FishTank

So the monkey got me on swimbaits finally. I have been avoiding it until I threw a buddies Savage Gear 8in or maybe 10in swimbait and had a 5 pounder destroy it in open water. I knew then that the bait monkey had won. I got hit for a St. Croix Mojo Musky and 13 Fishing Muse Black Swimbait rod> for reels, I got a Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast and a used Shimano Calcutta> baits, 3 Spro's, 6 Savage Gears, 2 Lucky Craft Pointer 180's and 3 Huddlestons> Line, 2 spools of Sunline Defier Armilo 22lb and 25lb.

I too have been using the same Stradics (2) for about 15 years and have had zero issues and I have also been thinking of getting a new spinning reel since one of mine is finally showing rust and ware. If I was to branch outside of Shimano, the Daiwa Tatula LT has caught my eye a few times. When I have played around with one at Cabelas, I keep looking for flaw or a reason not to buy it and so far I have yet to find one. I just can't seem to let go of the reels I have even though it's probably time.

I can't confirm this is true but I get the sense that it's sort learning how I cast. It just seemed to get better over time.

I have the 803C GLX and I use it for T-Rigged soft plastic and jigs (around 1/2oz). The 783 GLX is kind of an all purpose rod and also the most sensitive of the batch. I use it mainly for jerkbaits but I also use it for senkos. The 844 IMX is used for topwater and frogs but works great for heavy spinnerbaits as well. The 844 GLX is used for heavier T-rigged soft plastic and pitching jigs (but there are better rods for pitching though). This rod is also super sensitive.

You can skip the first 5 minutes of this guy though. The video shows clearly how the DC should function in his first cast. The line will start to draw away from the spool and then the spool magically slows down to keep the line in check without backlashing.

I have 3 of the MBR rods, 783 GLX, 844 GLX and the 844 IMX. The GLX rods seem a little softer but not much. The 783 GLX is probably my most favorite rod. It can pretty much do just about anything. Personal opinion, the MBR's are less fast (softer) than the JWR rods. To me, it's not even a close comparison.

Not big on their reels but this looks like a pretty good idea. I have rod rock in my garage and that is always the issue..... You can't store two rods next to each other, therefore a rod holder with 12 spots only holds 6.

Costas and Smiths for me. Both have served me well.

Heading to the Boat, Sport and Travel show this weekend here in Indy. Hopefully they will have some good deals.

Could be a Montague.

I tried Gamma and didn't care for it. Tatsu on the hand, is the best line I have ever used. Up to this year, I had a reel that had 10lb Tatsu on it for 4 years. The line was still good but the spool was getting low. I am re-spooling that reel for the first time this year with the same 10lb Tatsu.

I have the DC and K and the DC, for me, has been an awesome reel (the K is great as well). It casts a mile in the wind, I have to really do something stupid to get to backlash at any setting, and it's smooth as butter. The only thing I have found to be an issue is braid. It's just seemed as the line got wetter/heavier the DC breaking would tend to get fooled at the start of the cast. I switched to 12lb FC and no issues. Also, I would ignore the instructions on the reel as far as the number system goes. I set it as follows. 1. Wind to my back and I want to cast it a mile 2. The pretty much you can set it here and forget it setting 3. Throwing into the wind - any bait that could helicopter (spinnerbaits, big cranks, etc) 4. Skipping under docks and pitching Most lures I use are between 3/8 and 3/4 of an ounce. So I set the spool tension knob with a 1/2 oz bait to the point where it falls to ground at a slow but steady pace. That's it.

I have the 783C GLX as well. It is one of my favorite rods. I use for just about anything but I like it for jerkbaits. The 803C is a great rod but the version I have came just after the one with the Recoil guides (which was a better rod in my opinion). The new version is supposed to capture what the orginal one felt like. I use the 803C for small jigs and t-rigged soft plastic.

That's my thought.... I am going to Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show next weekend. The last time I went, several years ago, I scored a G.Loomis GLX 803C for half price from a Loomis vendor. Luckily it was not a demo or a second. It was close to the last day and they wanted to move some stock. If I had the cash, I would have bought everything I could put my hands on. I am not sure what I will get just yet. I want to get the reel in my hands first.

It's on the way. We will see what it's like when it gets here.

I have the Curado DC and the Daiwa Steez SV TWS and between the 2 of them the DC is better at getting under docks but any Daiwa with the SV spool is no slouch at pitching/skipping though. Due to the versatility of the Curado DC and how well it works at this specific function, I think it would be the obvious choice.

I like both Daiwa and Shimano reel but both in different ways.... The reel I am looking at is the JDM version and not the DC (I wish it was). I have the Daiwa Steez SV TWS and I think it probably the best reel I have ever used but it's not my favorite. That will probably always be the Shimano Core. It's just fun to fish and has been my lucky charm since I bought it.

I tried the HyperMag out for a while and did a review on it, here, not to long ago. Short version, I would go with the Chronarch.

So someone I know is selling a Shimano Antares left from 2012 that is pretty much mint in the box for $275, which is half of what he paid for it. It has hardly ever been used and has been sitting in the box for about 2 years. I have been wanting one of these ever since I have sold my old Shimano Calais 201A. My question is..... should I jump on it, look at something else around this price or save my cash and get the new one?

I have been using Ardent reel grease and oil for years on all of the reels I have and the ones I service for friends with no issues. I have worked on pretty much all the major manufactures. Like DVT has said though, without seeing it, it's hard to say what it is exactly. If you have two reels that are exactly the same I would start swapping parts to see if it follows any of them. I would start with the spools and work you way to the main gear and the pinion. It also could be something simple, like one of the washers under the drag star being backwards. I would also check the spools and side frames of the reels for nicks.

Just curious.....Did you receive what you ordered? Were you satisfied with what you got or was there an issue with your order?

I have a few of the Lucky Craft Live Pointers that run shallow and suspend. They are not the most durable baits but they do get the job done. I would say that one usually lasts about 15-20 fish before the they start to break apart.

7in Berkley Power Worm or a Rage Tail Anaconda are my favorites and both will work Texas Rigged on a straight, slow retrieve.

I use two of the small two sided plano terminal tackle boxes. They fit perfectly on the ends of most of the 3700 size plano tackle bags.

I was able to find a Quantum KVD Tour Crankbait rod on eBay for $65 + shipping. Great rod for the money.