Back on track I've been casting the T3 I just got in the back yard. Right off the bat I can tell I'm going to like this reel. At $215 jump on it over the T3B.

 

 

Thinking about picking up a few, initially was just going to grab a couple T3's, but have been thinking about a T3B or two as well maybe for frogging, punching, etc...  common sense says get the T3 1016 at $215, if it can handle those presentations.  Anyone frogging/punching/jigging with the T3 1016 - how does it hold up?  Could always get the aluminium framed Tatula for these presentations as well I suppose.   

Obviously people will say the frame will flex because it's not aluminum without ever fishing it. I haven't punched with it but the only two outing I used the T3B I frogged with it for 1 hour. Caught two 3 pounders with it, one dove into the slop. I had to pull it out but I never felt like the reel was flexing or about to break apart. Sometimes I wonder if it's perception or reality? Also depends on what kind of punching too. Florida punching is heavy duty compare to up north punching.

 

I still haven't had the chance to really use it due to winter though.

yeah I think I am just going to look at T3 1016's... if for some reason it doesn't work out I will just look at moving to a Zillion ot Tatula or something for Punching.  Mostly river fish anyway, docks and laydowns.  Punching not a big part of my arsenal at the moment now that I think on it some .

 

Probably get some worm shaft bearings as well and upgrade those - the stock 1016 spool/sideplate bearing are already good stuff and don't warrant replacing, yes?  One thing I liked about the Lews TP is that the bearings were solid out of the factory, so no upgrade was really necessary.

 

 

Thanks,
Mark

I think you will love the T3 it really is so much fun to fish! I found the stock bearings on my T3 MX to be fine and while it is very similar to the T3 1016 (almost same weight) it isn't as "high end" as a T3 1016 so the bearings will be the same quality that's on my T3 MX or of higher quality.

 

I highly doubt you will seen any big difference upgrading the bearing on the T3 1016 UNLESS you went with hedgehog studios "air bearings" which are completely different bearing then what comes on most bait casters since there made out of micro ball bearings which are much smaller then regular bearings and the micro ball bearings get moving much faster then regular bearings since they are smaller....this is particularly helpful with casting smaller lures but also helps with stuff under 1oz. 

 

My T3 MX stock thoroughly impressed me and has made my fishing buddies want a T3

 

good info, thanks, I'll forego spool/plate bearing and just pick up some worm shaft & knob bearings then 

I purchased the 6.3 and the 8.1 on the 24th of Dec.  I have only gotten to fish with them on 2 fishing trips before the Artic cold.  I know this is not enough experience with the reels to really give a definitive statement about either one but I was pleasantly surprised by both reels.  They are really smooth and have a great drag system is about all I can say about them without using them more but at a $125 each I think this was a steal.