8 hours ago, DWS09 said:

I'm treating myself and want an Antares DC. Only hesitation is that I'm getting back into bass fishing and haven't bought from a Japan Tackle or Digitaka yet. Just need some assurances from others that the transactions are smooth. Thanks in advance. 

In mentioning Japan Tackle @DWS09, you can buy with confidence as Jun Sonoda has been in business for a very long time and has been very happy to answer any questions you may have. Buying from a reputable JDM tackle shop is a smooth process and you will most likely receive your package in about three days. Good luck and welcome back to bass fishing 

14 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

@Darth-Baiter if you don’t mind sharing, who has the free shipping and is it only after a certain dollar amount?

Digitaka has the free shipping.  they are up front about it.  look at the reel you are interested, and if it is free shipping, it will say right there at the reel description.

13 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Surprised no one mentioned the one MAJOR problem with buying JDM reels….once you start, you won’t be able to stop 😎

That's a fact.  I don't even pay attention to US market tackle in general outside of soft plastics.  Rods, reels, line, terminal tackle, and hard baits have been coming to me from Japan for a few years now.  We don't have anything truly unique, even the Doyo reels are pretty average while the best examples are sold elsewhere.  Shimano, Daiwa, and to some extent ABU all sell their best gear in Japan.  

13 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Surprised no one mentioned the one MAJOR problem with buying JDM reels….once you start, you won’t be able to stop 😎

my wife and I are shopping airline tixs to Taipei and Tokyo...I am gonna search out a few fishing stores.  doomed. 

After reading this thread I decided to pull the trigger on a SLX MGL. I went through Japan Lure Shop as they were the cheapest and in stock. The only problem I have is they only accept PayPal which A caused my credit card to be frozen until I called and okayed the transaction and the fact PayPal charged me $5.00 in transaction fees. I still wound up saving $40.00 over buying locally and if JPL still includes the bonus lure it will make me that much happier.

On 10/27/2023 at 11:09 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

my wife and I are shopping airline tixs to Taipei and Tokyo...I am gonna search out a few fishing stores.  doomed. 

As long as you stay away from Headhunters Lure Shop in Narita, you'll likely be safe enough (handmade wood plugs and heroin tackle)

https://www.headhunters.jp/hpgen/HPB/shop/shopguide.html

(imagine this with green YGK braid vs. white Varivas Si-X)

I've had nothing but good experiences with Digitaka - it's now my store of choice for Daiwa and Shimano.

Well, this thread made my re-entry into bass fishing from fly fishing way more expensive!!

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback. Definitely seems to me that the way to go is JDM shops for high end reels and knowing it's safe make me feel good about the selection and pricing. 

Just now, DWS09 said:

knowing it's safe make me feel good about the selection and pricing. 

Just one caveat - you don't get warranty support.

9 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Just one caveat - you don't get warranty support.

I noticed that.  I will stick to reels and not rods unless it's just a steal on a rod. 

I picked up my left handed Antares DC as well as a Stella and several other spinning reels from Digitaka over the past year and every transaction has been perfect with fast shipping.  I highly recommend them and continue to order my reels from them..

Thanks for all the feedback. Just ordered a lefthanded Antares DC this morning. I also see the problem that y'all mentioned because I wound up adding three titanium billed Diawa diving baits that I've never seen before in addition to the reel. This is gonna get expensive. 

i just googled the Antares DC.    am i reading it right?  still $550+ for JDM?

 

(stepping away from the computer now..backing off slowly...slowly avoid eye contact)

The new Daiwa flagship Steez will have an MSRP of 77,200yen or $513.07 in JDM dollars 😁

Steez SV TW100 (Reel)|DAIWA

 

Like I said in the Steez thread, I can almost promise the new Steez SV TW won't be twice the reel that the 21 Zillion SV TW is, but there is something special about fishing the flagship reels from Shimano or Daiwa.   The level of refinement, and attention to detail is off the charts even though the performance runs into the law of diminishing returns.  

 

 

I only own one rod where I can tell Steez is an ounce lighter than Zillion. 

 

6 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

The new Daiwa flagship Steez will have an MSRP of 77,200yen or $513.07 in JDM dollars 😁

Steez SV TW100 (Reel)|DAIWA

 

Like I said in the Steez thread, I can almost promise the new Steez SV TW won't be twice the reel that the 21 Zillion SV TW is, but there is something special about fishing the flagship reels from Shimano or Daiwa.   The level of refinement, and attention to detail is off the charts even though the performance runs into the law of diminishing returns.  

 

 

That makes sense. I wanted to treat myself. I am positive that a reel half the price is great. I just wanted to buy the Antares and am sure I'll be happy with it every time I use it. That was what I wanted out of this purchase. 

53 minutes ago, DWS09 said:

That makes sense. I wanted to treat myself. I am positive that a reel half the price is great. I just wanted to buy the Antares and am sure I'll be happy with it every time I use it. That was what I wanted out of this purchase. 

You'll be extremely happy, and life is too short not to treat yourself once in awhile!

 

Excited for you, hope you catch a toad on it 😎

@DWS09 @AlabamaSpothunter