kickerfish1

I like it! Need a picture of the reel mounted on the rod.

Nice work Gary!

The hook on the bottom right is an Owner Deep Throat hook. Outstanding hooks! I really enjoy Mike's brush jigs with those hooks. One of my top producing jigs and worth the additional $ amount for a better hook IMO.

He wants a rod around $100. ALX does not offer anything like this.

Currently on the EMTF.

I like those and I am not a SC fan. Well done on the builds and reel pairings!

Here are a few new additions. Color coordinated. Once I have more time and get everything back I will post a fully color coordinated lineup. Something for the Shimano and Daiwa guys. Colors match but also feature classic rods or reels on modern rods or reels. A few new reels. Bought the TDZ 100m used but the Alphas SV and Exscence DC new. Both of the new reels arrived today. Hoping to try them soon. Spooled them up with line now to add "fish slime" And for all the color coordinators out there everything matches!

A few new reels. Bought the TDZ 100m used but the Alphas SV and Exscence DC new. Both of the new reels arrived today. Hoping to try them soon. Spooled them up with line now to add "fish slime" And for all the color coordinators out there everything matches!

Thanks Goose! I knew you had my back.

They look great on the Green NRX or GLX rods, Orichi XX rods with green thread wraps, and the Champion Extremes. I would post a photo but 50E is in for service.

Nice post Fishing Rhino! A good reminder to all.

He sent you some great colors. Mike is a good guy who makes great products. Everyone of those are great colors. I would order all of them.

I am not a St. Croix fan though they are popular. Favorite spinning rods are the original Cumara 7'2 medium XF dropshot and MB Orichi XX shakeyhead rods.

Well if the blank and guides are the same, the amount feel provided is the same, with only cosmetic changes I will pass. Would have much rather paid an $20-30 per rod than buy pretty much the same thing with a few cosmetic differences. Oh well, probably just have a custom built...

No doubt. However consider the amount of reels the techs have in the shop ahead of your reels. Also consider the fact that reel service isn't their primary job but more or less a side job. If a guy has 5 customers with reels in the shop it isn't hard to see the delay. Not everyone is sending 2-3 reels in for service. I have sent 12 in at times and know guys that would send in close to 50. Fall and early winter is the worst as they are hit the hardest at this time. Also 45 minutes isn't sufficient to fully disassemble, clean, inspect parts, flush the bearings, wait for them to dry, and re-lube / re-grease, and then assemble the reel. It all depends on how thorough you are and how much of a perfectionist you are. I firmly believe to do it right it is closer to a 2 hour project per reel. If you think 45 minutes is sufficient for yours than so be it. Maybe for a "quick clean" but not a deep clean.

After falling in love with the SV spool I added to my Alphas 103 I decided to purchase an Alphas SV from Japan. Cost was under $200 shipped. Much better price than what can be found in the US for the reel. Haven't heard one bad review of this reel and unless you need major line capacity this reel is a very attractive buy at the moment.

That is too bad though I can understand long turnaround times. Of the services I have used to clean my reels only one got them back to me within a week an a half but most were 4-8 weeks.

Wow, where did you send them?

Handle upgrades can be purchased anywhere. You can buy a swept drag star and swept handle from the Tatula or new Zillion TWS. Both should be under $50 combined. As far as gears to you can get the 6.8:1 years from a pixy type r. They are just under $40. You can probably order directly from Daiwa or from Gary at the Tackletrap. He could also verify fitment. I guess you could also ask the person you bought the reel from where they got the upgrades for it as well.

Fisher, What were you intending to use this rod for? Something all around or technique specific? The new MB rod series called the Levante is still weeks to months away from being available. If you want something now the Orichi XX is a good "get your feet wet MB rod"

Good deal Mike!

A few new JDM reels!

^^ Nice post^^ I strongly agree and also have the EMTF. Good rod for variety of baits. Weightless plastics, jigs, swimjigs, small swimbaits, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, and probably a few other uses.

Not a bad visitor. Sure beats gators or angry beavers!

Good eye on those Grant. Tried to add one and didn't see the image change between the current and "new" version? If the price is the same for now that would be a good change over what we typically see. Still going to wait this one out and see what folks think and confirmation on the blank and components.