Good stuff...

 

(I see that Carbonlite hiding behind the 1000XT... )

I still love that 1st gen Carbonlite too ...The inside of that reel is basically identical to that Patriarch XT in the first photo, despite costing 1/2 the price at the time.  Haven't used the newer ones, but those gold ones were great bargains.  

Good taste for sure.

Had all the rods out of the boat for respooling/re-rigging, lined up some of my favorites for a pic.  I just got the Orochi recently, I have a feeling it will eventually turn into more but boat upgrades are keeping the tackle monkey at bay for now .  

 

 

 

 

Something else that came through my tackle room recently, this is a wedding gift I got for a very good friend of mine who is a die-hard Abu guy...It was verrrrry hard to not just hold onto it and pick something off the registry  .  This thing is sweet!

 

Pretty freaking BA lineup. I'm jealous! I've been eyeing an Exsence. What can you tell me about that reel? How do you use it, and what does it compare to with regard to the rest of Shimano's lineup?

Had all the rods out of the boat for respooling/re-rigging, lined up some of my favorites for a pic.  I just got the Orochi recently, I have a feeling it will eventually turn into more but boat upgrades are keeping the tackle monkey at bay for now .  

 

 

 

 

Something else that came through my tackle room recently, this is a wedding gift I got for a very good friend of mine who is a die-hard Abu guy...It was verrrrry hard to not just hold onto it and pick something off the registry  .  This thing is sweet!

 

 

I'm not the biggest fan of Abu, but that is one of the most amazing looking reels I've ever seen. Where do you buy those JDM reels at? I may have to get one. How much does the shipping cost as well? I'll probably have to find a blacked out reel or black and purple to suit my style.

$300 ish right now. Shipping is like $15? Something like that. I know Japan Lure Shop has/had one.

I'm not the biggest fan of Abu, but that is one of the most amazing looking reels I've ever seen. Where do you buy those JDM reels at? I may have to get one. How much does the shipping cost as well? I'll probably have to find a blacked out reel or black and purple to suit my style.

I've bought from Japan Lure Shop and JP Angler.  Shipping is like $17ish and every package I've ordered has been at my house in 3 days.  Exchange rate is in our favor and the retailers I've bought from have great service... Now is the time to buy from Japan .  I'm actually pretty new to JDM tackle, just started this year, but it is much easier than I always thought it would be.

 

The Aurora was from JLS.  It looks even better in person, a work of art for sure .

Pretty freaking BA lineup. I'm jealous! I've been eyeing an Exsence. What can you tell me about that reel? How do you use it, and what does it compare to with regard to the rest of Shimano's lineup?

I love the Exsence, it's basically a Chronarch D-series with DC brakes and 8:1 gears.  I use it for my open water jigs (3/8 or 1/2) and paired with the EMTF, it's perfect in that task...Bombs long casts and picks up line really fast.  Despite the fast gears it still has a lot of power, no issues controlling a big fish.  Even in 15 to 20 feet of water, when you set the hook and start cranking that fish's head will turn .  

 

Performance-wise it really reminds me of the Chronarch D for obvious reasons, although in hand it feels a touch smoother.  The DC brakes are great, I pretty much only use the Flouro mode and it works flawlessly.  On a calm day there's not much difference in distance than a standard reel, but when casting into the wind it keeps the spool in check so that I don't need to use my thumb hardly at all...Less thumb = more distance, so when I'm sitting offshore in the wind I'm getting the same casts that I would if it were calm.  It's a little on the heavy side, but I'm not a weight guy so I don't mind it.

 

I really enjoy using it, money well spent for me!

Pretty freaking BA lineup. I'm jealous! I've been eyeing an Exsence. What can you tell me about that reel? How do you use it, and what does it compare to with regard to the rest of Shimano's lineup?

I would like to know also...Great lineup for sure!

I would like to know also...Great lineup for sure!

Its actually a reel for targeting sea bass so its saltwater safe. Its super smooth, casts really far with minimal backlash. Think of a murdered out Chronarch D with DC brakes(2nd best DC brakes IMO) X-Ship, and a high gear ratio. Its got a special night time brake setting where you don't even have to thumb the spool on touch down since you cant see the lure hit the water. A lot of guys on TT use it for Frogging. It is heavier than most reels these days at 8.5 oz but the weight doesn't bother me. For what they can be had for now its the best reel value bar NONE.

Its actually a reel for targeting sea bass so its saltwater safe. Its super smooth, casts really far with minimal backlash. Think of a murdered out Chronarch D with DC brakes(2nd best DC brakes IMO) X-Ship, and a high gear ratio. Its got a special night time brake setting where you don't even have to thumb the spool on touch down since you cant see the lure hit the water. A lot of guys on TT use it for Frogging. It is heavier than most reels these days at 8.5 oz but the weight doesn't bother me. For what they can be had for now its the best reel value bar NONE.

That's awesome!

Still working on some side by side comparison work. Both low gear ratio, both great little reels!

SS SV / Alphas SV

Nice reels Mark 

Something else that came through my tackle room recently, this is a wedding gift I got for a very good friend of mine who is a die-hard Abu guy...It was verrrrry hard to not just hold onto it and pick something off the registry . This thing is sweet!

You are a better friend than me. I would either keep that one or buy another one for myself.

Hard work pays off. Finally have upgraded my arsenal within my budget!!! not too shabby if I say so myself for a 23 year old... 

HERE IS MY ;D ;D

I think I got that beat!        

 

Hard work pays off. Finally have upgraded my arsenal within my budget!!! not too shabby if I say so myself for a 23 year old...

have you fishes the *** gen 2 yet?

have you fishes the *** gen 2 yet?

Not yet, got it though the a warranty flame at the beginning of the the month but haven't got a chance to get out. I will be fishing erie Friday and sat so I will put that new drop shot rod to the test!

Not yet, got it though the a warranty flame at the beginning of the the month but haven't got a chance to get out. I will be fishing erie Friday and sat so I will put that new drop shot rod to the test!

alright sweet! Give us a review! I'm thinking about that or going custom!

Will do!

Here is mine.

Pflueger supreme xt with st. Crois mojo bass spinner bait model

Some spool candy arrived for my Zonda today.

Some spool candy arrived for my Zonda today.

That looks awesome!

Some spool candy arrived for my Zonda today.

That is wicked man.

^^^ I just ordered a 6'7 med today to use for something.