mrpao

I would agree. I purchased the landsat second hand without ever holding one. There are no stores around here that carry megabass. It took me alittle bit to get use to the handle. At first I didn't like it at all. I was even planning on getting rid of it. Glad I kept it though. I have learned to like the handle and actually enjoy using it. So much that I have two identical combos.

The value really depends on the reel. I have seem them anywhere from $30 to over $100. It really just depends on the condition and what is included. Here's a few of my old reels.

The revros is actually a very good reel. It has a thicker frame than the other LT style reels, hence the heavier weight. I believe its graphite and not the carbon composite material. It also feels a little smoother due to its heavier frame.

The landsat is a great rod. Lightweight and sensitive. To me, its more on the medium side of med light side for a spinning rods. I use mine for shakeyheads, neds and drop shot. It could probably handle light tubes and smaller senkos. I wouldn't throw a weedless 5" senko on it. I dont feel it would have enough power to slam a larger hook into a bass on a weedless 5" senko. Maybe a thinner worm like a trick worm would work with it. For my senkos i prefer a more true med like the 7' med expride.

Just goes to prove we dont need expensive gear to catch fish. Hmmm. I'm still not getting rid of my Metaniums or Exists.

I would check the pinion gear yoke. Sometimes its easy to put it in backwards. And the reel will partially still work.

I do it all the time. Daiwa reel on a shimano rod. Shimano reel on a daiwa rod. They're both Japanese, so i figure it wouldn't end the world.

Spinning or casting rod?

Of the reels the OP has listed, the only ones i haven't tried are the fuego and carbon x. Weight wise, i think the carbon x 1000 has them all beat. It's supposed weight is 5.7 oz. Thats right there with the daiwa tatula 1000 and stradic ci4+ 1000. Longevity wise, I'm not sure of. But it does just great reviews. I'm sure the fuego would feel like all the other LT daiwa reels with the carbon light frame. With my daiwa LT reels, if i closed my eyes, it would be hard to distinguish which reel i was holding. They all feel similar. The same with the shimanos. From the Sedona up to the Nasci, they all feel similar. Too me, an ultralight reel should be lightweight. Therefore of the group, i would try the carbon x.

Nice. Matching colors. Love it.

I know there's many excellent mid priced reels out there. I have tried many of them, but if money was no object, then why settle. If someone said i could have any vehicle out there, I'm not going to settle on a Toyota camry, even though its a really decent vehicle. Give me the Lamborghini aventador.

I like a 5 gear ratio for all my crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Thats just personal preference.

I pretty much all the baitcast and spinning reels I want. I have two many reels already. I wouldn't mind picking up a Conquest DC 100 in the low gear ratio -just to try it out.

I recently ordered two spinning reels: Piscifun carbon x 3000 and Kastking zephyr 3000. Though not ultra light, I figured they would be a close competition to each other. Though i haven't fished them yet, since they just both came in this past weekend, I am quite impressed for the money. I did put in an order for a carbon x 500 and 1000 size from Aliexpress last night. I want to compare them to my other small carbon framed reels- daiwa tatula, procyon, stradic ci4+, vanford.

When i was around 13 yo, I caught a 8 lbs bass on a old zebco 33 and cheap fiberglass rods. Since my dad didn't fish, it was just one of several old cheap combos laying around in the shed. I caught many fish on those cheap zebco combos, until i got a summer job and started buying better gear.

I only use mono for crankbaits. I like the extra stretch. I think it helps help the fish pinned on the treble hooks. Plus it's much easier to cast a light crankbait on mono. Not to mention, it's much cheaper on the wallet. I used trilene XL and big game for many years. Starting to switch over the sunline super natural due to its thinner diameter.

I second the snakehead answer. I assume there are snakeheads in your area.

I have seen them before but dont remember the name of them. I believe they were designed for salmon fishing.

As mentioned, if the handle is tight and solid then run with it. Both of mine have a small gap as well but was never a concern of mine.

Daiwa tatula LT and tatula rod. Or shimano vanford and zodias rod. These would be my two choices in that price range.

What is your budget? What techniques are you wanting to try?

No problems from AliExpress. Like most said, the delivery time can be quite extensive.

If I like the 3000 sizes, I'm planning on purchasing the 1000 and 500 size for light bassin and trout fishing. Their weights are comparable to a tatula LT or stradic CI4+ of similar size- both of which I also own. I know it's not apples to apples, but it will be a nice comparison. I like small light reels.

Not much reviews on the Zephyr spinning reels, except on Amazon. I ordered a 3000 size the other day. Should be here shortly. Also ordered two Piscifun Carbon X 3000 size. It seems to have decent reviews. I'm going to try these on my catfish float rods, to see how they do. I wanted the new Daiwa exceler LT, but not sure when it will hit the US market. These three reels are going to be a test. I usually dont buy off brands, but they are fairly inexpensive so i figured I'd give them a try.

I agree completely. If there is nothing wrong with your bearings, just clean them, blow them dry and oil them with a good light oil. I have done the bearing game myself and tried many brands. Not really worth the investment. But to each their own. Now, I just use the stock bearings.