WetBlanket

I read Big Swimbait post above, him buying a second one, so i got curious on how much these are going for, because i don't follow anything from KK. Then i see it being sold for $400, and $300 on sale. This will get you two and half Tats100, two alphas from Japan, almost two zillions, almost two bantams, almost a Metanium even when purchased in the US, etc. Okay no, that's an abysmal deal. Sorry, but when the strong point of a $400 reel is "i have no backlash issues", that's a no no in my book.

The cork has a slicker feel to the touch, but that doesn't mean that it's bad or is slippery. What i use is Minwax Polyurethane in warm gloss finish. And these are permanent, you will never need to recoat your cork after a few years like with the U40.

i wonder for how long the smoothness will last with a reel like this.

Currently waiting on parts to arrive from a cerakote paintjob on a Steez SH. Expecting to look hot.

Got a NOS 2011 Calcutta DC in the 100 size. Have had the first gen one from the early 2000s, and the calcutta dc 50 in the past. Loved them both but the 50 didn't have enough adjustments on their brakes, so i sold it, and the first gen calcutta dc i had was in the 200 size, so i've sold it as well. Curious how the 100 will feel, and for once, a Shimano reel that i buy without the micro module😁

A sealer for cork is absolutely worth it in my option. Keeps the cork clean, cork filler won't fall out, and the color it gives the cork is better to me. I don't use U-40 anymore, though.

Just bought a brand new in box 2011 Calcutta DC. Paranoid fishing begins with this one in April 2026.

I fish mines. But the way i fish them is the paranoid way of doing things. Would prefer losing a PB than scratching the reel🤣Not for everyone lol.

Both T3's gone. Chronarch MGL gone. Zillions SV (i assume its the tatula framed ones?) gone. Lexa gone. First gen tats gone. No idea about both spinning reels since i don't use any.

You wouldn't force me to use it. But when they were on sale, i watched a decent amount of vids of 1rod1reelfishing using them, and they looked and sounded like some $19.99 reels from amazon.

Their 1pc rods are known to become 6pc rods within a few days of fishing. Their baitcasting reels were so atrocious that they discontinued them within months. Why would their spinning reels be anywhere near acceptable?

Never bought anything from them for obvious reasons, but back in 2023 i found one of their cranks on a tree. Tried it, and it was impossible to burn or use in the curent because it would rise up. Few months later, i got snagged with it, line snapped, i said FINALLY, and that's that.

When talking about soft plastics, you gotta compare them to what's available on temu and aliexpress. There is a ton of quality SP's on there because it doesn't take anything to make a working bait. Pack it with salt, use soft silicon, copy a working mold, and the job there is done. But then you look at the price they're charging per pack, and see what's on Ali, and the difference in prices is astronomical. This is what i've noticed that folks never pay attention to when they're positive about googan's soft plastics.

Come on guys, those who started the brand have millions of views on youtube, their stuff can't be bad😁

Just curious. I've been reading some reviews on their rods and lures, an am just giggling a bit😊

Your mistake was to start with a Shimano. There is nothing better on the market to learn baitcasters than a daiwa with a reel that has an SV spool. Reel doesn't matter, just grab one with an SV spool, used or new. Try that, and you will understand how far ahead Daiwa is compared to Shimano offerings for those who are new to baitcasters.

Ahhhh my old name on here "Abu Is Overpriced" is finally showing up. That is the reason why i don't believe Abu can compete with the other two. Not only are their products inferior, but cost as much, and in certain cases even more expensive. And then, don't preserve their value in the used market whatsoever. Its a good brand if they were at least 35% less expensive in each tier of reels. Otherwise i have no chosen an Abu over the other two, and i don't see this ever happening, no matter the reel. Maybe a Made In Sweden/Poland magnesium low profile reel with a slick new frame, and a good paintjob, but that's just not happening, like ever.

Wouldn't get the 2018 Ryoga because of the side plate. The OG 1016, that would be a great option, and i've used mine a ton for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

Other than them stopping their production in Sweden, i didn't even knew Abu is about to become nothing but a brand. When this happens, i don't think we can even consider them being in "the big three" anymore.

Never was a fan of Abu when compared to the other two, but after gen 3 Revo's, i dislike em even more. Now, their lineup looks like Quantums made to be sold exclusively at BPS🤢 What do y'all think? Is there a reel of theirs that you'd buy over Shimano/Daiwa offerings?

If you're in the salt, you might want to try full ceramic from aliexpress. Can be had for like $10 a pair, and from the couple i tried, they worked fine in freshwater.

Bocas are nothing else but overpriced garbage. I don't even know how people consider them in 2025. Probably because of 10-15 years old youtube vids, or something. Air HD's are amazing. The choice is pretty clear.

its thin ceramic, of course it's brittle. Not sure why you'd be hitting them, though.

Never tried it, but i assume its like a Tat80. I do prefer the Tat100 over the 80, though. Feels a bit smoother under load, and the frame is a bit comfier to me. And this thing was like $105 on aliexpress before the tariffs, which is an insane deal considering how smooth (very high quality gears in such a cheap reel) and comfy they are.

For me the bare minimum is to remove the gear set, clean it from the old grease, apply some new grease. Then, remove the worm shaft (annoying on most reels), clean it, and apply some new grease. This is the minimum i do.