Xmas Spending

[Smirak]

I’m sure others are in the same boat…got $400 to spend at TW. I always have a trap or a chatterbait tied on. 
 

Dedicated chatterbait setup. Rod, reel and line please. I’m looking at this particular reel, only because it’s a good price and some proceeds go to Heroes on the Water…anything for disabled vets is good in my book. I don’t have any Abu reels, but if this fits the bill, I’m all over it.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Zata_Tact-Z_71_Casting_Reels/descpage-TACTZ.html

 

Edited to add - I just picked up a tour versatile orochi xx and a daiwa tatula sv tw (7.x:1). If that will suffice, then that’s $400 “extra” dollars at TW.

[Bankbeater]

I'm looking to purchase a heavy rod for frogging and maybe punching.  The heavies I have now are around 25 to 30 years old and they have seen their share of action over the years.

[Aaron_H]

Been tinkering with my chatterbait setup for a while now, this is what I've settled on and I'm very happy with it.

 

Rod: 7'2" MH glass Shimano Intenza

Reel: Shimano Curado 151 MGL 6:1

Line: 15lb Big Game

[Brian11719]

For bladed jigs I've got a Kaden 735cb. I'm happy with it but if I could do it again I'd probably go back and spend a little more to get the champion xp 736cb glass. It would be the only 'glass' rod in my arsenal but it's really a hybrid and after having tried both glass and graphite for a while I've come to the conclusion that the Kaden 6104cb (graphite rod) is perfect (for me) for jerkbaits and smaller treble hook lures but I would want a composite (not full glass but not all graphite) for the heavier setup which I use for 1/2oz bladed jigs, LV 500 size lipless baits, 'medium to large' crankbaits and spooks. Ironically that same tatula sv tw 7:1 is most likely the reel I'd get to go with it although I do also like the lew's tournament pro when it's on sale. For line 15lb fluoro I actually like McCoy Fluoro and would use that for everything but the spook (would swap to a reel w/ 30lb braid on it for that). 

[MediumMouthBass]

 

On 12/25/2024 at 7:05 AM, Smirak said:

Dedicated chatterbait setup. Rod, reel and line please. I’m looking at this particular reel, only because it’s a good price and some proceeds go to Heroes on the Water…anything for disabled vets is good in my book. I don’t have any Abu reels, but if this fits the bill, I’m all over it.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Zata_Tact-Z_71_Casting_Reels/descpage-TACTZ.html

I love OD green or anything similar to it. So of course i wanted this reel very bad a few years ago, until learning its quite over priced for what its made out of. Along with it not having many reviews. However it does support a great cause, looks cool, and on sale (which is more reasonably priced) would make a great reel. BUT DO NOT BUY before having TW price match, a google search has a few places selling Zatas as low as $130. TW almost always price matches most retailers as long as you can provide details. Then you can spend that extra money you saved and buy yourself some new Chatterbaits to try out, or donate some money to other disabled veteran groups.

 

(also theres a Zata casting combo for sale for $180 too if you want the rod, even if just a spare)

[Smirak]

That particular reel is a TW exclusive. I’m not worried about being made of graphite. I wouldn’t pay full price, but may give it a shot, just because. 

[PourMyOwn]

I have a Cashion BFS rod in my cart but dragged my feet due to the 30 dollar shipping. I have an old Pixy that I really want to use for small jigs and 3" swimbaits that I pour. 

 

In the meantime I'm getting ready for a big sell off of reels and (hopefully) rods locally that can justify yet another purchase, especially after buying an engagement ring.    

 

Merry Christmas all!

[FishTank]

8 hours ago, Smirak said:

Edited to add - I just picked up a tour versatile orochi xx and a daiwa tatula sv tw (7.x:1). If that will suffice, then that’s $400 “extra” dollars at TW.

 

I'm confused... What are the other choices? 😃

 

That would be an awesome set up. 

[MiceNReets]

2 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

I love OD green or anything similar to it. So of course i wanted this reel very bad a few years ago, until learning its quite over priced for what its made out of. Along with it not having many reviews. However it does support a great cause, looks cool, and on sale (which is more reasonably priced) would make a great reel. BUT DO NOT BUY before having TW price match, a google search has a few places selling Zatas as low as $130. TW almost always price matches most retailers as long as you can provide details. Then you can spend that extra money you saved and buy yourself some new Chatterbaits to try out, or donate some money to other disabled veteran groups.

 

(also theres a Zata casting combo for sale for $180 too if you want the rod, even if just a spare)

the reel the OP is looking at is an exclusive reel.  The Tact-Z model which is an alloy frame.   It’s different from the original Zata LP that is a graphite frame. 

[lunkerboss923]

I've got some trade-ins waiting at ALF. I was looking at getting an Expride 6’10M and a P5 Dark Sleeper rod. I'll have to wait and very long time for the Dark Sleeper because Megabass is not a very smart manufacturing company, but the rod is awesome, so I'll wait, because the rod is awesome😁. I'd like to get a Curado 200M HG. 

[MiceNReets]

On 12/25/2024 at 7:05 AM, Smirak said:

I’m sure others are in the same boat…got $400 to spend at TW. I always have a trap or a chatterbait tied on. 
 

Dedicated chatterbait setup. Rod, reel and line please. I’m looking at this particular reel, only because it’s a good price and some proceeds go to Heroes on the Water…anything for disabled vets is good in my book. I don’t have any Abu reels, but if this fits the bill, I’m all over it.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Zata_Tact-Z_71_Casting_Reels/descpage-TACTZ.html

 

Edited to add - I just picked up a tour versatile orochi xx and a daiwa tatula sv tw (7.x:1). If that will suffice, then that’s $400 “extra” dollars at TW.

I have a tour Versatile.  Nice rod as it does a lot of stuff well.   It’ll work for chatterbaits and traps however im Not sure I’d use it as a dedicated rod but that’s just Me.   Definitely give it a try and see how you feel about it but it will certainly work.  I use an evergreen combat stick jackhammer rod or st croix victory rip n chatter.   Depends where im

at.   

[Smirak]

I think I’m going to go with the above reel posted and an evergreen combat stick on sale at TW for just a bit over $100. That’s $200 “extra” which may buy another Orochi XX

[PhishLI]

21 hours ago, Smirak said:

That particular reel is a TW exclusive. I’m not worried about being made of graphite.

It isn't. All aluminum including side plates.

 

 

[Smirak]

5 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

It isn't. All aluminum including side plates.

 

 

👍

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

It isn't. All aluminum including side plates.

 

 

When did this reel come out? I completely missed that they even made aluminum frame Zata, wow.

[Smirak]

It’s an alloy with better corrosion resistance and other stuff. The x-craftic alloy is just what Abu calls it. Would have to go back to my chemistry days to understand what was added. My working career has been in manufacturing one way or the other since the early 90s. I’ve seen many named alloys come through the system day in and day out. It’s possible that it’s the same alloy as something like T6061 or 6065, just branded x-craftic by Abu. 

[MiceNReets]

2 hours ago, Smirak said:

I think I’m going to go with the above reel posted and an evergreen combat stick on sale at TW for just a bit over $100. That’s $200 “extra” which may buy another Orochi XX

If you don’t want a glass rod for chatterbaits the evergreen combat stick shower blows rod is excellent.     If you want the glass rod then the jackhammer special is the way to go in the combat sticks. 

[Smirak]

Thanks! I didn’t even look. Not a huge fan of glass rods, tbh. I’m looking at the SB rod vs the orochi xx Diablo spec-r now. Nearly the same price…

[MiceNReets]

20 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Thanks! I didn’t even look. Not a huge fan of glass rods, tbh. I’m looking at the SB rod vs the orochi xx Diablo spec-r now. Nearly the same price…

The SB rod in the combat stick is truly a hidden gem.   Another hidden gem in that line up is the 7’1 Medium topwater/jerkbait rod.  

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, Smirak said:

It’s an alloy with better corrosion resistance and other stuff. The x-craftic alloy is just what Abu calls it. Would have to go back to my chemistry days to understand what was added. My working career has been in manufacturing one way or the other since the early 90s. I’ve seen many named alloys come through the system day in and day out. It’s possible that it’s the same alloy as something like T6061 or 6065, just branded x-craftic by Abu. 

Don't know about the 6065, but the 6061 comes in many flavors.  And, nope, I don't understand the differences.  

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Don't know about the 6065, but the 6061 comes in many flavors.  And, nope, I don't understand the differences.  

6061 is better - no matter the particular flavor - as the alloy has a much higher tensile strength (27,000psi for 6063-T52 vs 45,000psi for 6061-T6 - the two most commonly available alloys).

 

When I built Bass Trek, all the framing was done in 6061-T6 for the added strength.

[Smirak]

6061 is what most often is referred to as aircraft/aerospace grade aluminum. You see that a lot in marketing. In the airplane/spacecraft world, we just referred to it as aluminum. 

[Smirak]

After much deliberation and analysis paralysis, I grabbed another tatula sv tw, this time in a 6.x:1. Also picked up an Orochi xx Diablo Spec-R.