newapti5

If my memory serves me, PayPay's rate is a bit higher than market rate, which means they're gonna charge a little extra. You could also pay with your US debit/credit cards, but the banks may charge some conversion fees as well. Wells Fargo once charged me $10 extra for a $200 order. Some JDM sites would have the options to pay with US dollars directly, like JLS Eric just mentioned, but their conversion rate would be a bit higher than market rate as well when you do the math. In summary, you're gonna pay some extra, like ~10 bucks.

I haven't tried the MGL III spool from Curado M, but my experience with the ones from Bantam and Metanium tells me that MGL III spools are really great improvement over the last generation when it comes to long casting.

I'm not sure if admin would ban me here if I keep taling about Ali, but on their homepage, they're giving out coupon codes, like "USGS18" for $18 off of any order over $139. Add a couple bags of tungsten weights or such to your order, and then you can input the coupon code during checkout. If you want SLX, do a quick search there and you'll find some regular SLXs for less than $100. BTW, the size for most Shimano spool bearings is 3x10x4mm, which you can find some ceramic hybrid ones, or NMB or NSK ones on Ali as well.

With all the JDM sites, people often forget Ali sometimes could have even better prices for new reels, e.g., Curado M for $115 now after $18 coupon: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806844748439.html These are CDM reels, Chinese Domestic Market, which is one of the largest markets for Shimano and Daiwa, given the population number there. I've purchased a Curado K from Ali before. Except a different sticker in the bottom, I don't see any other differences inside or out. It's still one of my smoothest reels, even oddly smoother than my JDM Metanium.

JDM Alphas would be a good alternative, which could be had for around $150 new.

Early Xmas present:

Yep that sounds about right for a right-handed cv-z, but left-handed ones are a different story. Mine cv-z 105 needs the spool pin from old Alphas series, which is a tiny bit longer than the stock one, so all the current 34mm spools could fit.

What a beauty. Besides the cv-z 105 I currently have, I am also trying to locate a relatively cheap Bay Casting Special in good condition.

Why can't I find the rated lure weight for these rods? Is this a new trend?

According to my experience, for sealed bearings, an acetone bath in an ultrasonic cleaner for less than 10 minutes is more effective than an acetone soak of overnight. Just make sure to get an ultrasonic cleaner with a metal container.

Holy cow, a Legend Extreme for $275 is truly extreme.

I fish jerkbaits for river/creek smallies mostly, and I don't reel in the slack. I am sure others have valid reasons against mine, but I feel that when I reel in the slack, the jerkbait will inevitably move a little, which change the pattern of "jerk - pause - jerk - pause" to "jerk - creep - jerk - creep." To make sure I can still detect subtle bites, I use fluoro for better slack line sensitivity, and of course a sensitive rod. I also make sure the hooks on jerkbaits stay sticky sharp so fish would hookset themselves. Again, these are all for the subtle bites. When fish are active in Spring/Fall, I will use mono and composite rods for better casting distance. I still don't reel in the slack, but the bites are so violent that I won't need sensitivity. About the parabolic bend on the rods, I feel like there're so many opposite opinions out there. I know some use braided line + parabolic rods for jerkbaits, and others use mono line + fast action rods. I am more of the latter.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832808821547.html Aliexpress has many Tatsu on sale. I got this 200yd of 12lb for $23 shipped, and it passed Seaguar official website authenticity check. Limited to 2 spools per order though. Meanwhile, Academy has some Shimano Mastiff FC on sale for $18 per spool. It might be the second best thing to Tatsu. https://fishshop.shimano.com/ has some Shimano JDM lures (jerkbaits and poppers) on sales. Shimano long sleeve tech shirts are also BOGO. Free shipping.

https://bait-wrx.com/search?q=power+pro

https://jp.mercari.com/search?search_condition_id=1cx0xHGsdbWV0YW5pdW0 One of my pastimes is browsing through the daily listings of Mercari, Japan's largest online flea market. You don't need to register a Mercari account, but you do need a Buyee account for purchasing and shipping. Buyee often gives out generous discounts for Mercari purchases, 10~20% off.

Canada customs fee seems way too high. Once you're familiar with Japan tackle websites, you could look into its used gears websites if you want to save even more. I just got this mint condition Metanium for $122 US dollars to my door (minus the custom parts), and this used market is a really deep rabbit hole if you're into tackles.

Thanks! I must have missed that.

Just a quick question: I once ordered some 1/8 oz Dredge Dock Rocker Jig Head, and they're great for finesse jigs. With a beaver style trailer, they'll glide to the bottom. I know this is a niche product, but any chance they'll be back in stock? If I had known, I'd have ordered a whole bunch. Thanks!

Core brothers unite!

Thanks, 96mm will be what I am looking for. Bigger knobs will just be bonus.

Thanks, that's where I plan to order it from; just want to make sure it's longer than what I already have. An interesting thing about their pricing: the handle shank itself is $32, but the whole handle including knobs and bearings is only $36.

Could someone help me with the handle length of a US version 20 Metanium MGL B XG? Mine is 6.0 ratio and the handle length is 85mm. I am thinking about getting a longer one from the XG model. Thanks!

Hewww, dodged a bullet here

I think the one you're referring to was much worse than that (worse for Pure Fishing). They were supposed to put many items on sale for 50% off, but instead they put $50 on those items. I didn't get greedy and only ordered six $300 rods for $50 each, and a couple $350 reels for $50 as well. I had to give Pure Fishing credit though as they were all shipped out as usual. I heard someone ordered a bunch of Penn's $500+ reels for $50 each.

This is literally trolling. We are all gonna get deleted by admin soon.