MiceNReets

My ultralight combo is a 6’9 UL SC Panfish series rod with Stradic FL 1000 and 2lbs braid. Blast to use.

I have mine spooled with 16lbs sunline invisible sniper fluorocarbon and it holds quite a bit of line. Holds about 100 yards of that if I had to guess. Line has 0.35mm diameter.

Never cost me over $20 in Canada and that’s orders up to $750 ordering from JLS

Steal of a deal.

The St Croix LTB is the newest version jerkbait model. 6’8 M XF, I also have an Avid X 6’6 M F and my evergreen combat stick 7’1 M F. I’ll have to give those last 2 a try and compare. I thought the LTB jerkbait rod would be a good rod for jerkbaits and topwater but I couldn’t get that pop max moving properly to save my life half the time lol but also I’m not very good at using a jerkbait either so maybe it’s me and not the rod. now I quickly just tossed on a zillion sv 7 speed that already had 12lbs mono on it so I didn’t have to change line, however I plan to toss fluorocarbon on that reel and was going to put the mono on my tatula elite 8.1. I’ve seen a couple mention a faster reel for poppers. Would this be an ideal move to just use an 8.1 reel since I’d like to use this rod for walk the dog style baits as well as buzzbaits and other topwater? Or would going to a lower or middle of the pack speed be prefer? But I’m sure I’m just over thinking all of this. lol

For those that are using the Popmax and pop-x, how are you fishing these? What reel, reel gear ratio, rod, line etc.. are you using? digging around all this tackle I have and realized I’ve never once caught a bass on either of my pop max and pop-x lures (Megabass Gong Jr. is next). I’ve caught bass on poppers just not these and I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I find they don’t walk good at all and pop well but reviews say otherwise so it must be me or my gear lol. Tried them last night on a 6’8 LTB jerkbait rod with a zillion sv 7.1 and 12lbs mono. Just didn’t get any good action from them at all. Thinking I’ll go back later with a different rod probably an evergreen combat stick 7’1 M jerkbait/topwater rod and see if that makes a difference. anyways curious what everyone else is doing different?

I have that in the old model. Have you tried the old model to see if they’re comparable or is the new blank different?

Yeah I asked daiwa what blank they are and they couldn’t tell Me. Those new 2023 models are nice just couldn’t justify getting one since I have enough of the older models but I could maybe use that wakebait model. 🤫 Have you tried the new ones yet?

Ive only used the new tatula xt and tatula bass swimbait rod for daiwa rods. I have 7 evergreen combat sticks (older models). What blanks do they share with daiwa rods or closest to in daiwa line ups? I’ve read (if I recall) that they’re the same blanks as the rebellions? (Never used that line)

I second the evergreen combat stick 7’4 Medium.

Very nice. Glad you came to that choice or anything less and it’ll haunt you for life until you got it.

Well if you put it that way.. I’d say go for the brand new 2024 steez or you’ll be wondering what you missed out on. Then let me know how it is. Either way either reel is a win.

dont get one… oh who am I kidding? Just get the steez a2 if you’ve already set your mind on it. You can get the alphas and zillions and try to be happy but in the back of your mind you’ll still be wondering about the steez a2. Happened to me.. LoL I will say at first I found the steez a2 very underwhelming and kept fishing the zillions but once I just started using it more and more it started to get better and better and now it’s my most used reel. I really enjoy using it but I probably wouldn’t get another with the zillion being so good but I am glad I got the steez a2. I almost traded it for an Antares 70a but I just can’t bring myself to it. Treat yourself. You deserve it.

I just have the sunline invisible on my moving baits rod and really like the line. I’m thinking I’ll have to grab some in 10-12lbs to try more. Thanks for the reply. Thanks for the info. I don’t use spinning nearly enough but I’ll have to give the sniper a try on it.

What’s the difference between sniper and shooter?? I got Shooter FC Sniper Invisible from Japan last year and I really like that line. 16lbs for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Where does that line sit within shooter and sniper?

Depends on how rough you are with your gear. 3 years now and I’m always using my zillion and it has no scratches. I’m not gentle with my gear but I don’t toss it around either. I do fish from the shore most of the time as well. End of the day the fish don’t care what colour your reel is or the marks the reel has. And for yourself you should just care on how the reel performs and not worry about scratches. If you’re buying for the long run then just enjoy the reel for what it is, a tool. Battle scars or not it’ll still be a beauty to admire. I’m not sure on saltwater, I don’t live near so I don’t really pay attention. I’d go JDM because it’s cheaper. I have 5 and 3 are usdm and 2 are jdm. I don’t find a difference in durability in either brass or aluminum. The aluminum is excellent and I wouldn’t be afraid of it. In the end you’re getting a really great do all work horse or a reel.

Uses the same parts as the usdm model except the jdm has aluminum gears instead of brass. The aluminum gears on the daiwa are actually good and don’t wear like the Shimano aluminum MM gears. But I know nothing daiwa reels are easier to dial in and skip with their brake system than shimanos. You’ll get a touch more distance with Shimano but you’ll get more consistency and accuracy with daiwa. As for how each palm it’s subjective to your own hands. I have half Shimano and half daiwa reels. Whenever I use my bantam or scorpion mgl or slx reels I feel like they palm really well and very comfortable. If I switch to my steez and zillion reels after using Shimano then I can’t go back to the shimanos for the day because they don’t feel right in hand after. But that’s just Me. If you can go to a store to hold a couple in hand that’ll help. Also find a rod to just put them on as well to get a good feel

Just go for the jdm ‘21 zillion sv and don’t look back. Best of every world, durable, reliable, holds enough line; skips and casts.

Ahhh that’s weird. I find the steez a2 palms the best for me out of all my reels. I’m just curious on if I’m missing out on an antares or not. I’m content with the steez a2 but I do enjoy trying new gear lol Yeah I’m in Canada. We’re cold 7 months of the year. Preparing to build my igloo soon in all seriousness I’ve heard they get pretty cold. My bass season is usually April to May and then it’s closed for a month to 1.5 months. Then I have July to October pretty much and wait for the next year. I don’t know if I’ll make it too cold weather for bass fishing but anything is possible. I was wondering on how easily they get marked up. I’ve gone 2 years with my zillion looking mint. Let my kid try it once and it has its battle scars now lol it mark up easier than the zillion? Being a chrome finish and how scratches show it might drive me insane. I already have a steez a2. Was offered a trade for a new antares 70a but I haven’t been able to find time to trade yet anyways so lots of time to think about it I have the steez already. Great reel. Was offered trade so I was trying to see if it was worth it. Feels like the steez a2 fishes more my style but wasn’t sure if I’m missing out anything by not trying an antares lol 🤷🏻‍♂️ I haven’t even tried skipping with the steez to know how it does. Not something I excel at or really have the opportunity to try when fishing from shore. Lately I’ve been stuck to rivers since I moved so it all seems to be cast and reel back.

They’re a day ahead of our side of the world but I’d you get caught in the holiday, it’s just how the cookie crumbles. I’ve had that happen before and yeah waiting sucks but once shipped out you’ll have it in your hands in under 48hrs. JLS is pretty fast at shipping out orders or at least that’s been my experience. Congrats on your first order, it’s addictive when you see how fast and easy it is

Price is just subjective. Use what works and enjoy it. Don’t even think of a $130 reel on a $500 rod. The advancement on the lower end-mid range reels are fantastic these days.

Keep looking. It’s an incredible reel. I hold it up in regards to my steez and zillions. Always with me. I bought it for the heck of it and I am always blown away by how good it is. Order from here. You won’t regret it. They just have the 6.2 which is what I have and it’s great. Sometimes I wish I got the 7 speed but when I use the reel I just don’t care anymore. https://japanlureshop.com/shimano-22-slx-dc-xt.html I’d go with Japan lure shops first but digitaka has some lefties as well.. https://www.digitaka.com/items/5/4/2/SLX+DC+XT

Nope… I’d just stick with the well known ones to play it safe. There are enough legit ones that there is no need to branch out and potentially get scammed

You’ll be happy with the Stradic FL. They’re very well made reels and I believe the best bang for the buck. I sold all my spinning reels and all I have are Stradic FLs. I even use a Stradic FL 1000 for my Ultralight fishing. Just perfect. Have 2 2500s and 2 3000s as well.