2 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Zillion HD 1000 SLP’s purple is different from ZPI’s purple but I knew this beforehand. 

This showed up today.  Not sure which reel is going to go on it.  I bought it 4 days ago...the day the 25% tariff on Japan was announced (starts August 1st).  I think I'm done, but not positive.

 

13 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

This showed up today.  Not sure which reel is going to go on it.  I bought it 4 days ago...the day the 25% tariff on Japan was announced (starts August 1st).  I think I'm done, but not positive.

 

I hear ya, I’ve bought 4 Zillion reels plus handles etc. this year. I think I’m done also, we’ll see. 
 

Is that the new Steez? 

53 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

I hear ya, I’ve bought 4 Zillion reels plus handles etc. this year. I think I’m done also, we’ll see. 
 

Is that the new Steez? 

I had a feeling our JDM party wouldn't last forever. I may try and do a JLS bait order before the first 🫤

On 7/11/2025 at 7:20 PM, KP Duty said:

I had a feeling our JDM party wouldn't last forever. I may try and do a JLS bait order before the first &nbsp🫤

We should just all get together and go in on a big JDM order. My son buying for me in Osaka has ruined me. I cry in BPS now…

On 7/11/2025 at 1:59 PM, F14A-B said:

Zillion HD 1000 SLP’s purple is different from ZPI’s purple but I knew this beforehand. 

 Thats a sharp looking reel

On 7/11/2025 at 6:05 PM, KP Duty said:

This showed up today.  Not sure which reel is going to go on it.  I bought it 4 days ago...the day the 25% tariff on Japan was announced (starts August 1st).  I think I'm done, but not positive.

 

 

What's the shipping for rods from Japan?

 

I've bought a few reels now but not rods.

 

PS She sure is purdy.

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

What's the shipping for rods from Japan?

 

I've bought a few reels now but not rods.

 

PS She sure is purdy.

It depends on the Vendor, but Japan Lure Shop is the cheapest I know of at 5900 yen (about $40) for FedEx 2-day.  Beats paying sales tax!

 

https://japanlureshop.com/

7 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

What's the shipping for rods from Japan?

 

I've bought a few reels now but not rods.

 

PS She sure is purdy.

 

Rod shipping cost from Japan could be a bit overwhelming. I once scored a $100 Shimano Expride, but had to pay $70 shipping.  

Evergreen super combat stick on sale at TW for 40% off during the last sale was just too good to pass on. Fished someone elses in-person, so that helped me be confident I'd like it.

 

For the way I fish it's got a lot of options - lighter end of swimbaits (eg 1.5oz), I know it throws the 1/2 bladed jig well, and will still do great with the 1.25 bladed jig or a big deep crank. 

 

 

4000-6000 Ambassadeur frame jig, now I can realign and re-crimp frames.  The #1 performance robber of an Ambassadeur is a frame that is out of square.  No amount of bearings or go-fast goodies will compensate. With Svangsta closing, the frame supply is sure to dwindle over time.  Just another tool in my arsenal.  I'm also having a jig made for 1000-3000 sizes.

Bought my first baitcaster the other day. It's a Lews Classic Pro Speed Spool SLP.

Just picked up this 13 Fishing Widow Maker casting rod.   2-piece 6’8 Medium X-Fast.  
 

 

 

 

 

oh yeah

6 hours ago, Hulkster said:

oh yeah

Is that the FM?

You all are buying new exotic stuff!!

 

I went the other way and bought some used Doomsday Tackle Co. rods from ALF. Got three of them cheap while ALF had 20% off all used. I already had a 7'3" MH/MF that I have been using with a Tatula CT Type R throwing lipless cranks. Not the lightest or most sensitive, but fishes nice and has a classic retro look with the antique cream and crimson.

 

Picked up the 7'0" BCF, which is their BSF rod. I put a Tatula SV with a Ray's BFS Spool on it. Haven't used it yet, but it casts an 1/8oz casting plug very nicely.

 

Also got their 6'10" crank bait rod that I put an old TDZ 103ML on to throw some cranks and their 7'3" MH Fast rod. Don't really know what I plan to do with that rod yet. I'll try it with a few different things and see if I like it.

3 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

You all are buying new exotic stuff!!

 

I went the other way and bought some used Doomsday Tackle Co. rods from ALF. Got three of them cheap while ALF had 20% off all used. I already had a 7'3" MH/MF that I have been using with a Tatula CT Type R throwing lipless cranks. Not the lightest or most sensitive, but fishes nice and has a classic retro look with the antique cream and crimson.

 

Picked up the 7'0" BCF, which is their BSF rod. I put a Tatula SV with a Ray's BFS Spool on it. Haven't used it yet, but it casts an 1/8oz casting plug very nicely.

 

Also got their 6'10" crank bait rod that I put an old TDZ 103ML on to throw some cranks and their 7'3" MH Fast rod. Don't really know what I plan to do with that rod yet. I'll try it with a few different things and see if I like it.

Pictures or it didn’t happen! 

5 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

Pictures or it didn’t happen! 

 

LOL! I kind of wish it hadn't because I'm getting over-run with too many rods! 

 

I will try to take some pics tonight. Have a hard time getting my new phone to take pictures small enough to attach.

29 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

You all are buying new exotic stuff!!

hmm

'73 5000D fresh off my bench.  

36 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

hmm

'73 5000D fresh off my bench.  

 

Know much about Hiawatha rods?

 

I have some old stuff in my basement that I looked at the other day. Must have gotten from my grandpa after he passed away a long time ago.

 

A few baitcasting combos with some Hiawatha rods.

 

None in great shape unfortunately.

 

Things are HEAVY. LOL

@HawkeyeSmallie - hi, friend.  The only reference to Hiawatha I could find on FFR identified a 7' solid-glass fly rod, which would date it to around 1950.  Yes, that would be really heavy.  

Noteworthy about 5000D, Abu made it to be lighter than every other Ambassadeur.  

The offset grip is modern Japan Underground, made by Bright River for a limited-run Headhunter's 10th Anniversary Kingfisher edition.  The S-glass 3-power rod blade is Bright River Glaflex, wrapped in Headhunters green.  

Offset grips are a perfect match with medium-frame round reels, placing spool in the same thumb reach as a LP reel on straight-grip rod.  

Of course the reel is even lighter with full-Avail alloy+BB level wind mods, and will fish 1/8 oz.  

8 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@HawkeyeSmallie - hi, friend.  The only reference to Hiawatha I could find on FFR identified a 7' solid-glass fly rod, which would date it to around 1950.  Yes, that would be really heavy.  

 

 

 

Yep they are glass.

 

One is telescoping.

 

I can't imagine trying to cast with any of them.

 

Crazy how the times have changed.

I don't think you're following - Hiawatha reference was Solid glass - not modern, tubular S-glass.   If skipping is on your menu, none will beat this:  

If you have a need for telescope, go Japanese - nothing less than Daiwa BBB.  

This is Smith Dagger stream.  

new combo incoming from TW/Digitaka. Hopefully digi ships quick and I can play with it this weekend.

SZ731MHXB and SZ731MHRB incoming from TW due to them not being excluded from their 15% off mailing list sale. Now to figure out whether to dig out old reels to put on em or look for new ones... 🙈