baluga

I'm pretty successful with Magic Swimmer hard bait: here's some results:

Yeah that old green CU100B still amazes me everytime I use it.

1b.. do we get a prize for getting the right answer..

At least 5 of my baitcaster are spooled with 20# Sufix performance braid at 6# mono diameter. I've been using them for more than two year, never had a problem with small diameter braid cutting into itself on baitcaster. Spiderwire is flat and soft and digs into the spool when putting much tension during the fight, this results to issues like bird nest and snapping the line on the cast. Fireline Crystal is good, the only thing I don't like with it the the line fraying on the first 10 ft after use for several months. Daiwa Samurai is smooth and soft, perfect for casting and retrieving, the only downside is it breaks to easy. I've broke a 20# rating with my finger nails while picking the birds nest. At 20# rating I don't expect it to break using my finger nail even if they say it's too thin, it still rated at 20#s.

I would spend more on the rod.

I have no problem casting and retrieving the Daiwa Samurai at 4# Diameter. In fact I love how the way it feels on the retrieve. The main issue is that it just breaks when picking the line with my finger nails at 20# rating. I just can't trust the brand, another bad thing is the color bleeds so bad. I've checked with our local tackle shop and ask about the Daiwa samurai and the owner confirms that the color bleeds. The lowest rating I used for braid was 10# fireline. I never had an issue of braid breaking when picking with my fingers. I think I will switch back to 20# Sufix performance and use the Daiwa Samurai on my bonita setup. Hey J Franco, the magic eraser works wonder on the cork. Thanks again. It looks good again. Oh yes, swap back to 20# Sufix braid. No color stain problem.

I went for the 20# to get a better capacity for CTE 100 DC, true enough I was able to load more than 150 yards compared to loading it with Sufix performance 20#s. I'm thinking it could be a bad batch that I got, but cutting the braid with finger nails is a bit too much considering my finger nails are already been moist with the water drips from casting and retrieving for hours.

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try that.

With all the hype about Daiwa Samurai Braid, being super smooth and thin, I just got to get a first hand information so I ordered one and got my 20# samurai braid in the mail. Woohoo! First impression: True enough, it is super smooth and thin at 4# mono diameter for a 20# rating. This one reminds me of the softness of the spiderwire with the smooth coating of fireline crystal and roundness of a Sufix performance Braid roll into one. That's a very impressive for initial impression. Now for the real world testing, had a chance to use it today. First impression, it cast further compared to the same 20# rating of Sufix performance braid. Super smooth on the retrieve, I'm not able to hear of feel the line rubbing thru the rod guides. After 3 hours of casting and retrieving, here are the downsides: First, it's tough to pick the bird's nest (yes, the CTE 100 DC does not make you immune to bird's nest. :oops: ). Second, broke the line when trying to pick the bird's next with my finger nails. Third, here's the bundle that broke off and the stained cork grip on my new Phenix Rod. The color bleeds so bad, it stained my finger nails and worst stained the cork on my fairly new rod. Conclusion: I want my money back :'(

Not being able to maintain your spinning reel will make the cost of spinning reels expensive in the long run. Specially when you alternately use it in saltwater. I've opened up my sahara spinning so many times for cleaning and lubing and it stays smooth w/o any grinding feeling. But with the Daiwa Tierra it's a different thing. I had to let Daiwa service the reel for me. What I'm saying is, it's much easier to maintain the Shimano Sahara for me. I don't even have any problem maintaining those cheap Ultra Light browning reel.

I also have the tierra and it just not as reliable as the cheaper Shimano Sahara. Tierra always develop that grinding noise and binding problem. The only good thing is that Daiwa Service center is just two miles from my house so I can just drop it for service. In one year use I think I sent it for service at least 6 times and not even counting how many times I clean and lube it. The Sahara never get any shimano service and it's still smooth with just cleaning and lubing considering I use the Sahara more often than the tierra.

i think you guys need to read the question again. He's asking if it also works in saltwater?

Yes, they do work for saltwater, dropshot would be the best presentation for it in saltwater. You can also try carolina rig. Almost all fresh water lures/baits for freshwater also works for saltwater.

You'll be happy with the Cumara Reaction rod.. I have the CUC63H for topwater - walk the dog application..Love it, paired it with CH50Mg..

yes, they do that.. best warranty ever. Most of the time they would not charge you for anything. When you say "over the counter" do you mean if I buy the rod from BPS and then it breaks 3 years later I just return it to BPS and get a new one that day, w/o having to ship it back to shimano. If so, maybe I need to add a Shimano rod the my arsenal of Shimano reels! If there rods are as good as their reels then they will be hard to beat. Yes, the shop I get some of my rods does that. I just bring my rod that I bought from them and they will replace it if they have them available otherwise they will order replacement for it. You should ask your local dealer about shimano warranty/ replacement. For reels, my experience with shimano: I recently sent my discontinued CH50MG shimano which I have for more than a year, the CH50 body was corroding. It's practically disintegrating from the inside. I called shimano and describe the issue, they said that I may have the old version of CH50Mg body and they ask to sent it in. After couple of weeks, I got back my CH50mg w/ new body. No corrosion, no scratches and best of all no replacement fee. Only cost me the shipping going to them. Should I continue with other free fixes on my other shimano gears from shimano? 8-) No, you should sell me that 50MG dirt cheap! Did you get salt water inside it? Magnesium doesn't like salt water. I beleive the outside of these reels are treated to resist the salt water but I bet the inside isn't. lol..I do use it in salt water. That ch50mg is my fav for topwater spook walk-the-dog on harbors for bonita. I usually disassemble my reels when I first got them and apply grease in the wall side and metal parts. This way I would not worry about premature corrosion. The new Mg from shimano seems to be holding up. My core does not seems to be affected. As indicated in their manual, can be used for lite saltwater application. Just wash them after use from the water faucet for about 30 seconds, wipe off dry and remove them from the rod, let the water drip. Additional protection I do, is put a scotch tape on the spool to cover the ported holes to prevent water from getting in the reel. I wish shimano would come up with a lite spool w/o ported holes for their Mgs and DCs reels.

yes, they do that.. best warranty ever. Most of the time they would not charge you for anything. You must live near Irvine? It's about 25 miles from me. Practically can drive there to pickup my gears during lunch time. Just a 20 minutes drive one way

yes, they do that.. best warranty ever. Most of the time they would not charge you for anything. When you say "over the counter" do you mean if I buy the rod from BPS and then it breaks 3 years later I just return it to BPS and get a new one that day, w/o having to ship it back to shimano. If so, maybe I need to add a Shimano rod the my arsenal of Shimano reels! If there rods are as good as their reels then they will be hard to beat. Yes, the shop I get some of my rods does that. I just bring my rod that I bought from them and they will replace it if they have them available otherwise they will order replacement for it. You should ask your local dealer about shimano warranty/ replacement. For reels, my experience with shimano: I recently sent my discontinued CH50MG shimano which I have for more than a year, the CH50 body was corroding. It's practically disintegrating from the inside. I called shimano and describe the issue, they said that I may have the old version of CH50Mg body and they ask to sent it in. After couple of weeks, I got back my CH50mg w/ new body. No corrosion, no scratches and best of all no replacement fee. Only cost me the shipping going to them. Should I continue with other free fixes on my other shimano gears from shimano? 8-)

yes, they do that.. best warranty ever. Most of the time they would not charge you for anything.

Our teacher asked us what our favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken." She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else in the class laughed. My parents told me to always be truthful and honest, and I am. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office. I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again. The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, just like she'd asked the other children. So I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken. She sent me back to the principal's office again. He laughed, and told me not to do it again. I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am. Today, my teacher asked us to tell her what famous person we admire most. I told her, "Colonel Sanders." Guess where I am now...

if the rod is tip heavy, it will always be tip heavy no matter how light or heavy the reel you pair it with. It will only change where you hold the rod, holding the rod before reel seat will make more tip heavy, holding the rod after the reel seat will make it tip light because weight of the reel serves as the counter weight. In casting rod, you always hold the rod where the reel seats so the balance is not affected by the reel weight. Same thing holds true in spinning if you hold the rod where the reel seats.

fishing rods are not like golf club that has to match the user's height. Rod length are determine by the type of lure presentation you are using. For topwater walk the dog the ideal rod length is short around 6'3" - 6'6", using longer rod will create more fatigue in the wrist. Casting swimbait, many would favor longer rods like 7' - 8'. Longer rods will help you toss it out there. jmho.. i doubt if someone would use a 6' rod for ice fishing hole just because he's 7 footer..

I got two spiral wrap, I like it. I can use a lighter blank than usual for a heavier fish. It does not affect the casting distance. No downside whatsoever.

;D ;D ;D

I would also consider easy maintenance aside from quality parts and less plastic. Hate that Calais, they are so difficult to open. That's why I prefer the cte dc, they are so easy to maintain.

I have the CBR843 for a while now and it's ok but tip heavy for me. Just like what carrinton said they are over price. I would rather have the phenix umbx or cumara reaction rods.