FishTank

So far I have upgraded the following reels with Boca bearings..... Shimano Citica G > ABEC 5 Ceramics Shimano Core 101> ABEC 7 Ceramic Metal Shield Shimano Chronarch 51E> ABEC 7 Orange Seal Ceramic Shimano Calcutta 251 X 2 > ABEC 5 Ceramic Shimano Curado G > ABEC 7 Ceramic Metal Shield Shimano Antares 16 > ABEC 7 Ceramic Metal Shield I have also upgraded a few friends reels from various manufactures at their request with new boca bearings.... So my thoughts....... They are great bearings but depending on which reel you buy the stock part bearings may be the best replacement for the reel. How you fish and far you want to cast may influence your choice of bearing as well. I found that the stock bearings that go in the Antares worked better than the Boca's but the Boca bearings I put in a few Curados (including my own) made a big difference and were better than the stock ones. I did not care for the orange seal bearings from Boca. The ceramics will be loader if left unlubed. Another thing I did was put a set of stock Shimano Antares bearing in a Shimano Curado B, just for fun at first, and the results were just mind blowing. I tried these same bearing in other reels and same result. They are far cheaper than the Boca's but work almost as well, if not better. I get the impression (not any real proof though) that the bearings when they are new in the reel are not as good as the part bearings you can order from the manufacture. I think if you are questioning whether or not to replace a bearing, do as stated above first... Soak them in cleaner and re-lube. I have found several bearings that are just fine after this is done. Keeping the reel properly lubed and cleaned in some cases will be a better upgrade/choice than just a set of spool bearings.

It has a heavy bottom but a softer tip and it's not quite as stout overall as other heavier rods. It has worked perfectly for topwater frogs, spooks, buzz baits, heavier jerkbaits, and especially whopper ploppers. I have also used it for heavy t-rigged soft plastic and a jigs on occasion. I have used this rod for years and it is one the most versatile rods I own. I will try to pick up the Conquest version of it next year.

G. Loomis 844C GLX and a Shimano Antares A.

I have an FJ 2500 and it needs some TLC but it's still going. I don't know about valuable though. The condition will definitely effect the value and the fact that they are 4000's makes them a little big for bass fishing but not unusable.

Last year I fished it on a 7'2'' St. Croix Legend Glass Med Mod and really like how it felt but this year I have been using it on a 7'1'' MH X-fast St. Croix Legend Elite. I use this set up for heavier t-rigged soft plastic and some bigger spinner baits. I have probably tried it on at least 6 rods but these two have been my favorite and really any of the rods I have put it on has worked well. Same rules apply for pretty much any rod and reel when it comes to setting them up. The DC reel is more forgiving in that respect so getting it ball park close makes it easy to deal with as conditions change.

That is what has worked for me. I usually set it to 2 and leave it there. I didn't care for braid on this reel. It seemed like the more the line got soaked the more it had a hard time figuring out when to apply the proper braking. It wasn't bad though, just something I didn't want to have to deal with.

I have the Shimano DC and have had no issues with it. I have used it on a M. Mod rod, a MH Fast, and a Heavy fast rod. I have also used both FC and braid on this reel. I have found that I prefer FC over braid and it didn't really matter which rod I used. I have casted lures down to 1/4oz and as heavy as 1.5 oz. Is this reel backlash proof?> Nope but it does perform outstandingly well in windy conditions and can cast a 3/8oz crankbait a mile. Also, when set up properly, the breaking system out performs pretty much everything. The key is to setup the reel correctly. I would start with a 1/2oz lure>use FC (either 10, 12, or 15lb), set the tension knob so the lure falls slowly, set the reel to setting 2 and you should be good for anything between 3/8oz and 5/8oz. If its windy, use setting number 4. I would leave 1 and 3 alone until you get the hang of it. 1 will cast a lure a long way with a trained thumb and 3 works better for braid but can be unpredictable (at least for me it is). I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

If you can swing it, the Bantam has been amazing for me. The JDM version can be had for about $300 or less.

I don't think they have an updated or newer model on the CuradoDC reel. The schematics and parts are all the same and unchanged. Shimano will usually note the parts on their parts website by giving an updated part number in their charts. As far as finding one on eBay.... you might look at Asian Portal in Japan. I have ordered a couple of reels from them and have had great service. The will not have the Curado though but they will have the Scorpion DC. You can google it and find all sorts of info on it.

I think it's time for a new reel and maybe some TLC on the rod and reel when transported and used. It looks like it's been beat up in a boats rod locker. From a post above... I would also pass on the Nanofill. I would look into Invizx or Trilene XL 100% FC.

Pretty much everything except topwater. Jigs and soft plastic, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and on occasion, crankbaits.

Just my personal preference..... I wouldn't use that ratio for any of the techniques you mentioned but you could just reel faster, of course. I would use a 7.x:1 for the ones you mentioned. All of those I fish quicker and want the line to have a fast pick up. As far as which techniques I would use it for.... crankbaits.

Fluorocarbon. I have fished tons of different lines over the years and Fluorocarbon has worked the best for me so far.

Those are pretty cool. I often find I get treble hooks caught on random stuff. As far as how transport my rods> most things stayed tied on until I decide to change.

I called them earlier in the year and had no issues. They were great. It would be good to see the pictures of this rod though. They are supper picky about the quality of their rods especially the ones made in the US, like the Avid X. I am surprised one like that made it into circulation as it would be something that is checked when made, when inspected and when shipped. I have seen seconds with this issue but not a first quality rod. I am also curious as to whom you purchased it from and why it would could not just be returned.

I have been using the clinch knot for years with FC and have had great luck. I tend to use the palomar knot for braided line.

Tatsu is great just by itself. No need for leader. Just on a side note, I have used Tatsu as leader material with braid.

I have caught fish well over the line rating. My personal best large mouth (10lb 2oz) was caught on 6lb test line and I caught a 40lb+ blue catfish on 10lb test. I always set the drag properly and when I know it's big, I play the fish to get it in.

I would say none of those but they would be great for bass fishing. From what I can tell on Shimano's website and from memory, most Shimano reels are not saltwater friendly when used on a regular basis. The Tranx and Chronarch G are what is listed from Shimano in their low profile reels for saltwater but they stress light inshore and made for freshwater fishing. Whatever reel you choose will need to be rinsed in freshwater after each use and the proper saltwater type oil and grease reapplied.

Having fished one the old LTB rods and still having several Avids, when you compare sensitivity, it's about the same but the quality of the build on the LTB is better. I have not fished the 6'8'' MF in the LTB or Avid, I do have the Legend Elite version of this rod and find it to be one of my favorites. I do have the 7' M Fast and MH Fast in the Avid and love both of these rods. For me, I too would go with the 6'8'' M Fast LTB unless you intend to fish jigs. From what I recall, it's the ideal jerk bait rod.

St. Croix Avid M or MH 7' Fast. Can't go wrong with either one, just pick the one that best suits the lures you use. My preference for most of the T-Rigged stuff I use is the M.

Very nice.... Love the E Chronarchs. I have the 51e and it has always been a great reel. There's just something about them.

Which reel for pure distance..... Shimano Antares 16 or the Antares 70A (if it had a bigger spool). I have either fished or owned/still own all the reels mentioned by the OP. The Antares out cast them all by a decent amount. Most of the reels I have cast about the same, all things considered. The Antares's stand out from all the rest on pure distance.

How was the line put on and does it have mono backing? If the braid was put on with the line on the ground label side up, especially the power pro, line twists will be inevitable.