Maico1

Calais DC7 or a 16 Antares DC HG.....yeah I know the 16 is about 150 over your budget but if you want to get serious about it save a little more.

https://www.7seasproshopthai.com/categories/accessories/reel-foot/nucari-reel-foot-nfp-01-f.html

Sure is a PG model in both Right and Left Hand retrieve.......

Starting to see pricing 305.99 shipped (all models) from across the pond.....

Can you say Conquest.....

http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/reel/5341

Really.....The charge that you mention is generated while the spool is rotating on a cast , has nothing to do with a heavy bait creating more force. Send it back , since you do not hear the DC Whine there is something wrong with the Digital Control Unit......

Yes there is JDM....... Spec table Part number Gear ratio Maximum drag force (kg) Own weight (g) Spool size (Diameter mm / width mm) Nylon thread wound amount (lb - m) Maximum winding length (cm / 1 turn of handle) Handle length (mm) Number of bearings BB / Roller Main unit price (yen) Product code MGL PG RIGHT 5.5 5.0 215 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 59 42 8/1 39,000 03855 5 MGL PG LEFT 5.5 5.0 215 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 59 42 8/1 39,000 03856 2 MGL RIGHT 6.2 5.0 215 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 66 42 8/1 39,000 03853 1 MGL LEFT 6.2 5.0 215 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 66 42 8/1 39,000 03854 8 MGL HG RIGHT 7.1 5.0 220 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 76 42 8/1 39,000 03857 9 MGL HG LEFT 7.1 5.0 220 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 76 42 8/1 39,000 03858 6 MGL XG RIGHT 8.1 5.0 225 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 86 45 8/1 39,000 03859 3 MGL XG LEFT 8.1 5.0 225 34/22 12-130, 14-110 16-100 86 45 8/1 39,000 03860 9 * PG is a power gear specification, HG is a high gear specification, XG is an extra high gear specification.

No problem using the X setting at all and they are used on TopWater and Frog setups.....

If you have concerns about weight a DC reel is not for you......they are always going to weigh more period. Now if you want to talk about casting distance , fun factor and of course the whine thats another story.......

You need to look at Japan Lure Shop , Japan Angler or Digikata for starters......If you really want the DC experience save a few more dollars and get the 16 Antares DC..... There is a glass eye that you may have to clean and very rarely, like if it stops whining......very simple to do with a Q Tip and some alcohol.

Absolutely.....works great .......

http://www.aquateko.com/Knot_2_Kinky_Titanium_Fishing_Leader_Wire_s/1.htm

Guess you have not played with the 16 Antares DC....put the DC7 to bed.

Can't speak for Minnkota but just replaced my MotorGuide W75 with a Xi5 80 after 10 years of use. Only problem I had was the circuit board went south about year 5/6 . Since they are plug and play it made real easy to replace myself.....

And then they release reels with no spool tension knobs......d**n technology.

That was my thinking too....either a started early or extended weekend.

Just bought a brand new JDM Met MGL XG and while installing a worm shaft bearing kit it was apparent that the Main Gear needed grease. Funny there was sufficient grease on pinion shaft itself but not on the pinion gear , so you may want to crack it open and take a peek inside. Have had conversation with others who have experienced the same and yes this kind of thing does happen sometimes. Hope this helps you....

Really.......Check out the 16 Aldebaran BFS HG and the 17 Conquest BFS HG both have Magnetic Brakes.

You can get a 6.5:1 upgraded main gear that eliminates the stock 5.0:1 23" for 45.00 and with prices of a Conquest 200 these days if you hunt hard enough you would be right in the budget.....did not mean to confuse anyone but it can be done , just takes thinking outside the box a little.

I would be all over a Conquest 200 or a Calcutta 200 GT .

You will never get back to it's original condition and if that is what you want buy a new one. However since you have caught fish with it continue to fish it in its wounded state..... As an after thought I would fish it alongside of a new one just to see which one out performs the other...you may be onto something.....LOL.

Cabela's has it minus the line stripper......http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1729189&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=54df0b88ac1084535c59a0f40fed723b

"Rayburn Red" is a classic color and don't be afraid to throw it all year long.....