Puggz

Thank you for the comment and I agree, they are in short supply, especially the HG.

I've been collecting a few new rods this winter and re-purposing a few reels and I've ended up with a gap. My favorite Junk rod is the DC 734C FH. This rod does everything well but I'm going to focus its use with spinnerbaits, soft Swimbaits (IE Keitech), smaller hard swimbaits/glidebaits, toads, buzzbaits, and swimjigs. I have dedicated pitching (DX 745C FH) and JMR (DX 743 FH) for T-rigs, etc. I do NOT like using a crankbait rod for any of the aforementioned techniques :-). Considering the 22 Bantam HG w/30# braid. I hoping that the medium speed would work if I want to slow roll or burn a SP for example. Thoughts? P.

Apologies for the late reply but The Hookup Tackle UTUBE channel has some content on them. I'm seriously considering a "Sidekick" for strolling and other finesse applications Length: 6’7” Power(Action): Light Plus Taper: Fast Line: 4-6lb. The GLADIATOR Anti GA-67L⁺S is a character (Rod) that can adjust to the situation at any time and in any case, worthy of the name Sidekick. The sidekick is a 6'7" light plus action tubular model. The TIP, which boasts high operability and sensitivity as much as SOLID, and the powerful bat, which is located between L and ML, are finished with a single blank without joints. It can be used for a wide range of finesse rigs and finesse plugging except for extreme finesse games, so it is quite useful when there is a limit to the number of rods that can be carried, such as one bait and one spinning okappari style.

They are doing the same thing with the reels. 99% of the top model's feature for a lot less. good for us!

Interesting thing.. law of diminishing returns. Always an issue with the super high end stuff. Looking at the '24 spinning reels, why even go for an Exist/Stella. Unless of course you're leaking $$ Its a great time to be alive isn't it!!!

Power finesse? makes me think of Jumbo Shrimp. 🤠 If you're at the $100 price point, keep doing what you're doing. The big advantage to JDM, other than price, is they just offer more higher end models and more options. Take into account free shipping and its a no brainer. Sure, there's no warranty but a good repair shop can make short work of any issue. The only time I've had an issue with a JDM reel was a new Zillion last year. Something weird with the spool tensioner. Digi provided the return shipping label and I upgraded/traded to a Met shallow. YMMV.

Oooooh lala! 😍 Is this a JWR setup or something else?

I run 50# braid on my flippin/punchin/froggin rod. Seems to be more than enough. But then again, i'm certain going 65 or even 80 won't be an issue. How about this, anything over 49#, whatever you get the best deal on.

Not sure if there's an "advantage". just preference based on application. Conquest shallow is only offered in 1 gear ratio for example. I currently own Calcutta 200d's and 400d's and I really like the compact round reel form factor. YMMV.

Just took delivery of the '23 3000MGH. Crazy the way it lays down line on the spool and crazy light weight. Mounted on a P5 Windbuster - cant wait to use it in anger 🤬 She's a BEAUT!

Daiwa: Certate, Airity ST, Steez SV TW and a couple others Shimano: Exsence BB, TwinPower, Metanium DC, Calcutta Conquest Shallow Edition I'll be ordering the Certate (FC LT 2500S-DH), TwinPower (C2500SXG) and the Conquest Shallow (SE 30HG)

Megabass P5 Destroyer spinning. Either a Flyssa or a Windbuster, depending on the weights you're throwing. Worth the wait while you save up a few more shekels..

I had a rod makers (sorry, cant recall which one) sent me a rod in a piece of PVC pipe. Almost impossible to damage and you can glue on the end covers.

For starters, you'll want something with a fast action. Xfast will give you a tip that's too bendy and a mod. action will give you too much bend deep into the blank. There's a lot of suggestions recommending that you go MH. Keeping in mind that blank power various from brand to brand and model to model, try to aim for something that's inline with the size/weight of the baits you throw and the size of the fish you target. Although nobody likes to talk about this, sometime we only have access to smaller fish (under 3lbs) which mean small baits, which mean a lighter rod. If you're regularly into larger fish then go the MH, otherwise, you're on the right track. If your average catch is 3lbs or less, then go with the Med... its always more fun catching a big fish on lite tackle. Unless your fishing cover, then bigger is better. Regarding a recommendation, the sky's the limit but I would recommend something in the Dobyn's Championship XP line. If it was me, I'd go for the Dobyns DC 702 or 703, 30# braid and a 8-10# floro leader.

The important thing here is the stradic I'm asking about is the 2023 model. It weighs more (dependant on model) and has 1 less bearing. In this case, for the extra $25 USD on Digitaka, the Vanford is a clear winner. But.. there's a new Twin Power (no dbl handle) and Daiwa Certate (comes with a DH), being released next month. Sure more $ than the Stradic/Vanford but both are Japanese made with features from the previous versions of Stella and Exist. Afterall, they are going on P5 Destroyers. Being from Ontario, my Bass season opens 4th Saturday in June which means I have some time. BTW, as always, thanks for all the feedback/discussion. Cheers! P

Thanks, just what I figured. Since the stradic is 3 yrs newer its likely equal to the Vanford for a few $$ less.

Thanks for all the input and yes, there's a JDM double handle Vanford. I'm looking for 2 spinners this spring, one with a double handle (paired with a P5 Flyssa) to see if I like it and one single handle. My options are: Vanford C3000SDH (P5 Flyssa) 0.8 Braid, 6# Floro. 23 Stradic or Vanford 3000MHG (P5 Windbuster) 1.0 Braid, 8# Floro I'm likely splitting hairs on the latter but the stradic is getting some great reviews as its got the latest tech for that price point.

Price point is pretty close, I have a couple of Stradics, incl. a Ci4 and find them all very decent. I want to try a double handle for finesse this time and the Vanford offers that. Thoughts?

Your lucky then. I bought a Daiwa Luvias this spring. 13%HST, duty, and brokerage. I know people that do this but the border is 2hrs + from my home. Unless I'm spending 1,000s, its not worth it. I'll be shipping my spring order to my boy in Illinois.

Yep, and now we have a 10% luxury tax on top of all that for cars/lite trucks over $100k and Boats over $250k. It never ends.

Being from Canada, I get charged 10% duty and 13% sales tax when I import a reel from japan. My son now lives in Illinois - what kind of import fees would I pay if I shipped it to him? TIA< P

Nice! I have one on my shortlist

Thank you, makes sense. So to confirm, a Compact frame uses the same spool as the non Compact reel. Is the Compact version just to save a few grams? TIA. With the dual handle, I noticed that the spool capacity is much smaller than the other models..

Of course all my baitcasters have a double handle but what about spinning? I'm in the market for a new 3000 series reel and wonder if I should consider a double handle. Reel is to go on a P5 Windbuster if that matters..lol TIA<

In the market for a new quality spinning reel and I'm looking for information on how to decode the all the different codes that make up the model number. I totally understand the sizes as this is the same in NA but using this as an example, what is the real difference and does it matter to me? This goes for both Shimano/Daiwa - some things are intuitive (DH for double handle) but others not so much. Shimano 23 Vanquish C2500S:Hand Retrieve: Right or Left-Handed Weight: 150g Gear Ratio: 5.1:1 Max Drag: 3kg Line Retrieve/Crank: 70cm Ball/Roller Bearings: 11/1 Mono Line Capacity(lb-m): 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 Shimano 23 Vanquish 2500SHand Retrieve: Right or Left-Handed Weight: 165g Gear Ratio: 5.1:1 Max Drag: 4kg Line Retrieve/Crank: 75cm Ball/Roller Bearings: 11/1 Mono Line Capacity(lb-m): 5-110, 6-95, 8-70