FishTank

Another one I have heard of and seen pics but never caught. Nicely done. That is one cool fish.

I am waiting on a new spinning reel to come in from Japan and was needing some line. I fished with a guy today that uses Sunline Xplasma Braid and he loves this stuff. I had never seen it before and I have been one to stay clear of braid on spinning gear. But when I found a 600 yard spool of 16lb on Amazon for $44.00 instead of $76 at Tackle Warehouse, I thought> it will last me forever and I can't beat the price. We will see how it goes.

Not a big fan of UL rods for bass fishing but the two you have chosen will get the job done, especially the Avid. I have the 6' L Avid and the ML Fast and I use them for the same stuff you have listed above. Based on what you mentioned though, if you are going after 2lb bass, the L would be a good go between. The ML is better overall for bass but not for the lures you had mentioned. Based on the weight of those jigs, you are not going to get a lot of distance even with the wind at your back. You will need to pair it with an especially light reel that is designed for long casts. The Stradic FL 1000 size might do it. The general rule of thumb, as I understand it, for long casts with light spinning gear.... long rod, small reel with a long, possibly wide, spool and 8-10lb braid.

I had a package at work we shipped to a customer via UPS that was to go to Berlin, PA. UPS sent it to Berlin, Germany. No customs invoice was with this package. When it arrived in Germany, UPS called us to say there was no such address but it went through customs, all the way to Berlin. As far as fishing stuff goes. .... I had a reel held in customs because of the Shimano oil in the box. They charged me, I think, a tax for holding it. It was about $10. No big deal but it took almost a month to figure out.

I use the one from Berkley but it too does not last long. I usually have to buy one every couple of years. They tend to tare at the bottom seems. I think it happens from dry rot. I did see a guy two weeks ago weigh in with a Hot Cold bag you get at the supermarket. It seemed to work ok for him.

Not for me. I just judge how fast the bait is moving and turn the handle accordingly. Like Tom above I have a Stardic that is pretty quick by most standers but I fish it slow. The only weird thing I usually see guys do with spinning reels is turn the drag all the way down and use braided line in an effort to bring the fish in quickly. To me, this causes more issues than anything else. It's like they are trying to get the same type of feel and performance out of a spinning reel as they do with a baitcaster.

The Penn Battle used to be an awesome reel for around $100. I have not fished one in years but it can haul in some big fish.

I can't speak for the Fuego but I have fished (don't own) the SLX. It's a surprisingly good reel. It fished like a much higher priced reel. My only complaint is that in hand it felt small, like a 70 or the older 50 size Shimano's but it had it where it counted.

I have tried braid many times on spinning reels and I always think the newest coolest line will make a difference but nope braid is horrible on spinning gear for the most part. I have stuck with 6lb and 8lb Trilene 100% FC and have had zero issues. Stuff is soft and last a whole season or two. I have tried Invizx too and it's not bad. It would be my second favorite but Trilene is softer and cheaper.

Looks cool to me. I have a feeling it's sort of like the AU version of the Stradic but faster.

What are you planning to use it for?

I have the 853C and the 6'8 LE M Fast. Based having these two I would say the 802C would be closer. The 853C is slightly heavier than the LE. I do love both rods though. I enjoy fishing the NRX more but I tend to catch more fish with the LE though. I have yet to figure this out.

Years ago I had a bad run in with Quantum reels. It's a long story and from my past experience I gathered that the folks at Quantum care about their product but are stuck with the hit and miss quality from their factories. Fast forward to last year. I purchased a few Quantum reels> the Smoke, an Accurist, the Vapor, and an Icon. The Accurist was just short of terrible but the Smoke, Vapor and Icon are great. I recently sold the Icon though. It just didn't fit in to what I use but was a good reel. The Smoke is pretty much bullet proof. Just a solid reel. The Vapor looks cheep and feels like plastic but it is as smooth as any reel I have fished and has become one of the funnest reels I own. One thing on this reel, the side frame did not fit correctly when I got it. Quantum sent me 2 reels and 3 side plates before I was able to get the proper fit on the reel. With all that said> Do they come close to Shimano and Daiwa? I hate to say it... Not really. They are serviceable reels that get the job done but I wonder if they could be better if they had their reels manufactured in a different factory.

Saltwater.... None of those reels are rated for saltwater or inshore. A good read on bearings and saltwater. https://www.bocabearings.com/fishing-reel-bearing-tips-advice/reel-bearings-ready-for-bearing-overload-article

Well with everyones help I ordered the Shimano Vanquish C3000 XG. I will let you all know how it works out once it gets here from Japan.

I have looked into it. The parts alone total for both reels are about $125 minimum. One needs a new bail assembly, 3 bearings, and drag washers. The other needs the main gear, pinion, the same bearings and drag washers. I have taken them apart and reassembled and could make them like new but the outside of both reels have started to rust as well (which is my fault). One other thing I have yet to figure out on the FI is why the drag will come loose occasionally after I catch a fish, especially on one that's big or fights hard. I have gotten into the habit of checking it after each catch so not a huge deal. I would also agree on the drag. I caught my personal best, 10lb 2oz. with the 2500 Stradic FJ on a St. Croix Avid 6' ML and 6lb test. I thought I had a state record breaker. So I may hold on to this one, just for sentimental reasons.

Anything you want to fish slow. Crankbaits, ribbon tail worms, and maybe spinnerbaits. But you could really use it for just about anything, you just real faster. ?

Yes, it was one of the older white Stradics. The paint job was solid white instead of pearl. The guy bought it off eBay. Came in from China. Like most people above, I would suggest buying from Japan. Asian Portal has been pretty good for me.

5in Senko Black with blue flake

So I am in the market for a new spinning reel. I have owned several over the years of all different kinds but have yet to buy a high end reel. My current spinning reels are the Shimano Stradic FL and FJ. Both have served me well but are just about shot. I am looking at the Shimano Vanquish, Exsence, Stella, and from Daiwa the Certate LT and Luvias LT. I have put in hand an old Stella and I use to own a Shimano Sustain about 12 years ago. Both of the these were amazing but things have changed since then I have lost touch with some of the new spinning gear technology and need some advice. 2500 or 3000 size? What is the "C" stand for in the Shimano numbering (ex. C3000 MHG)? Looking at specs, are the spools smaller now on some reels? Can anyone explain the Exsence line of reels? They seem to be like the Tatula of spinning reels in the JDM reel market. I am going to pair it with a G. Loomis NRX 803S for weightless senkos and light jigs. So which reel? Thanks again.....

This is how I was taught as a kid. It pretty much sums up how to cast and why you should close the bail by hand.

Super glue. I remember seeing somewhere years ago when Keitech took off that they recommend using glue with their baits especially with the easy shiner.

I believe the parts they use are all pretty much the same. I kind of think he looked at the Doyo catalog and went..."I'll take this one. Does it come in KVD Red?" I have a feeling after working for Quantum for years, he has little to do with anything in development. That guy can catch fish with a kids Barbie rod and reel, better than I can with the best stuff available. I thought this was odd as well. It made not take the guy doing the video seriously. I do how ever like the tools at the end.

An inspirational work of art.....

I replaced a few with G-Finesse Gamakatsus and they are super sharp but I have had trouble nailing them with this hook for whatever reason. Also, I had two break today on fish>this is a first for me on treble hooks. I may go back to the originals.