FishTank

I didn't use to think it mattered then I fished a few Tatulas. I think I am going to stick with Daiwa reels from Japan going forward. That is not to say that the Tatulas aren't nice reels. I just can feel a difference and it might be all in my head.

I got to hold one (demo) last year and it was amazing but when I was told it was going to be around $1300, I laughed too. That rod has been on mind since. I looked into getting a Megabass Arms rod from Japan and it was going to cost a pretty penny as it was going to be custom made to a certain extent. I would agree it is a work of art which also stopped me from ordering it. The Daiwa rod is built a little different and super light but it looks really tough. So both form and function. I hope it is everything I imagine it to be. It will be here next week and then that's when the real cabin fever will set in. A new toy and no place to play.

I generally fish a jig every time I am out, depending on how the fish are biting. One of the lakes I go to are a combination of forest and busted up rocks. There is very little bottom that has grass, mud or sand. I lost 24 jigs there last year. I would limit myself to loosing 3 jigs and that's it, no matter how the bite was going. I also limit myself to spending only $6 or less to replace them. I might spend a little more for tungsten (especially the ones from Beast Coast) but I will only buy them on sale. So with that said 24 jigs is my spending limit. @Fried Lemons I think if I fished a jig all the time this would definitely be true. The most expensive thing I loose is time. Whether or not, I am retying or trying to get it unstuck, it can take up valuable minutes and disturb any fish that jig might be near.

If you are comparing JDM reels then the 100 has a deeper spool but otherwise they look pretty much the same.

@10,000 lakes Bassin I would second this. I have both the 100 and regular Metanium and there is something different about the 100. It's seems just a fuzz better than the regular version in pretty much every way. Again, not huge but noticeable. I use mine for spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. On the other hand, the Zillion is also not too shabby.

I just ordered a Daiwa Steez Real Control rod for under $500. Here, they are $1300. Got to love that exchange rate. It's a dream rod for me so I'm pretty excited. I was actually planning on getting a G. Loomis 822S or 902S as this year's big rod purchase. Maybe next year.

Loosely using an old analogy...... The Antares is heavy like a 175lb 6' Blonde fitness model. With that said, the Yen dropped. 24 Steez SV TW on the way. 🐒

It does and that was a cool reel. I always wanted one. If my math is correct, the new JDM Antares will be around $425-$450. Not bad but still expensive. Now begs the question..... 2024 Steez SV TW or 2025 Antares? One of these reels is in my future.

Just use Google translate. Enjoy https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/reel/baitlurecasting/a075f000049n3noqaq.html

@Msl819 I haven't tried the 844C in the NRX+ but I have the 904C and the 844C in the old IMX and a previous GLX version. I would say they would do ok with the bladed jigs but the 883C excels at it. The 844C and 904C are more topwater and jig rods to me. They are stiffer and more powerful. To me, there is nothing like the 883C in the NRX+ line. It is one those rods that stands alone from the rest. Its taper is unique.

@10,000 lakes Bassin If the tip is as soft as the NRX+, I think you will be fine. Just a personal preference and kind of speaking from experience, I would use regular FC leader material. They are designed to be shock leader to withstand heavy hits. There are several good ones. I like Seaguar Gold Label, Grand Max, Grand Max FX and Daiwa Saltiga Xlink.

I have the NRX+ 883c and really like it. I've tried multiple rods over the years and this rod is just fantastic at being a bladed jig rod. It's also my favorite spinnerbait rod. I have also used it for swimjigs and a topwater popper. Worked fine. The tip on it is soft and it loads up quickly on a hookset. It will also cast a mile. Great rod but I hate the hook keeper.

I have the 20lb on a Calcutta for swimbaits and big cranks. No issues. Not doing anything special.

I have 20lb on one, 16lb on three reels, 14/15lb on three, 12lb on four, 10lb four, 6lb on three and 5lb on one . No issues but I also have braid to leader on two Daiwas. Each reel and line has a purpose for me. The 2020 Metanium has had 15lb Tatsu on it since I got it. I haven't respooled yet. Granted I did have to return a Metanium that had issues but the one I exchanged it for has been flawless.

I have each rendition of the new Zillion and really like them but for what you described, I like the Metanium 100. I have the 20 Metanium as well. There is just something different about the 100. It will cast a chatterbait or a spinnerbait a long way, even on 16lb fluorocarbon.

The regular Antares is smaller than the Met. The Antares DC is just slightly bigger. They are both 7.8 ounces so a little heavy. I have both the regular Antares A and the 2020 Met. For everyday use, I would go with the Met and for a pleasure reel (one you are adding to a collection) I would go with the Antares. Both reels have been great for me but I get the feeling the Antares, like the older models I have, will last forever. Also, if you are looking for a new DC reel, I would get the Metanium DC. The braking system seems a lot easier to use.

I fish/drag it like a 3/4oz jig on a NRX+ 904C.

I got lucky on Ebay and snagged three of my favorite discontinued Megabass lures, the Live-X Leviathan. Two of them are from 1999 and one from 2003. All three colors are good ones but Megabass's painting has come a long way.

It's kind of it's own thing. The closest that came to it was the regular Aldebaran. What makes the Cores great to me, was that they were perfect in their simplicity. Smooth and easy to work on but also really fun to fish. Also, you have to think the technology in this reel is 15 years old.

I think that would depend on the rod and line as well. I would say a Med Fast rod should do it or even a Med Light. I tested mine out on a P5 Six Eleven. It's not quite a BFS rod but handles stuff around 1/8oz to 1/4oz fine. Both reels did ok but the rod worked best with a BFS reel, in this case a Conquest BFS. For the weights you are talking about, I use a G Loomis NRX+ 802C and a Steez CT.

From what I remember the spool in the shallow edition is good down to 3/16 but not lower. It's not really a BFS reel. I have the 20 Metanium and the JDM 100. These will go down to 1/4 oz on the right rod but a true BFS reel is the better choice.

I have an old 783C GLX. I use it for Senkos and Texas Rigged soft plastic but it also does well with jerkbaits.

Big Loomis fan and that is really disappointing. I have seen badly wrapped guides and cork not fully glued but that is a new one. Heard this last year. Rumor maybe......A lot of the old school, skilled workers left during Covid and only a few returned. Some of the finishing work was outsourced to people working from home. Makes me wonder if this caused things to get missed. In any case, I would notify them and have them make it right.

A lot of the Carrot Sticks I saw back then cracked half way up the rod, while others would split just above the reel seat. My guess, it depends on how you store it and use it. Most broken rods, including ones I have owned, are destroyed by user error.

I've have known a lot of people that have owned them, especially the original. None them lasted over a year or two. Don't know of a single person that still has one. They sort of became a joke on one of the lakes I fish. Sound carrys all over this lake. If you heard a crack followed by some curse words, we would say... "Well there goes another Carrot stick." 🥕