newapti5

I like Tatula LT as well, but the new 23 Stradic is out for just 148 at digitaka. With all the new techs trickled down, it is a better value IMO.

I would retie it. Since I started using FG knot several years ago, it has only failed me a few times. Some of them were just human mistakes, and the others were knots from the last season. So nowadays I always retie after several months.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Genuine-Part-Scorpion-Spool-13GG7/dp/B081NLSRKZ https://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/partsorder.php?products_id=2620

IMO the only missing technology from the K worthy of noticing is the MGL spool, and if you want, you can always order a JDM Scorpion 150 MGL spool for the K.

I am not really into BFS, so I have only one BFS rod - Kuying Teton 662L, rated for 2-10 gram. But I do have two or three BFS reels. One is an old version Alphas Air, and the other is a Gen 3 Abu Revo LTX. Both work fine for casting 2-3 gram lures. I use 10lb Smackdown braid with 6-8lb flouro leader.

Never used a SLX, but Curado is always a step up from the SLX. And those guys from Shimano are famous for making sure reels from different tiers are truly different, AKA, you get what you pay for. But if we focused on reel smoothness alone, my Curado K is surprisingly as smooth, if not smoother, as my Metanium and Bantam.

Yup, my fishing buddy also used those heat shrink tubes on his rods. No complaints from him, only compliments about improving the grip. I oddly prefer the Winn overwrap.

No matter spinning or baitcasting reels, I always cast with my right hand and reel in with my left hand. Never switch hands. It just made more sense to me when I started to teach myself bass fishing. The story I heard regarding the popularity of right-handed baitcasting reels is that back in the days, when there were no low-profile baitcasters, people used round reels from saltwater fishing in bass fishing. And in saltwater fishing, you're supposed to use your dominant hand for reeling.

https://www.abc27.com/local-news/carlisle-west-shore/mandatory-water-conservation-order-in-effect-for-mechanicsburg-area/ An underground oil tank was found leaking diesel to the creek near me. How will it affect the smallies and other fish in the creek? Also, how will it affect wadefishing anglers? How about the drinking water? Sorry I panicked a bit and made a Walmart run for bottled water.

It seems like you're not the only one who has problem with that part. Since the original part is made of plastic that is prone to breakage in hard casting, third-party companies have already made metal replacement of it:

I don't have one right now, but I do have its spool. It's still a great caster in 2023. Other than the spool, the rest of the reel seem like a luxury Tatula CT to me. It is still a good quality reel, but just does not stand out from the crowd like the new Zillion or the TD-Z.

I'd say look east - there're more options and better deals waiting in Japan, like this mint condition 16 Zillion with zero scratch.

Susky, yes. But I thought we were talking about the tributary creeks, which are not much now. Like I said, the majority of them are back to the big river.

For $183 to-my-door, I decided to give it a go, see what the fuss is about. The owner said he spent over $200 for these parts alone. The worst-case scenario is me selling them parts in the flea market section in a couple of weeks.

Yep, Harrisburg PA to be exact. I don't live close to the Susquehanna river anymore, but I also had more time to fish them tributary creeks these last couple years.

Where I live, September seems to be a month of catching quantity and quality in creeks/small rivers. It's like they're suddenly woken up from the summer pattern and start eating everything thrown at them. Then the next phase would be schooling up and swimming around to chase baits. And then by October, the bites dial down quite a bit, and I don't see them wolf packs cruising as often. My theory is that in September, every smallie realizes the winter is coming and start eating. They're still mostly located at where they were during summer. Then, some of the fish forms groups and start hunting around, but some of the fish decides to stay at the same spot, hanging on to the summer locations. Then in October, those wolf packs, which consist of the majority of creek smallies, have moved on to the big river, while there're still some fish who decide to stay in the creek for the whole winter. In summary, not all fish behaves the same, and you could still find some fish "in summer pattern" even in October.

Nothing special happened to my Alphas; I just used it normally. And I actually deep cleaned and re-greased it in mid-season. I think my buddy did the same to his reel as well. Like I said, it MAY get geary, depending on many factors, but I do believe the mixed gears is one of them.

I've been eyeballing the combo, and it makes me wonder, what kind of hardware and benefits of these parts would justify the high prices? I am just genuinely curious. Take the Livre handle for example, sure titanium knobs are good, but $100+ seems a bit much for a marginal increase in performance.

Although the Alphas has a dual supported pinion gear and floating spool, it's a brass/aluminum mixed gears combo, which MAY result in early "geary" feel. Both mine and my buddy's developed similar feels within one season, while the all aluminum gears of Zillion are still as smooth as new.

For $60 to-my-door, this TD-Z is in better shape than I thought. It'll be my winter project - change the plastic front piece, order a gear set from Tackle Trap, maybe change the drag star and handle, etc. I can't help but wonder, how did @evo2s197 repaint its main frame?

This

My fishing buddy had a JDM two pieces Zodiac rod. The joint is at the middle, which makes it a little tip-heavy. But this is a one piece rod.

You are asking that question at the wrong place, my friend. It's like an alcoholic went to a supposed AA meeting, but realized it's a wine tasting party in disguise. I have "downgraded" my reel collection from over 50 to about 17, 18, and the next step for me is to do the same with my rod collection.