luna

[Gilli]

Hey all,
Thinking of buying a new reel for flicking, was looking at the Luna, mate of mine has recommended them but wanted to know what everyone thought about them before i go spending 450 bux on a reel.

cheers,
Chris

[Rockfish]

Gilli,

The Luna's in the 203 size are good solid reels that will take massive abuse and stand up well. They are however, heavier and more cumbersome than comparatively modern low profile baitcasters. Low profile models will also cast lighter lures further or with more ease. Therefore it really depends on how your going to use it and what for. Low profiles will be more comfortable for extended sessions casting and most of the new daiwa or shimano models are going to be the the same price of cheaper than the luna. Yes they are tough and hold enough line to catch big barra. Look at the Daiwa Zillion, HRF or HSTA. Shimano Chronarch or the new Curado E5--just got one and am in love with it. I was a daiwa man through and through until i got the E5.

[eotbmg]

Mate i loooove my Luna. I had a Low profile {Curado} and could never seem to wrap my paws comfortably around it. I tried a mates 203 which was a bit small for me, so i got the 253. Tonnes of line capacity and as Rockfish said they are bloody bullet proof. For a meat and 3 veg reel, they are my pick.
Cheers
Ben

[jayvee]

my mate has the 253 and i have the saltist hrf and i must say his does feel great but i wouldnt want to be casting lures all day at jacks with it, tho i would want it for big impoundment barra in the sticks. unfortunatly for you i did see somewhere a few weeks ago that had the luna's massively reduced down to $250 so if your not in ua hurry to buy maybe keep and eye out for a sale and jump on it for a much cheaper price!
cheers mate JAYVEE

[Rockfish]

Gilli,

Just a little more on the luna's etc for you to think about. I've owned a number of quality baitcasters over the past few years and given them a strong test on everything from light estuary work to the impoundment barra. I have owned a 253 luna and found it was a little too wide and heavy for extended casting compared to the 203 CVZ that i now own. The 203 CVZ (predecessor to the luna) will cast lighter lures a lot further with greater ease and control. Also have a coastal low profile and the thing is tough as and cheap and now the E5 curado which is yet to be taken to task properly.

I really enjoy using the 203 CVZ and would like a to try a luna. Personal preference for the low profile vs barrell style reel debate. Go to a local tackle shop and throw the reel on the rod you plan to be using a majority of the time. This will tell you what YOU think is more appealing to YOU.

Cheers
Stu

[Jungle Jim]

but wanted to know what everyone thought about them before i go spending 450 bux on a reel.

cheers,
Chris

450 bucks.... is a lot of money for a Luna. no only is there better priced lunas for sale but IMO better reels also.

Then again it all depends what you want it for... a luna might be just the ticket if you want reliable bullet proof reel without the bling factor you can cane in salt and just want to troll all day with but if you want to cast lures for long sessions it might not be the best choice.

Other reels might by more suited for style of fishing.

Rockfish has posted some really good points.

JIm

[Gilli]

Thanks for the replies guys, this has got me thinking about what i am really aiming at using the reel for. Was looking at more of a flicking combo for lures, mates of mine recommended it but didnt want to go buying something that may turn out to be everything i dont want it for. The cvz 203?what brand is that?keen to have a look at it.

[Rockfish]

Gilli

The Daiwa CVZ 203 is a predecessor to the now Daiwa luna 203 size. Very similar reels. Both very nice reels, prefer it to a Calcutta 250DC i had deffinately the best barrell style reel i've owned. If you aiming at flicking lures go a low profile. Stick with Daiwa (HSTA, HRF, Zillion, Coastal) or Shimano (Curado, Chronarch) and match it to a nice light rod like a tcurve, Gloomis or EGrell somewhere in the 6-10kg for jacks and barra. 30lb braid will handle 90% of all casting situations be that in the estaury or dams.

[BR65]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Team-Daiwa-Luna-203-Baitcast-Reel-L-K_W0QQitemZ260319595341QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Sport _Fishing_Tackle?hash=item260319595341&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Try here mate, a little bit cheaper.

Or here as well
http://www.tournamenttackle.com.au/category.php?cat=reels_1

I own 2 Daiwa cvz's, one is the export 203, the other is the JDM 205, tricked up with additional bearings etc, and these are my go to reels over a chronarch and a zillion that are on the other 2 barra rods.

My mate has a luna 203, his brother the 253, and they love them for the ruff and tumble of impoundment barra casting work, but if you were throwing smaller lures all day, I'd be looking low profile.
Sumary - the Luna is a great reel, you will need an Erskine kit to tidy up the drag, but dont pay +$400 for one.