Hogsticker

Well if you're talking soft body paddle tail, Keitech reins supreme.

I have a rod built on this blank. It's actually a relatively universal stick. I think you'll be happy with it for jerkbaits.

That's helpful, thank you

Thx dude!

Anybody wacky rigging these? I'm sure a lot of you have. Do they seem to produce any better or worse than other standard fair finesse worms? I'm thinking with how buoyant elaztech is, these should fall a little slower and attract some additional attention. May have to get some of the 7 inchers and wacky rig them with a wacky hook and a small split shot for an even more tantalizing drop.

Not to highjack, but speaking of the Gopher tackle jigs, can someone break down the actual hooks? For example the Mustad Ultra and standard series, as well as the Gammy standard and heavy. Are both standard series light wire hooks? Do the hooks get more stout the heavier the jig, or are they the same throughout? To the OP, braid and a tight drag are a sure fire way to bend light wire hooks on a heavy fish every day of the week.

P line fluoroclear is actually a pretty good line, especially in the lower tests. It's a copolymer with a fluorocarbon coating. TT did a review of it back in 03 and they seemed to like it quite a bit.

This. Something with a fast tip (not too fast), and has a nice flex down the blank. The Orochi jerkbait special and Kistler klx crank rip twitch rods come to mind. I use a custom built on an Mhx high mod popping blank and it's pretty perfect. I don't like typical cranking rods for this even with braid. It doesn't recover quick enough. I also don't like an overly stiff and fast rod as it limits what I can do with the bait. It can be challenging finding the perfect rod if you're a jerkbait aficionado.

Poppers are fun. Don't leave home without some 1/8 Oz swimbait jig heads and 4 inch Keitech easy shiners!

Can anyone comment as to the quality and productivity of these compared to staples such as Keitech, Reaction Innovations, etc? Bass Assassin baits look just like them at a little better prices. The Elite Shiner looks like an Easy Shiner, the Boss Shiner looks like a swing impact fat, and the Turbo Shad looks like a skinny dipper. Anybody using these? Impressions, comparisons?

Sounds like your fish was following your bait, and hit it at the last moment as you picked up the pace because he didn't want it to get away. I don't agree that the strike generally occurs on the pause either. It's all situational.

Lame

So many good choices at that price. I like Kistlers offerings in the Klx and Helium 3 line up. The Shimano Zodias is solid as well. Personally, I feel these choices are better than the Avid X, both blank and component wise. Different strokes -

Try to find a Fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6'10 mh mf. If you can swing a little more money, look at the Hammer rods all American elite 6'9 mh at the Tackletrap.

I had one and the above post is spot on for what it excels at. Perfect for throwing small to medium paddle tails as well. Very, very universal stick. Definitely not a one trick pony. It won't be as moderate as your Croix was. I couldn't get use to the handle and short grip below it. I liked the blank so much I contemplated stripping the whole thing and rebuilding it, but I wound up selling it.

Myself, I don't consider them compact, however it is a compacted version of the Tatula. The side plate is actually interchangeable. I think they raised the reel foot by 2 cm, so it sits closer to the rod, and decreased the overall width by 3 cm. Obviously it has the smaller T Wing in it. And yes, the Tatula CT and Zillion SV TW are the same reel aside from the free floating SV spool, 1 extra bearing possibly on the level wind, and the Zillion has 4 cr bearings.

I don't understand the amount of caution over 20 yards of line. Lots of threads pertaining to concern of SV reels line capacity, and if reels such as the Zillion SV TW and SV103 are finesse only. These reels hold plenty of line to do whatever you want. The SV spool is simply going to allow greater versatility in terms of casting capabilities. As for the 2 reels you're considering, different size though not by much. This combined with the SV spool make the SV TW a no brainer in my book. You could get the standard version for cranks, but if you're getting 6 I'd keep it all the same. SV spools aren't great on distance, but with small to medium sized cranks I think you'll still see better results, easier casting, and greater accuracy if that's important.

Bob - You pretty much touched on all the benefits of SV concept. Versatility in terms of range and ease. Nice easy stroke and accuracy. Long bomb casting is not a perk of SV concept. The braking is somewhat aggressive, and what's strange is it can vary from SV reel to reel. Some spools have weaker Springs and longer inductors than others. Some reels have stronger magnets than others as well. The SS SV is a perfect example of this. Type R and hlc spools are better for distance casting. The nice thing about SV reels is just about anyone can learn to skip with them. It's nice for me as I Wade a lot and get my plastics under over hangs and what not, and can change lure weights on the fly without switching gear.

Right on. Thx for the vid!

110 yards of 12 lb test is quite a bit. If you can cast anything 300 feet you got skills. At any rate, this is plenty of line for any bass related scenario. I don't really consider it a shallow spool. 50 and 70 series Shimanos hold less.

Where's the link? Not seeing it. I this in the video he also mentions not filing the spool to max for optimal results.

You're honestly the 1st person I've come across who's had any issues with the 105. I have yet to find a reel that requires zero thumb at splash down with exception of the Exsence DC at proper settings. What do you mean spool tension very light? By light do you mean loose? Loose as in side to side to play? If so, that's all wrong and it will indeed create some nests. I'd have to search for it, but there is a video regarding proper spool tension with SV reels. The guy in the video actually casts straight up in the air like a wild man and gets no backlash. The tension should be set so there is virtually no play, slightest movement at best. And yes, forceful casts are not needed with SV equipped reels. At any rate I have no problems with either reel and fine them to be rather swell. Negative. I have reservations about Daiwa guys buying Shimano reels and having expectations, as I do the opposite. We like what we like and get set in our ways. Doesn't just apply to fishing reels, but pretty much everything in life.

Yep, the Yumeya spool will transform that reel into a light weight bait casting machine. It's the real deal. I had one in my Scorpion and loved it. If you're looking at better casting with baits a quarter ounce and under this is the way to go. I didn't care for casting stuff a half ounce or better with it though. I felt the stock spool was better for that. I could run one brake with the Yumeya and cast with no thumb at all till splash down.

What are you wanting to use the reel for? Anything specific, or just all around use? Either way, this reel has you covered. I just used mine (also bought from Gary) for the 1st time this past Monday. I tossed 4.8 flick shake worms on a 1/8 oz wacky head, 1/4 oz poppers, 1/2 oz lipless cranks, and other misc. stuff. Daiwa took the best "workhorse" reel they ever made and made it even better with the addition of the SV spool. I kinda figured as much before purchasing mine. Super smooth and connected as with the original OG Zillion, aluminum frame and gear side plate so it feels super solid, plus the added versatility of the SV spool. Great reel. A little heavy, but should balance well on most rods over 7 foot, as most of the super light casting reels do not. If I had to summarize to a Shimano guy, imagine if they brought the Chronarch D series back with added versatility in terms of casting range. Not to mention this reel is a blast to skip with. The SV105 and SV 103 are the best things Daiwa has done in a very long time imo.

If you want the best this is it. Defier is the Superman of monofilament.