newapti5

I don't know how good a deal you could get on the US Zillion, but given the current Japan Yen exchange rate, it'll be a shame not taking the JDM route IMO. Even including the extra cost for a longer handle and larger knobs, the JDM cost would still triumph USDM. But again, you'll have a brass gear set instead.

Yes, the length. I think Zillion has the smaller size. Anyway, I've ordered some AMO's wood knobs to replace them. Same length, but a little thicker.

I don't know about the JDM Zillion HD, but the regular JDM 21 Zillion has a 90mm handle, and 35mm knobs (still a bit small IMO).

Second that. After I changed to FG knots, the majority of my break-offs happened on the bait knot, not the leader knot. And I fish river and creeks mostly as well.

I have that model. Although it may be designed for small swimbaits, I use it mostly for 1/4~3/8oz football jigs, as well as 1/8~1/4oz shaky heads. Its action is pretty true to the listed "moderate fast," but it still have enough backbone for single hook applications. To keep smallies pinned, I personally prefer that slower action for jigs. For a 7'3 rod, the casting is pretty accurate. And for sensitivity, I'd say it's on par with Dobyns Champion. I quite enjoy using it.

What line are you planning to use? Because for fluoro and mono, bigger spool means less line memory issue. For braid, it doesn't matter much. If you plan on use it for pikes, I'd suggest at least a 2500 size. Actually, for your description of planned usage, I'd choose a 2500/3000 size Stradic FL. It's the same reel with a stronger frame, but a little heavier.

I am sure others will have more detailed analysis about these two. To me, the Smackdown is softer like the PowerPro Slick 8. It's also slicker than 832, which means more wraps when tying a FG knot. I tend to use Smackdown on spinning reels more often. 10lb Smachdown would give me more casting distance. On baitcasters, both cast very well, and have good abrasion resistance.

If you're talking about the total weight, a 3/8oz jig with a matching size trailer would be 1/2~3/4oz. It's still within that model's lure weight rating. I use that for 3/8oz chatterbaits, which usually weight 3/4oz with a trailer, and that medium power regular action model handles them pretty well. The heavy power models are way too stiff for treble hook applications.

I never owned a Mojo rod, but the Tatula rod is what I would choose - I'm also a full-grip guy. But besides jigs and t-rigs, you also mentioned some treble hook applications. I would go with the "regular" action models. It still has a lot of backbone for single hook applications. Actually, TTU701MRB would be the model I recommend for an all purpose rod. I use mine mostly for 3/8oz chatterbaits, but it could do so much more.

That's exactly what I did to mine ?

Did you use the Millionaire CT for anything other than BFS? I was wondering if it performs well for other finesse stuff, like 1/4oz jigs.

Click on the flag logo on the top right of the Amazon Japan page, then you can choose your language and currency setting.

No problem. I've been using the same spool of W8 and S9 for a couple of seasons already, with some fluoro leaders for bottom fishing. They still hold up pretty well, and I don't see the need to change them. But the listed diameter may be incorrect. Here's a comparison of 20lb W8 with 20lb 832. It's about the same diameter.

I guess I remember incorrectly. Still, it's a proven brake system better than ALX's magnetic brake.

I am not sponsored by Seaguar (I hope so though), but I still prefer its Blue Label or Gold Label. It's among the thinnest leaders on the market, and it's still quite abrasion resisted. These are the two major characteristics I care about when choosing fluoro leaders.

Millionaire CT SV is selling for $260 tyd at Amazon Japan right now. What a prime time to take the JDM route.

I'd add some of Daiwa's BFS reels to the list. The new Alphas Air is a good choice. And if you want an upgrade to that, Daiwa's Gekka Bijin Air TW PE Special is even smoother, tailored for braid lines, except that stupid name translation that butchers the original Japanese name 月下美人, which means "beauty under the moon," the Japanese name for the flower Epiphyllum.

In that case, I'd think that reel might be defective, or its sensor needs cleaning? I don't know the detail of a DC braking mechanism, but there should be a sensor monitoring the rotation speed of the spool. When it detects any sign of backlash, it'll apply more brake force to slow down the spool. If that sensor is not working properly, in theory it could cause the brake force to disappear suddenly.

I NEVER thumbed my Scorpion DC, except to stop the spool when the lure hits the water, and I almost never backlashed with it, except that one time the lure hit a tree. It's not that I don't know how to thumb a reel, but I figure, what's the fun/point to thumb a DC reel? It kind of defeats its purpose. Try that, and trust the DC brake to do its work. Don't interfere, and see how that goes.

MGX line is always finesse oriented, as you may have already known. Some might even argue it's BFS enabled. The ALF, as well as the former ALX, uses the same frame as MGX, but is basically an all purpose reel. It's a light weight small reel, with a small diameter spool, but I wouldn't use it for any BFS stuff. They pushed out the ALX first, as a cheaper, all-purposed alternative to MGX gen 4. But ALX uses a generic magnetic brake system as Black Max's, which caused a terrible market sale. So they abandoned the ALX, put an IVCB brake on it, and called it the ALF. A quick smart move I'd say, to save a line of reel. And the ALF seems pretty popular among Abu fans. To be fair, the ALX isn't that bad either, if you don't mind the magnetic brake. If you can still find it on the market around $100, it's a bargain IMO.

I like Sufix 832 as well. After trying so many other brands, I still put it among the top list of my choice. And a very good alternative is SeaKnight S9 or W8. They're very similar to 832 on behavior, performance, and diameter, but only half the price.

Then Colt it is. Dobyns rods haven't let me down.

If durability is your priority, then IMO Fury is the one, or a used Sierra.

Either go a hardware store, or search 0.1mm shims on Amazon. But usually you'll have to buy a whole bunch of them, not just a couple.

Here's a KAWA 115mm carbon fiber handle, to fit my C4 5601. It has 7x4 version(or give you a fitting shim?), and fits Daiwa knobs. But if long handle is what you want, I would suggest a stock handle from Shimano. The XG model of 16 Metanium MGL comes with a stock 96mm aluminum handle, light and strong. The color may be a little brighter, but it should match a Bantam, or a 21 Metanium, nicely.