JustJames

It is gonna be hard to find anything better than Luvias at 200 price point. You got air bail, Zaion rotor plus Zaion frame (not the new heavy ZaionV). I would own one since last year if it is not because of MQ body tool (another 30-50bucks) and Magseal. If Daiwa plan to make all reel with MQ body I might eventually own one. Strong point of MQ body is very rigid body plus oversized gear and even more water proof. At that time I have Ballistic FW, pretty much the same without MQ and Magseal. The reel is incredible smooth and very low inertia. If I gonna get Luvias now would be FC (finesse Custom model). They seem to use 1000 frame across the FC models. Hint the difference in weight between FC2500 @ 5.5oz vs 2500 @ 6.3oz. To me the 1000 gear is strong enough for regular bass fishing. Now though Tatula LT is harder to beat at 50-60 cheaper. I wouldn’t need any other reels if Tatula offer slower gear ratio.

@zpelletierhere picture compare SLX and Alphas, very similar size wise. To me though SLX 150 is better for line capacity. Alphas line capacity is about the same as SLX 70. compare to zillion my chatterbait/jig reel. Bigger body and sit higher might help for more secure palming.

It feel much closer to Curado 70 which sit pretty low on reel seat. It would feel clamp in some what larger hands but also depends on reel seat. All in all if you like SLX I can’t imagine you don’t like Alphas, unless if SLX is on the border of being too small and if you palm the reel with 4 fingers in front of trigger then Zillion might be a better choice. I will have compare picture with SLX if you want.

Which Curado? The SLX sit pretty low on reel seat and not tall at all. I don’t have a lot of reel but might be able to compare them for you, but first we need to know why you are not comfortable with SLX. I know guys that don’t like Alphas SV TW because smaller size and sit lower than Zillion. Some also prefer Curado 70 than sit lower than 50e.

Nothing much just wanna show why I love Fatika, 5 bass in about an hour morning and still alive for a few more bass. I just quit before it gets too hot and I have a round of golf later on. Just like one guy said, my 400 acres lake is too easy to fish, I bet you even a 3 years old can catch bass. I believe there is a bass in every square foot.????

Nope if Curado and SLX is not comfortable for you, they might be either too small and too narrow, for those big hand or long fingers. The bantam gonna feel pretty close to SLX. If I were you I would go to store mount the reel on a rod and try to hold the way you fish. Daiwa Tatula 100 is wider than SLX or Fuego CT bigger and longer than Tatula 100

Who use filler spool as backing? Big game 10lb over 1000 yards for 9 bucks, if you have to buy backing line. You can use used line with multiple connections as well if you wanna go cheap. Im not trying to argue with you, just saying size of spool again not “smaller but deeper or shallower arbor” is not only factor to go JDM. Shimano always available in standard size spool. There are many JDM reels that you may know or not know the detail, especially Daiwa have tons of name for same reels selling in Europe, Japan and Asian. Just like that Caldia LT where ppl compare to ballistic LT. I’m not surprised if turn out new Procyon LT is actually the same reel as Caldia. Or another guy that always say Shimano 1000 in US is actually the same diameter spool as 2000 size in Japan (just name them differently). In fact they are different being 1000 is only 40mm while 2000 size 42mm. There are many info out there that need to be researched before buying JDM reels there for it is not for everyone. why Daiwa only offer Deep spool in US while shallow spool in Japan and Standrad spool in Asian and Europ? I think Daiwa does some research of average user regarding to line type, size and need. just my .02. Talking about your example of #6/240yds. That would be Japan spec of line. I bet is you use 6lb line that sell here (not JDM) you might get only 150 yds at first place.

Roboworm 6” fat you can use this for many techniques, dropshot, weightless, weight Texas rig, Neko and shakey head. Rage craw Jig/swim jig trailer, chatterbait trailer, flipping/pitching. Senko/Fatika when the bite get tough. Now you can call yourself “minimalist” ???

You only backing once, these new reels have grooves on spool to show if you want medium, shallow or super shallow line capacity. When you say “smaller” I assume “shallow”? Shallow spool is not for everyone especially for those using mono line (even 4lb mono). It is best to have some alternative instead with one type line. I’m not arguing JDM is cheaper and in a lot of cases better, but it is not for everyone.

Coming from you, who always use Ci4+ and Vanford I believe it. I’m gonna get one just from this comment. oh wait. I already have one ???? Backing all the way. Spinning reel, backing with mono will not affect the performance. I only use super line with spinning so even JDM shallow spool I still need some backing.

Our dock is just like @BassNJakeimages, a few inches gap in between. I skip into those gap before. The way we fish is a little bit different we don’t usually skip under dock due to boat lift, and cable both side that hold dock in place. We find docks that close together and fish in between.

There is always two sides of coin. I live in fishing community lake so I have seen them a lot. First about video, Ike was doing the right thing, moved when asked at first but the lady didn’t stop and threatened to call the cops. Now home owner especially the one don’t fish, how do they feel get up in the morning and see paint damage from those weight, cover, seat get hook all over. Admittedly all fisherman are not the same, some respect other belonging but a lot just wanna catch fish and don’t care about others, like those that think public water I can fish anywhere and don’t care about home owner’s dock. I have found hook, cut bait, dead fish, fishing line and trash all over fishing spot, one time we walked our dog in the park (dog allowed park) and found treble hook on his paws, luckily he has long fur so no damage into his skin.

Remember, I never tried with braid, I’m not sure with floating braid might create some issue. I used look-warm water about 8-12” deep, striped the line zigzagging from side to side. It help softened and straighten my line.

I would say so far”yes”. I swapped mine and use them for a while now (Alphas SV TW and 2021 Zillion 1000/100G). But to be able to use clicking drag, you need zillion gear plus some other parts (metal washer, pin/spring, main shaft sleeve) @LCGjust in case you are interested, I just placed an order with Plat for Zillion HD gear set and necessary parts to make clicking drag. The total come out around 7000 yens plus shipping and handling around 3000 yens.

Do you have any Turner’s outdoor nearby? Their house brand California rod is pretty good from what I’ve heard. They also carry Daiwa line of rod including UL for trout ppl.

I used to strip off braid onto 3/8 or 1/2” wooden dowels with power drill for temporary line change and can re-spool it back pretty quick. I can imagine it would work in your case with two 6-8” long dowels. Note not for mono FC line too small arbor would create memory like no tomorrow. simple method is to walk the line off around your yards if you don’t have dogs chasing you around wanna play (don’t ask how I know) I can also strip of the whole spool of mono line into bath tub with some water and can re-spool back without any tangled.

70MGL cost more because 2 bearings on the knob, a little bit better component like star drag. The extra 30 dollars really depends on what you want from the reels. If you want extra line capacity to use with bigger line 12-15lb and doesn’t care for physical size of the reel, 150MGL might be the way to go. If you only use 8-10lb Copolymer, and only use for light weight lure, 70MGL might be better investment. At full spool of line, 70 spool will weight less make it easier to cast and control light weight lure. Smaller line will help with distance. Smaller spool need less line, less backing problem. Like other already mentioned, light weight lure, the rod also play important role.

Reel is not really about sensitivity but if reel balance well and comfort on the rod, would enchant sensitive. Sienna at 7 something oz might not balance well why you feel chunky on 6’ rod. Expensive rod is nice but not necessary better. The better rod might help you feel crisper bite but experienced is way more important. Typically bluegill bite are obvious any level rod would feel the bite given line is suitable. Crappie different story, often time they bite and swim up, hard to tell no matter how expensive the rod. I have from 5’6” all the way to 7’8” depend on location and how far I wanna cast. For tight space or when I jigging a lot, I prefer shorter rod, easy to cast and easy to shake the rod. If distance matter and I only slow retrieve usually longer rod. This is one of my favorite rod, not expensive and very light weight. Daiwa Presso 5’5” and Sahara 750 or any Daiwa LT 1000. It is really hard to beat Presso line in weight and sensitivity is very reasonable. Daiwa Legalis, exceler LT 1000 come in at 6something oz very smooth and pair well with light weight rod. I catch a bunch of bluegill and crappie with this setup.

Believe me your situation are way better than mine right now. Nope I didn’t even spend half of what you did. I was shopping for parts, saw the last CQ100. Monkey jumped in and clicked “place order” even before I added all the parts in. I had to email them to add all my parts into the same order to save shipping cost. Now the problem is, this is unauthorized purchase from my wife. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do when my wife see that package from Japan and she knows how much that gold thing cost. I’m a dead meat.???

What kind of swept star drag and handle? did you install handle collar on top of drag star. To install screw in type star drag better to screw in all the way before install handle. Make sure you wrench the nut tight enough and install nut retainer(cap). The collar on top of drag star that sit on top of groove will give you length to move drag star in-out and secure handle to the shaft. Not all bent drag star would work with old Daiwa due to short shaft length.

This is funny story. Where I used to live, next to lake Perris, by a golf course. I used to Ninja-Fishing there in golf course pond. One day a young family moved in, he walked into golf course (our backyard) with fishing pole in his hand in afternoon. My wife told me the story and I just laugh. After awhile we got to know each other, actually from our other hobby wood working and we talked about that incident. We became clicked and turn into close buddy for most everything. I bought our first Jon boat so we can fish more. He taught me how to handle a car with trailer, he taught me how to operate boat. He even jokingly told us to buy a house in Canyon Lake so we can fish day and night, seven days a week. I eventually moved into Canyon Lake and had good time with my only fishing buddy. Came home from work at midnight and went straight out in our jonboat until 7-8 in the morning. Thing changed he moved out of state not long after I moved. My neighbor, every other houses has either a nice bass boat, kayak or float tube and a lot of them bank fish. I never want to fish with any of those. I got invited a few time on their boat, even to join bass club. I always said thank you. I’m remain known as that Asian guy who always walking around catching fish.

Nice ?.

First of all, how do you know if your brake doesn’t work? you can check by, adjust spool tension knob (wind brake) to loosen the spool, free spin spool, set the dial (external adjustment) from 1-6. If spool come to stop faster when dial at higher, meaning everything work just fine. Another way is to look under palm side plate, those brass drum should move up and down when you turn the dial. If everything works and you still have problem, it might be operator error.

Bluegill fight way harder than crappie lb to lb. I’ll target them from time to time when I get sick of bass and can’t find crappie. Trout magnet is pretty effective with bluegill as well as 1” tube jigging along the bottom. If I feel too lazy I’ll just dropshot with 1” glup minnow. Im really lucky my lake is full of 4-5lb bass, 12-14” crappie and palm size bluegill, if you know where to look for them.

Does it sound like this?