37 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

That was my concern with this platform.  I was hoping those days were behind Shimano.  I remember recommending Fuego CTs in the Fuego CT vs SLX threads precisely because the Fuego is a known quantity on a proven platform despite the SLX being smoother out of the box but who knows how it would hold up given Shiamano's recent gear woes.  You're not the 1st person I have heard this from.  I guess the verdict is out on this platform.  SLXs get geary like 200is, 70s and Ci4+s.  Still for $140 the combo is a good deal and you would have to fish it alot to get to the geary state and the reel is still fish-able I would assume?  How bad is the geayness on the SLX?  Tatulas can be this way to but that is more to do with the QC on them being all over the place rather than an design flaw.  They're usually geary out of the box if it it going to be geary and/or had no grease   

My brother put some time on it, but he has 21 other rigs, so it wasn't anything like full time. And no, he did nothing stupid with it regarding giant baits. He has an assortment of Tranx models up to the 400 for that, plus several other big bait reels. It just started showing up progressively after pulling in maybe 20 hard fighting freshwater fish. It's been broken down and greased several times since new, so lube isn't the issue. It lacks a bearing on top of the ARB and X-ship which doesn't help. Those particulars might not have mattered much once upon a time, but in this case perhaps it does.

 

Both of my Fuego CTs have remained unusually smooth with heavy use, including frogging duty. I caught 39 Walleye last week on one of them. About 15 were between 4-5 pounds and fought hard. The Walleye guys say that they're not particularly hard fighters, but in the shallow flats where I go they fight like crazy for every inch. Anyway, the reel is just as smooth afterward. I didn't recommend it in this thread because I can just throw frogs significantly farther with the Icon PT, and it ticks all the boxes for sturdy construction

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/slx150hg

 

https://contentw.zebcobrands.com/zebco/product/schematics/ic100hpt..bx3.pdf

14 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Just about any cheap reel isn't going to handle heavy braid and pads very well.

My Fuego CT has stood up to it without any loss of it's initial smoothness. I've beaten it like a dog.

So I guess it sounds like he prob needs to invest in a better reel and Berkeley rod? Lol.   ?

 

I took this on like challenge to find a quality frogging set up for 150 and its sounding harder than I thought. Lol ?

 

Personally I have a Powell Endurance rod and lews tp for mine.  And my other rod that I do it with is a tatula with a One Three reel.  Mine is fine but way over the 150 budget. 

10 hours ago, Teal said:

@BaitFinesse you think this will work for the man?  

 

I don't think there's many options better at that price. I think if your a first time buyer and sign up for the newsletter you can 10% off of that too.

Ive never fished the Shimanos but I do like the look of that combo at that price. I go mainly off of specs, then read reviews. What does it mean for it to be "geary"? Right now my main feel I use is a Lews American Hero. Pretty much bottom of the barrel for Lews. Ive frogged on it, gotten sand all over it, dropped it. Its still going strong and smooth. 

 

But I do agree I need to look for a better quality reel over a rod. I do know i want an aluminum frame on the reel. Ive felt the graphite flex on a heavy fish and that is the single most important criteria I'm looking for in this setup. When I look at a reel I first look at frame material, then gear ratio, then brakes, then bearings. 

12 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

SLXs get geary like 200is, 70s and Ci4+s.  

In my experience, on the I's it hasnt been a gear issue but rather the pinion support bearing. Once that is properly cleaned and lubed theyre right back to smooth. 

 

Can't speak for the SLX however ...

I finally decided on a setup and pulled the trigger. I went with the SLX XT 8.2-1 and the SLX 7'2 H/F rod. Got a deal on it and watched hours of reviews and read for hours and this setup made me feel the best about spending the money. I cant wait to get it and try it out!

Congratulations.  Let us know how you like it.

5 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

I finally decided on a setup and pulled the trigger. I went with the SLX XT 8.2-1 and the SLX 7'2 H/F rod. Got a deal on it and watched hours of reviews and read for hours and this setup made me feel the best about spending the money. I cant wait to get it and try it out!

Only took a month to take our advice?  I think you came away with some quality gear buddy

20 hours ago, Teal said:

Only took a month to take our advice?  I think you came away with some quality gear buddy

Yeah I got laid off within days of making the post so I put it on the back burner. But unemployment finally came in and my wife told me to pick out what I wanted for fathers day. I had been expanding my options and doing loads of research and feel good about what I ended up with. 

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

Yeah I got laid off within days of making the post so I put it on the back burner. But unemployment finally came in and my wife told me to pick out what I wanted for fathers day. I had been expanding my options and doing loads of research and feel good about what I ended up with. 

Oh man that stinks.  Good luck with work

Not that it applies now, ha... since you already pulled the trigger. 

 

But I ordered a Tat 7'1" Heavy yesterday to try for a jig/frog rod.  I'm pretty smitten with my 6'10", so I figured there's a good chance I'll like the heavy too. 

1 hour ago, AmmoGuy said:

Not that it applies now, ha... since you already pulled the trigger. 

 

But I ordered a Tat 7'1" Heavy yesterday to try for a jig/frog rod.  I'm pretty smitten with my 6'10", so I figured there's a good chance I'll like the heavy too. 

I'm going to jig with this rod too. Let me know how you like it and I'll do the same. 

And...... They sent me the wrong got dang rod!! I took it out of the tube and thought man, that looks way shorter than 7'2. Flipped it over and its a 6'10 M/XF!!! So have to return it and get a the right one sent to me. The reel was correct and I love it just holding it!

Sorry to hear that. Hope that your exchange goes smooth.

1 hour ago, Blacktail 8541 said:

Sorry to hear that. Hope that your exchange goes smooth.

Got it sent off today and they said the right rod will be sent Monday. So more waiting.