Big-Bass

The drag is the most essential part of a spinning reel. Period. Locking the drag on a spinning reel is actually kind of funny and almost silly. I lock my drag down on my casting reels when I am fishing frogs in heavy pads or jigs when I want to really put an oomph on a fish. Spinning reels are about finesse. Lock your drag down on a 6lb. smallmouth in the St. Lawrence and I can tell you what will happen with that fish LOL...oh wait it will be gone faster than I can explain. Aluminum framed reels are more rigid than others but products like Ci4 and Zaion are better blends of composite that resist flex. I have aluminum and composite framed reels in sizes from 500-3012H and have had no issues with flex. Daiwa's Exist at $800 is Zaion, the Stella at $800 is Magnesium (not aluminum), and some of the best selling spinning reels out there are composite (Stradic Ci4, Tatula LT, etc.). If you are using lower quality reels with cheap graphite and then add no flex braid with a locked down reel and I would then assume a cheap rod with a crummy reel seat since you wouldn't put a cheap reel on a good rod, you may have issues but again, those are extremes. Just like if you take a Honda Civic off road you can expect the frame to flex and maybe even snap.

The new BPS Carbonlite 2.0 is a Daiwa. It is buttery smooth and for the price is a nice reel. Similar features to the Exceler but with BPS (actually more like old Shimano Stradic) colors. I have quite a few Daiwa spinning reels from the Exist, Luvias, Ballistic, down to the Legalis and Revros and this reel feels nicer than the Legalis. When they go on sale for $49 with free shipping it is a steal. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-johnny-morris-carbonlite-20-spinning-reel

I had a Premier a few years back. Really nice rod. Lew's just came out with one for Hank Parker. It's funny how what was once old is now "new" again and the young guys think it's the latest/greatest.

I agree! If you could find NOS certain Daiwa and Shimano reels, I would pay retail for them simply because of both their fishability and collectability. There is something to be said with reels from about 1998-2008. True quality at the time when the economy was doing really well and the price for the quality was there. Not saying anything bad about anything new, but my TD-Z's can cast as well as any reel out there at this point. And I have tried and compared many.

Pistol grips are definitely coming back. I just sold two on that big auction site. Bought both for $36 total. Sold both for $240.

Some nice Ambassadeurs there! Looks like my dad's stuff back around the same time. I see a Fenwick Flippin' Stick I believe too. And that Lew's BB1N needs a rod!

And...:)

This is exactly why I have 11 SV103 reels. I use three of them (one H and two XS). The others are absolutely NIB and they are my favorite reels because of the platform (one even has the mailing labeled "SV103" cardboard box directly from Japan that I received in one order from The Tackle Trap. Same reason why I have a buildup of NIB rare varieties of OG Zillion reels (Type-R, J-Dream, 50th, Megabass IP68, IP79, etc.) , NIB and Mint OG Fuego, and then the TD-Z's (2 NIB Ito, Type-R, Type R+, Mint PO, New TD-Z 103H, Mint Air Metal TD-X 105H, Mint Air Metal TD-X 103H, custom TD-Z's etc.) I have others in most of those varieties that I am using in my lineup but that platform perhaps more than any holds its value and it also happens to be my absolute favorite for my hands and for customization. Obviously, I have a reel collection that I enjoy which is part of the reason why I have so many in those mint states. The Alphas/Sol/SV105 seems to hold a similar value. The older Chronarch D used to hold it's value but that seems to be replaced by the Core 50 and the like. I just know if modern reels will hold their value like that for bang for buck. Hopefully they do! Best wishes on the water!

Baitcasting: Dobyns Xtasy 754C/Daiwa Steez Limited 105XH and/or Millionaire M-Ito (based on price I paid for the reels) Spinning: Daiwa Steez AGS 76MML/Daiwa Exist 3012H Fly: Orvis Helios 2 905-4/Lamson Litespeed and/or Scott G2 844-4/Ross Evolution

Me too!

Oh yes I know it's and old rod compared to today, I was just asking a value from a collector's standpoint. Thank you!

When did these come out? Particularly the Eagle and how much are they worth for a 7'6" telescopic in really good shape? Thanks!

Don Iovino custom. Had it made in 2016. www.iovino.com. But I would give him a call as he is great to talk to and can make it completely custom to your order. I also have a silver 2500C that he made for me (was one of the reels he made famous for "doodling" back in the day).

I usually carry a few Bubbas and a few Sissys every time I fish!

My most expensive combo changes because I change stuff in and out quite often. For a rod, my Dobyns Xtasy 754C is my most expensive by retail but I didn't pay retail. As far as reels, probably one of my Megabass reels or my Steez Limited 105. But I have ALOT of reels (like 80+). Not because I need them but because I like them and that is a hobby of mine. In fact, I don't fish most of them but have a cool collection (to me) of fishing tackle both old and new that have a lot of sentimental value to me. Most of the reels are NIB because they were either very limited production or because they were discontinued and I bought them because I really like them. Some might say it's silly that I rotate 15-20 rods/reels yet own so many more reels not in use but that's just me and I am fine with that. Sometimes I get on a sales kick and sell a few. Just like the post about flipping through old catalogs...I loved doing that with my dad and in a few weeks it will be 5 years since he passed. He was my fishing partner and as a little boy I watched his every move on the water and he had me using an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Lite bait casting reel on my own at age 7. He is really missed and those days I would spend with him looking through the newest Bass Pro Shops catalog or watching TNN Outdoors on TV (Orlando Wilson, Shaw Grigsby, Hank Parker, In-Fisherman, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, etc.) on a evening together in the mid 1990s won't be forgotten. So no, you don't need to have the most expensive equipment to catch bass but you do need what you like. I like expensive tackle because I enjoy using it and collecting it. But I was fishing with some cheaper stuff the other day and caught just as many bass. It doesn't matter to me the cost, it matters to me the enjoyment and the thrill you get from what you use and what you catch. A lot of people have expensive stuff but don't know how to use it. Others could smoke you on cheap tackle. Confidence and training make better fishermen...not just better gear. But better gear if it can be afforded can help build confidence and make the training process less stressful on the angler so they continue to enjoy the sport. Isn't that what it's about? Best wishes on the water!

Does anyone use these? How about the casting rods...particularly the 71MXF and the 73MHF. Looking for input on comparison to other models in the price range and other rods within the Daiwa lineup. Thanks!

I may have a MINT in box Alphas Air 7.2 RH that I might be willing to sell. The reel is amazing. PM me if you want more info. Thank you!

Gen 1 or Gen 2?

Love the green! Great reel!

Does anyone have an info on the SM2A? When did it come out an how much did it retail for? I have since sold my BB1 Shimano Lew's and picked up a mint BB1N made by Ryobi. Hope all is well and best wishes on the water!

This reel arrived today. Daiwa HL-SSS Ringa 103. It’s a gorgeous reel and glad I was able to get it. Best wishes on the water!

Was Lew killed? I thought his son Casey was? I have a basically new BB1N that is in stellar shape and smooth as butter. Innovative reels for sure.

More old school TD-Z frame style...JDM TD-X Air Metal 103H with a USDM TD-X 100HSD metal star (to replace the stock plastic on the Air Metal) and a Steez dimpled red R+ spool.

Can you post a picture of the Eagle GT...is it a pistol grip or just a short straight cork handle?

Toying around with some spinning stuff. Love my Legend Xtreme and who would have thought how much of a workhorse (and a rod match) the pre-LT Daiwa RG 3000 reel is. And the balance on the 7’ M is perfect!