newapti5

To me, rebuilding old reels is less about saving money but more about the fun doing it. If you'd like to have someone else to rebuild/repair/clean them for you, I'd suggest to get a couple of new reels, like Daiwa's SV reels or Shimano's MGL reels, to see how you like them, then decide how much you want to spend on fixing the old ones.

For the price of a Curado DC, you could get a 200 K, and a 150 size MGL spool from JDM Scorpion MGL. Then you could pretty much handle any lures except BFS lures, with the same if not better casting distance.

The Origin C reel is half off at $50. I have a 8:1 one, and that's a smooth Aluminum reel as well. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/13-fishing-origin-c-series-baitcast-aluminum-reel/0000000294070?bc=10417|10423|10424

Well said! I guess I should start packing and boxing my fishing tackles as well.

Sportsman's Warehouse is having a $50 Giftcard for $200+ order sale, so it's 25% off at least. The good thing about it is it applies to brands like St.Croix, and the items already been discounted. For example, a Legend X rod discounted to $312, then another $50 off. But their stocks are limited, many discounted items are "in store only" and can only be found in certain local stores.

I like the looks of some of their soft plastics as well. Might send in an order tomorrow. Thanks Mike!

Don't laugh but I have never tried 6th Sense lures. The sales prices are good. Any recommendation, especially for SM? I heard their jerkbaits are pretty decent.

OK got it. Wears on part 18 - line roller would be my guess, since Pflueger President doesn't have roller bearing under it. You can order a new factory line roller part from Pflueger, or just get one made of ceramic, which is more durable and dissipate heat better. You can get a ceramic line roller from Aliexp..., I think it costs 2 bucks or something. While you're at it, I'd suggest changing the bushing under the line roller to a bearing as well, which could make the line roller last a little longer, unless you're fishing saltwater. If you're sure the line roller is fine with no wears on both sides, then it could be due to warping of the bail arm or the bail itself. Changing them would require factory parts from Pflueger.

Sorry but I didn't understand the problem. So when reeling, the line slipped into the gap between bail bearing/bushing and washers, like between part 18 and 19 in the schematics?

Besides Steez SV and the new Zillion, I'd also like to recommend the new Alphas SV. It's the most "affordable" one among the three. It is small in size yet sturdy, very smooth. And its 32mm spool is quite suitable for the usage you mentioned and a M rod. It doesn't have the new SV Boost brake, but the casting is quite good for light lures, as long as they're not BFS level lures. I put 12lb Tatsu on it and use it for everything light - jerkbaits, 1/4oz jigs, soft plastic... The catch is it's a JDM reel; you can't find it on TW.

Yes, and that applies to other sites as well. Things add up quicker than we thought, much quicker. That being said, I just blew pretty much all my holiday tackle budget on a $200 Expride rod, so I wouldn't call $400 a tight budget.

Both. I tickle them, and they tickle me back. You happy now?

Great news, but yes I agree. If you can break a sturdy tube like that, there's definitely something wrong with the delivery process, possibly with the local offices, given the fact that not many other Midway shoppers experienced the same.

Did you mean in the store? I don't see it on their website.

There are some new abbreviations coming up as well, like Scorpion MD(monster drive), or Daiwa BG MQ(monocoque). What confuses me more is the number behind the reel size number, like Daiwa Exist 2004/2506/... Here's an explanation from TT: "It's important to note that the 2004 sized Daiwa spinning reels are intended to house approximately 100 meters of 4 pound test line, hence the "4" in 2004. Similarly, their 2506 spinning reels have spools that are sized for 100 meters of 6 pound test line. Move up to the 2508 or 3012 reels, and the capacities jump to 150 meters of 8 and 12 pound test line respectively. These specified capacities will, of course, vary with each lines' actual diameter. Otherwise, the actual physical size of a Daiwa 2004 spinning reel is the same as that of their standard 2000 series reels. Likewise, the 2506/08 and 3012 reels are sized the same as their 2500 and 3000 series reels respectively."

Same here. They sneak up on you sometimes, silent but deadly. Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in.

I'd recommend Daiwa's Tatula rods. I have the first gen 7' MH, sturdy yet parabolic, quite sensitive as well if that matters for chatter bait. It's been my dedicated chatterbait rod for awhile now. Although they don't call it moderate fast; they call it "regular" action.

Admirable and inspiring, really.

Yeah I hear you; I guess that's a given. Sorry I mean BESIDES that. I tried ice fishing; it's really not my cup of tea.

I agree with TT's Cal that DC reels aren't about distance advantage but stability in casting. On that aspect, I believe both reels you mentioned are about the same, given that they're using the same IDC-5 system. Besides lighter frame and tighter tolerance, Metanium DC uses aluminum gears to save weight, a feature that gets a lot of complaints from users since the gears become "geary" quite soon. For durability with cranking, I'd choose the Scorpion DC with brass gears, and save the extra money for the recent food price spike I guess.

This might be off of the topic limit of this sub-forum. Folks at southern states or other warm areas could fish all year long, but what do northern guys do during winter spare time? The water is not frozen yet but I am already having cabin fever. Besides cleaning and tinkering with existing fishing tackles, I am thinking about getting some cheap second-handed reels from online and rebuilding them.

Sorry to hear that; hope you have better luck this time. So far I've received 3~4 rods from them, and all of them arrived safely in standard tubes.

I don't have the SLP Ryoga, but I do have the 18 Ryoga 1016 Crazy Cranker. The wobbling sideplate issue does exist, even for reels right out of box, but I wouldn't say it's wobbling. It's more like tiny clicking when you twist the side plate back and forth. It's so small that I don't believe it would affect performance or smoothness, but someone might find it a nuisance. It's due to the latch being a plastic ring. In case the ring breaking in the future, you can order a spare one from Plat.co.jp for $2. The reel itself is very smooth, even a bit smoother than 21 CC, thanks to the so-called Hyper Mesh Gear. This might be the only model ever to have this gear design. Daiwa went the other way of gear design with current high-end reels. The original spool is not made for light lures, but you can get tons of alternatives of 1016 or 1512 spools. It's a little larger and heavier than CC 200, and sits a bit higher on a rod as well. Oddly, it fits a GLX MBR rod PERFECTLY, much more comfortable than CC and other Shimano reels. Spinnerbait/chatterbait are high resistant baits that put a heavy toll on reel gears. IMO it's only a matter of time that any reels start developing "geary" feeling, but larger gears and lower ratio may delay that.

MidwayUSA is having a sale on Abu's Veracity rods, spinning and casting, 30~50% off. The Veracity uses 40 ton blanks and PF's proprietary Powerlux 300, which makes rods with the same strength lighter. For ~$100, it's a very good buy IMO. It also has Pflueger Supreme spinning reel 30 size for $64. This is an upgraded version of the President, with not aluminum, but magnesium body and rotor. That's a huge upgrade in my book, given the President is made of graphite.

Also more leverage on paper, but not so much in reality for bass reels. For me, handle length is not much about leverage than comfort. For 80~85mm handles, my finger sometimes will bump into the drag star or handle nut. 90mm is the minimum length for me; 95~100mm will be more comfortable.