What rod do you have planned for the stella? I impulse bought one earlier this year, and then convinced myself I needed a new rod for it, so I then impulse bought a nrx.

What rod do you have planned for the stella? I impulse bought one earlier this year, and then convinced myself I needed a new rod for it, so I then impulse bought a nrx.

lol I would be impulse not paying bills and impulse on the couch.. by the side of the road... 

What rod do you have planned for the stella? I impulse bought one earlier this year, and then convinced myself I needed a new rod for it, so I then impulse bought a nrx.

Nothing special, just a 6'8 cumara, maybe one of my cumulus rods.

 

 

Booty, that reel looks pretty slick with that handle. 

Booty, that reel looks pretty slick with that handle.

Thanks, it was hard to acquire but worth the wait.

My setups: Spinning: Pflueger President reel on St. Croix Triumph rod

Baitcasting: Lew's Speed Spool reel on Falcon Bucoo rod

Both high quality setups under $200

Got a few shimanos in today, lol.

Got a few shimanos in today, lol.

wow. sick reel.

Got a few shimanos in today, lol.

 

Is it as smooth as they say?

Matt, what are your thoughts on those Shimano boxes? I am debating on picking up the jerkbait box. Do you think they're worth the price? I got a Chronarch 50e on the way thanks to the sale this past weekend.

Is it as smooth as they say?

 

Definitely. I handled a 4000 last year and knew id get one some day. When it comes down to smoothness and bang for your buck, cant go wrong with the FJ. I still think thats the most smooth, solid spinning reel for your money. Just have to deal with a little extra weight.

 

Matt, what are your thoughts on those Shimano boxes? I am debating on picking up the jerkbait box. Do you think they're worth the price? I got a Chronarch 50e on the way thanks to the sale this past weekend.

 

 I use plano 3600 and 3700 boxes for storing tackle, and the shimano boxes for on the boat. Its nice to open it and all your jerkbaits/topwater are organized. It can be a real pain when 5 or 6 lures are all hooked together. Only downside is these boxes tend to be expensive. Your looking at $30 and up for a box.

 

 

 

 I use plano 3600 and 3700 boxes for storing tackle, and the shimano boxes for on the boat. Its nice to open it and all your jerkbaits/topwater are organized. It can be a real pain when 5 or 6 lures are all hooked together. Only downside is these boxes tend to be expensive. Your looking at $30 and up for a box.

Are they the same profile as a 3600 or 3700 Plano?

Pretty close to the shallow 3700 boxes.

Was getting a bit stir crazy with all this snow... Found a local spot with open water and tested out the Stella and bfs xg with new hedgehog air bearings. Stella is a dream to fish with, put that away and started playing with the Aldebaran. Was throwing 1/8-1/4oz wakebaits and small cranks. Not sure if the bearings are any better than Boca orange seals. Was getting about the same distance so I'll probally stick with the bocas. Anyway its 28 degrees out and started to snow so I headed home. Felt good to get a little action in though
 

Nice updates thehooligan! I enjoy seeing your arsenal constantly evolve. I just finished finalizing my 2014 arsenal. Just waiting on spring to roll around...

 

 

 

Got my metanium in the mail the other day from TW .... I wish everything wasn't froze over

 

 

 

Got my metanium in the mail the other day from TW .... I wish everything wasn't froze over

You will really enjoy it, just go out and cast around in the yard if its frozen The new braking system is great but not quite so set and forget as the VBS Ive found.

Nice updates thehooligan! I enjoy seeing your arsenal constantly evolve. I just finished finalizing my 2014 arsenal. Just waiting on spring to roll around...

Thanks kicker, I thought I finally had it all down to shimano and went ahead and picked up an alphas ito yesterday, lol.

I had a purple alphas and type f last year, might go all out on this one and do a clicker drag, PX handle, and other daiwa goodies...

I am the same way. Probably in the realm of 70% shimano and 20% Daiwa and then the MSC category of Lews, Okuma, BPS, Quantum, etc...

The alphas platform is one on my personal favorites along with the 50 sized shimanos. The amount of customization options is very good with the alphas platform as you already know. The only downside of the alphas ITO is finish and durability of a few parts. Depending upon what you may wish to use the reel for I would HIGHLY recommend installimg a set of the Pixy 6:8.1 gears. They are incredibly smooth and well worth the $35. Probably my favorite upgrade on mine I have everything done to it inside and out including custom paint.

Getting a few of the rods together for spring

 

 

Was getting a bit stir crazy with all this snow... Found a local spot with open water and tested out the Stella and bfs xg with new hedgehog air bearings. Stella is a dream to fish with, put that away and started playing with the Aldebaran. Was throwing 1/8-1/4oz wakebaits and small cranks. Not sure if the bearings are any better than Boca orange seals. Was getting about the same distance so I'll probally stick with the bocas. Anyway its 28 degrees out and started to snow so I headed home. Felt good to get a little action in though

Nice! That BFS cumulus combo must be light as hell. My buddy just got a BFS for that DX702 you sold him. I am anxious to try it out. I just got a Chronarch 50E and was wondering if you had any recomendations on a handle for it? The stock one seems so tiny. Also I am going to put the bocas in it and was thinking of one of those Avail light weight spools. Do you think the spool is worth the price vs performance? 

Getting a few of the rods together for spring

Nice Brad! That collection is close to Trey Harpel's.

Nice! That BFS cumulus combo must be light as hell. My buddy just got a BFS for that DX702 you sold him. I am anxious to try it out. I just got a Chronarch 50E and was wondering if you had any recomendations on a handle for it? The stock one seems so tiny. Also I am going to put the bocas in it and was thinking of one of those Avail light weight spools. Do you think the spool is worth the price vs performance?

Nice, that bfs/DX combo will be sweet. I'm diggin my bfs/cumulus combo, whole setup weighs 7.7oz's,

For handles I really like zpi. Depends on the length you like, I prefer 80-85mm. I think the stock ch50 handle is 80mm. You have plenty of options with hawgtech, hedgehog studios, and japan tackle.

When it comes to lightweight spools, they are worth the money if you want to cast light weight baits or want a pitching machine.

Nice Brad! That collection is close to Trey Harpel's.

 Still have a few more to add before spring