badfish79

thanks. anyone know if the bantam oil included with current reels is of higher quality than the older oil? would i be doing my stradic FL a disservice by oiling it up with the old stuff?

While sorting through some stuff, I stumbled upon the package my Shimano Symetre FJ came in, along with the Shimano reel oil it came with. I know I picked this reel up brand new around 2010-2011 and never used the oil. Is it still good to use?

Does anyone know if the current Ugly Stik Elites have real cork handles, or is it just cork tape over some weird filler?

Tournament Lite is an LFS frame, Custom Lite is SLP frame. I guess its a matter of ergonomics preference.

oops

I was lucky to buy extra spools for my Lews reels years ago, when their support was more responsive and in-house. They shipped me the complete extra spools with shaft and bearing and all. But they were shipped in baggies and I was left on my own to protect them while out of their safe haven of a reel. I found some of those spool cans on ebay, but I'm worried they wouldnt fit the spool shaft. I guess I gotta have some faith, since there arent any other options other than DIY.

For you guys who have 2 or more spools for each of their baitcasting reels, how do you store the extra spools? I have my extras in little zip lock bags that I keep on a shelf in my fishing tackle storage area, but there has to a better way to store these. One time, one got knocked off the shelf and dented the rim of the spool. I'm extra careful now-a-days, but would be nice to have them all in a shock proof something or other thats easy to come by.

Once you get more comfortable using your thumb to stop the spool, you'll be able to loosen up those breaks to get more distance and flexibility with different lures.

I bought it back in 2015 or 2016. I would be surprised if it was still under warranty.

Up until this year, I was Lews all the way. I have deep cleaned and re-greased this Tournament MB more times this year than any of the other years I've owned it combined, trying to cure the geariness. I'm gonna give it one more shot with a professional in hopes that I can stay happy with it. If I can't get it back to the smooth reeling feeling its held for years, its gonna get shelved as a backup. My BB1 is still smooth as butter thankfully, but I use it less than half as much as the Tournament MB. Unless I can get a hold of a Custom Pro SLP for a discount, I might wander off to Shimano land out of curiousity. Might give a Tranx 150 or SLX XT a shot. I need a small frame saltwater capable reel, and I hear enough about Curado corrosion issues when used in saltwater, that I dont want to drop that much money for one.

Thanks for the input guys. I've only used Lews baitcasters, even though when I only used spinning gear I was always using Shimano. I guess I should focus more on an SLP frame or give some Shimano's a chance.

Thanks dodgeguy. When you say its bigger, is that wider or taller? Or both? I really like the idea of having an audible drag clicker. Do you know if the drag washers from the BB1 Pro will fit in other lews reels?

Hi guys, I'm looking for a new reel and trying to decide between the new or previous gen BB1 Pro LFS or a new Tournament Pro. I know the BB1s are generally bigger frame-wise, but these newer BB1s have an LFS frame (or so I've read). Anyone know if the BB1 Pro LFS has the same small frame (height off the rod and width) as the other LFS reels? Or is it just smaller for a BB1 compared to the older ones, but not as small as the typical LFS? My current reels are a Tournament MB and a BB1 inshore and they are considerably different in size and palmability for me. The Tournament MB has been my favorite in hand, but is getting a bit geary now and its time for an upgrade. I've been to several shops but none have both in stock for me to do a real life comparison. Also considering a Shimano 150 sized reel. Anyone with experience know if an SLX XT or Curado 150 compare to a Lews LFS in size?

Fiskars safety scissors work pretty good, and pretty cheap. I got a pair of Salt Strong braid scissors and they are much better. Works for split rings too. https://fishstrong.com/products/braid-cutting-split-ring-scissors?variant=22666593861717

i hate hook keepers ahead of the reel on spinning combos. my only spinning combo has a hook keeper on the right side of the rod ahead of the reel, causing my line to often get caught when sidearm casting. its so annoying that learned to live with baitcasters for everything, and i'm always contemplating buying a new spinning rod combo just so that i never have to deal with that again. i hardly ever use my spinning gear, so its a battle the bait monkey hasn't won yet, but is very close to it. also thought about removing the hook keeper, but this is my first ever custom combo (clarus jig and worm and a symetre FJ), and i'd like to preserve it, if anything for sentimental value.

Hi guys. Does anyone have this particular Tatula rod (7'1 MH XF) that can share their experience with it? Is it a soft or stiff extra fast tip? Any techniques that it excels at? I currently use a Dobyns Champ XP 734C that I use for pretty much everything that I fish, mostly t-rig plastics and swimming/dragging jigs and on occasion spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. Everything I fish is between 1/4 - 1/2oz. Would the MH extra fast Tatula be a better jig rod than the 734? Anyone know if these Tatulas are as sensitive as the Champ XP?

IMO the DC744 has a pretty stiff tip, I dont think it would load up well to cast a weightless anything

Its a few 20s above your budget when there's a decent sale (Memorial Day coming up soon), but the Dobyns Champion XP 702c is pretty awesome for stuff you're thinking about throwing. Its rated medium, but as is standard with Dobyns, fishes under its rating. Great balance when paired with a light reel also.

I use the thinest line I'm able to since I fish from the shore 95% of the time and I need the distance in my cast. Theres also almost zero cover where I fish, besides eel grass.

I've been eyeing the Tranx 150, but I am going to try a lefty this time around. The tranx 151 release date seems to be unknown.

Hi guys. I'm trying to decide between a Lews Custom Pro and Custom Lite. Anyone have an opinion on one or the other? Likes or dislikes? The major differences I see on paper are the weight (5.4oz vs 4.9oz), the frame material, and the line capacity. I like the aesthetics of the Custom Pro, but functionality and durability are more important. They're only $20 apart so price isnt going to be a factor. If it matters, I am going to use this reel with 20lb powerpro mainline on a medium or medium light rod for casting lightweight jigs, t-rigs and c-rigs (everything sub-1/2oz), and will mostly be used in saltwater.

If you wait for the right sale (Memorial Day is coming up), or sale plus promo code, Dobyns Champ XPs come down to the $200 range. They also often pop up on ALF used section or Dobyns refurb section for under $200. If you like your Fury aside from the weight, I imagine you'd like a Champ XP.

Hey guys. I know with enough trial and error, any baitcaster can be set up to cast almost any lure, but are there certain brake types (centrifugal, magnetic, multi, etc.) that are more efficient or easier to set up with certain lures (sub-1/2oz vs 3/4oz+)? I only have experience with Lews reels with MSB, and am going to pick up something with their ACB brakes or a Shimano with SVS. Trying to figure out which reel to use for which rods/lures.

question for you jig rod enthusiasts. if the materials and length (and lure type) were equal, which would be more sensitive for bottom contact, a heavy, or medium heavy power rod?

Tighten down the drag and rinse in fresh water when you get home. I bring a spray bottle with fresh water with me so I can mist it and wipe my rod and reel down at the car at the end of the session. I havent had any issues with corrosion yet.