A Sort Of Introduction...questions, Feedback And Info On Daiwa T3 Ballistic?

[jonathan627]

Hello!  My name is Jonathan and I'm from the great state of Arkansas.  I'm 27, been a lurker around here for awhile but just got my hands on a little Tracker boat and I'm getting back into bass fishing.  I've been away from fishing for a while and I was hoping I could get a little help figuring out a good setup of around 5 poles for the boat.  I primarily like to fish drop shot senkos and centipedes, weightless senkos, t-rigs, and spinnerbaits.  Secondary baits for me are crankbaits, carolina rigs, and jigs.  After breaking the old rod and reel collection out, here's what I'm working with at the moment.

 

6' Pistol grip Shimano Jimmy Houston Series MH Fast tip (stiff)

Abu Garcia Revo S 6.4:1

 

6'6 Berkley Pro Series? MH Fast tip (stiff)

Shimano Calyx 4bb 5.3:1 I think?

 

7' Pfleuger Supreme MH Fast (big/stiff maybe good for flipping?)

Ambassadeur 4600CL3

 

I also have an Ambassadeur 4600-C3 laying around without a rod, and I just purchased a Tatula Type R brand new for $110 off eBay but don't have a good enough rod for it.  Anyway, I know I need to upgrade but I'm really confused as to what setups would work best for my primary lures of choice.  I always just grew up fishing with whatever I could get my hands on but want to do it right this time.  I know I need to upgrade my rods but also don't want to break the bank.  Last question,  I was in Cabela's today and checked out their bargain cave.  They had a few Daiwa T3 Ballistic reels in there, 2 samples, and 2 NIB.  The samples were $125 with I believe 25% off and the NIB reels were around $140 with 25% off that.  I believe they were 7.1:1 gear ratio and looked pretty slick.  Anyone think those are at a good price or know if the reel is any good?  I know it's a lot, but thanks for looking!!

[bass raider]

great to see another angler from Arkansas! welcome to the forums! what part of the state are you located?i didn't get to get my hands on the t3 reel&that is a good price but from what I've heard it'd be a step down from your tatula..google daiwa t3 ballistic review.if your set on a daiwa check out the exceller or lexa.if your not set on daiwa check out the lews speed spool for right at $100.i owned one &the worst decision I ever made was selling it.also check out the shimano citica.its a solid reel too.

 if I owned those setups i'd switch the shimano &abu around & use the 6'6" with the abu for plastics& jigs.the shimano & 6' i'd use for cranks/spinnerbaits&the last for flippin&pitchin.hope this helps.

[jonathan627]

Thanks a lot man, any advice helps.  I'm from NW Arkansas by Beaver Lake.  I actually switched those 2 reels around earlier today but that shimano was just too big and bulky for that little 6 ft pistol grip.  After reading some reviews on that T3 Ballistic I think I would rather put the money toward a nice rod or two for my tatula and revo.  I need to find a nice rod for fishing drop shots and senkos with my tatula.  Have you ever fished up here at Beaver raider?

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to BR ~ As to your tackle selection question:

 

The opinions and advice of other anglers regarding brands can often be very confusing.

 

My advice is to handle as many quality rods & reels as you can.

 

  Choose a manufacture who's tackle you like, trust, have faith in, fits your budget and you enjoy using.

 

 Then select the gear they make best suited to the techniques and presentations you plan on using.

 

  Also TW has a Demo program that you might be interested in.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

 

 

[pbizzle]

I have a T3B and I love it, it's probably my favorite reel. I have a few things to say about it though.

•It's not as smooth as a $250 reel should be. My cheap Abu Orra SX's are smoother than the T3B.

•It feels cheap because of the "zaion" material it's made from.

•Handles don't have good bearings in them, which is not a huge deal, but you'll notice it.

•Weak drag like nearly all other Daiwa's. You don't need more than 8lbs of drag, but you'll probably want more.

•It's hard to get used to the hood design at first.

•If you use the hood to engage the clutch (like me) and switch to a reel without the hood design, it'll take a few cast to get used to using the reel handle to engage the clutch.

So while I would be VERY disappointed in this reel if I paid the full retail price of $250, I am MORE than happy with it for the $100 I paid for it. You can't go wrong for $100.

[Further North]

Curiosity got the best of me ans I searched for "T3 Ballistic"...Tackle Warehouse has them for $109.88...I can't seem to post a link though.

 

...my grandparents retired to Rogers AK, on Beaver lake in 1969...but it's been years since I've been down there.

[bass1980]

A few things...

I thought everyone knew Tackle - warehouse . Com has these T3B on clearance at $109. Use promo code to get amother 10% off.

Also your Tatula reel is a more impressive reel. I had both and other than the 3D brakes on the T3B the Tatula is a much more refine reel. I would just get another Tatula for that price you got and skip on the T3B.

Although the T3B is a nice reel for $100 it's a love it or hate it reel. There's many great things like the Twing, small profile, and best of all Daiwas 3D breaks. There are some not so great things too like Zion material that feels like plastic. The reel isn't very smooth and the handle isn't the best.

For the light applications you're using it for I'd suggest a used Curado 50 or Daiwa Sol/alpha platfrom.

[FrankW]

I would not buy the T3B just because you can get it at a good price.  I agree that the Tatula is a better reel and you won't have the problem with the hood on the T3B that is hard to get fixed right. I would not buy any T3 series reel with out having held one in my hand.  The hood is a poor design and Diawa abandoned it for the TWS system.  Buy your self a Tatula for the same price or cheaper and you will like it better than the T3B. 

 

Frank

[jonathan627]

Thanks a lot guys!  I've been sucked in ever since I made this post a while back and haven't reported back yet.  But anyway, since the post, I decided against the T3B and when I went back to Cabela's yesterday, every single one of their discounted T3B's were still in stock so I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger.  However, I decided to quit messing around with the old stuff and got some new stuff!  (Addicting right?).  Here's the setups I've acquired over the last couple weeks...

 

-Tatula Type R 8.1 on a 7'1 *** Black MH Fast

-Revo S 6.4 on a 6'6 Quantum Smoke M Fast  (<----SWEET ROD!!!  Was discounted at Cabela's from 150 to 98, super light/sensitive, love the micro guides)

-Abu Pro Max on a Cabela's Tournament ZX 7'1 M (Crankbait/Spinnerbait model)  Another sweet rod, very comfortable, love the tip

-Pfleuger Summit 8 ball bearing spinning reel on a 7'1 Cabela's Tourney Trail ML Graphite rod...just picked this one up yesterday in the bargain cave for $38 due to it missing 2 inches on the rod.  The reel itself costs more than $38

 

Slowly but surely fixing up my little 16' Bass Tracker, got a used Humminbird Depth Finder for $25 off eBay, no cables/transducer but it was the exact one my boat was already rigged up for.  Anyway, I'm all giddy like a little school girl since I rediscovered my passion for bass fishing and I had to tell somebody!  Haha...Overall my goal is to get everything good to go and start fishing local tournies and possibly join a bass club.  If anyone is in my area, let me know!!  Thanks for reading.