freelancer27

This really depends on what you are looking to use the reel for. It is considered a finesse baitcasting reel due to its low drag ability. A friend of mine has one and says that it is good for 1/4 - 1/2 oz lures. He uses it for a variety of lures (worms, jigs, smaller swimbaits). I just ordered one myself (260 USD) here: https://japanlureshop.com/reel/abu/revo/revo-mgxtreme.html I just couldnt pass on the price for this light thing! I think I will be using the reel on my Jerkbait / Ned Rig rod.

Get a https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Calcutta-CT301D-Left-Hand-/311125527773?hash=item487086ccdd 20% discount with P20SAVENOW code on the reel. Only drawback is that you can not adjust the internal brakes. But my experience with swimbait reels is that this most of the time not needed.

Not sure I understand your concern.. I am really interested to see what people think. I have some fairly decent gear (all top reels from shimano & daiwa) Just want to get something like a benchmark list....

Hi all, I would be interested in what the community thinks are the best (rod/reel/line) combos (money is not an obstacle) for the following techniques: 3/8 - 1/2 oz Jig ** Rod Name: *** Length: *** Lure Rating: ** Line 3/8 - 1/2 oz Spinnerbaits ** Rod Name: *** Length: *** Lure Rating: ** Line 3/8 - 1oz Paddletail Swimbaits ** Rod Name: *** Length: *** Lure Rating: ** Line 3/8 - 1 oz Lipless Crankbaits ** Rod Name: *** Length: *** Lure Rating: ** Line 3/8 - 1oz medium - deep running Crankbaits ** Rod Name: *** Length: *** Lure Rating: ** Line Ultra finesse applications (1/32 - 1/8 oz) ** Rod Name: *** Length: *** Lure Rating: ** Line Looking forward to your choices!

I think the Lexa is best when you are 100% inshore fishing and you are probably casting lures that can be trolled. The reel is almost 2 oz heavier than the Coastal, which (IMO) makes the Coastal much more agile and usable for different applications.

Again the Coastal offers all that you are looking for (IMO). Great fresh and saltwater reel for inshore application. It holds a lot of line, has decent weight and looks great! Mine works almost as new after 2 years!

Sent them an email already!

Just prefer a split handle for a bottom bait rod. Also think that they made the rod a tad lighter. I am a bit spoiled by a Helium 3 7'HxF that weighs around 3.6oz. I have tried the rod that you mentioned and it was really nice but it made me wait for the Legend X. I am planning to either pair it with my Daiwa Steez SV TWS, MGL, Smoke Tour S3 (prefer a light reel). Do you know where I could find the weights on the Legend X (st.croix website does not say) Thanks!

Thanks! Yeah, I am looking for a longer Jig rod that is up there with the best in sensitivity and overall quality. Looking at the St. Croix Legend X Series Casting Rod 7'6" Med Hvy. Is it fair to assume that the model is comparable with a NRX/ GLX / Megabass Destroyer in terms of quality and sensitivity? Through the gold program the rod would come out to: 280 USD (+ shipping to st.croix).

Hi all, I am thinking of replacing my broken Avid X with a St. Croix Legend X Series through the gold program. Since I am not able to find any reviews/thoughts/specs on the rods I am a little bit hesitant. Anybody? THanks! Cheers, Seb.

Daiwa Coastal TWS. I have one it is pretty good. U can find them for 150 usd.

Hi all, I am currently using Costa with 580G Green Mirror glasses. I like the glasses in medium to strong light, but they make it hard in low light condition. I am wondering if there are quality glasses out there for low light conditions (dusk, dawn, overcast). Thanks. Much appreciated!

SV103HL or XS is a good choice, though a bit heavy (the Diabolo itself is not the lightest rod), if that matters. I think a ultra light reel would work here. Something like a Team Lew's Hyper Mag Speed Spool SLP would work perfect (what has two thumbs and is just selling one for a reeeelly good deal? sry, had to do it ) For moving lures a Conquest 100HG would work too, if you are into round reels.

Nope. Just clean it with a q-tip from greeze and dirt if neccessary

I have a couple of SV103s with extra spools. So just wondering if I could interchange. How about the spool in the Daiwa Zillion HD, would it work there as well? THanks!

Yep, remove the digital unit and clean/oil the reel as any other. the Digital unit does not need special maintenance to my knowledge.

I am the proud owner of a 2016 Antares DC (I bought mine a year ago for 520 USD). The 'X-Mode' is to be used carefully. I use it when I really need to bomb Lipless Cranks (1oz) out there from the bank. But it requires a bit of skill of punctuative thumb pressure every now and then. Getting a backlash in the 'X-Mode' with Fluro almost always ends up in a in- reparable backlash. Start with the regular modes and train your thumb for a couple of months! Then take a heavier, aero-dynamic lure and do lop casts with the thumb being on the spool. After that slowly work yourself up. Also watch the wind, try to keep it in your back if possible. Enjoy the reel!

The Helium 3 is a VERY sensitive rod (no matter the price point). Beats my Steez ST rod!

Hi, can I use the spool from the SV103 in the Steez SV TWS? Thanks!

Tried to use it for some 12 pound Abrazx . Can not find a seller where I can apply it to. These coupons never work for me on ebay...

Yep, on sale on day1 (lucky me)! Just ordered!

Yeah, that is what I am hoping too. Just respooled my Jir combo and now out of 15# FC... darn it. Sale come soon!

Need to get a big order of FC line out (Seaguar, Sniper). Any thoughts on upcoming sales on this? Thanks!

Hi all, just wanted to quickly share my thoughts on the 2017/Kistler Helium 3 Casting Rod 7'3" Heavy. I wanted to get a new Jig and paddle tail rod given that my Avid X had a couple of broken guides (minor reason) and Black Friday was close and I got a little raise at work. I seriously played with the idea of getting a super high end rod like a NRX or even Shimano Conquest. I ended up ordering some of the high end rods from TW and for some reason threw in also the Kistler. Once I got all the rods (St. Croix Legend X, Megabass Diabolo R, GLX + Kistler) I was surprised! Quality wise the Megabass looked the nicest, but the rod just felt too heavy. The GLX was ok on price and weight but just did not create the 'want' feeling to justify the price. The St.Croix was nicer than the GLX but again did not completely win me over. And then there was the Kistler. Believe it or not, it was the lightest rod out of the bunch at 3.8oz! When Kistler started their Black Friday Deal I was able to get the rod for around 130 USD (through some credit card deals). That sounded too good to pass on. Hence I kept the Kistler and sent the other rods back. A couple of days after I sent all these high end rods back, I started to doubt my decision a bit. How could I think that a '130' USD rod could compete with the big boyz... Saturday, I am out on the water. Rod is paired with a Team Lew's Hyper Mag Speed Spool SLP Casting Reel (reel is super light and the combo together weighs something like 9oz - will write a separate review on the reel once I had a bit more time with it) that was spooled with 12 pound Invisix. First impression: super light and fairly well balanced (might play around with a MGL, SV103 or a Antares, to see what ultimately ends up to be the reel for the rod). Now the part that really surprised me: sensitivity! I was pretty much blown away by the sensitivity of the rod!!! To this point my Daiwa Steez ST was my most sensitive rod. The Kistler beats it! Not by a world but by enough to feel it. Detected two very subtle jig baits that landed me two fish for a total of 7 pounds. All in all I am really surprised to get that quality in a rod for that price point that is made in the US. I will def consider Kistler from now on in my rod choices!!! Let me know if you have questions!

Added them, will try tomorrow if the wetter plays nice! Thanks!