9 hours ago, 00 mod said:

That is a swept 102 Hawg Tech with cork knobs. I think I have over a dozen now. By far my favorite upgrade on a reel. A little pricey, but well worth it in my opinion.  

I broke the 95mm carbon fiber reel handle that came on one of my Lew's Tournament Pros.  They are rock solid, but the rod/reel was on the deck under the trolling motor with the handle perpendicular and I got into some really rough water.  The trolling motor was bouncing up and down a bit and it came down just far enough to hit the upright reel handle and broke it.  Lesson learned.

Anyway, I had the Hawgtech handle in my shopping cart but couldn't make myself shell out the dough (I found a new Lew's carbon fiber handle w/knobs on the big auction site for $33.)  Some people (including me) like the knobs on the Lew's reels; others hate them.  For those who like them, the Lew's carbon fiber handles are a very nice quality item for a decent price.

The only other reel handle I've ever broken was on an ABU Orra Winch (I broke one knob off in a mishap).  Again, I considered the Hawgtech replacement, but wasn't willing to spend that amount of money on a handle for a $99 reel.  After reading Jeff's post, I'll probably try one in the future.  My favorite reel upgrade is new ceramic bearings.  Most of my favorite reels come standard with carbon fiber handles so I haven't really considered that as an upgrade.

That Hawgtech handle looks pretty sexy, and I like the look of those cork knobs! 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

@desmobob I had NEVER changed a reel handle until I got my first Hawgtech.  If that tells you anything! 

Jeff

Which one plams better?

 

thanks

1 hour ago, ghost_207 said:

Which one plams better?

 

thanks

Those are both the same reels.  There are 2 models but the only difference is the gear ratio.

Jeff

@Maico1 @Goose52 after fishing  this reel for over a month I am thoroughly pleased.  It is just a machine on the water! I used to catch my largest 5 fish sack ever this em weekend and it was no match for those brutes!  

Jeff

 

Now THAT'S how to slime-up a reel !  Congrats on the new U.S. PB and the HUGE "sack-O-bass" !!!!

Yes sir! That is how it is done! - Jeff do you have any comparison between the MGL and the new Antares DC? Are they pretty similar in smoothness of the retrieve? Guessing the Antares DC for baits 1/2 oz and up and the MGL for baits under 1/2 oz for weights they shine with?

No comparison. The Antares DC is by far the smoothest reel I have ever handled. The MGL is nice but not in the same league. My MGL I have only gotten to fish twice. I am using it for topwater and haven't caught a fish on it yet.........  But it throws and reels a gunfish nicely. Haha

Jeff

hey guys I'm new to this forum i just purchased the jdm antares dc i love it so anyone know the factory setting to the tension knob because i did play with it?

 

3 hours ago, ammesmaki said:

hey guys I'm new to this forum i just purchased the jdm antares dc i love it so anyone know the factory setting to the tension knob because i did play with it?

 Turn the screw to the right till it cannot turn anymore and then back it off one full turn.....you will need to take that screw completely out in order to get to the spool bearing. You are talking about the screw located in the center of the DC unit correct, because there is no tension knob on the reel like the previous model

Yes I am, thank you very much I wish there was an English manual for the reel, I never had a baitcaster Like this so I'm learning very blindly! With minimal information from you guys witch also is greatly appreciated ?