offsidewing

I kinda feel the same way about mine. I have all Shimano spinning gear and a JDM 2015 Aldebaran 50HG was my first Shimano Bait caster. Out of the box my Lews reels felt better and casted better. It just feels "off." I sent mine off to DVT hoping all it needs is a good cleaning. I may have to jump on a full retail priced Core 50 before they are gone forever.

I tie Palomar knots with braid and have no issues. My father uses a weird Palomar type knot for Crankbaits using Fluro and sometimes that slips, but it's not a textbook Palomar.

y u do dis?

Why buy one when I can have both at twice the price!

Hello All, So I am taking the plunge and getting another high end JDM baitcaster. Given the cost of the reel, I want to get as much versatility out of it as possible. While mounting it to a rod appropriate for the required technique, I see myself using this reel for Worms/plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, and occasionally crankbaits (fishing the top 3-5 feet of water) all targeting bass. While I can get 7-9 fewer handle cranks per cast with a 7.4, I'm thinking that the 6.2 gear ratio will provide better presentation speed with the crank/spinner baits than the 7.4. All I'm losing with a 6.2 when fishing plastics/jigs is retrieve time through dead water. So I'm thinking getting my new high end baitcaster in a 6.2 gear ratio. I'm a weekend warrior fishing 3-4 hours a day on the weekends from now until October, so I'm not too concerned with fatigue. I have a dedicated finesse spinning combo and a punching/pitching/flipping bc set ups. Am I correct in the logic I'm using when comparing the two gear ratios for maximum versatility?

Zerust tabs by Flambeau and airing out my trays after fishing have done the trick for me. Some other good ideas mentioned here too.

Oh man, golf course ponds. Grab A couple 4/0 owner hooks and a pack of 6 or 7 inch black ribbon tail worms. T rig weightless. Find the sizable ponds that have an above ground drainage pipe leading into them. Go the morning after a day or (preferrably) night of rain when water is pouring out of the pipe into the pond. Throw your worm into the swell and prepare for sore arms. If it's shallow at the swell, cast away from the swell in 2 foot increments until your worm gets smashed - then cast to that spot every time.

I have an 853c JWR. It feels tip heavy slightly with my Aldebaran mounted, which is really light reel. It balances out really well with my lews Speed spool tourneys that I use for Crankbait. I'm thinking my 853 will balance well with a reel in the six ounce range (read: excuse to buy metanium or chronarch Ci4).

How do you have yours set up? First 50 casts on mine with a 3/8 practice weight were a dream. Two breaks on and dial set on 3. Last 20 were non-stop bird nests.

I bought the Cabelas ZX baitcast for me in Crankbait and worm spinning rod for my 13 y/o son. The palm swell and Winn Grip feel so good on the spinning reel I'm thinking about having them installed on my St Croix LTB spinning rod.

Or the yen is losing value against the dollar as the central bank intervenes...

I went into my local Cabela's to pick up a Plunger President after catching the Supreme XT on sale for $99 the week before. Sitting one row up on the reel bar was the Smoke 30PTi for $59. Yes, the reels were marked down 100 dollars plus the hoodie mail-in offer. They only had one left in the box or I would have bought two. Figured I'd try one out for the price.

How do you like that Quantum Tour MG? I'm looking for a 100 sized lightweight Bait caster and was considering that or a JDM Metanium.

Among other rods, I have 6'6" MF St Croix Premier that is a pretty versatile rod. Dunno that I'd use it for Stripers but I've thrown just about every type of 1/4 to 5/8 oz lure/bait with it and caught fish. It comes with me on just about every fishing trip I go on.

I've been catching LM and smallies on Rebel Jointed minnows most of my life. I like the jointed because of the action if you twitch them. Great producer for me and my go-to crank bait in clear and slightly stained water for smallies in the conditions you described.

Thanks. This is my first high end reel. May send it off to have it cleaned and prepped vs screwing it up myself.

I have one too. Quick question, how does it feel turning the handle? Mine feels like there is a little resistance when turning the handle, almost like it was tightened a little too much. It's super smooth and OMG light,but it feels a little different turning the handle than my other bait casters.

So I insisted on filling my wife's car with gas after reading this. Coincidentally I ended up at the gas station right across the street from the local Cabela's, so naturally I was obligated to stop in. Unfortunately No E6Xs in the Columbus, OH store

I already have one E6x...

Must. Not. Go. To. Cabela's.

I just bought one. I feel shame...

Bought two XT 's last week when they were $99 online at Cabela's. A couple days later they're $75! Go figure...

I've used 8lb Invisx on spinning reels the past two years and liked it a lot. I've put Pline Fluro on my 13 year old son's spinning reel and he's had no issue. My father uses Pline Fluro with no issues either.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! Looks like I'll be adding some dropshot gear to the tackle box!

My 853 JWR came into my neighborhood Cabela's today and felt great until I noticed something seriously wrong with it - it was an 852. I ordered the wrong rod! So I returned it on the spot and ordered the 853c from my phone as they processed the return of the 852 I mistakenly ordered. I was originally going to get an Avid X but wanted to try the E6x. I learned how to fly fish on a G Loomis fly rod. So while I'm a St Croix fan boy I have a place in my heart for G Loomis.