newapti5

My wading boots felt is getting dangerously thin. Should I just order a new pair as before, or should I try to replace the felt by myself? Is it worth of the time and effort? Any recommendation of trustworthy merchants that provide this service? Thanks!

Finally got my hands on this bad boy, a used CDM version of SV103, aka TD-Zillion with a 34mm spool. This version comes with stock parts of bold color schemes. I changed the handle to a carbon handle with fino+ style knobs.

I have this spool. It's more general-purposed, and tougher, than it looks. Also, full aluminum body, including both sideplates. And aluminum gears to save weight.

Not on specific part like this, but I super glued small reel parts before and it's been working so far. I would recommend gel instead of liquid, as the latter would flow everywhere. Gels take more time to heal, but much easier to control the placement and volume.

I would just super glue it. Just make sure using only a tiny bit so the residue won't affect the spool balance. Or you can resort to Japan or Chinese used market. There are many merchants there disassembling a whole reel and selling parts.

I ordered a curado k from AliExpress several years back. It's the same, if not better, as the US version, and it's been one of my smoothest reels so far. As for Daiwa's CDM offerings, they tend to be more finesse-oriented with bolder color schemes. Believe it or not, the Chinese tackle market is disapportionally huge given the fact that most people there only fish from the bank. For example, there are many merchants specialize in Shimano/Daiwa used reels trade, as well as some specialize in reels repaint/renewal, or handle knob customization, or spool diy... I was surprised by all those used gears gems that I can't even find in Japan used market. I haven't used Chinese brand reels for a while, but I know some of them have really grown out of Japan reels' shadow.

For topwaters, I always use mono, as fluoro sinks and braids tend to tangle together. 10-12# for poppers and small walking lures, and 12-15# for big/long walking lures. As for jerkbaits, it depends on whether I want to go deep or stay shallow. For 5+ feet deep I use fluoro; for less than 5 feet I use mono, or braid+leader sometimes if I want the far-away hooksets in clear water to be powerful enough.

Even in '26, the Zillion platform reels are still at the top I believe. I have been on a Chinese used market shopping spree recently, and came across these two CDM version reels: Zillion SV TW but with the shallow SV Boost spool and a light weight carbon handle. SV103 CS, the special Chinese version of the old SV103, aka TD-Zillion with a 34mm spool. This one also comes with a 34mm spool Both can be had for around $250, and cheaper if you don't mind great condition second handed reels.

Yes all the time. I used 20# braid on ML, M, MH rods, sometimes even H, with a baitcasting reel. The casting distance is good, and as long as there's a proper leader, I didn't encounter any abrasion problem, even with the rocky bottom here. But on BFS rods with BFS reels, or spinning setup, I used 10# braid.

Old Abu rods are like that. My Villain 2.0 is rated M, 1/4-5/8, but I use it to cast 3/4 oz lures with no problem. I feel like 5/8 is not its upper limit but the sweet spot. 20-30lb braids are my bread and butter. I use it for everything from 1/4oz jerkbaits to 1/2oz jigs, with different leaders though.

As shown in the picture, these are brass sleeves to replace the plastic sleeves on Steez pinion gear bearings. I wonder if these metal parts defeat the purpose of having the extra plastic sleeves between bearings and pinion gears in the first place. Aren't they there to ease the abrasion between metal bearing and pinion gear so the latter can last longer? As for replacing the plastic shaft inside the pinion gear with a metal shaft to strengthen the pinion gear position, I can understand that. But I am just not so sure about these metal sleeves. What do you think?

For under $100 budget spinning reels, I'd definitely go with Shimano's offerings. They are incredibly smooth for that price range, and stay that way for a long time. They're usually not metal frame, but for bass fishing they're sturdy enough.

TBH my experience with Mustard hooks has been quite good. I am currently looking at a pair of Mustad KVD Elite Short Shank Triple Grip treble hooks, size 4, that helped me land over 100 prespawn smallies and several muskies, and they didn't bend a bit. I did sharpen them a few times, but that's about it.

Digitaka is a good start. And if you don't mind the trouble but want to save more, used JDM like jp.mercari.com would be the next step. Metanium shines in everything, or you can say it's not the best for anything but good for everything. It's designed as a general purpose reel like Zillion. Bantam or Zillion HD are designed for heavy duty.

Don't know about other rods, but don't like this exact Aetos model much. I love the Aetos 7' MH fast; it remains one of my favorite rods after all these years. But the 7' M moderate is a noodle stick that vibrates violently after each cast. The rod is so soft that it just doesn't dampen the casting vibration effectively IMO.