25 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

 

What reel b/t all the JDM Zillions and Steez models would you recommend for general purpose bottom contact stuff from 3/8th-1/2 jigs, to 1/8th-3/16th T-Rigged 8" Mag Zoom lizards or 7" Roboworms?

 

 

The best bang for the buck is the Zillion.  It checks all the boxes. The only thing I have heard with the Zillion is the finish is not that durable but so far I haven't had that issue with mine.  As far as the Steez goes, one hour or less with a crankbait isn't enough to say how good it would be for jigs and Texas rigged softplastic but I'm pretty sure it would fine. It does have the special feel the Zillion has but it's just slightly better. 

 

For jigs, I like the Shimano Metanium 8.X:1.  Not to say the Zillion isn't great but the Metanium feels better in hand to me for jigs and the handle is bigger.  Also, there is the Zillion HD. I have had limited use of mine but so far it's awesome for big jigs. 

 

I would look at this way....If you are a fan of the Steez and you got to have it, go for it in the 7.x:1.  On the other hand, if you factor the cost of the Steez at around $400, the smart choice would be to get a Zillion in the 7.x:1 for softplastic and a Metanium (or another Zillion) in the 8.x:1 for jigs, that way you have all your bases covered. 

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

 

Took it out today for about an hour. It was about 65 degrees, go figure. All the ice at my local pond was melted. I caught a couple of large mouth and one crappie.

 

The reel was awesome. It is slightly better than the new Zillion. Is it $150 more better? As usual, probably not but it can cast further than any of the Daiwa reels I have used. It's smoother than the previous Steez A and close to the smoothness of the Steez CT. Casting this reel is something special though. It just seems to keep going. I tried pitching the crankbait I had on just for the fun of it and it blew me away how far it went. I currently have it on a G. Loomis IMX Pro 865 CBR Deep Flex. I might be waisting it's potential by using it for crankbaits but one thing is for sure, Daiwa hit it out of the park again with this reel. I can't imagine what a new Steez SV might feel like. 

I haven't gotten my Steez out yet but I feel the same way about casting my Zillion HD's compared to my Zillion SV's. I think the Mag Z Boost spool is a real winner and in my limited experience of 2 reels, I like it better than the SV Boost spools I have in 2 Zillion SV's and a Silverwolf I put an SV Boost spool in.

I have both the new Zillions, but this thread is full of overkill, the monkey can never satisfy its thirst for blood 

 

4 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

I haven't gotten my Steez out yet but I feel the same way about casting my Zillion HD's compared to my Zillion SV's. I think the Mag Z Boost spool is a real winner and in my limited experience of 2 reels, I like it better than the SV Boost spools I have in 2 Zillion SV's and a Silverwolf I put an SV Boost spool in.

What's interesting though is the noise the Mag Z boost spool makes when you really chunk a bait, doesn't do it unless you really chuck it though.    

 

 

9 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I have both the new Zillions, but this thread is full of overkill, the monkey can never satisfy its thirst for blood 

 

What's interesting though is the noise the Mag Z boost spool makes when you really chunk a bait, doesn't do it unless you really chuck it though.    

 

 

You aren't the first person I've heard mention the sound but I haven't noticed it. I will pay attention next time I'm out with one of them. I do a fair amount of short, local bank fishing trips where distance really matters and generally power cast too. I must just not be paying attention to the sound.

19 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

You aren't the first person I've heard mention the sound but I haven't noticed it. I will pay attention next time I'm out with one of them. I do a fair amount of short, local bank fishing trips where distance really matters and generally power cast too. I must just not be paying attention to the sound.

I understand, been shooting AR15s for decades, and apparently to many the buffer tube makes a "sproing" sound when fired.....never once heard it.    

30 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I understand, been shooting AR15s for decades, and apparently to many the buffer tube makes a "sproing" sound when fired.....never once heard it.    

Haha exactly, too much shooting without hearing protection at a young age and too many loud concerts combined with being off in lala land probably explains it for me. I will definitely listen for it next time though.

 

But, I definitely do hear the "sproing" so who knows ?

Sales were pretty good. Mostly back-up stuff just because. The Azuma wakes are new to me. Hat tip to @The Bassman

 

Grabbed an old Lexa 100 out of the used section from somewhere unmentionable..."Good condition" can mean anything. In this case it meant about the worst geariness imaginable. The gearset was nearly impossible to track down, but I scored. Needed to scramble for a few more parts and had to make a new bushing, but it's tight again. Neat.

 

 

"The reel was awesome. It is slightly better than the new Zillion. Is it $150 more better? As usual, probably not but it can cast further than any of the Daiwa reels I have used."

 

Thanks for the great review. Now I need to decide what to do. My favorite reels are 2 of the Steez SV TW and 2 Metanium MGL that I put brass gears in.

Do I need another reel? Sure, if it will cast farther. Decisions, decisions.

 

I wonder, what would a 2023 Steez feature?

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Sales were pretty good. Mostly back-up stuff just because. The Azuma wakes are new to me. Hat tip to @The Bassman

 

Grabbed an old Lexa 100 out of the used section from somewhere unmentionable..."Good condition" can mean anything. In this case it meant about the worst geariness imaginable. The gearset was nearly impossible to track down, but I scored. Needed to scramble for a few more parts and had to make a new bushing, but it's tight again. Neat.

 

 

Nice stuff brother, I bought one of those 100x Crush baits last night at Academy for 5.90.....$3 off.   

 

They had Vision 110s for $17 but I missed them all ?

On 12/24/2022 at 9:19 AM, KP Duty said:

My pure fishing orders....

 

 

 

I

I got a new to me St Croix Premier 7’ Medium Fast Casting rod for $50 from a local fb group. 

2 minutes ago, UncleSasquatch said:

I got a new to me St Croix Premier 7’ Medium Fast Casting rod for $50 from a local fb group. 

You can find some good deals used. One of the three Victorys I picked up this year was a used one from a shop I can't mention for $150 total.

48 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

You can find some good deals used. One of the three Victorys I picked up this year was a used one from a shop I can't mention for $150 total.

I know a place that has them for $133 new.

2 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I know a place that has them for $133 new.

I would ask - but between six new rods and six new reels, I'm tapped out for this year.

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I would ask - but between six new rods and six new reels, I'm tapped out for this year.

And you probably know why I didn't mention it by name. 

4 minutes ago, FishTank said:

And you probably know why I didn't mention it by name. 

Probably the same place I got my one used and two new Victorys, one of my three Mojos, My Tatula 100 and my Tatula CT

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Probably the same place I got my one used and two new Victorys, one of my three Mojos, My Tatula 100 and my Tatula CT

Different place. They don't sell used but I know where you purchased the ones you have. 

3 minutes ago, FishTank said:

They don't sell used but I know where you purchased the ones you have. 

My main go-to.

 

Between points, and the rebate they were running on St. Croix rods - I paid $21 for the new Tat-CT.

Ok, got a small order. Took advantage of the 12 Days sale at TW. Restocked on a few things and decided to try some new things out. Bear with me here. I'm suffering from extreme cabin fever here in WI, so I decided to take some of the baits out of the package for a photo shoot ? and so others can get a better idea of what some of these baits look like. 

 

First pics are of the 13th Fishing Loco Jerkbait and 13 Fishing Scamp Squarebill. I can't say enough about how nice 13 Fishing hardbaits look. Pics really don't do them justice. I haven't fished the Loco before but I have the Scamp, and it's a great bait. It has a carbon bill which lists the diving depth on it. They also come with KVD Triple Grips on them. I'm honestly surprised they don't cost more. 

 

 

I also like trying out new frogs. Tho I do have my staples I fishing most of the time. This is the Toad Swamper Walkin' Frog.

 

 

Next is the Molix RT Fork Flex. I'm super intrigued by this. It's 4" long but the profile itself just seems a little smaller. It's made up of that elaztech-type material. It's very soft. I could see using it on a drop shot, bigger ned, ball head or even a trailer on a chatterbait.

 

 

I got a few packs of the 13 Fishing Caboose Craw, 13 Fishing Rabbit Ear Tail Wobble Craw, Gambler Why Not and Secret Lures Stupid Craw. Of the four I've only used the Why Not before (punching). Both of the 13 Fishing products have a hole in the middle like the Jackall Archelon so you can add a rattle/scent if you wish, tho they are already infused with their own scent. They're also buoyant so they stand up when fishing on a shaky head etc. 

 

 

River2Sea Biggie Poppa Bumpin' Squarebill and Jackall B Crawl Swimmer.

 

 

River2Sea Bling.

 

 

Berkley Shape 108 in 3" and 3.5", Gambler Chunk trailer in 2.75" and 3.5" and Gambler TZ Swimmer. This thing is tiiiny. It's listed at 3", but I think that's a tad generous. Very small profile.

 

 

Jenko The Bird. This is a new bait I'm quite excited about. Thick, compact body (3.7"). Seems like it'll be pretty durable. Jenko is a brand I don't see people talking much about. But I absolutely love the Jenko Booty Shaker, and I'll be surprised if I don't love this one as well.

 

 

Lastly, it looks like Gambler is going to a new packaging. Not sure I like it. The material is definitely thinner. It does have a strip/seal you have to tear off before opening.

 

 

 

 

32 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

and 13 Fishing Scamp Squarebill

What depth does that thing run?

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

What depth does that thing run?

According to their site - the 1.5 runs 1'-3', the 2.5 runs 3'-5'

https://13fishing.com/scamp-squarebill-crank-5

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

What depth does that thing run?

MN Fisher answered it. But again I can't stress how impressed I've been with their products. I didn't start using their hard baits until last year. I haven't used their jerkbait yet, but I've used the Scamp, Flatty Daddy, Jabber Jaw and Magic Man (great lipless!).

 

Heck, even the packaging is nice. Even has the split ring and hook size on the box. 

 

 

This particular color (Truffle Butter) did great for me last year. The rattles in these just seem to have a different sound as well.

 

2 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Ok, got a small order. Took advantage of the 12 Days sale at TW. Restocked on a few things and decided to try some new things out. Bear with me here. I'm suffering from extreme cabin fever here in WI, so I decided to take some of the baits out of the package for a photo shoot ? and so others can get a better idea of what some of these baits look like. 

 

First pics are of the 13th Fishing Loco Jerkbait and 13 Fishing Scamp Squarebill. I can't say enough about how nice 13 Fishing hardbaits look. Pics really don't do them justice. I haven't fished the Loco before but I have the Scamp, and it's a great bait. It has a carbon bill which lists the diving depth on it. They also come with KVD Triple Grips on them. I'm honestly surprised they don't cost more. 

 

 

I also like trying out new frogs. Tho I do have my staples I fishing most of the time. This is the Toad Swamper Walkin' Frog.

 

 

Next is the Molix RT Fork Flex. I'm super intrigued by this. It's 4" long but the profile itself just seems a little smaller. It's made up of that elaztech-type material. It's very soft. I could see using it on a drop shot, bigger ned, ball head or even a trailer on a chatterbait.

 

 

I got a few packs of the 13 Fishing Caboose Craw, 13 Fishing Rabbit Ear Tail Wobble Craw, Gambler Why Not and Secret Lures Stupid Craw. Of the four I've only used the Why Not before (punching). Both of the 13 Fishing products have a hole in the middle like the Jackall Archelon so you can add a rattle/scent if you wish, tho they are already infused with their own scent. They're also buoyant so they stand up when fishing on a shaky head etc. 

 

 

River2Sea Biggie Poppa Bumpin' Squarebill and Jackall B Crawl Swimmer.

 

 

River2Sea Bling.

 

 

Berkley Shape 108 in 3" and 3.5", Gambler Chunk trailer in 2.75" and 3.5" and Gambler TZ Swimmer. This thing is tiiiny. It's listed at 3", but I think that's a tad generous. Very small profile.

 

 

Jenko The Bird. This is a new bait I'm quite excited about. Thick, compact body (3.7"). Seems like it'll be pretty durable. Jenko is a brand I don't see people talking much about. But I absolutely love the Jenko Booty Shaker, and I'll be surprised if I don't love this one as well.

 

 

Lastly, it looks like Gambler is going to a new packaging. Not sure I like it. The material is definitely thinner. It does have a strip/seal you have to tear off before opening.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a Loco and hyperjerk finesse in my last Tw order of 22, should have hands on it soon.  Happy to see you're happy with it.  Gambler has thrown a few of those bags in my orders from 21 & 22.  Maybe it's the back up packaging with supply chain issues, I don't know.

 

scott

51 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

 

I have a Loco and hyperjerk finesse in my last Tw order of 22, should have hands on it soon.  Happy to see you're happy with it.  Gambler has thrown a few of those bags in my orders from 21 & 22.  Maybe it's the back up packaging with supply chain issues, I don't know.

 

scott

You getting the Rico blems? You'll have to post pics. I'm curious if they're the same colrs as I got or if there's different colors. 

19 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

You getting the Rico blems? You'll have to post pics. I'm curious if they're the same colrs as I got or if there's different colors. 

Yeah, sure did.  I'm curious too.

 

scott