freelancer27

Hi all, over the Black Friday sales, I pulled the trigger on a Conquest 401! :)))) Still admiring this piece of art and I am honestly a bit afraid to get it out there and dirty They day will come though and I want to be prepared. Yesterday I went out and lost a nice Hudleston 68 after a brake up (I have 50 pound braid with a 1 foot 25# fluro leader - the fluro line broke). Now I am wondering as well what line to put on the new reel and how. I was planning to put on 65# braid with a 25 # fluro leader. What I am wondering now though is: how long should the leader be and what knot should to use. I am worried that the connection knot between the two lines gonna be very big and either damage the guides or reduces my casting distance. The biggest lure I throw would be an 10 inch Huddleston. ideas? Thanks!

Has anybody seen Daiwa reels on sale (Zillion SV TWS)?

Probably tomorrow 10 am PT time

Hi guys, I am wondering if there are thoughts out there on the comparison of those two reels. I would be using the reel in the 6:1 ratios for crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Thanks for your comments!

Lol, I have been hearing about this 'another site' now for the x-time. What is this site? If anybody knows, can you please send me a pm? I am desperate!

I want to buy a Daiwa SV TWS a Shimano Conquest and a MEgabass rod. So, you think i could get the 20% on all of those?

Does anybody know a Black Friday Sale for SHimano and Daiwa Reels? Thanks.

Does anybody know which brands will be excluded from the sale?

I ordered for now: Orochi XX Casting Rod 7' Hvy Tour Versatile 1 $299.00 $299.00 Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Diablo Spec R 1 $289.00 $289.00 Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Swingfire Dobyns Fury Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy Cranking Lets see what i will keep ;)

Fair enough. I guess it comes down to personal preference. I personally favor a baitcaster combo for such applications. BY A LOT.

I do have a spinning combo that I use for super finesse applications and a heavy swimbait rod for bigger swimbaits (2oz -8oz). Just did not mention it here since those combos I would consider 'fixed'. What is your thought on the following: Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1 Rod: Megabass's Orochi XX Swingfire Based on the review on TackleTour it says that the Swingfire can be used for spinnerbaits as well. My rookie thought on this is: The Rod can load up much better than a medium-heavy rod and therefor should be able to 'bomb out' spinnerbaits as well. The cons would be that the Swingfire is Glass, which means that it is not that sensitive and the backbone of the rod is not the best for single hook baits.

I think that only the 105 is ready for saltwater use. Keep that in mind.

May I ask why you bought/ keep keep the Conquest then if they perform similar?

Be aware that you still need to set the hook with plastics Maybe consider something like this: G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod 6'8" Medium 802 JWR I use it for plastics and jerkbaits.

@BrackishBassin I feel your pain! I am doing most of my fishing from the bank as well! My advice: do not give up! Weightless plastics are better thrown on a spinning gear, but since you have that combo already covered I would rather look into the next baitcaster combo. Try to think long term here. What I mean with this is: try to make sure that you buy technique specific combos and try to avoid buying similar combos. A little mistake that I did and I had to learn from. If I was you I would go for a MH, 7'3'' to 7'5'' with a fast to extra fast taper (lure weight 3/8-1oz or similar). Get something like a Curado I or a Lew's Custom Speed Spool MSB or Daiwa Zillion SV TW (more expensive). That should allow you to pitch weighted plastics and jigs and also a weighted carolina rig. That combo should also be good to do some punching with. I thought as well that Spinning Gear is 'better' than a Baitcaster. But especially when you want to punch (to a target) a baitcaster combo can not be beat IMO. Cheers!

Thanks guys for all your thoughts! Here is how I am currently using it: Casting Combo 1: * Rod: G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy 803C JWR * Reel: Lews Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool (7.1:1) * Line: 12 pound Fluro *Applications: Drop shot, light plastics, light jigs and Jerkbaits Casting Combo 2: * Rod: St. Croix Avid X Series Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy * Reel: Shimano Curado 200 I * Line: 12 pound Fluro (thinking of putting 20 pound braid on it) * Applications: Big bottom bouncing lures (Weighted creature baits, Jigs) Casting Combo 3: * Rod: Bass Pro Shops Extreme Casting, Medium heavy, fast tapper * Reel: Lew's BB2 Inshore * Line: 14 pound Mono * Applications: Spinner baits, (lip less) crankbaits, small swimbaits Casting combo 4: * Rod: Okuma Scott Martin TCS Casting Rod 7'11" Heavy * Reel: Daiwa Coastal * Line: 50 pound Praid * Applications: Top water and heavy punching So combo 3 is where I am combining a bit of too many techniques for my liking. I am playing with the following thoughts: 1. Use Combo 3 for spinnerbaits and small swimbaits and get a combo for lipless crankbaits and lipped crankbaits. Combo that I would consider here is: Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1 Rod: Megbass SWINGFIRE 2. Use combo 3 for Crankbaits (not optimal but ok) and get following combo for spinnerbaits and small swimbaits: Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1 Rod: Megbass DIABLO SPEC-R 3. Sell combo 3 and get 2 new combos: Spinnerbaits and samll swimbaits: Reel: Daiwa SV TWS 6.3:1 Rod: Megbass DIABLO SPEC-R Lipless and lipped crankbaits: Reel: My old Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 Rod: Dobyns Fury Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy Cranking Thanks for your thoughts!

I would be very interested to hear how you would put the combos together for the different techniques!

I agree @A-Jay. Unfortunately I was not that aware/ smart when I bought the gear... Now I am trying to piece the items together to see what is missing. I was about to get a dedicated Spinnerbait combo but wondered if I should not get a Crankbait combo instead, that started me thinking about my entire gear and now I am questioning everything..

Hi all, I have to admit that I am a bit all over the place with my gear lately. What I mean with this is? I am reviewing my gear constantly to see how I can optimize it to address all of my 'bass needs'. What I am struggeling with is figuring out right now what reel to pair with what rod to optimize if for the different techniques that I am using for my bass fishing. Maybe you want to have a look and tell me what rod you would combine with what reel for which application, so that I can get a better picture what adjustments I need to make (what gear is missing to complete my arsenal). So here is what i have: Rods: * G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy 803C JWR, Lure weight: 3/16-5/8oz * St. Croix Avid X Series Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy, Lure weight: 3/8-1oz * Bass Pro Shops Extreme 7'0'', Medium heavy, Action: fast , Lure Weight: 3/8 - 1 1/2 oz * Okuma Scott Martin TCS Casting Rod 7'11" Heavy, Lure Weights: 1/4-2oz Reels: * Lews Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool (7.1:1) * Reel: Shimano Curado 200 I * Daiwa Coastal (7.3:1) * Lew's BB2 Inshore My techniques that I want to cover: 1. Spinnerbaits (3/8oz - 1/2 oz) 2. Smaller Swimbaits (up to 1oz) 3. Lipped and Lipless Crankbaits (3/8 - 3/4 oz) 4. Jigs 5. Weighted plastics 6. Jerkbaits 7. Topwater (Frogs, Spoons, Buzzbaits) It would be great to see what combos you would build and which combo(s) I am still missing. Thank you very much! Cheers!

Wow, thanks for taking the time for such a detailed answer!!! I want to use the reel for big swimbaits in freshwater but also for saltwater fishing (inshore and eventually a bit of offshore). Therefor my thought of getting a bit more robust version. I liked the Calcutta 400D. Sturdy, size was good and weight was not an issue. The Luna seems to be a bit bigger and heavier than the 400D, which is generally fine. I am looking to invest in a reel that can hold some beating and does not require the biggest maintenance. The Cardiff's line capacity is a bit low, which might become an issue for bigger saltwater fish.. The Conquest is also a shiny contender, but 580 USD is a word! Thanks guys for the thoughts!

I think I will buy the different models, and see how their build quality is and how they feel when attached to the rod. If the Luna is as good as it seems to be then it is a no-brainer for 250 USD. I fished the Calcutta 400D and really liked it and there is still some kind of 'I WANT' feeling towards the Conquest, but at a price more than double of the luna it is in question if it is 'worth'.

I am a taller guy, so a smaller rod is not that necessary at this point. Distance is important though, since some of the spots that I want/need to cast to are a bit further away from the bank than what I would like to. Right now I am leaning more towards the Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'11" Launcher or the Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Diablo Spec R. The Diabolo Spec R. seems to be a very good all around rod, in case I want to go out just with a single rod. @Logan S May I ask what kind of line you have for the spinnerbait combos?

Thanks. I probably tend more towards something to 1oz. The emphasis for the rod is to be light and that I can cast a good distance, the heavier the rod will, the less I will be able to do so with smaller lures (3/8oz spinnerbaits).

Thanks for your reply! How do you like the rods casting wise (I am looking for a rod that can do some distance). Also how is the weight? With what reels have you paired them? Thanks!

Hi all, once again I am looking for the great feedback from this community for an upcoming purchase! I am looking to get a Rod (that I would pair with a Daiwa Zillion SV TWS) that would be allocated for Spinnerbaits (up to 3/4oz) and smaller swimbaits (up to 1oz). I am planning to purchase the rod during the Black Friday period. My price range is up to 300 USD. Requirements for the rod; * Good casting (distance wise) * Light * Robust * good warranty Right now a candidate is the Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Swingfire or Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Diablo Spec R Would be great to get some suggestions here! THanks! Cheers!