wet_dream

This topic made me think of this video instantly. I've always made it a habit to close my bail manually, even before seeing this video. But this just reinforces the benefit of closing your bail by hand.

When I bought my kayak last year for inshore fishing, I was looking into baitcasters that would hold up in the salt. I heavily considered the Daiwa Coastal (200 size) and the Daiwa Lexa HD (300 size). I ended up sticking to spinning tackle for my inshore fishing. I recently got into freshwater fishing and have picked up some baitcasters (a couple Tatula CTs and some Shimano reels) but have yet to use them in the salt. I'm sure with proper maintenance, most freshwater reels would do just fine in salt/brackish water. Of the reels I currently own, the CT Type-R would probably be the first reel I'd use in saltwater, with its 2 corrosion resistant bearings. I've had a positive experience with my Daiwa reels and would not hesitate to recommend the Tatulas. I believe the new Shimano Curado K and the Chronarch G are saltwater ready, but they'll eat up more of your budget. I may pick up Lexa HD or Shimano Tranx in the fall for striper and heavier bottom fishing. You can get the CT Type-R on eBay for about $130 or the Coastal for about $150 leaving you with $100-120 for a rod of your choice. Rods are much easier to maintain, I usually just rinse mine off after every trip to prevent rust. Just pick a rod that'll handle the lures you plan to throw.

I've got a Revo Toro Beast 61 for sale, looking for $250 shipped, PayPal. It's spooled with 40 lb Suffix Hi Vis. It's been sitting on my shelf since I bought it this winter. It's never been casted, and the braid has never seen water. I bought it to use for bottom fishing, primarily in saltwater, but since I bought my kayak, I can't see myself using such an expensive reel on the kayak in case it goes overboard. And honestly it's just too much reel for the inshore fishing that I do. Only blemish is on the handle nut. I tried switching out the handles to see how each one felt and didn't have the right size wrench, so there's a small scratch on the nut. If interested I can post pics. Thanks, Cy

There's one video on YouTube, I believe the user's name is ReelTest. He compares the Curado K, size-wise, and actually says it feels smaller than a Scorpion 70 (JDM Curado 70). With your discount, I'd atleast wait til I can play with the Curado K before deciding.

I scored mine on EBay for $170 during the Memorial Day sale. Awesome reel at that price, couldn't pass it up. It's so smooth and it has become my favorite reel in the short time I've had it. Don't have any experience with the 70 though, so I can't compare two.

How about the new Curado K? It was just released at iCast so there isn't much info/feedback on them yet, but they definitely caught my eye.

Hey @fishnkamp, You're reviews/posts praising Daiwa Tatulas were one of the factors in leading me to purchase a couple Tatula CT's. I have a CT Type-R 8.1:1 and a CT 6.3:1. This is coming from someone with no baitcasting experience prior to purchasing these reels. I have had no complaints with these reels, and I learned how to cast them fairly quickly, but I may be leaving some distance on the table because I've tried to adjust them as you've stated but always seem to get some backlash when setting them up that way. I've had a much better experience when setting them up the traditional way: letting the lure drop and adjusting tension knob so there is no over run when the lure hits the ground. Usually, when adjusting using this method, there is no side to side play on the spool. Curious, that kind of line do you use on your reels? I'm wondering if this may have something to do with it. Sorry if I hijacked your thread @Chance_Taker4. Just wanted to put my 2 cents in. So from my very limited experience, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these reels. But maybe I'm not utilizing it to their true potential. I just recently got a Chronarch MGL. Maybe I'll take a day and actually compare it to my CT Type-R. I'll spool them both up with the same line, and throw the same lures on the same rod to see if here's any noticeable casting difference, distance-wise.

Here are some specs on DSG, available for preorder: https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/13-fishing-one-3-fate-black-gen2-casting-rod-171fiaftgn26ft7mcrod/171fiaftgn26ft7mcrod

For this particular trip: -4000FK paired w/ Shimano Teramar SE -2500FK paired w/ St Croix Mojo Inshore -2500Ci4 paired w/ Shimano Zodias And I too have been impressed with their durability in the salt. I was using heavier penn reels but after switching to the Stradics, I don't think I'll be going back. It's held up well with minimal maintenance. Just a quick freshwater rinse after each trip, and occasional grease. I have a 5000 Saragosa that I use for the surf. Takes a ton of splashes, never been submerged, but spins like it did out of the box.

It's definitely one of my favorite types of fishing! I started in saltwater (just a few years ago) and just recently took up freshwater fishing this year. As much as I've enjoyed freshwater, saltwater fishing this time of year is so much fun.

Washing off my gear after a saltwater kayak flounder trip.

I had the same issue and ended up downloading the app "PhotoShrinker" for my iPhone. It's an extra step, but it's the only way I can share pictures on the site.

Another Craigslist find: Shimano Exsence DC on a Megabass Orochi XX EMTF. Then got sucked in to the BOGO 50% off sale at DSG. Mostly saltwater stuff for a kayak flounder trip tomorrow morning.

Havoc Pit Boss and Pit Boss Jr's work well for me. They're $2/pack right now if you buy 5 at DSG.

I was wading a sod bank for fluke this afternoon. Slow day overall, had one short fluke and this nice 20 inch weakfish.

1) Keitech swimbaits (specifically the 4" easy shiner in white) have been hot for me, numbers-wise. 2) Stickbaits, senkos or yum dingers, is my second choice if I want to catch numbers.

I ordered a Chronarch MGL last night, was debating all weekend between that and the Metanium, but the $100 difference after discount swayed me to try the Chronarch. Hopefully Mr. Grumpy from Lithuania pulls through lol

I've been even throwing the easy shiner on a 1/4 oz jigheadZ, mostly in open water that's pretty deep (15-30 ft). I'd adjust the weight of the jighead according to the depth I'm fishing. I could probably get away with a 1/8 or even lighter. This has been my most consistent fish catcher recently. It often gets inhaled before I even start my retrieve. That's how I feel about the easy shiner, but I prolong the life of the plastic by rigging it upside down when it begins to tear, and have found it still catches fish. Or I'll cut a 1/4 in off the nose so the hook exits further back. I'll catch a few more fish this way before the lure gets trashed.

I agree with this, as longer rods will become cumbersome especially when attempting to land a fish. More importantly, I prefer rods with shorter handles from the reel seat to the butt. Makes it easier to maneuver the rod with out it getting caught in your PFD or to prevent it from jamming into your stomach/chest.

If you go on eBay, you can get the 734c for $83.99. Check under couch the cushions, I'm sure you can dig up $3.99.

HAHAH, thanks for the reassurance. That's the same reel I have in my cart. I reached out to him a couple days ago and never got a response. Glad to hear you had a positive experience.

Is this a seller based out of Lithuania by any chance? Really close to pulling the trigger on a reel, seller has good reviews but still a little hesitant.

Curious, which one did you end up with?

It'll depend on what ratio and retrieve (left vs right) you're looking for, but the MGL is only $30 more than the Tat SV, in options I wanted.

Those are 2 reels I were considering as well. Don't have much experience with Shimano, but I love my Tatula CT and CT Type-R, which is my jig reel currently.