bassripper2000

Loomis IMX or Higher St. Croix Avid's or Higher Powell Rods Kistler Magnesiums Those IMO are really good rods . The Kistler and Powell are good for thier price point. I wouldn't get a anything lower than a Loomis IMX. The Avids are well worth the money also.

:'( Jealous.... My lady won't even touch a fish.

I love the Zillion. I have noticed some are smoother than others out the box. I broke mine down, took out al lthe grease, regreased the gears, oiled the bearings and worm gear, replaced the drags with Carbontex I got from Reel Mech. SMOOOOTH AS A BABYS BUT and drag feels alot smoother and stronger. I like the gold version as it has a 6.3 retrieve insteas of the red_ burner reels 7.1 retrieve. I can't cast anything below 1/4 with it. I have a Curado 100 for that. But anything above that is awesome. I haven't tapped into the drag yet, but I caught some 4-6lbs bass that was easily subdued. Too easy I would say. Zillion all the way. The Advantage HSTA Supertuned is another one you can look at for smaller baits. Good specs for the money...120 on ebay! Good luck

Yo I have a Curado 100 DSV. All mono, yes the drag lets out line when you "Lock" it down and pull from it. The 100 isnt a heavy duty reel and has 8.8 lbs of drag. So think if your pulling on it straight from the spool, I assume you are giving it more that 10 pounds of drag. Now it is different if the line isn't pulled directly from the reel. Go get your rod, mount you reel, run the line through it, tie it to something, lock down the drag and pull on your rod like your fighting a fish. See if the drag lets any line out, be careful not to break your rod. Now think about that and what kind of fishing your doing. If you aren't fishing for tuna or bat rays with your 100 D, you should be able to subdue freshwater fish with it.... If you still are not satisfied, Carbontex makes a drag kit for the 100D. Reel Mech can hook you up..

Polomar for Drop Shot Sand Diego for everything else. Seguar Knot to tie lines together. http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html Best thing is keep it simple and not overwhelm your self.... I need to learn how to tie a boat to the dock!! anyone..haha..

In regards to your question, if you were to spend 250.00, spend it on a Shimano not a Quantum. Superior customer service and warranty. Products are quality. Chronarch (Any Model, MG50 best for light stuff and freshwater) Don't have one, but fished one and feels really nice. Curado's 100D or DSV (I like them alot, solid reel) THen I would take a look at Daiwa's THe Zillion awesome reels for heavier applications. For the money though, the Daiwa Advantage HSTA Supertuned is awesome. They can be found for 120.00 online and have high bearing counts, even bearings in the handle, 7 disc drag, etc. Take a look at those. Good luck with your decision.

I usually grease my gears and oil my bearings One drop will do for the bearings. I apply a light grease to the base of the teeth of the gears.

I have a Zillion on a Med. Custom built Legend Elite. The Zillion is a bit big for it. My curado 100DSV works much better with it. So in that respect, I would chose the 50 MG for sure for a Med. Legend Elite. I am building a Loomis IMX MED HEAVY for the Zillion. No experience with STX, but I hear their drag is top notch for reel that size (24lbs of pressure).... You probably won't tap that range though if you using a med stick. Neways, 50 MG for sure... Zillion is awesome if you have a heavier rod. Also the 50 can cast lighter lures a lot better than the zillion. I want a 50 mg now.... >

Ok So there is absolutely nothing wrong with the reel. Performance wise. So the main gripe still is the price point in comparison to the lineup. Interesting it will be to see the new line and see what corners they cut if any, to make the new curados make the price point the market demands. I only see it as they add more features and keep the price point or take away some so lower the price. What would make a Curado worth $200.

So I been reading alot about people saying that the new curados aren't good, not worth it, worst thing Shimano has ever done, and this and that. But I am wondering, what is so wrong with new Curados. I have a 100 DSV and it performs great. Let's dismiss the price tag as that is the main gripe. But in terms of performance, what is wrong with the reel? Just wondering? My curado is smooth and casts great. IMO, the finish looks good and the reel is solid? The only thing is the drag could use some improvement. It is smooth, but not as strong as I would like, but anyhow in the 100DSV how much drag is really necessary. Obviously, there are other issues that made Shimano revamp a fairly new line of reels. Thoughts? Just Curious is all?

Question: Which color in Hybrid is good in terms of visiblilty... I am using Clear now, but wondering if the Camo Green or even Smoke or any other color works better. I know it's not 100% floro but any ideas? Pink?

Ditto I was fishing for Mud Marlin's last nite and to attest to the strength, I got owned... but it was because my hook failed. Pulled up and my hook was straight as an arrow. Hybrid line was till all intact... no line or knot failure... good line

Thank you guys for the input. Just the fellas I was lookin to get advice from I went 10 TNLSG, 8 TNLSG and 6 TSG's all the way out. I may or may not use the 8 Double Foot. I figured I would probably chase some saltwater species with this rod too so may as well spring for the Ti's. Thanks you guys!! Alpster, I love the rod man. Looks really good, I'm just not a spiral man I suppose. Did one and was not too impressed. Maybe just gotta give it a chance!

Yeah I think I will go that route with a 10 DF and singles after that. I want to go with Sic guides. Do you know if the LSG fly guides are higher like the TSG

Hello I am looking to build a bass rod casting out of the Loomis MB843 blank. I was wondering what you though on guide sizes. I will use 10-15 lbs test on this rod and the manufacturer suggested 12-10-8-8-7-7-6-6-6 I was thinking something along the lines of 12-10-8 (Double Foot) 7-7-6-6-6-6 ( Fly Guides) Would this work in keeping the weight down without affecting the casting ability. Also, the spacing will be determined by Static Deflection. I still get a little confused with guide sizes however, any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Thanks Guys, KVD ftw!

i like mine a lot too. I just upgraded the drags in to Carbontex, awesome. You can buy a set from Reel Mech, he's got the set of 4... just FYI... awesome guy Anyways, I love it, casts great, super smooth and looks good. I start to have trouble when I cast anything lower then 1/4 oz.... Probably just me, but my Curado 100 is better for those finesse situations. Zillion is awesome. Have fun with it.

I got the Regular formula Hybrid in 12 lbs for my baitcaster. It has memory and is very stiff. Any suggesttions, is the Ultrasoft that much better. I got 600 yards of this stuff so I won't be switching out soon, don't want to waste it? Super stroing though...

Hello All I am having a terrible time deciding on two reels. I have many shimano's and love them all but wanted to try Daiwa to see what's up. I am looking for a crossover reel for LMB and light saltwater duty (Spotted Bay Bass, Calicos, Halibut, and whatever else that is biting). I have read the TT reviews on both reels several times and needed some opinions on the following 1. Daiwa Zillion 2. TD advantage HSTA Supertuned I have a curado for the light stuff but I would throw 1/4oz and above So I'm leaning towared the Zillion because it has CRRB and safe for the salt, but wanted to know if it can handle like unweighted senkos or other plastics. From the read, it seams that on paper the HSTA has is better overall and cheaper. Also, are the drags really crappy.... should I go Daiwa or just stick to my Curado's anc Calcuttas. Cananyone comment on the performance, I notice a lot of people get the Zillion and I end up seeing them for sale on various boards. Is that in indicator of something? I dunnoo.... Thanks for any info on the subject. Also, I will not go to any other brands even if it has 22lbs of insane drag pressure!

I went down to Shimano (as it's down the street from where I work) and talked to the guys and they said the sustain really isn't worth the extra money unless you just want it for cosmetics. The primary inards of the reel are the same as the stradic. Same drag, bail, and gears. Only difference is there are 2 more ball bearings and titanium lip on the spool. Anywho, they said if you want a Sustain, might as well get a stella or stick with a stradic FI. Now with that being said, I posted this topic at the tackletour forum and recieved a reply from a reputable Shimano employee: "The Sustain has 2 more bearings as already stated. One is in the spool to allow for a more precise drag even during light settings. This helps maintain spool alignment similar to the Stella. The other is in the handle. The Titanium coated spool lip is on both spools not just one (As in the past). This is very expensive and causes the increase in cost. The Sustain is a much nicer reel overall. I am sorry that our CS rep misinformed you" I hope this helps... I personally will be going with a Stradic 1000FI or a Stella 1000FB I haven't figured out if I want to try the new technology or get the cream of the crop old technology.....

Hey I know this is really not a comparison but does the new Shimano spinning reels with the propulsion technolgy really cast further then the old reels. For instance: Does the new Stradic FI cast better than the Stella 1000FB? Basically what I'm asking is does the new technology make a better reel... if so wouldn't that mean that the Stradic or Sustain FE be superior than on old model Stella? I'm gonna pull the trigger on one may it be the new Stradic FI, Sustain FE or the old Stella 1000FB **Can't afford the New Stella FD ($600 is outrageous in today's economy" ***

NICE!! I took a break from rod building, still have two blanks I need to get done... an SCV Elite and SCIII Spinning for a friend. I think you have inspired me to get back to it with that beautiful rod. I hope to be that skillful one day. ;D

Luhr Jensen Speed Trap - Shad (Chrome one) Great search bait. Some Jigs Senko's Live Shad's or some Roboworms (Aaron's Magic, Watermelon, etc.) Paca Craw ( for the Jig's) Jitterbug in black (Night Fishing" Some Lucky Craft Pointer 100's Lucky Craft Sammy, Got your drop shot, bottom fishing, search bait, night fishing, top water and Jerk bait's covered. Too bad that will put you a little over your budget but keep in in the back of you mind. GOOD LUCK

Yeah, you can get shorter sticks but in the end you have to learn how to cast. Don't rely on adapting your gear to you, learn how to adapt to your gear. Keep practicing and you will find that you will be more versatile. Better that way. You will be able to use anything anywhere. Don't look for the easy way out.