ConnorC

Yes I can, I can do it both at home and on the boat. I use a combination of tricks from multiple videos I have watched and I have settled on holding the braid with my teeth and I use this tool to cinch it down and a lighter on the tag after i tie 3 overhands. It is most important to make sure your knots lay out correctly and do not stack up otherwise it will slip.

Have you contacted Shimano to see if you can purchase just the tip section?

Maybe try contacting Gomexus and see if they can get you the right info?

In my experience I have never noticed a difference using soft plastics that are scented vs ones that are not. I know there are some guys that swear by that powdery stuff you can put on plastics but imo that’s more of a confidence thing than a fish attractant.

Ordered a 23 Met 101xg will post some obligatory pics when it comes in

Do you think it would be fine with baits in the 1/2 to 5/8 range? Most of the baits i’ll be throwing will be in the 3/8 to 1/2oz range, Shimano’s website says heavier than bfs but lighter than conventional lure’s so I am wondering if I would be better off with the Met 100 with the shallower spool?

This is pretty much what I am looking for, the only thing I have had issues with has been t rigged weightless jerkbaits which may be more of a rod issue but being made for lighter lures is a plus.

I would check out bitemetackle.net they have ewg and straight shank hooks for whichever way you rig your tubes.

Obviously any reel will work and work fine, I am more so asking if there’s anything I am missing out on in that 300-350 range (JDM) or if I should stick with the tried and true Zillion

Today I bought a MB Orochi XX Jerkbait special, I plan on using it for 110’s, 110 Jr’s, and probably soft jerks and some 1/2oz topwaters (Giant Dog-X & SB105) to free up my cranking rod (Edge Efx pro Hybrid 736). I was thinking of going the route of another JDM zillion which I already have two of and love but I am wondering if I am missing out not trying a Metanium or somthing similar?

I caught a 1.5lber and a dink on this tonight it handled them both very well and I couldn’t be more pleased.

I ended up going with the JDM Twin Power 2500SHG with 16lb YGK Upgrade X8 and 8lb Super sniper. I finished my rod build this week and am going to test it all out tonight, I will upload some pics later today.

Cheaper items don’t have as big a savings as higher priced items, For example a Usdm Zillion is 370 from TW, I paid 235 from Digitaka a few months back.

It shouldn’t affect performance at all, If it really bothers you Dobyns may cover it but I have no experience with their warranty

I have heard good things about Boca bearings, they have multiple levels of bearings and a large list of bearings for a lot of makes and models.

I have two Edge rods, A Black Widow MBR 705 and a EFX Pro Hybrid 736. I use the 705 for bottom contact for the most part and the 736 for Crankbaits and other moving baits. Imo the 705 is really sensitive and I have no issue missing bites, It does well with heavier baits but will handle light baits fine if it’s calm. I don’t have as much experience with the 736 as I don’t have a ton of confidence in cranks but for what I have used it for it has worked well and been suprisingly sensitive for a composite rod, the zentron tip really loads up nicely and allows you to cast lighter lures a country mile. The shipping does take a while but for the deals they run it’s well worth the wait.

I would go Alphas or Zillion to speed up your dilemma but if you really want the Steez go for it, the bait monkey doesn’t care as long as you buy something

At the beginning of this season I was getting one almost every time out using 15lb daiwa J braid and I couldn’t figure out why. Browsing the forum I read about closing the bail manually and pulling the line tight on the spool after every cast, I have gotten one since I started doing that.

Not enough lubrication would more than likely be causing what you are describing as it isn’t doing it every time like if a part was broken.

How long of a leader are you running? I don’t have any exprides but I have size 5 guides on both of my casting rods with 30lb braid to 12lb floro with no issues using a ~6’ leader

Yup you can get parts from hedgehog studios for the zillion. I’ve taken mine apart to clean and regrease and it was fairly simple there’s a good youtube video on tearing one down if you ever needed to. The zillion is probably the best bang for buck reel with current JDM prices

Thank you that was what I was hoping to hear. I appreciate all your help!

@bulldog1935 @FishTank One last question, Do either of you notice the weight difference when actually fishing? I’m either going to get the C2500SXG or the 2500SHG. Also is the frame size between those two models that much different?

Either will be in a 2500 more than likely hg or xg

How do they compare on smoothness and drag? I know smoothness is subjective it’s just hard when I can’t get my hands on either of them.