ATA, we're alike in a couple ways. First, I'll change lures while fishing but prefer to have rods already set up. Second, MH rods out number other powers. About 40% are MH and 30% Medium. I tend to fish between 3/8 and 7/8 oz. lures. A MH is about perfect. A few Mediums are rated 1/4-3/4 oz. (versus 5/8 oz. upper limit...or 1/2 in the case of my Falcons) but even these I tend to use in more open water. Have no problem using a MH in slop.

However, now that I'm in Florida I plan on dusting off a couple Heavies.

@new2BC4bass What I understand from fishing these new combos is that they are MH, and the action is MF, and I can use them for a variety of lures except bottom techniques. So, I think it is the way to go for anglers like us to save money and have a few of the cheaper combos always rigged up and ready to go.

These are purdy.

Took the Steez out for a quick test drive the other night from the bank.

Was more of a “let’s try it” rather than a “let’s go fish”.

Ending up catching a 3.13 pounder right before I left.

Can’t say I’ve ever had a combo that handled it as easy. And I have some very nice combos.

The Daiwa Steez rods ain’t no joke.

Just arrived from Digitaka. Signature was required, I think that has been a topic lately.

7 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

Just arrived from Digitaka. Signature was required, I think that has been a topic lately.

I have finally given up on my Daiwa Tatula BF70. I have spent last year and part of this year fighting it. I returned the first one. I then sent the new one back to Daiwa for repair. It worked for about two trips before it started feeling like a coffee grinder and braking was once again questionable. It has been back to Daiwa two more times since then. I got it back on Monday of this week and it was exactly the same.

I picked up a KastKing Kestrel for $100. I have only used it twice this week but I have put about 5 hours on it and about 16 bass on it (small ones). It is, so far, twice the reel the Tatula is at more than half the price. Its smother, casts further, has a better drag and overall is more fun to fish. In my head, I want to hate it but I can't find anything wrong with it

4 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have finally given up on my Daiwa Tatula BF70. I have spent last year and part of this year fighting it. I returned the first one. I then sent the new one back to Daiwa for repair. It worked for about two trips before it started feeling like a coffee grinder and braking was once again questionable. It has been back to Daiwa two more times since then. I got it back on Monday of this week and it was exactly the same.

I picked up a KastKing Kestrel for $100. I have only used it twice this week but I have put about 5 hours on it and about 16 bass on it (small ones). It is, so far, twice the reel the Tatula is at more than half the price. Its smother, casts further, has a better drag and overall is more fun to fish. In my head, I want to hate it but I can't find anything wrong with it

I for one will definitely take your recommendations as I feel you own quite the sample size of gear. I look forward to hearing how the reel holds up for you.

I’m interested too, on how it holds up. Who makes KastKing?

Old I know but new to me….

@MiceNReets That is one good-looking rod, and i can see that matchy matchy there 😅 Great combo. congrats

The new panfish destroyer. Dobyns Sierra trout/panfish 700, Stradic C2500S, 0.185mm braid and leader.

14 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Old I know but new to me….

That's something we don't see often. Congrats!

22 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Old I know but new to me….

I have that same rod and LOVE it. Enjoy!

Just now, DaveT63 said:

I have that same rod and LOVE it. Enjoy!

Nice. What do you use it for?

18 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Nice. What do you use it for?

I use it for small spinnerbaits, beetle spins, small paddletails and such. just a great rod!

On 5/21/2026 at 11:16 PM, MiceNReets said:

Old I know but new to me….

Would look better if the handle was on the other side and both were sitting at my place.

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Would look better if the handle was on the other side and both were sitting at my place.

For a 19 year old rod… it’s in great shape and quite happy with it. Got it the last day of bass here before the spawn and got to great it in with a nice one. Now I gotta wait until mid June.

Today i purchased something that not only wasn't i planning, but i didn't know what even thought of the reel, nobody on here has it, nor even on TT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95r9B7OrU28

I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I don't even know if i can properly used it without being connected into the Daiwa's app (would assume that you could). And its time to discover the joy of having to plug your fishing reel to charge it🙂

23 minutes ago, WetBlanket said:

Today i purchased something that not only wasn't i planning, but i didn't know what even thought of the reel, nobody on here has it, nor even on TT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95r9B7OrU28

I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I don't even know if i can properly used it without being connected into the Daiwa's app (would assume that you could). And its time to discover the joy of having to plug your fishing reel to charge it🙂

I thought with that reel it’s only in Japan and there is no English in the settings? I think Fishing with Norm did a video on it or maybe Lojo fishing or one of those guys. Fishing with yak pak?

2 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

I thought with that reel it’s only in Japan and there is no English in the settings? I think Fishing with Norm did a video on it or maybe Lojo fishing or one of those guys. Fishing with yak pak?

That is the case if you want to use the app to measure your casting distance, download new braking profile and such. But i am pretty sure that you can just use it normally. You have 4 braking settings with around 8 adjustments each, so that should be plenty. What i am curious about is the battery life. I read that a full charge lasts 700 casts. I have no idea how many casts i do per day, but the battery better not drain before i am done fishing for the day, and sometimes that's 11-12h on the water. This is my only worry atm.

15 minutes ago, WetBlanket said:

That is the case if you want to use the app to measure your casting distance, download new braking profile and such. But i am pretty sure that you can just use it normally. You have 4 braking settings with around 8 adjustments each, so that should be plenty. What i am curious about is the battery life. I read that a full charge lasts 700 casts. I have no idea how many casts i do per day, but the battery better not drain before i am done fishing for the day, and sometimes that's 11-12h on the water. This is my only worry atm.

Well I’ve always been curious about this reel so I look forward to your feedback

my brother in law got back from Japan and handed me a brand spanking new Zillion HD. spooled it and lightly backlashed it, when I neglected to not leave the brake at ZERO. put it at a conservative setting for lift off and even then, the practice plug almost hit the neighbors car.

I perched it on a NorthFork blanked rod my bud built for me. total package made for casting far.

6 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Well I’ve always been curious about this reel so I look forward to your feedback

I don't think i've been this excited to test a reel in over 15y, and that's simply because you can't even read anything on it, all the info on youtube is primarily from Japanese folks.

2 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

my brother in law got back from Japan and handed me a brand spanking new Zillion HD. spooled it and lightly backlashed it, when I neglected to not leave the brake at ZERO. put it at a conservative setting for lift off and even then, the practice plug almost hit the neighbors car.

I perched it on a NorthFork blanked rod my bud built for me. total package made for casting far.

The zillion at zero with no tension is wild- your thumb better be agile. But once you’re used to the reel you can really wind it down to almost nothing. If I could have that braking in a shimano body I’d be in heaven.

11 hours ago, WetBlanket said:

That is the case if you want to use the app to measure your casting distance, download new braking profile and such. But i am pretty sure that you can just use it normally. You have 4 braking settings with around 8 adjustments each, so that should be plenty. What i am curious about is the battery life. I read that a full charge lasts 700 casts. I have no idea how many casts i do per day, but the battery better not drain before i am done fishing for the day, and sometimes that's 11-12h on the water. This is my only worry atm.

700 casts in a 12 hour day of fishing is almost one every minute. Doubtful you would make that many casts so you're all set if the battery lives up to its advertising.