diehardbassfishing

When considering Zillion vs Tatula, it's good to know the major difference between the two. The Zillion has Diawa's floating spool design. No thru-axle, bearings effectively on both sides of the spool. Nice because both spool bearings are accessible by removing the side plate, and dropping out the spool. The handle side spool bearing is captive with a pin. The bearing can still be cleaned (flushed) without removing the pin. That can be another topic that I could explain in detail... The Tatula's spool uses an axle, and requires opening the reel's body to have effective access to the handle side bearing. You can lube the bearing by removing the spool tension cap, but can't remove the bearing without breaking down the reel. Really can't do an effective cleaning with only cap access. I installed ceramic bearings in my Tat since they are much lower maintenance. Karl

Is fine. Mine the same. Karl

Your reel's drag setting is what's most important. That determines what the rod ultimately feels. Karl

Found this mentioning same issue on different Shimanos. Maybe a similar thing:

I use cork knobs. Not sealed by me - they show no pitting. Color gets a little darker - that's all. The feel, wet or dry, is what I'm in for! Fantastic. Makes rubber feel very crude... Karl

It might be better to think of a reel's brake as a "Cast Control System". It might sound like a politically correct statement, but it's an accurate description. A reel's brake is a very well designed device to INCREASE your casting distance while maintaining control of overrun. A thumb is great, and important, but adjusting a reel's brake control is critical to getting a maximum distance. The biggest thing that the brake helps control is the initial part of the cast. This is by far the hardest job for a thumb to control. Mid to end part of the cast, thumb becomes more useful. Myself, I only count on my thumb largely at end of cast. If I feel the line "fluffing" up mid-cast, I thumb it down a bit. When controlling around a case of mid-cast fluff, you know your reel brakes are in the max distance setting. You're coming frightening close to a nasty bird's nest. I like to call this "dancing with the devil"! Karl

Ohhh. I don't like this change. The Ryoga WAS the real deal. Karl

The Ryoga's side plate uses a screw down aluminum ring. I don't palm mine, but I can see how that could cause a problem. Karl

Close. Maybe just a different length. Apx 15 ribs compared to apx 20. Karl

Think we have a winner! Between facebook images, and a video, sure looks like it's the one. Thanks! Karl

Yea, I use and catch on this. See how I do like this style of lure... The pictured lure is much more radical with it's ribs. Karl

Looked close in Photoshop. Does seem like something might be there, but couldn't resolve anything. Karl

Looked that up. Close. This has deeper ribs. Karl

Who makes this Rib (disc) lure? Karl

Yea! This! After seeing success in hook-ups with my guides using this technique, I'm sold. Never looked back. Karl

Yup - go to ebay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/362939376688?hash=item5480df6430:g:0VYAAOSw6qheZoXx https://www.ebay.com/itm/373034001977?hash=item56da8f2639:g:gE4AAOSw5w1epiav https://www.ebay.com/itm/373028463556?hash=item56da3aa3c4:g:RNgAAOSwtPNenzgv Karl

Lure - Lucky Craft, Sammy. It'll fly! Karl

Just say "NO"! Fishin' is hard enough already!! Karl (LOLing just a little bit...)

The view of the trailer and vehicle shows well. No problem. Tongue down force is really an independent measure from the trailer angle. If you have proper tongue weight and the hitch fails, the trailer will not flip up. No matter if there is an up angle from hitch height. Karl (There could be other elements involved if the angle of the trailer was HUGE, but that's not the case here.)

If it feels "funny" - set the hook! Karl

Fulton F2. Karl

Try T-rig soft plastics. BGs will nip at 'em, few (if any) will hook-up. Karl

Always go for full Z control. There's no downside. Karl

It's a boat, and you're going to fish for bass with it!! Nuff said?? Super! Make it work out for you! Karl

Brake at max would make it virtually impossible to backlash. Actually the spool control would be so tight - you'll hardly get a lure to launch 25 feet! Here's a simple "home test" to see if the mag break is operating at all. Tape your line down on the spool. Have the spool side tension essentially zero - as long as there is the smallest side to side spool play, you're there. Now the mag force test: Set mag force to zero and spin the spool by simply getting the spool to spin with your finger. No need to try for any max super hi RPM. Consistency is the key here. A simple spin with zero mag, getting maybe 15 to 30 seconds of roll. Maybe less, maybe more. Just try to get consistent with how you spin the spool. Once you have a feel for that, now put the mag force to max. You should have a noticeable decrease in free spin time. Maybe 1/2 of what you had spinning the spool at mag setting of zero. Let us know! Karl (I do own, along with many Daiwas, a Fuego. It casts with the best of 'em)