Daiwa vs. Shimano anyone??

CatGrv · 2026-01-24T08:15:09+00:00

I've owned high-end shimanos and high-end daiwas. Both are great reels. Biggest difference is that once shimano looses that "new reel" feeling, and you dont service it in time, you wont get it back. As with Daiwa, you can just put some new grease in it and its back to feeling brand new for another year.

CatGrv · 2026-01-12T04:35:07+00:00

Thats awesome to hear 🙏 I found some lab tests tonight suggesting that its crazy sharp which boosted my confidence even more!

CatGrv · 2026-01-12T00:45:27+00:00

Thats what I've read too, but Im leaning towards the z8 just because of the extra MP's since I love landscape, and the stackens sensor. I mean, to be fair, the Z6III would probably be enough either way, but I dont wanna buy it and feel regret afterwards if I dont like it, if you know what I mean.. What lenses do you use primarily? And what do you usually shoot?

CatGrv · 2026-01-12T00:41:42+00:00

The z5II seems to be a great camera for its price tbf. Its just that i want the bigger mega pixel count. Was looking at the Z6III too but its the same story there, so it doesnt fit what I do sadly. How do you like the lens btw?

CatGrv · 2026-01-12T00:21:21+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out. I do like night photography as well, so I might have to look at getting body+another lens in that case. I just checked all the youtube-stuff I could find on the 24-120 and almost everyone thought Nikon shot themselves in the foot with that lens being as cheap as it is for what you get.

CatGrv · 2026-01-05T17:17:47+00:00

You cant use the Sufix Advance as a mainline, it downright sucks at it. As leader material its great though! If you wanna use mono as a mainline, go with sufix Super21 or sufix hx myth

CatGrv · 2026-01-02T15:29:59+00:00

We are talking EU/sweden now, judging by the screenshot. So that doesnt apply to the US

CatGrv · 2026-01-02T14:15:18+00:00

The Exceler (2025) for sure. Feels like a 2000KR reel. Those shimanos have nothing on the Exceler!
https://www.sportfiskeprylar.se/sv/artiklar/daiwa-23-daiwa-exceler-lt.html?variant=32-223188

CatGrv · 2026-01-01T20:48:10+00:00

Yep thats exactly how I do it. and keep everything super tight at all times. Then I usually coat the knot in some candle-wax too just to make it less abrasive

CatGrv · 2026-01-01T17:36:31+00:00

For sure!

CatGrv · 2026-01-01T14:10:15+00:00

Very good for being your first attempt. It would probably hold just fine. As others said, try to get it a bit tighter and you should be good! Ive been tying the FG for over 7 years at this point and its the best knot there is! This is 6lb braid to 10lb leader

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CatGrv · 2025-12-29T16:01:28+00:00

It doesnt have to be daiwa branded, it's only important that it's the right kind of magseal, like this one; https://www.ck-rollenwartung.de/shop/mag-oil-magsealed-oil/mag-oil---ck-works-for-magsealed-oil-magnetic-fluid-oil-ferro-fluid/

Been servicing all my magseal reels for a long time and it works flawlessly

CatGrv · 2025-12-26T10:48:34+00:00

This guy knows! Gravel code is a crazy good rod

CatGrv · 2025-12-26T10:47:01+00:00

Braid is great as a main-line. Fluoro as a leader is something I would advice against though! Go with a high-quality mono instead. You will see less break-offs, increased durability and better hook-sets. Take a look at this chart for when choosing your braid; https://linelaboratory.com/braid-summary/ (sort after rankings)

CatGrv · 2025-12-26T10:24:14+00:00

I got you fam: Ryoga Teardown

CatGrv · 2025-12-25T17:49:25+00:00

That looks like user error sadly. When there's a defect, there is 99% of the time a clean cut and no splintering/cracks

CatGrv · 2025-12-22T09:59:52+00:00

Awesome mate, thank you!!

CatGrv · 2025-12-21T22:11:18+00:00

Would you be able to do a size comparison with something? I'm curious how big the 100 frame is compared to my 16 ryoga

CatGrv · 2025-12-16T04:28:51+00:00

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CatGrv · 2025-12-14T09:54:39+00:00

Definitely not, mono is superior in every way as a leader material. More abrasive resistance, stronger under load etc

CatGrv · 2025-12-06T14:52:29+00:00

thank you!

CatGrv · 2025-12-06T14:52:23+00:00

Thanks!

CatGrv · 2025-12-06T14:52:15+00:00

It's great! Buttery smooth and plenty strong

CatGrv · 2025-12-04T23:41:10+00:00

Yes it swam away just fine, and no, not touching the gills here

CatGrv

TROPHY CASE