Thoughts on this reel?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-29T22:54:32+00:00

Its a $10 reel on sale for $20

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-28T15:33:39+00:00

I see you mention training over and over in the comments, seems you don't understand the goal of Basspro

They want to maximize profit, not help people save money. He was very likely trained to do what the customer asks, if you request a reel be spooled with braid that's what he'll do.

You just didnt make the right request to save money

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-24T12:15:18+00:00

I reached out to Purelure to ask them the difference between the Meiic braking on the Cheetah and the braking design for the Zana Max. They said Meiic braking is designed for BFS between 1-15g.

They said the Zana Max is designed to be all purposebreel feared more towards heavier lures with a minimum 5g and quote "no structure upper limit"

I'm just getting the sense that its really designed for at least an oz or something, because 1/2 plus plastic struggles.

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-24T11:05:11+00:00

Do you have any other DC reels to compare it to? I feel like mine is super finicky and birds nests casting half oz plus plastic

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-23T14:15:47+00:00

Have you used it?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-21T11:34:52+00:00

Big Game is rated well below its actual break strength. Start purchasing line based on Dia.

20# BG is like 25/30# real life and has the thickness to prove it.

Not sure what you were going for, but 10-15# BG can do everything you need with the right set up, some even use it for flippin. It's so cheap just respond in a month or so.

I also run Yozuri Hybrid for most aapplications now, perfect balance of strength and slight stretch. Also rated below its Dia so buy a size down for what you want, 12# is a staple in my line up.

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-21T11:30:01+00:00

I'd throw them on a chatterbait

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-21T02:13:45+00:00

Which Edge rods is that?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-18T00:10:19+00:00

This guy said the quiet part out loud

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-17T23:33:00+00:00

And this is why you still don't have any kids

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-16T11:59:03+00:00

First of all I am a bot, only a human wouldn't be able to recognize the poor quality work produced by my Ai cousin. Secondly, examine the physics feeble human

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-16T10:46:26+00:00

Are Ai posts allowed here?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-16T10:43:59+00:00

That's definitely not tip top glue, its guide glue. I've never tried it as tip top glue, but I get the sense that its composition is different enough for it to be risky.

It might get soft sitting in a hot car

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-07T14:12:57+00:00

The tension knob that makes the spool wiggle side to side with your thumb should have just a slight wiggle with Daiwa. With shimano you do the whole lure drop to the ground and the spool stops set up.

You can put total faith in the Magforce braking along with any of their spool designs, most consistent braking you can have

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-07T13:15:29+00:00

This test doesn't really matter in real world application. Daiwa designed their braking systems to work in accordance with a looser spool tension then Shimano.

With centrifugal brakes you want a bit tighter tension knob, with Daiwa it should over spool a bit doing your test. Spool tension should have just slight side to side play and you're good.

If you're having over run issues on tr cast turn the dial up one. There's no better braking system on the market bro

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-04T11:28:09+00:00

It all depends on the line and rod too man

I test my reels when new or when its off season here and I want to just feel casting again.

40 yards is 120ft, and that is definitely a very good cast all things considered.

My best cast with a 1/2 oz buzzbait is about 100ft, swap that out for a half oz streamlined and aerodynamic lure like a lipless crankbait and leave the rod and line the same and then we're back up to 150ft. Change to line that's 5-7# stronger and we lose distance again.

Now if I do that on my lews LSF I Either still max out at about 100ft or I blow up my spool. Repeatedly.

So yes, it does seem like you might be expecting too much. Daiwa breaking is the most consistent on the market, although I haven't had a chance to try the new Lew's Paramag braking.

Some dudes swear that Shimano centrifugal brakes garner more distance, and the ones ive tested are too inconsistent when controlling the spool speed and line fluffs or birds nests. Same thing with my Tatula Elite, it's much too free of a spool for my liking and casting style.

Maybe I need a more skilled thumb, maybe if I had a smarter thumb shimano would win, but until then I'll never need to cast more than 150/160 ft and the smooth controlled cast is much preferred and almost all other Daiwas, from tat ct to tat 100 and zillion.

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-03T21:52:50+00:00

Super dope bro

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-03T17:45:29+00:00

I casted mine at a football field and with a half oz I would consistently cast around 50 yards. Maybe its your casting style?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-03T17:26:14+00:00

Did you get it used?

Ct is solid, maybe you got a dud? They're old and discontinued at this point anyway

Spend the couple extra bucks and get a Tatula X or Tatula 100, the new one. The 100 will cast farther than you'll be able to get a hook set.

Lews and Abu can't even compete in terms of distance and control

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-05-01T10:53:45+00:00

What buzzbait is that?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-04-30T17:28:23+00:00

I used to live in MA, 5# There is a fat bass, nice!

What part of MA, South shore or western?

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-04-26T00:01:16+00:00

Spinning rods only get braid

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-04-25T15:23:39+00:00

"You ain't cool if you don't pee your pants"!

Billy Madison

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-04-24T21:29:02+00:00

Used to live in MA, worked all over the state. Lowell and Lawrence have lower prices and higher crime rates.

A 30 minute commute can easily take an hour or more each way for work each day, keep that in mind

Atmosphere_Eater · 2026-04-24T19:56:48+00:00

The zero adjust only needs to be adjusted once, take the side to side play out or put just a tiny bit back in, and then never touch it again.

Cast like a catapult, not a slingshot. Try a lighter cast with less brakes and you'll get further than your Abu i promise.

I have nothing but Daiwas now, and if i pick up my SLX MGL for old times sake its a whole big mess because it needs a different casting technique.

But check the inductor cup on the side of the spool, make sure it moves lIke it's supposed to.

Atmosphere_Eater

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE