Blaine Donders

I run both and they work good. I don’t remember J Braid being softer. It’s my favorite of the 3 though.

I have mostly Abu and Daiwa, with some Quantum and Okuma mixed in now. Every time I think I’m missing something not having a Shimano, I buy one just to end up selling it. I sold about half of my reels, and kept these. I do wish I would have kept my Concept Z though.

I have both and have no complaints. Really like the MHF Lowrider a lot. Bucoo is my light cranker

It’s the rod loading.

I can do this weight without BFS. Under a 1/16oz is where you need BFS.

I have a Cara Headturner and have used an E6X a bit. The Falcon, for me, is built waaay nicer and more sensitive.

My Veritas PLX Tournament 6’10” ML and 7’ Kistler KLX M do these things just fine. I stay under 10# fluoro. For reels I’ve found that my Abu STX’s and 10# fluoro or 20# braid seems to out perform my Daiwa reels at these weights. The Lew’s Pro SP really shines with the light weights, and with 8-10# fluoro, line capacity is fine.

I have a Vertas PLX Tournament ML and a Kistler KLX M (they rate their rods more like Dobyns). I use mine for tubes and 1/16oz jigs. They work great with light wire hooks. You don’t need a ML for a weightless Senko, but a wacky rigged Yum Dinger likes the ML.

Slack line sensitivity is where fluoro rocks.

I have the Falcon Lowrider All Around Fast, and a St. Croix Mojo Glass Chatter and Trap. The Falcon is way lighter, but if you want the slower tip, this ain’t it. If you want fast, it’s a good choice. I think the Head Turner would be the way to go for this application, though. Granted, my Head Turner is a Cara, so apples and better apples I suppose. The Mojo Glass is great for a glass rod. I prefer graphite, but this thing does rock for chatterbaits. Not sensitive enough (for me) for spinner baits. I’ve been throwing chatterbaits on a moderate rod lately, but have yet to see a hook up ratio difference. I think for $150, the best spinner bait, chatterbaits, trap rod I have is a Sixgill Akylos.

The only Daiwa I own I’ve had issues with , the anti reverse bearing, is an Elite. I have the Elite P/F, the Elite, 6 SV’s and 4 100’s. Get a 6 speed and a 7 speed 100 and spend the rest in rods.

You need a Revo4 Rocket for your Abu collection!

I have the Smoke S3, the Smoke HD, and an Icon. Oil the brass on the brakes and enjoy. These reels are under rated and rock. I prefer my Daiwas, but for only unexplainable reasons!

My two choices are a Falcon Cara Head Turner, and a Sixgill Akylos 702M. You can feel every chatter and bump, and they have some tip.

I’m curious. I have one of their rods and really like it. I also have Kistler, Cashion, Dobyns, and Duckett. My question is, why aren’t they being talked about? The rod I have is as nice or nicer than any of the above, and they use NFC blanks and are made in Texas? These rods are by Billy Kistler. Am I missing something? Why aren’t they being talked about when Billy and Gary Loomis are friends?

Johnny Morris Signature. It’s a Daiwa.

I have had (still have the Cara) both of these rods, just different models. I had a DX704 and have a Cara Headturner. It just comes down to personal preference. In my hands, the Cara is nicer, hands down. Lighter, and more sensitive FOR ME. Someone else may say the exact opposite. Both are great, and I have had great customer service from both companies.

I haven’t handled an Alphas, but everything I have heard they are worth the bump.

I was casting into the wind with an SV the other day with a 1/4oz jerk bait on a M rod with 50# J braid. SV spools rock. I like them better than the DC Shimanos as well.

The Tour S3 is definitely under rated. I use mostly Daiwa, but keep a couple Smoke S3’s around. They really are great reels.

This is my wacky rig rod with a Tatula SV. Works great. I don’t have any issue with FC on it, but I use 10 or 12#, so it’s really manageable. I use a lot of thumb with looser brakes. Not because I’m great, cause I sure can’t skip much, but because I have yet to find a brake system, other than at the very end of the cast, that is as reliable as my thumb. That’s just me, though. The issue for a newer user would be fixing backlashes, and not kinking the line while you dig it out. Braid or mono/copoly are waaaay better for this. And you will backlash. We all do.

I have it in 20#, 40#, and 50#. I really like it. I only use white or blue, and both have worked well for me.

I haven’t had any of my reels give me an issue with a senko, wacky rigged or regular. It’s more a function of the rod for success there. I’ve owned both. Get the brand you prefer. I prefer the Tatula, but I can give you no reason for that other than preference.

I have 2 of them. I switched them to 8lb fluoro and 1/8oz baits. I really like them, but think the SV spooled Tatula is a better reel for me when attempting to skip. I can make a mess trying it, too! Nice reels though. It just isn’t the skipping panacea I hoped it was. Kicks butt on a ML with a Ned though!

Pride CS73XH