freelancer27

What are you guys thinking about the following rods: * Genesis II Cast Rod 7'9" Large Swimbait Heavy * Daiwa DX Swimbait Casting Rod 8' Extra Extra Heavy * Okuma SBX Swimbait Casting Rod 7'11" Extra Hvy * Dobyns Champion XP Swimbait Rod 8'6" Mag Heavy 867 Again my target baits are: Deps 250, 8 inch Hud and future bigger baits. Thanks!

I just got off the phone with Phenix. They offered me the following: Send in my M1 Inshore and get 40% off on the Phenix Swimbait Classic Cast Rod 8' Heavy. With all the shipping, I think that upgrade would cost me a total of: 390 USD (200 USD for the M1, 170 USD for the Classic, 20 USD shipping) I am wondering though if I should just keep the M1 Inshore and get the recommended Dobyns Champion XP Swimbait Rod 8' Mag Heavy 807 on top. I would move my Conquest to the Dobyns and then use my Lew's BB2 Inshore on the M1 Inshore again or get a new (budget) swimbait reel like the Luna 300 (around 250 USD) for the M1 Inshore. Since I would be using the M1 Inshore mostly for heavy top water lures, I think the Luna might be a bit too heavy, since the Phenix rod is already heavy.

Hi all, I am currently using a Phenix M1 Inshore (rated 2-8oz) with a Shimano Calcutta Conquest. I have been throwing mostly 6inch Huds and the rod handled them very well. Though every time I am trying to throw a 8 inch hud, a A-rig or some bigger top waters, I feel that the rod is way underpowered and nowhere near its 8 oz rating. I am wondering now if I should use my Phenix M1 to become my small swimbait/topwater rod and pair it with a Daiwa Luna 300 and get a new 'big bait' rod for my Conquest. Another aspect that buggs me a bit with the Phenix M1 is its weight and the shorter handle. Given that I have limited space in my car I am limited to a rod that is around 8 feet long. I am wondering what people here on the forum use. Thanks! cheers, Seb.

Calcutta Conquest 401 and 2016 DC Antares!

I am trying Maxima UltraGreen. Heard good things about it.

Will keep my eyes open for it. Have not found a place where I can buy it for a reasonable price..

Nope, not in the lakes I usually fish (trout, bluegill and some shad), that is all.

Thanks! I think I need to learn a bit more with my current set up and swim-and glide baits before I upgrade. Better is always the enemy of good, but I feel that my M1 Inshore will have me covered for a while. Looks like a 175 is a better bet then for me. What colors are people's favorite?

I think if I went for another swimbait rod then it should be something where I can throw even bigger baits and should not max out at 8oz.

Thank you very much for your opinion! Can you help me understand what I would get from switching from the M1 to the Ultra Swimbait, particularly if they have the same rating? I have to transport the rods in a little car, so I can not go too long, around 8 feet is max. Also since I would need to sell my M1 with some big loss (it has some little scratches), I am not sure if it would make much sense to trade against a rod with the same rating. But I am new to the game, so I might have missed something. Thanks, Seb. I am not into bling. I would have bought the Conquest if it was silver, black, etc.. as well.

I found the 175 in Butch Brown Blue Gill, though you seem to prefer the 250 (as many others). In theory my rod should handle it, though the 8inch Hud feels already heavy on it. Hmmm...

Please post a screenshot here?

Hi guys, I started fishing glide baits recently and I really like it. I have been using the S-Waver 168S (Party Crasher), Jack Gantarel (RT Bluegill) and a Duel Hardcore Twitch'n Ninja Glider (Rainbow Trout). Now I am considering getting a Deps Slide Swimmer. If possible, I was hoping to get some feedback from people that have been throwing them in northern California. The lakes where I am fishing have mostly trout and bluegill. Also my equipment plays a role here. I do not necesseraly want to upgrade my gear right now, so I have to see what works with what I have. I am using a Phenix M1 Inshore SMX-79H which is rated for 3-8 oz. My reel is a 401 Calcutta Conquest, line is 25 pound Maxima Green (after I lost a 8 inch hudd after the line broke of with 25 pound Big Game (the line literally burst in two halfs...). What I am hoping to get feedback on is: * What size would you choose given my equipment? * What color would you choose given the fish that are present in the lakes and also seeing what other colors I already have As always, Thank You for your thoughts! Cheers, Seb.

Interesting. Do you have the 2016 Antares DC? My settings are as shown above.

Shoot. I played with it ...

THanks, So what is the screw then for that I indicated as Spool tension knob? Feels a lot like it

Not sure what you mean with "&that is a picture of a Calais DC"? The picture attached is from a 2016 Antares DC.

Thanks for your reply! I tried to translate the manual via google translate, but that confused me even more. Could I ask you to help me a bit out here? Is my mapping of the attached image correct? How did you set those up? Thanks!

I am throwing Maxima Green into the discussion. Good quality mono!

Hi all, I am the proud owner of a wayyyy too expensive 2016 Antares DC (high gear) reel. After selling a reel with some unexpected profit I just had to silence the 'WANT IT' voice in my head. Since this was more of a pulse buy, I did not spend too much time doing research on the set up of such reel. Since all manuals are in Japanese and there is also no documentation in English out there (the Calais DC gives some help, but is still different from the Antares in some key areas). Therefor I am wondering how other users have been setting up the reel on how they approached the reel in general when they first used it. I would be super thankful for any tips and advice! Thanks.

Hi, I pulled the trigger on a 2016 Antares DC from one of the Japanese Tackle stores. I havent received it yet, so I dont know if my post is actually needed, but I am assuming that the reel comes only with Japanese manuals. Are there any English manuals out there? Thanks!

I fished this place a couple of times. I was aware that there are decent bass in there, but the fact that such a monster bites on 65 # braid in a super pressured lake - amazing!

Will do too!

Any chance that TW (or other place) will have a sale on all Shimano reels?

Thanks all! I have spooled up 25pound big game on it for now. Will see how it goes. I have 25# abrax as a back up. Since I use the reel in saltwater as well (from shore) the mono is just getting damaged too quickly...