and I can tell that is not the case. If you can find pics or videos that shows this I'd like to see it. Also, it took me some time to fully get that it's not always the gears. I think if you search you'll find me complaining about the gears on a 2012 Antares.

Core Tackle Hover rig. It keeps the bait even keeled pretty well and also let's the bait glide but with that said, I still prefer to fish this bait weightless. I will also add, the Owner Range Rover is an awesome jig head for Fluke style baits.

Good stuff. Simple and to the point. Well done. I would also agree that R18 LTD makes for great jerkbait line.

Green Pumpkin and Black with a blue tail. In clear water, cotton candy use to be pretty good but it's been a while since I have fished one.

I have caught tons of fish on your first three. An A-rig has out caught a spinnerbait for me. I just chuck it out there, wind, stop and boom, fish on. The Deps Bull Flat is also an easy bait. I fish it on a free rig and as a jig trailer. I just scoot it across the bottom. Nothing magical. I have caught fish in both deep and shallow water with it and in both lakes and ponds. The Yamatanuki is just a big hunk of plastic that you let sit. The fish just slam it when it sitting still or scooted slowly. I don't get it but it works.

The buzz is the X-Ship bearings. I have replaced several over the years for people. They will usually say that the gears are bad, I can feel it. All I do is either oil the bearings or replace them and grease the main gear. It's pretty easy and they are always magically surprised. Most people won't take it out or oil it as one sits behind the pinion next to the frame so it gets neglected. I am not saying that a person can't destroy a gear set by fishing it hard but I have yet to see one.

I'm backing this up as well. I have several Daiwa and Shimano reels and have had no issues with Shimano gear sets. In fact, I brought in a 25+lb blue catfish on a Metanium and it was a blast. No issues with the reel. I have also lost track of the amount of 5lb+ Largemouth I have caught on Shimano BFS reels. Those reels would stand to have the lightest and least durable gears but they are fine, again no issues. I have yet to see a bad set in any Shimano reels. X-ship bearings, that's a different story.

I haven't got mine yet but I look forward to it every year. I thumb through it about once a week just for the fun of it. Working in printing, I don't always agree with how they arrange the pages or how they choose to not put certain things in there but it's always good to have.

How was the show? I was supposed to go but couldn't make it. Any good deals?

For me, I watch line to see how much I am picking up and reel accordingly. Once I am past where there might be a bite, I burn it back in. For soft plastic both weighted and weightless, I might reel a little slower or faster depending on the bait so a 7.x:1 is a safe go between. For jigs, I am often picking the line up quickly to make my next cast so a 8.x:1. I also use several 6.x:1 reels. I just pay attention to what I have going on with the bait and line and try not to over think it.

I think Invizx is softer, more mono like, and last about 1 season for me. Tatsu on the other hand is stiffer but more durable and more sensitive. I've had Tatsu last me about 4 seasons.

Not trying to be harsh but I would say no to both. If someone asked me which FC to avoid, those two might be at the top of the list.

7.x:1 for soft plastic and 8.x:1 for jigs.

JDM Shimano Scorpion 200MD.

That's not bad. Just in case, that's where I got my 12v 100ahr as well. I got it for around $200. It's been great so far. I also got a battery box. I just hook it up and go. I can run the Xi3 for 2 plus days on the water before I need to recharge it.