Well, I bought a couple of rods the other night so I guess I need to get some reels if I want to take them fishing some day.

Megabass P5 PopX Stick

I've been wanting this rod for a couple of years now. My thought was always to throw the Calcutta Conquest BFS on it.

Majority of use will be small treble hooked hard baits.

Thoughts? Is there something that would work better?

Daiwa Steez AGS "Utility Player"

Single hook moving bait rod. Mostly swim jigs with the occasional chatter/spinnerbait.

Have no clue what to put on it honestly.

Price really isn't a concern as I'm working 90 hours a week currently and I just don't give two chits right now. LOL

THANKS

Then pick between your preference of a JDM zillion or a JDM met. Both are around $250 and the best bang for the buck you’re going to find.

Calcutta Conquest BFS gets my vote for the Pop X. I have two of them on P5 Kasumi Six Elevens.

For the Steez AGS Utility Player maybe a JDM Metanium 100 or the new Antares.

I'm about 90% sure I'll go with the Calcutta. Been wanting it for a long time.

Wasn't sure what size of a reel I wanted for the other.

You can sling swim jigs etc. a long ways.

90 hours a week! When will you have time to fish? 😁

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

90 hours a week! When will you have time to fish? 😁

It's only until 4/15.

I've had 100+ hour weeks but not yet this year.

It's miserable. LOL

15 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I'm about 90% sure I'll go with the Calcutta. Been wanting it for a long time.

Wasn't sure what size of a reel I wanted for the other.

You can sling swim jigs etc. a long ways.

You might want to consider the JDM Calcutta 30 SE. Kinda threads the needle between finesse and bigger baits.

Jdm metanium 100 for the steez rod. You will absolutely launch lures.

Zebco 33 and work less

On 3/26/2026 at 1:16 AM, CaughtMeABiggun said:

You might want to consider the JDM Calcutta 30 SE. Kinda threads the needle between finesse and bigger baits.

I'm not sure the difference honestly.

If you have the time and want to share that would be great.

Thanks!

On 3/26/2026 at 12:53 PM, king fisher said:

Zebco 33 and work less

Oh I had a little push button Zebco back in the day.

Took that bad boy up to Leech Lake in 5th grade.

On 3/26/2026 at 8:36 AM, Brycecover said:

Jdm metanium 100 for the steez rod. You will absolutely launch lures.

Thats what I would do. The newer Metanium frames are by far the nicest workhorse reels Ive ever had.

I've had Metaniums, Aldebarans, high end Daiwas and I keep coming back to the Curado 151 MGL. I have yet to find a reel that is as capable for the price that you can buy right off the shelf. I'm running these on both of my Destroyers. For the Pop X Stick, though, I would probably bite the bullet on the Conquest BFS.

23 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Thats what I would do. The newer Metanium frames are by far the nicest workhorse reels Ive ever had.

they palm great and are so small in person. But they still feel very solid. My only complaint is that mine came with play in the handles and I probably need to add shims to get it out.

On 3/29/2026 at 9:19 AM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I'm not sure the difference honestly.

If you have the time and want to share that would be great.

Thanks!

The Calcutta BFS uses FTP brakes while the 30 uses the same brakes as the 100. The 30 and 100 use the same gear set , but the 30 allows you to throw lighter lures due to the much shallower spool. I bought mine to serve like the old Calcutta 50b reels used too. If you want to be able to throw pretty much everything but really light BFS stuff I would recommend the 30. Also the 100 spool works in the 30 so you can literally run two different spools in the same reel. You could technically have one reel that will throw everything that most anglers will ever throw. You can go from throwing small shad raps and other small treble hook lures to throwing larger Jigs and 5 inch Magadrafts with the same reel. Plus the color of the reel is beautiful.

On 3/29/2026 at 2:23 PM, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Thats what I would do. The newer Metanium frames are by far the nicest workhorse reels Ive ever had.

It is nearly impossible for me at least, to tell any difference between the newer framed Metanium or the Bantam. Both come with the same frame style that is as solid as a rock. Might be a few Bantams left after AJay bought'em out.

FM

17 hours ago, CaughtMeABiggun said:

The Calcutta BFS uses FTP brakes while the 30 uses the same brakes as the 100. The 30 and 100 use the same gear set , but the 30 allows you to throw lighter lures due to the much shallower spool. I bought mine to serve like the old Calcutta 50b reels used too. If you want to be able to throw pretty much everything but really light BFS stuff I would recommend the 30. Also the 100 spool works in the 30 so you can literally run two different spools in the same reel. You could technically have one reel that will throw everything that most anglers will ever throw. You can go from throwing small shad raps and other small treble hook lures to throwing larger Jigs and 5 inch Magadrafts with the same reel. Plus the color of the reel is beautiful.

Thanks.

I watched some videos late last night about the difference. I think I'll end up with the BFS model as it's only job will be throwing light stuff.