bulldog1935

@Bankbeater - you might like visiting FFR forum Another Spin page You'll find interest in old glass rods, out of production reels, and trip reports where folks take their old tackle fishing. Also a good archive to search old tackle.

@FrnkNsteen - took me awhile to remember the initials of the inventor of the Stubcaster - EMM. The grandson picked them up again, and then sold the company. https://emmrod.com/ @A kid from Canada - in the '60s, ads like that in Popular Mechanics likely sold as much fishing tackle as Herters catalog. The first paddle-tail lures were imported and only sold from ads in Popular Mechanics. Into the '70s, Cabelas catalog only sold lure-making and rod-building supplies, and was the sole importer for DAM Quick reels.

Hi friend, that's a StubCaster - works pretty well, especially with that little Portage NLW, green-spot soft braid, and a slip bobber. Used to fish that when I took my daughters and their friends to the creek.

@Tennessee Boy - easy, you're paying US labor vs Mexico labor. Though off topic from the question, which was tech over 10 to 15 years. The difference in Carbon 4 (IM8) and Carbon 5 (IM9) is the specific modulus of the fibers used. Old = Obsolete is a marketing ploy, known to marketers as "The Snow Job" - if they can't convince you what you bought last year is obsolete, they can't sell you this year's new stuff. It has nothing to do with quality, but what you will swallow. I can think of lures I present more naturally with heavier IM6 and even S-glass, and catch more fish than the same lure fished on newer lighter-weight rods. In many ways, the lighter tackle is more fun to fish, but isn't always more productive.

Can't say anything about the models you picked, but the key in modern rods is getting weight down - they achieve the same strength and bulk modulus using less total material. Previously, rods were made using linear fiber held on a mandrel with a scrim wrap, and soaked in resin. Now they use fewer linear fibers, helical prepreg tape, nano resins. An MM IM6 rod weighed 5 ounces, while the same rod taper made with Toray prepregs is down to 3 ounces. Then as now, the quality comes from attention to detail, not the tech.

@FishTank The worst damage you could do is what I described in my post above. But this is something you need to do when you swap spools, and a good idea any time you're removing the palm plate. That said, I have no idea how they will regulate overall spool shim width on new Steez - would have to tinker with one.

I just changed the 3-(hard)-year Duel X-wire, PE#1.2, on my Zillion (Ray's SV spool). I went with Varivas Si-X (PE#1.2), which has 2 coatings, the hard silicone plus FEP teflon. I also didn't cut off the old line at the arbor knot, but joined them 10' out with double uni. When I was tying that knot, was really impressed with now much harder, smoother and rounder the Varivas Sea Bass than the essentially new condition Duel X-wire (old line) at the arbor end. The Varivas Si-X costs 3 times as much, but I don't care for 3+ reliable years (and the chance at another famous photo like the trout above).

Any time you change spools, you should always begin by opening the zero adjust knob. This protects the palm plate latch from closing damage, accounting for differences in spool spindle width. Reset for incipient spool side play.

I only own one rod where I can tell Steez is an ounce lighter than Zillion.

I would search Handle Spacer Daiwa to Shimano on ebay. Same on Express website.

Tranx 300 handle has 8 x 5 mm shaft slot, which matches Daiwa/Abu, Curado 70 is 7 x 4 mm. You can buy an inexpensive spacer shim that will let it fit. There are also many aftermarket handles made for Shimano with the 7 x 4 mm slot.

The other choice is a 60- to 65-mm handle. While none are made specific for Shimano, can use a spacer shim that converts Dauwa/Abu handle to Shimano.

all small frame Shimano reels have fiber drag washer - it's plenty of drag on the rods that you match small frame - it's also a glass + resin reinforced cloth that's a lot tougher than simple felt. Shimano medium and large frame reels have carbon drag washers. '20 Twin Power C3000XG schematic

Nice thing about SV brake system, it allows versatile aftermarket spools. '23 Air TW BFS has the new smaller SS MagForce brake - will be interesting to see whether it shows up on the next version of Steez CT or Steez Air.

As long as you stay away from Headhunters Lure Shop in Narita, you'll likely be safe enough (handmade wood plugs and heroin tackle) https://www.headhunters.jp/hpgen/HPB/shop/shopguide.html (imagine this with green YGK braid vs. white Varivas Si-X)

Just a note, the Hedgehog-copy tool (not the only tool you will ever need) will work on this spool. The bearing is outside the spool flange. But only the SLP Works or Roro-version offset module vise will work on any of these spools. The pins on these spools all sit too low for the flat pin press to reach them. Note the bearings are in the spool hollow. Here's both tool types on Roro website - cheap postage. https://rorolure.com/collections/spool-bearing-remover

@GreenPig hi friend - that's a line/hook keeper - it rocks to pinch the line, and has a hook notch. It was on the reel I bought in Yahoo auction, though it was installed backwards. Here's where the reel above began. It was a good Yahoo snipe, used reel, scratched spindle caps, no box, wrong aftermarket handle - everything that would turn off a Japan buyer.

This is where capture and paste of schematic, and/or capture and paste of "Debo" stills is important for an intelligent discussion. The reel model isn't yet mentioned.

Liked this part.

There are two types of pin removal tools, depending on how hollow the spool, and whether the spool bearing sits far out on the spindle, or deeper in the spool hollow. The pins themselves may be shouldered to only move one way, and forcing the other way destroys the spool/spindle. Check both ends of the pin with magnifier or calipers. Rorolure.com sells both pin removal tool types for the best prices. Lew's SP requires the spendy SLP Works offset module vise, which Roro sells equivalent for the best price on our planet.

A/R roller bearing is on the main shaft, which the clutch separates from the spool by a yoke lifting the pinion gear out of engagement with both the spool and main gear. This freespool design goes back to 1918 (Pflueger Douglas patent, also A/R), but got shelved in 1928 until Ambassadeur picked it up again in 1954.

Mature audience warning - round reel porn ahead. 😉 This is a used Isuzu BC720SSS (5500C size) almost off my bench, scored on Yahoo, with a compliment of brass trim parts from Bright River, and NS Craft handle. editing in the final photo with the LW upgrades completed

Never, for 20 years' worth. Once, DHL misdirected an ebay order for 3 lures that I charged back.

It's official, Japan is one-third off.