PourMyOwn

One thing to consider is line diameter. I lost a few when I was in my Jon boat and only had a baitcaster with 10 lb line. (I was crappie fishing and under prepared). The line stretch was more than I expected and I didn't set the hook as solidly as usual.

I can still remember the smell, but I was more of an Auger tail guy.

HS teacher here-when I worked in rural schools I gave away tons of soft plastics that I poured. In lots of cases, they weren't even in my class, but word travels. Mondays were the best, kids would pop in to show me what they caught over the weekend. Those were good times.

I have about ten also. Several TD-S, a couple TD-X, and three TD Zillion Crazy Crankers. Oh, and a pair of newer Lews that I should sell but keep forgetting about. The old TD reels I got dirt cheap on eBay/marketplace. Yes, I know I have a problem.

With a little acetone you can make most plastic lures translucent. Clear baits catch fish here in gin clear water.

When you said you cranked it to shoot out the excess oil, I'm assuming you pulled the plugs? I usually do that and watch for the oil to shoot out the cylinders before there's any gas introduced. Either way, I agree you probably didn't hurt anything. Today must have been the day to get out oards going in New England, I got my boat out of the woods today too.

Timely thread, I picked up a couple last year and am finally ready to use them. I plan on using them with finesse football jigs.

I've owned the last three generations of the Regal, they are good reels. They certainly aren't the Exceler or Ballistic, but properly cared for will last a long time.

Love the crazy cranker, just a smooth and well built reel. The reasons you listed are why I use a 5.1 Team Daiwa X for bladed jigs. I have a tendency to go fast when I-havent caught a fish yet, or am excited from just catching one. I'm in trouble either way.

I'm going to say the TDZ, it disappears in my hand. That said, it's also my newest reel, so I'm sure something better has been made in the last 20 years!

@Lead Head , that was what happened to me. Prior to that one spool I liked it.

I had a not so great experience with 15 and it makes excellent backing now.

Bandit 100s are good baits, but can be a challenge to cast. They are definitely lighter than most other shallow cranks. I throw them on a ML moderate.

Norman Fat Boy

I just picked up a few spools at Scheels (online) for 10-12 bucks a spool. Once ice out happens I will give a review.

No music for me either, and when I'm not fishing alone I'm far from a conversationalist. When my dad was alive we would talk college football, then go hours without saying a word. I "fired" a fishing partner for being too loud.

I can relate. Picked up a few spools of the new Ginclear fluoro and some hair jigs today. Oh, and a second hand Collins 1/4 oz football jig mold. No amount of venting made my Bugmolds mold pour correctly.

@Jig Man , I used to have aot of success with those on smallmouth here in NH in the 90s, ran out and forgot about them. When I saw this mold I had to have it.

I make these for a Ned changeup, and they are great as trailers on my finesse jigs too. Epic Ned Crawler

Somehow these still aren't expensive on the used market. I got a bunch of rough ones this fall with the intent to paint them colors that work in my local waters. I recently soda blasted all the paint off and am awaiting warm enough weather to paint.

They are very smooth. I did a bearing flush and cleaning first, but I don't ever see the need to upgrade. I'd like to echo the part about them balancing rods. Longer rods (IMO) can benefit from a slightly heavier reel. My jig rod is a lot less tip heavy with this reel as opposed to my buddy's new Curado. (I almost went Shimano dark side)

I have a few of the TD Zillions: 6.3, 7.1, and the 4.9 "Crazy Cranker". I love how they fit in my hand, and I happen to like a slightly heavier reel. I feel like they shine with power fishing techniques. The 6.3 is my favorite big squarebill/spinnerbait reel. If I threw chatterbaits it would be great at that too. The 7.1 is perfect for jigs, I throw 1/2 Oz into thick vegetation and have made cheaper reels flex. The 4.9 I use for DD22 cranks and bigger. For lighter lures I use my TDZ reels, which are a bit smaller and equally a joy to fish with. I can make a TD Zillion throw an 1/4 Oz football jig, but the TDZ is better for that-same with smaller crankbaits. I have no experience with any other Zillions.

I will get some when I get home, tomorrow at the latest. The biggest issue is that Bugmolds doesn't say which hooks to use and I am stubborn enough to only want owner/gamakatsus-otherwise I will buy some off some other guy. I really think I need to get my dremel out and go to town. Football mold

@Munkin , that's really nice. I bought a Ukranian finesse football head mold, but it's hit or miss.

Munkin, looks great. If you think you stink at making hair jigs, you havent seen my "attempts". What jighead did you put that on?