LCG

Give Shimano a call, they hooked me up with a free side plate screw and no charge for shipping, their service dept is outstanding in my experience.

If you can maybe check out the rebellion line of rods by Daiwa. Pretty nice rods for $200 a piece. I have the MH and ML models and very much enjoy them.

I bought two Daiwa Rebellion rods this year that are 2 piece rods. The 6'8" ML-F spinning and 6'10 MH-F, they are both very light, sensitive, comfortable, and most of all versatile. $200 rods, found mine on sale, but I would pay full price. They are really nice rods. Reels you listed are all good reels. Personally I would lean towards the Curado 150 MGL of the ones you listed. I only have the 70 MGL and I love that reel. My new Daiwa alphas sv tw is quickly earning top spot though, that reel is very versatile, $200 ish from Japan.

If your buying a name brand reel I wouldn't worry about it. I have only bought two reels from Japan and both have been impeccable.

A pond I fish regularly is littered with snapping turtles. I have accidently hooked into 3 this year on a wacky rig, Ned rig, and while crappie fishing. Those things terrify me

I assume the palming side plate is completly closed and latched? Maybe try removing the spool and reseating the spool. I can't think why it would do that otherwise.

Have you tried removing the tension knob completely and reseating the knob?

Uni is pretty straight forward

6'8" ML- F spinning 6'10 M-F casting 6'10" MH-R casting I only take two rods on the kayak. Space is cramped, so organization is key. Which rods depend on season and conditions. Always wear a life vest and have lots of water and sunscreen. Safety first.

I just picked up an Daiwa Alphas SV TW from Digitaka and it's quite the reel. Similar size to Curado 70 MGL, brass gears, SV spool/breaks, smooth, metal frame, gear plate, and top plate. Time will tell, but I am impressed so far. I was looking at the zillion and bantam pretty hard as well.

Recieved the reel and spooled it up with 10lb yo Zuri hybrid and mounted on a 6'10" MH-R Daiwa Rebellion. Took it out for a couple hours today and I am happy to report the reel is everything I was hoping for. Spool came pretty loose, so tighted the spool tension a bit as mentioned by other users. Put the brakes at 10 and started getting familiar with the reel. Within 30 mins I was casting spinnerbaits at 6. Then I tried skipping first at 20 and made it down to 10 with amazing control. Distance wise it's about equal to my Curado 70 MGL when brakes set between 6-8, but the control offered by the SV spool and braking is amazing. Loving this little reel. Thanks @Bass_Fishing_SoCal for the recommendation. She's a keeper

I have noticed that some pros will release the thumb bar and use their thumb as their drag system. Just wondering if using this method would potentially cause damage to either the clutch mechanism, pinion or gears?

I have had good luck ordering from asian portal fishing and Digitaka. The JDM has aluminum gears and made in japan while the US version has brass gears and made in Thailand. Not sure about handle length differences. I don't have the zillion but just ordered the alphas, waiting for delivery. Looked hard the JDM Zillion but prefer smaller reels. Sorry for your loss of equipment, that is rough.

Reel should be here in the next two hours. Thanks for all of the helpful tips. Anxious to get her on the water and see what she can do. Update: how is that fed ex can ship a package from Japan to Canada in less than two days, yet my package sits in my own city for more than two days? Delivery postponed until September 6th ?

Yes we have Amazon here and I am also a prime member, but mostly for streaming services with some shopping here and there. But here in Canada they have items listed for drastically more than it should be with exchange rates. But it is, what it is. I don't mind paying for quality equipment that performs how I want it to, and I think the Alphas will be it from what I have researched. Time will tell. My Curado 71HG MGL is my current favourite baitcasting reel, but I can't skip well and I throw small spinnerbaits around often with wind as well as target casting with plastics. From what I have read, the SV spools fits that versatile role. Anixous to find out though

It does have the zero adjust spool tension, but I have my doubts that every reel is set up perfectly from the factory. I assume there is a fair amount of human assembly involved, but I may be wrong. But sounds like the common theme so far is a bit of side to side play in the spool. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

Thanks to the recommendation from fellow member @Bass_Fishing_SoCal I have a Daiwa Alphas SV TW coming from Digitaka. Unfortunately got hit with Duty/Tax of $58.50 Canadian, reel was $241.50 Canadian, so $299 total. Not bad compared to local prices, not that I can get this particular reel locally, but the price compares well to similar type reels here. The reel is supposed to be here in a few days via fed ex. Would be nice to have a solid starting point when the reel arrives. How do you set up your SV spool tension? Where do you set the magnetic brake 1-20 for various casting styles such as pitching, skipping, long cast? Any tips would be appreciated as this is my first SV reel. Had a original Tatula and Fuego a few years ago, but neither had an SV spool. I will be spooling up with 10lb YZH on a MH-R rod as a all purpose set up.

It's cheaper in the end to buy quality gear upfront, trust me

I have been using 10lb yo Zuri hybrid on my all around baitcasting set up this year and so far I really like it. Will be picking some up in 4lb soon for spinning. Go by diameter, not lb test.

Weightless maybe?

I recently picked up a Daiwa Rebellion 6'10 MH-R that I am really liking. The action of the rod is nice and versatile. I got mine in the two piece variant. Great rod so far.

From my experience line visibility has minimal effect on catch rates. Location, seasonal patterns, weather factors play a much bigger role in my opinion. I think Smallmouth and trout are more prone to see your line as they tend to be more clear water, high vision eaters. Largemouth I have not seen any difference. I use a leader on my spinning setup, but more for abrasion, shock than anything. I do think line diameter has some bearing though. I believe they can feel any type of line. To my thinking the thinner the line the better, with type of cover an obvious factor.

Best to keep things simple at first. The combos you mentioned will cover almost everything good enough. Learn how to use senko worms and light weight spinnerbaits to start with and then branch off from there. It's a fun sport and one that you can enjoy with the family. Enjoy and good luck. I took my 11 yr old out last week and he caught his first bass all on his own. Cheap spinning combo and a wacky rigged senko from the bank. He wasnt that into fishing until he caught this one, now he likes it

Uni Alberto Palomar In that order

3" grubs, Mepps in line spinners, Ned rigs.