Daiwa Alphas 105Hl Finesse Custom

[Crankinstein]

Anyone have one of these? If so how do you like it and what do you use it for? What rod and line do you pair with it? I just ordered one last night and I'm thinking about using it weightless plastics, small crankbaits, and generally downsized baits. Right now I'm thinking about putting it on my 13 *** 6'10 M and using 10 - 15lb power pro or some light FC 8-10lb depending on situation. I've heard a lot about the Alphas and its variants here, looks like a great reel.

[thehooligan]

Great finesse platform, id spool it with 8lb line and have a blast with weightless plastics 

[IAY]

You are going to have a great set up . I would upgrade the bearing to specialized finesse from hedgehog studio or office zpi, and maybe get a rod capable of handling ultra light stuffs. Its always fun to pull hogs on ultra light lines.

[Crankinstein]

You are going to have a great set up . I would upgrade the bearing to specialized finesse from hedgehog studio or office zpi, and maybe get a rod capable of handling ultra light stuffs. Its always fun to pull hogs on ultra light lines.

 

I have some hedgehog air ceramics on another reel that I might move over to this one. I don't have a ML casting rod yet so I'll have to start with the 6'10 M but I'll probably be in the market for one before too long. Any suggestions on those? I don't see too many ML casting rods pop up these days, in the US market at least.

[EmersonFish]

I have the St. Croix Avid, ML, XF, casting rod. It is not what I would call a versatile rod. As its specs suggest, it's great for drop shot fishing, and is fun to throw little cranks with, but not so hot for finesse jigs, light shaky heads, weightless worms, and things like that. I actually find myself using a cheap old ML Carrot Stix Wild for those things; although I'm trying to get use to using spinning gear, which I have never been a fan of.

[IAY]

I have some hedgehog air ceramics on another reel that I might move over to this one. I don't have a ML casting rod yet so I'll have to start with the 6'10 M but I'll probably be in the market for one before too long. Any suggestions on those? I don't see too many ML casting rods pop up these days, in the US market at least.

 

I don't have a BFS set up right now, but I am planning to get Major Crafts. They are relatively inexpensive(150-170 ish) and comes with nice two piece travel package on a lot if not all of their models. thehooligan fishes a lot of finesse so its best to ask him.

 

Edit: Here is the model I have been looking for: Major Craft VKC 69XUL

[Cgrinder]

I have some hedgehog air ceramics on another reel that I might move over to this one. I don't have a ML casting rod yet so I'll have to start with the 6'10 M but I'll probably be in the market for one before too long. Any suggestions on those? I don't see too many ML casting rods pop up these days, in the US market at least.

 

Aussie model *** 6'10" ML casting rod. $115 shipped direct from 13.

 

I'd probably put fluoro on the Alphas. I don't know for certain on the 105, but the stock worm drive on some of the Alphas variants doesn't lay braid on the spool all that well. However if you really want to use braid, a worm drive from a PX Type R costs about $18 and fixes the problem. 

[Crankinstein]

Appreciate the feedback guys, a lot of good info to think about here.