Jaybert

I put my new 1000FL on my old trusty 5.5’ compre ultralight. It balances nice. The 20 something year old ShimanoTX500f it replaced was like 5.9 ounces. This is 10 times the reel at only like half an ounce more. Feels great on this rod, older rod so too light of a reel doesn’t balance on it right in my opinion.

Right on thanks guys I fish the French river area of Ontario at least once a year and it is full of bass but also toothy critters of all sizes. Anyone ever just crimp a small snap like owner hyper weld to end of the AFW? Easy bait changes and eliminate the pig tail? Came across these pre made string ease tippets set up like that. But I think the AFW is still a better choice. Is 20lbs test AFW a good all round choice for smallies?

splurged on a couple new imx pro over the winter... Imx pro SJR782 with a stradic ci4 3000 about $750 cdn IMX pro CR722 with my curado 70hg about $650 cdn plus hawg tech handle on the reel with cork knobs, so like $750+ I guess Have a Calcutta 200 GTB with updates handle, bearings etc. paired with an MBR783C E6X. looking to update Rod in this combo to MBR783C in IMX pro or GLX. so this one may soon pass both... Slippery slope once you build that first higher end combo

So this is an old topic I know but I’m looking to try the AFW Surflon leader this season. Most of my smallmouth bass waters here in Canada hold pike & Muskie. Seeing a whopper plopper disappear to a 2 pound pike can’t happen any more. I usually run 30lb braid on my casting set ups to whatever fluoro or mono leader is appropriate, probably a 3-6’ leader. If running braid do you go braid right to like 6-8” of wire ? Or do you go braid to fluoro to basically a short tippet of the wire? Maybe I’m over thinking it but always thought the longer fluoro leader was necessary for low visibility. Our water is often clear to tea stained. But wondering what works for others? Also any tips to tie it? I tried some from a friend a couple years ago and did ok but with a clinch knot I still got a bit of a pig tail effect. My double uni was not as bad but not up to my normal fussy standards

Loomis MBR783C E6X Version. Its not that there is anything wrong with it and the action is fine. But now that I own a couple other imx pro models I regret not just saving and taking the plunge to MBR 783 Imx pro or GLX in the 1st place. Its really stupid because the rod does it’s job just fine. but I’ve gotten to this point where I am so fussy about my gear it’s crazy. It will bug me until sell it at a loss or make it a back up rod and upgrade to the better one. Regret not doing it right the 1st time...

I went 3000 vs 2500 on my Ci4 because I also use it to vertical jig lake trout and salmon in 100’ ish ft of water. Besides the depth these fish peel drag at times like crazy. So it works awesome for that and then crosses over as a great bass/walleye reel. For a bass reel only however, I would think a 2500 would be more than enough capacity and save you some line at fill up time. Carbon drag is a cheap easy update If you ever want it. So it kind of depends on your application but IMO 3000 is kind of overkill unless you have that specific need for line capacity like I do.

Never used a twin power but have 4 stradic including a recent Ci4 3000 and the new 1000FL. I haven’t used the FL much yet but so far I can say it’s a very impressive reel perhaps the best one yet. My oldest stradic is from 1997 and still works great with minimal problems or maintenance over the years. Can’t imagine a better value than these reels or need to try a different model IMO

This has likely been covered but I have used Zara puppies for smallies a long time now. It’s a good lure for sure. One of my favourites. Looking to do a spring tackle order and was maybe going to add some super spook jr. will cast a bit better I was thinkin and maybe keep the rock bass away. Who has experience or a preference one way or the other? I know I need to try one to know for sure but just stuck inside and looking for opinions & stories.

I put a 90mm Hawgtech handle on my Curado 70. Quite like it. It’s just a little bit longer, and the bigger cork knobs are nice. But it’s not so long that it feels awkward on the small reel. Nice product and I’ve experienced good service from Hawgtech as well if your looking for an upgrade Handle.

Awesome thank you! Got an e mail from Boca Bearings today, 20% off for spring sale, so if I need one a new bearing appears available. even if it takes a while to arrive no rush really. But will keep it in mind thanks again. So looking at my schematic below the bushing in the drive gear is a part #2293 the next generation syncopate used a bearing #930 on this position. Same part# drive gear between the two generations. Anyone have any experience with upgrading a bushing like that to a bearing? Different side plate part # between the 2 generations but if the bushing and bearing where same dimensions it should work I am wondering? The bushing has little tabs that nest into the side plate that a bearing wouldn’t have is only thing I wonder about. Anyhow, long shot but thought Id ask. I know it won’t make much difference but I’m just playing with this project really at this point.

Got this old reel apart now. I have the schematic and think I have a pretty good handle on how it works. I can also see why it was not working well.. what a mess in there. With regards to that, can I soak the internals in anything mainly the drive gear and pinion that is really a mess or just brush it and call it good? Also this only has the one bearing and no surprise it doesn’t hardly spin. Any recommendations on how to clean and lubricate that bearing. Or just go ahead and order a new one? Boat ramps here are closed in middle of our spring salmon run so this has been a good little distraction

Husky Jerk HJ12 in gold/black back. Smallmouth, walleyes and pike. I have an old one just covered in teeth marks and scratches that still produces. Firetiger and clown have their moments as well. Lakes I fish have lots of perch but I’ve never had much luck on the perch colour for some reason and can’t explain it.

Not to get off topic too far but the Daiwa BG has had my attention if I go new. Never had a daiwa. Nothing against them just started shimano and never changed. Are these a decent choice like some say they are? Awesome thanks so much! I’d sent some of my nicer stuff to you for tuning but likely doesn’t work from Canada

He’s pretty responsible, no real concerns there. He’s 11 so ready for a bit of a step up. I popped the side cover off the reel today. Dirty and nasty in there for sure. But I have the schematic, the 2 main bearings look to be available from boca and I have some spare carbon washers I believe the right size. So I may take a crack at cleaning it up here and see if I can make something of it. Nothing to loose really. Can still pick him up a new one and this will be a spare or at the very least a decent project while we are stuck inside. Thanks guys

Ok thank you. If we forget the economicS of it for a second can these old reels be usually brought back to good functionality with a cleaning, new bearings, washers etc or is it a lost cause? I know they are all going to be different but generally? I sent my old stradic FE for service last year then put carbon washers in it myself. It works awesome again and got me thinking on this one. But the stradic is a Couple years newer and better quality overall.

Ok so I have a Shimano Syncopate 2000 spinning reel. It was one of the first “decent” reels I bought back in the day In my teens. I’m thinkin 1997 or so. Retired it a while back and upgraded to the stradics I use now. It’s well used and reels really rough, and sloppy. been sitting for a while now. Looks ok still. I don’t remember it ever being serviced or cleaned... I am much fussier now with my newer gear. So I’m now looking at a new mid-ish range shimano reel to make my son his first decent combo. My question is would you bother sending this old reel away to have it serviced up for this purpose? Is it likely to perform half decent if a pro serviced it? Obviously I can go buy a Sahara or Sedona or something that Which likely makes more sense... but there is a nostalgic value in the old reel and they seemed solid back then. Is this a crazy idea? The things you come up with stuck in isolation...

Ugh she’s a beauty alright but would be a fortune by the time it landed here in Canada. I keep looking for someone selling one that doesn’t know how valuable they are. Missed one a couple years ago hoping another comes along

I always wanted a Calcutta 50B and waited too long and they went out of production. With a hawgtech handle, carbon drag washers and boca bearings added, would be fun on a nice 2 power Loomis rod for poppers and finesse stuff... or amazing on a bronzeback smr702C TW which I also waited too long on...

Thanks I wondered about that. I bought a fibre blend “walleye series” loomis spinning rod and then sold it for similar reason. Beautiful rod but just never felt right to me. Im kind of thinking I just wait it out and save up for a second MBR783C but get a GLX this time. That rod gets such great recommendations everywhere I see it I keep coming back to wanting one

Have a chance to perhaps purchase a nice used Mossyback 803c. I have never had this model or any JWR series. I have now and really like my MBR783C and CR722. I don’t really need it but I love the classic look of these rods. I do have an extra reel kicking around now so it could be paired with maybe my curado dc or Calcutta 200gtb to make an extra combo. So who has experience with this rod and it’s uses? I realize it’s a jig and worm rod but if it worked ok for whopper plopper, spinner bait, frog, senko etc would be nice as a secondary to my MBR. As it stands now my MBR783 does anything heavier or single hooked and my CR722 does treble hooked topwaters, jerks, small cranks etc. Spinning combos fill in the rest. I fish Mostly smallmouth in lighter cover up here in Canada. It’s a decent price and a neat rod but if its not a useful or awesome rod it’s not worth it... so just wanted some experience or opinions on it

I picked up a new stradic FL 1000 to put on my compre 5.5’ ultralight. very happy with the balance and would recommend if you can stretch the budget. Stradic FL only weighs 6.5 ounces. The ancient shimano tx500f I replaced was 5.6 Ounces. 10 times the reel at less than an oz more weight. Stradic balances a bit better to me, bit more weight keeps the tip up but balance is of course different for everyone

I’ve used mine for everything. I’m in Canada so common techniques are a bit different perhaps. It’s excelled for spinner baits. But also pulled buck tails for big pike, storm swim shads, rattle traps, husky jerks & heavy top waters. Even a bottom bounce rig for Walleye, trolled for steelhead and even tossed senko or frog in a pinch. It’s better suited for heavy moving baits like the spinner baits or swim shads. But it does it all. There are better suited reels for certain techniques which led me to thinking it was time to maybe updated it. The 200 is overkill for bass most days yes, but looking back I would say it is a solid multi purpose choice for many species and techniques. I mean the Abu round reels where the standard (and to some still are) bass and multi purpose reels for decades. I have a 20 plus year abu 5500c that still sees some use. So if you like round reels I say go for it. With them being somewhat phased out the resale should be strong if all else fails

Yep going to keep it going as one of my main reels. It is just so solid and I have it tuned up nice and working so good. Sometimes you just need a reminder what you have is sweet I guess.... I am thinking of picking up a new SLX to satisfy the need for a more modern styled reel. For the price I think it will be fun to tinker with and make a good back up. If I don’t use it much it’s not much invested. But won’t ever replace the Calcutta of course

Just for interest sake I e-mailed shimano and they Responded that the Calcutta 100B has been discontinued. Should have jumped on one sooner I guess!

10-4 thanks, I’ll look around for one up here in Canada maybe local shop can order one in maybe