JustJames

Why?

I want you to read this three times before every trips. I’d bet you 80% of ppl try to cast as far by the time you get in strike zone 10’ off shoreline, they already tired and ready for next cast.

My main jig rod are 6’10 and 7’2”. I can use either one in place of other. I don’t see much of distance difference nor accuracy. The 7’2” might have a little bit longer handle length so that offset the advantage. The only exception, I only use 6’10 when I’m on float tube, kayak and fishing with braid. Just a side note I also have Tatula MH in 6’10 and 7’1. I feel both the tip a little bit soft for 3/8oz jig and up.

I like these pretty easy for starters not too expensive and versatile enough. For line, i might not be a good example, since I use small reel like Curado 200ipg and Cardiff 200, I can only fit 15 or 17 Copolymer (izor line).

Getting bite and set hook on 6” or 8” hudds or even Gantarel Jr. is really exciting. Worth it is really up to you to decide. No I don’t catch biggest fish on those baits, but I’m sure my blood pumped harder with a bigger hope than when setting hook with Senko.

Yeah I have been watching this one for awhile, not for me but for a friend. For the price point it seems pretty good but then again from my point of view, it is just a rebadged, or reuse old 2017 scorpion DC 100 frame (Curado i series???)The new scorpion DC 150 in K frame also have i-DC5 and price about the same as SLX. Compare between SLX line and Scorpion line, I would go with Scorpion if price is not much different. But if you like the old i series frame SLX is not bad either. I think Shimano try to make SLX DC XT line available in Europe just like SLX bfs.

If you plan on Fuego 1000, I think you gonna like exceler LT or better yet new Legalis LT 2000D at very cheaper price. The differences between Fuego and exceler are Magseal and replaceable knob. For new legalis LT you get Zaion V frame, 6.5oz a little bit bigger spool size but will be hexagon handle which is not too bad for panfish fishing. Magseal I think is over rated for fresh water fishing and startup inertia not as good as none Magseal reel.

Some will give opinion base on weight to balance the light weight of panfish rod. Some will also give opinion base on size which panfish consider as light or ultralight thus the reel must be small to keep in traditional??? The CI4+ 2500 weight less than 7oz still lighter than a lot of 1000 size reels out there. Who care if you use bass reel for panfish if that works for you. I’ve used 750, 1000, 2000 and 2500 for crappie and those 1000 of crappies never asked me what size reel I use lol. Try what you have if you feel you need to upgrade then there many choices from cheap to expensive. Daiwa Legalis LT 2000D is cheap and pretty good bang for bucks. Kage/Tatula LT 2000 if you want to feel a little more refine. Stradic FL 1000 if you think crappie can brake your reel.

So you are saying they are still as good as before? Ill place an order then. Thanks.

I think he is talking about exsense dc ss, cheaper version of an exsense. https://japantackle.com/casting-reels/shimano/shimano-20exsencedc.html

Exsense is Curado DC with add clicking drag (exciting drag sound). Shimano claim to tune something different than Curado DC but I’m not sure.

You can say Gucci of Shimano lol. The rod is zodias 7’2” M, the reel is Shimano Calcutta conquest dc 101hg. The first one might be in 6-7lb range.

Not bad with the free rig. At this state I just try to improve my hookup ratio, using lighter weight and sideway hookset. Caught 5 today most in 2lb range, missed only a couple bites with ragetail bug.

Thanks Tom. Hopefully he/she shows up and help fellow BR member out. I only have one brown and one black all rubber skirts. These hooks is really sharp and I like it a lot.

I don’t know but seem like they just re open the website to order. I’m not sure if everything else is still the same. I’m trying to checkout but not sure if they take PayPal. The website requires personal info before checkout.

Anyone order from this guy recently after reopening? I’m down to last two of wadda jig and want to stock some more.

2000 size 5.2 gear ratio available right here in the good old USA. Daiwa Legalis LT 2000D https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Legalis_LT_Spinning_Reels/descpage-LEGLT.html?from=gshop&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy5maBhDdARIsAMxrkw0st5Lvw5brkv3NZXtk3NiUfTlXPnw7H46uZoP1EFkjPUa46wHIiK4aAm66EALw_wcB

@wrb and @TnRiver46also show a good point. It is not just about your cost, and hour. It is also how much they want your stuffs. If you one of a kind, you can charge as much as you want and they still want them. But if you are new, I’m not sure I would spend $4.00 a jig when I can buy blisters pack from BPS very cheap and work quite as well. I remembered seeing some sell beautiful custom jig on FB market place like 3 for 8 or 5 for 10 something like that. One of my IG friend tie custom jig for everything from bluegill, crappie, bass and some for saltwater. I asked him once about selling his jig on IG. He said something like, it is not worth the time and MARKETING. You should join crappie community and ask around, there are plenty of sponsored members where you might become one.

Sell it at full price and buy Daiwa ???

I don’t remember if I have that problem with my old Calcutta 50, but definitely not with Conquest 50. I’m gonna try to mount the reel with other rods to see if I have the same problem. Do you have any reel foot stickers (come with some old reel)? It might help a little.

how is your guys hook up ratio with free rig? I use free rig mostly horizontal/down hill around rocky bottom (rip-rap) My hook up ratio is not very good at all. Last night lost the big one after the jump. I’m not sure because weights (3/16oz) swing free give bass more leverage to throw the hook out or just simply my hook set.

Just checked it for you still available, ???. I actually should have got the 200 to replace my old Cardiff for 1-2oz swim bait/topwater. I got this last CQ very cheap though, why I can’t resist it.

This is the reason I wanna move to FL, clown knife, snake head, barramundi and King fish. Not even mention all the fresh tropical fruit available there like durian, lambutan, and longan.

Wicked light jerkbait setup I would go with Aldebaran 30 or 50 MGL. It is gonna be hard for Alphas SV to beat Aldebaran in term of lightness and distance wise. Line capacity on Alphas is just a few yards more than 50 and spool about the same weight as 2015 Aldebaran (none MGL model). Just a side note, This frame has been in the market for awhile and new Aldebaran BFS already got newer frame. I think it might been time for Shimano to update old Aldebaran frame. Truth be told I haven’t take advantage over yen vs dollars quite as much. So far only got a few reels, one travel rod, and a few parts. The “steal” for me would be the one that you’ve been dream off, or the one with quality but dirt cheap compare to US model. Im not sure if this one considered as steal, and I said I wouldn’t buy any more Shimano.

My dream home would be a 1.2 miles south of me, just 15-20 steps and I’m right there at the dock by the lake. BUT if my wife told me today we are moving to FL, I would pack and be ready in a heartbeat.