freelancer27

Just got the Power Pitch. I am now even more excited after your feedback!

I didn't have the 754 but had the Xtasy 755 and I have the Bottom Contact currently. In my personal opinion these are two different rods. While I thought that the 755 was way underpowered and a MH at best, the Steez is a powerhouse that can punch over it's advertised weight. The 755c felt comfortable with a 3/8oz jig with trailer. So I can imagine that the 754 is even a bit softer. The Steez was able to fish everything from a 3/8oz to a 1oz jig. They are both well balanced. The Robyn's is slightly better. The fit and finish is good on the Robyn's, but clearly better on the Steez. Sensitivity is a clear win for the Steez in my hands. Warranty of the Robyn's is better since it has a no questions asked policy. I would go for the Steez every time, u less i need a lighter powered rod and I can get the Robyn's for dirt cheap. I got my Robyn's during the 40% off sale. I still sold it again.

Rather get the premium membership and get 25off imo.

Hi all, I would like to upgrade the rod (a Okuma EVX crank air rod) that I use for my poppers and crankbaits. While the rod is decent for the money it is not the lightest and most sensitive one. I would like to be able to throw 1/4 - 3/8 oz poppers and cranks on it with the occasional 1/2oz. Reel will be a Steez SV TW. Line will braid to 12# mono leader. I also would prefer a shorter rod ( def. Below 7'). Price range is max of 330 USD. I would like to take advantage of the current sales. Thanks all for your recommendations!

The B.B.B. rods are only sold on JDM websites to my knowledge.

Daiwa Coastal TW 200. With the mentioned lure weight it casts further than my Antares Antares DC and steez' with the big weights. The bigger spool size really helps here

I have two versions of the Daiwa B.B.B. They are fantastic. Very well made, light and very sensitive for what they are. Prices fluctuate quite a bit here on these. But they are worth it.

As others have said, there is not really one rod that can do it all. The Xtasy 755c is NOT a rod for pitching into cover. Too underpowered for me. I sold mine, because it did not have enough power for 1/2oz jigs (+trailer) in open water. The Extreme 705c might be an option if you are really focused on skipping. If you want to go longer the Champion Extreme 746c might actually allow you to do both. It has a lot of power and enough tip.

Yeah, I agree. Japanese reels at times can come with completely dry bearings. I did not know about the severity of it and just fished with the reels right away. When you throw a high resistance bait on a reel like the Calcutta Conquest, it can quickly ruin the bearings for you.

Stock, but USDM.

Status update: I sent Dan (ReelEx) the following reels: * JDM Antares 71 HG * JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 201HG * JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 101HG * JDM 2018 Calcutta Conquest 401 * JDM 2021 Antares DC XG * JDM 2018 Morethan XH * JDM 2018 Antares DC MD It was the right call! Dan's turn around time was amazing to begin with! I shipped the reels on Tuesday, he received them on Wednesday and I had them back before the weekend. The drag clicker of the two 2021 CCs were not working initially. Dan offered to take care of it free of charge and also serviced another reel free of charge as a courtesy call. Dan called multiple times to get more information on the issues I was experiencing, gave additionally a lot of great tips and tricks and also shared interesting stories of his 20+ year experience! I can honestly say that Dan is just a generally good guy! I very much appreciate this in today's fast paced and shallow world! So, how did he do? * JDM Antares 71 HG --> after I moved the reel to its original rod (Megbass Super Destroyer), the noise was gone! Now this reel is the rock star that I was expecting from day one! * JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 201HG --> This was the original reel that started it all. I was a bit nervous when I got it back today, since I was hoping that the noise was gone. AND YEP. Silky smooth and quite. --> Piece of mind! ? * JDM 2021 Calcutta Conquest 101H --> Similar to the Antares 71HG, smooth and quite! A dream! * JDM 2018 Calcutta Conquest 401 --> Didnt feel too much of a difference here, but the 401 did not have the noise problem to begin with. Just some good service was done here. * JDM 2021 Antares DC XG --> This is a reel that I fished maybe for a total of 30mins since I got it from Japan last month. I only sent it in because I wanted to get it serviced, since I was planning to sell it. The reel was super smooth already, so I did not think anything was wrong with it. Well, Dan's inspection resulted in 4 dry & damaged bearings (X-Ship bearings in particular) that he replaced. He sent me the bearings back and I could see how bad they were. Some reels (its seems to be mostly Shimano, since I have not experienced this yet with Daiwas) that one buys from Japan, seem to get to us rather dry. And if one fishes just a bit with a dry bearing, this can have severe consequences. So, clean and lube them yourselves or send them to somebody like Dan right away! ? Now this reel is even smoother (I have no idea how that is possible) and is easily the smoothest reel in my collection. I do not really need this reel, but I am honestly discussing if I should just find a rood, so I can keep the reel. * JDM 2018 Morethan XH --> This reel was my 'bank fishing beater'. It was dirty and rough. Dan did again a great job cleaning and servicing the reel. It almost feels like the day I got it out of the box! * JDM 2018 Antares DC MD --> A lot of you know about the challenges with this reel. Shimano simply underdelivered with this reel for what it was advertised. I took my reel apart more than 5 times in the last year to the most severe cleaning and lubing job possible, since the geary feeling of that reel drove me nuts. I would never sell the reel though, since it has special sentimental value to me. Well, Dan gave my old lady new live and restored her very well. I am happy with the result! So, what can I say? Yes, it was expensive (spend with shipping, the bearings and service almost 280USD). It was worth it though. I can nothing but recommend Dan to anybody who wants to make sure that their reels get the best service. If he can not fix it right away, he will tell you, research the problem in his network to fix it eventually! Dan = the man! If you have JDM reels like I have (since the cost savings are just too good for many reels to pass up on, as well most reels that I am interested in are JDM only), check in with Dan first, since he told me that he usually only services USDM reels! Cheers!

This is obviously a bit tricky. But if I was in the position where both Daiwa and Shimano would come to me and offer exclusive sponsorship, i would take Daiwa. Generally speaking: Anything above a Zillion is just a dream to fish. Super smooth out the box and they stay smooth. I also love how easy and fast one can adjust the breaks of a Daiwa. A shimano takes considerably more time to fine tune. At the same time, the ease of of operating the Daiwa breaking system comes with a slight loss in casting distance. Here the Shimanos performa tiny bit better. I prefer ease of use. I have a Steez cT, Steez A, Steez SV Tw, alphas CT SV, 2x Daiwa Coastal tws and 4x 2019 Morethan,. They are still like the day i got them (i usually service my reels myself). Also one of my absolute favorite reels of all times is the Daiwa Coastal TW 200. Absolute workhorse reel that I use for my saltwater inshore applications. This reel casts amazing, is smooth and has super corrosion protection and can be found for 150usd shipped. I also love that one has the flexibility to switch spools between reels. So my Steez A with the original spool is a great powerfishing reel, but with a SV spool it becomes a finesse and skipping monster. No other reel manufacturer can provide you that flexibility. Where I think Shimano has a bit better offering is when it comes to round reels. I just love the craftsmanship of a Conquest. I just feel that this is a reel that I can hopefully pass on to my grandchild one day. My DC reels (2018 Antares DC MD and 2021 Antares DC) are more gimmicks to be honest. A DC unit is not better than a trained and experienced thumb. Its more of a show off and convenience reel, but not really needed. I would suggest to get a Daiwa Coastal TW of ebay and if you like what you see, but want to improve on reel weight, ergonomics and the ability to switch spools you can go to a 2021 Zillion or the Steez A (which can be had for 350usd shipped from the jdm sites) or any other Steez, etc. Enjoy the journey!

My issue with my high end Shimanos is indeed a bit annoying. But I want to wait on the result of ReelEX (a reel service company here in California) before I pass my final verdict. All of the Shimanos that I sent in were bought from Japan and at times these reels come to the US a bit dry. So it could have been simply me not taking them apart right away and applying oil and grease where needed. For context: I have started my 'fishing career' with Lews and my first 'high end' baitcaster was a Lew's Custom Pro SLP Casting Reel. Great reel at the time, when the high end Daiwas and Shimanos were wayyy out of my price range. Well over the years, with a couple of promotions and increased income, the higher end gear of Shimano and Daiwa came within reach. What can I say: after I tried the first Daiwa Steez SV TW and my first 2016 Antares DC, I never looked back. Lews makes some fair products (and I think they get a lot of people, since they represent this "American Made" label), but in my opinion they dont get close to the two Japanese brands. 2 years ago I found a Team Lew's HyperMag Speed Spool SLP for a really heavily discounted price (I think it was like 160USD shipped) and I thought, lets give nostalgia a go and see what Lew's top product is all about. Well.... I sold the reel after 1 week. Only thing that it had going for it was the weight, but that was it. I am honestly happy if somebody can find a 150USD reel and feel that this checks of all their needs. I wish I was cool with cheaper gear. But I tasted the forbidden fruit and while I can financial afford it, I will keep buying the best. And right now that is Daiwa and Shimano.

Happy it helps a bit. I have had the NRX 894c. I bought it along side the Steez Bottom Contact Gen1 and decided to keep the Steez, since that rord just looked and worked better for my intended use of 1/2oz Jigs + trailer. The NRX 894c was too tip heavy for my liking and also for the lures that I was planning to throw on it, the tip was too fast. I still have a NRX 804c, that I use for pure skipping and dock activities. That might actually be another option for you. Much better balanced rod and still enough power to pull a 4 #er out of medium cover. The Steez BC is fairly variable and can do anything from 3/8oz jig (+trailer) to up to 3/4oz jigs with trailer. I did not include it, since you mentioned that you wanted a shorter rod. The Steez 7'2H (Heavy Pitch) should fit your profile very nicely. It has enough tip for the lighter lures but enough backbone to get a good fish out of medium (not heavy) cover. The Tachyon Shaft, I have no personal experience with but I hear that people like to use it for pitching lighter baits into medium cover. Also consider warranty. GLoomis is probably the safest, once you pass the 1-3 year mark. IF I was in your shoes I would look at the NRX 804/854c or te Steez Heavy Pitch.

So, i think you want a shorter rod that is sensitive, has some tip but also some backbone, since you are fishing some mesium cover. Some suggestions: * 2021 Steez AGS 7'2 heavy * 2021 NRX 894c (might be a bit too long, you can go with the 854c instead) * Megabass P5 Tachyon Shaft I would not consider the X Bites. Not enough power for cover.

Not that tight. I played with it as well and its not the cause of the sound. Will take the 101HG today completely apart, flush the bearings and lube and oil everything. After that I will send one out to a reel guru. If that does not fix it, I will accept the noise of an otherwise very smooth reel and buy Daiwa only from now on. It would be extremely ridiculous that Shimano would have such "accepted" issues..

I thought so too, but the noise comes from the opposite side of the gears. When i literally put my ear next to the real, the sound was clearly coming from the right hand side (removable reel plate side).

None of the reels have braid. Fluro or mono.

Thanks guys. I have Sunline Armilo on it and it is not enough line to cause this sound. Its also a mechanical sound. X ship bearing has been mentioned in another forum as well.

Thanks. I have fished at a clear reservoir today, so not sure if that is it either. But will try nevertheless!

Cant be. The reels are to new. The 2021 CCs are less than a month old.

Hi all, Hope you can help me with the diagnosis here. I am experiencing a specific sound/noise that all of my high end Shimanos (2019 Antares 70, 2018 Calcutta Conquest 401, 2021 Calcutta Conquest 201HG, 2021 Calcutta Conquest 101HG) experience. While the reels are genuinely smooth, I can not help but feel annoyed by this sound that I experience on the retrieve. The sound seems to come from the right hand side of the reel, but I can not 100% confidently allocate it. To me it sounds like metal is rubbing on metal. My first was that this must be the spool bearings. So I added some oil. This did not solve the problem. Today at the lake I tried to take a video. Please have a look here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zCVrVLon24NXGib2klix-vysPKTAM7Of?usp=sharing I really love these reels, but it is just a bit annoying when my Steez/Morethans/Zillions do not make any noise. Would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions on the mater. Thanks fellas!

Today : yes, absolutely. Tomorrow: nahhhh

I tried one to see if I would like it for frog fishing. It was way too broomsticky and tip heavy for my liking. That being said, i think it probably would work as a decent punching stick. Larger single hook swimbaits (up to 2oz-3oz) should be fine too.

Yes, it has a soft taper but it goes quickly into the backbone. I use this rod only for skipping activties, where it is great for me. The 894c also has a very soft tip. That was the reason why i sold it again (and it being incredibly tip heavy). Bought a Steez Bottom Contact (version 1) then, which had more power than the 894c, was way better balanced and also looked much better in my opinion.