Who makes the best fishing tackle?

[.:::stotty:::.]

shimano grea all the way..and to find the fish definitelt need a humminbird sounder..and if you are pushed along by a ETEC, what more could you ask for?

A Suziki

[NAGG]

This is also what I thought at one point Chris.

I used to own all daiwa products, zillions, alphas r's, blacksheeps ect. But they are all great reels until you fish an entire season with one, I have broken 3 zillions now and 2 alphas's. 2 zillions the main gear started stripping itself or something like that I was explained and it had so much backplay. The alphas r's where just terrible after a while.

Now I own a 200calcutta dc, core 100mg, core 50mg, stella 3000 and soon a 5000stella. The core's are amazing, they are light, they would be the best casting reel I have ever used, out performs the DC anyday. They are great to use all day.

The calcutta 200dc is a big reel, but it so powerful and solid I dont mind pushing it or throwing it around on the boat or on landbased sessions, matched up with a megabass destroyer broom stick of a rod it is now my favorite jack combo.

Everyone should feel and consider a Shimano core before looking into something else, I would buy a 3rd one if I ever need another bc.

That's a bad run on the Zillions & Alphas ..... not good at all. I did destroy my HLC when I engaged the gears just when a big barra charged off after free spooling it ( just bad timing I guess) - but every other Zillion have gone fine
I had a Metanium Mg - (which is the the JDM version of the Core) ...... It was a pretty decent casting reel though I noticed a lot of wear & play after some solid bass sessions . I got rid of it when I bought my Steez 103. (shame it is not a salt water reel)
I've gone right away from drum type baitcasters - but have used a couple of Conquest DC & Calcutta DCs ...... they were ok but just felt too heavy to use all day ( I feel the same about the Daiwa Pluton).

Anyhow always good to hear of someones personal experiences with tackle .

Chris

[Mike Delisser]

I have a lot of Daiwa stuff but hate their baitcasters has I don't like the drags. I own all Shimano baitcasters but it will be interesting with the lastest models being built cheaper.

I've got quite a few baitcasters for bass
12 Daiwa and 3 Shimano in fact, but my fav to use by far is my Shimano MG50.
I prefer it over more expensive models from both brands and very glad I picked up a spare (still unused) while there were still a few around. I recon they're a fair bit better than the Shimano "Core" that replaced them too.

I've got quite a few spinning reels as well, can't afford anything high end, just up Sol and Sustain. I must say I do like my Sols, also have 1 Tierra 2000 that would be the smoothest reel I own. It's a bit of a mystery as the 3 other Tierras I have are very average reels but I guess that can happen.

[Mike Delisser]

I would defy any rod builder to build me a baitcast rod that would match my Daiwa Zillion 631 for under $300 ...... let alone the $210 that I paid for it .

Chris

Hi Chris, if you compaired apples with apples and consider your Zillion 631 came out of a factory in China, I recon if you found a custom rod builder over there you could get 4 rods of at least the same quality (and made to your specs) for your $210 Aus.
Don't get me wrong the 631 is a great rod, but apples with apples.
Cheers
Mike D

[NAGG]

Hi Chris, if you compaired apples with apples and consider your Zillion 631 came out of a factory in China, I recon if you found a custom rod builder over there you could get 4 rods of at least the same quality (and made to your specs) for your $210 Aus.
Don't get me wrong the 631 is a great rod, but apples with apples.
Cheers
Mike D

Actually , It is apples with apples Mike ....... forget the labour componant , I couldn't buy the blank (or similar) plus the other componants for that price. I think the kit for a NV7 Samurai is about $200 & that only comes with alconite guides..... not the stainless steel Fuji Sics that come on the Zillion - blank wise as a minimum standard you would be looking at a Samurai , IMX Loomis but more like a United composite blank. (That's what I'm referring to). I think there is an Aussie version of the Zillion & it retailed for over $400
If a local rod builder was to build me something along the same line , I reckon I would be up for something fast approaching the $500 mark ......... but it would only be as good.

Here is the tackletour review of the Zillion baitcast rods - http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwazillionrod.html

Chris

[Mike Delisser]

I'm not saying that they produce anything exceptional (barring the Steez range ) - but what they do produce are functional rods that meet a pricepoint .
I would defy any rod builder to build me a baitcast rod that would match my Daiwa Zillion 631 for under $300 ...... let alone the $210 that I paid for it .

Chris

So now the comparison is a Chinese factory made Zillion against a custom rod that has to be locally made using locally purchased blank and parts , well yes of course you're right Chris it won't get near your $210 Daiwa. But do you really believe thats apples to apples? I don't but we're all entitled to our opinions so it's all good.

BTW can you tell me who's making the Zillion blanks for Daiwa, I think St Croix were making the Steez blanks.
Cheers
Mike D

[NAGG]

So now the comparison is a Chinese factory made Zillion against a custom rod that has to be locally made using locally purchased blank and parts , well yes of course you're right Chris it won't get near your $210 Daiwa. But do you really believe thats apples to apples? I don't but we're all entitled to our opinions so it's all good.

BTW can you tell me who's making the Zillion blanks for Daiwa, I think St Croix were making the Steez blanks.
Cheers
Mike D

What I am trying to say is that for $210 - I can buy a rod that would be better than any $300 locally made rod (probably $400). -I'll qualify that by Having made my own rods over the years & having had custom rods made for me - or bought semi custom rods ( millers , howard , Egrell) - I can look any one in the eye & say - "this is a awesome rod" ... . not just because of the price but of the blank design , build quality & componants used. Even sourcing componants globally from the likes of acid rods - I would struggle to get the guides & grips / winch fitting & decent blank.
I might do the exercise ($190 ish - no freight)

Chris

PS - Not sure about the Daiwa blanks - but I thought they built there own in several factories around the world

[Stan53]

I have mainly Shimano but also have Diawa and Abu - I prefer to have Shimano reels as they have never failed me. However I have two Diawa Spinning reels and they have handled use and abuse for over five years without complaint. The Abus I have had for over 20 years - yes they were made in Sweden and whilst they have not failed they are getting dated and the newer reels run rings around them. I still use them for Live Baiting but little else.

Rods I have many and varied and generally don't look for a particular brand, I looks for what I need.

[rando]

Despite appropriate care after use e.g. warm water wash, dry, spray with anti corrosion agent such as inox and a regular service regime , all my Shimano reels have corrosion on them at various points and to various degrees.This after only a couple of years of low to moderate use.
To me, that is a crap piece of machinery and reeks of designed failure.

[Gon Fishun]

Just brought a new combo yesterday , ( Daiwa ) ,could not tell you the model number of reel or what the rod was branded with . It just " felt " right for me .
Plus the reel was red , so automatically that makes it go faster .
Shawn

Has it got a wireless too?

[Gon Fishun]

Last weekend had a sleep over at Bribie and dragged the 10ft Jarvis Walker fibreglass surf rod with the fold down first guide out of moth balls, fitted the 600B Alvey side cast, a bit of lead, 3 gang an pilchard and it cast just as good if not better than the new rod with an egg beater on it.
Now, how do I get it back off the missus
The rod is about 36 years old and in top condition.

[Stuart]

Who makes the best tackle? thats easy I do. Dont belive me then ask my mum.

Stu

[sid_fishes]

followed closely by me, just ask stu,s mum

[MudRiverDan]

I had an Okuma Aquios for many years.

Turned out to be quite a solid reel, catching me large Jew, Threadfin and a large number of bloody huge rays.

I will be looking at them for my next bait reel.

I also have a Shimano Fireblood 2500 that over the years has turned out to be quite a tough little reel, punching well above its weight on many occasions.

[MEG-A-BITE]

Shimano for my trolling outfits and diawa for spinning and jig kit.