FishTank

Like others have stated, cold weather can effect the grease but it has been my experience that it is generally not gears or grease that causes this. This may not be the case with your reels but usually it's the pinion support bearing that rests in the frame. I have two 2012 Antares and one of the 70As, I also have the Bantam MGL. Only one of these has ever developed this issue. I have also seen this on multiple reels I have worked on over the years. What I find is either the bearing has never been oiled or the bearing is bad possibly from having the cast control smashed all the down for an extended period of time.

I use the 873C for all the things you mentioned in the new rod you're after. I would step up to the 904C and use it for your 1/2 to 3/4oz jigs. They make for a good one two punch.

You dropped one of my old school secret baits. I don't fish this as often as I use to but when the bite moves away from structure and the bank, these two can be deadly when fished slowly.

From what I can tell, it's magnesium. When I got mine and I first took out of the box, I thought it felt like a toy from a cracker jack box. It also was difficult to cast but I was new to casting a BFS reel at that time. After about three trips and a bit of a learning curve, this reel went from zero to hero. If I had done things differently I would have purchased 2 or 3 more of them.

Shimano Aldebaran BFS and a Kistler Hunt BFS.

I caught it at a campgrounds in Indiana called Deitz Lake. There was a strip pit there called Hidden Lake. No one would fish it except my dad, his buddy, and myself. We would catch some big ones there. I think I caught it with a blood worm or some redworms. Caught this guy on a Baby Pop X with some BFS gear.

I had one as a kid. It was super fun to fish. I would guess the largest fish I caught on it back then were....a 7lb catfish, a 4lb largemouth and my favorite, a 2lb red ear.

I have been using the carrot knot all year long and I have only had one break, which was my fault for letting it go for months without retieing. Also, skip the FG. Try the San Diego jam knot.

When I received my Alderbaran last year, it had BFS oil in it but the Calcutta Conquest BFS did not. I asked Digitaka and they said there was a shortage and to contact Shimano Japan. Shimano USA says it has been discontinued. https://fishshop.shimano.com/products/bnt6806?_pos=2&_sid=0644f0ed6&_ss=r I have also used TSI 321. So far, so good.

I have the GLX version of that rod from the same era. Great rod. The IMX is a little heavier and a little less sensitive but still fantastic. I have the 844C IMX and it has served me well over the past 20 years. I actually like the older versions better than the current. All the techniques you mentioned should be perfect.

Yes. Picasso. I need to order a few and set them aside. The one pictured above is the only one I have. For sure.... I have ordered from them on several occasions. Great stuff.

Not exactly a meme but.... If anyone is looking for the Bait Monkey, he's out conducting business as usual.

Here is my favorite night/pre-dawn bait. I painted the back of the blade to match one of my favorite senkos. Yes, that is my wife's nail polish. Works great.

Black with some type of glitter or silver/black nickel. I also like a black skirt with either pink or purple. Finding one exactly like that again has been tough.

St. Criox Legend Glass Med Moderate.

Got an order in from Japan and a few clearance Rage Bugs.

I have liked FC better on this reel. I have been using 5lb Sunline Invisible. It's really strong despite how thin it is.

Pretty good. I caught 3 today out on the water with it and 5 at my favorite pond yesterday. Only 1 keeper and it was barely 14in. Except for the size, it doesn't feel much different from the regular Curado K. It seems like a little work horse that can throw light baits. I think, like the Aldebaran BFS, it will take a few trips to break it in but that might be its' only comparison to the Aldebaran. The Aldebaran is smoother, casts further, lighter, and, in general, more fun to fish. So far, the Curado's brake system is easier to get dialed in though. In the end, I have no real complaints for it. I think if someone wants a quality reel (minus the extra spring I got) that is user friendly and they don't want to sink $400+(USDM) into a BFS reel, the Curado is the way to go. If you don't mind getting the JDM Aldebaran (~$255), then that would be my choice instead.

A 10in curly tail worm on a 1/2 or 3/4oz swing head or jig head. Let it hit bottom and swim it back.

A spinnerbait bait would be my choice but there is just something fun about catching fish on an A-rig. I could toss one around just for the heck of it.

I hope so but I went to put line on it this morning, I ended up going down a 2 hour rabbit hole. The line guide stopped going back and forth. I did a partial tear down and couldn't find the issue. Finally, I gave the reel a little shake and there was an extra spring in there somewhere. It took me a few tries to reassemble it but it's working. Heading out to test it.

Small crankbaits in the 3-5 foot range. They have been outpacing any soft plastic at the ponds I go to.

It will go on a Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 700c that I already have. I'm going to move my Conquest BFS to a Megabass P5 Siglett. The Aldebaran BFS I have will go on the new Kistler.

I have been liking the Kasumi Six Eleven. I use it mainly for small cranks and jerkbaits but it also works well for finesse spinnerbaits and softplastic.