bass1980

I hope this is the exact color. Not feeling the lighter silver from the original picture.

Woot Woot, I can't leave the Shimano camp for Daiwa just yet. It's getting better and better. People said the reel was ugly.....I think it's bad ass!

Definitely light and paired with a 6oz reel it's nice. I'm either going even lighter with Aldebarans or getting a shallow spool for the Metanium. Not sure yet.

The 1016 spool is realky nice. The SV spools are special. In the past Shimano has always been easier to cast for newbs with their VBS. Now with Daiwa putting the SV spool in many of their reels I think Daiwa is easier to cast. Those SV spool is almost idiot proof....almost.

Yeah it is definitely not a MH but I knew that buying it. Probably going to use it for shakey head or drop shot around weedlines. Caught 5 smallies yesterday with it. To be honest I don't see the love affair with this rod yet but I've only used it once. This model seem to get nothing but praise and considered the best pre jackall rod Shimano has ever made. I do like it but I'm not sure if I love it just yet. Maybe a few more outings fishing for LMB on what it was attended for.

Cumulus 610MH with Metanium. Might switch the Met to a Aldebaran BFS or the new Aldebaran. Sorry really bad lighting.

I was hoping it'll be an easy fix that I can just send to a local rod builder but looking at it I realize it wont be. The lock/grip is eva foam and it is torn where it broke off. I know shimano will still warranty this rod if it breaks since it was made before last fall but a broken lock nut, I'm not sure if they will replace the rod. I will have to call them I guess. In a way I didn't want it to be replaced since I will get a red model. I have not fished the red but many people have said they like the black models more. I guess out of frustration and sadness I had to as the BR people. This rod has sentimental value to me as it helped win me $1000 at a tournament. I know a rod is a rod but the amount of fish I've caught with this rod and the aesthetics of it paired to my Stradic makes me not want to get it replaced. However it is quite annoying with loose part around and not to mention the reel seat slowly loose grip as you fish. I guess I will get it replaced Oh well I did go one last outing with this rod today and nailed five 3lb smallies

Was tightening my Stradic on my Cumura spinning when the lock handle broke off in two pieces. I can't believe this happened since I didn't even tight it down that hard. So my question is what now? Can a rod builder fix it? Will Shimano warranty a break like this? I'm able to still use the rod since it still locks the reel down but I have to slide the broken part down to the butt to not be in the way. Just annoying.

That would be nice. I never had issues with VBS but I like SVS infinit more.

Definitely! It'll be a 50 series I believe so right off the bat I assume it'll be a shallower spool. I still don't think it'll be a true all out finesse reel as the Adlebaran BFS takes that role.

YouTube Aaron Martin and Mike Iaconelli, they use spinning gears alot. They basically made their name finesse fishing. Both spinning and casting has their place and time.

Aldebaran 50 with svs infinity, I'll take 2 please. Cant wait to put that on my cumulus!

It absolutely matters to me. The gears in the price range that I am buying now are all really good performers so matching it just makes it all come together. When paring up combos of course I'm not just going to pick two that matches blindly. Both reel and rod have to be what I'm looking for, looks may sway my decision. We are all different and there's no right or wrong in this hobby.

Waiting on the new Aldebaran. LH won't be available until April though.

That bass eats little Chuawawas like that for breakfast. What a hog!

Digged up an old thread I saved when I was all crazy about the T3 variants. T3 1016 Spool = 14.9 grams T3 MX spool = 18 grams

Are you sure about that? I dont think the MX has the 1016 spool. Maybe someone else can elaborate on it since I'm not too familiar with the MX.

Maybe I missed it but how heavy of lures are you pitching, what kind of cover will you be fishing, and what's your budget on the reel?

Lol my words were he started out with a steez and later switched to a tatula. Go back and read it. This will be my last reply since you are correct he didn't used a steez. Here the close up pic of your "tatula".

Wow I thought it was a friendly debate. Didn't have to come back with childish remarks because you are wrong. Wasnt my intention to make you look bad. People always correct people on public sites so there isn't misiformation floating around but I guess some people get mad when they are wrong. I've been corrected before, no big deal. I apologize to the OP. Was just reading down the comments and had to add. Not that it was ever said but it was leading towards Daiwa made this tatula for him because he won with the Tatula. Kind of like that whole Livingston and Rapala debate. YES I know neither matters on how he won or what will work for you.

7oz is just my opinion on this rod. Some people may feel differently.

Since I have 2 of the exact 7'3 H *** rods I'll give my personal opinion. I assume you'll be using it like me, pitching around cover. I think the lowest weight that will balance that rod respectably is at 7oz.I have a chronarch 51e on one I use for jigs. Reel is 7.2 oz. The other I have a Curado I for punching. I've tried reels at 6.5oz and felt the balance was off a bit with my ci4+ and T3 1016. If you are pitching into cover you'll want at least 10lbs of drag. I think the fuego was mentioned but I don't think their drag is suffecient for pitching around cover.

That picture speaks for itself. Obviously a Steez.

Looks like a Steez EX to me. Video at 1:24. You can tell because it's not black, it's the steez color of the off gunmetal.