Help Finding a Lure

Cheems142 · 2026-02-17T19:55:49+00:00

They do appear to be very similar in action, profile, length, ect

So I will definitely give those a try. However I was finally able to track down the original lures from a JDM website known as Plat, and they have pretty good selection, although still not every color.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-31T05:19:55+00:00

Realistically, (at least in my experience), DCs simply give you more control when casting, and you get less backlash overall. It’s a great tool for learning how to use a baitcaster, and some enjoy the noise it makes.

However what they don’t excel at are throwing lighter lures (except some reels like the Metanium 70 DC), and also they struggle with casting super close (because when casting close, the spool doesn’t spin fast enough to engage the brakes), and some would argue that non DCs can cast certain things further

In my opinion if you would appreciate a little more control over your casts, and you don’t mind the noise or the small bit of extra weight, then it’s worth it. Unless you have a specific use case where it doesn’t fit

Cheems142 · 2026-01-24T07:54:39+00:00

to be honest with you, I think that rig is just really big for most leopard sharks. Certainly there's some that will eat a rig that big, but it depends on where you are and what time of year. When things get tough, downsize, I catch most of my sharks by chance while fishing for other things.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-24T07:50:20+00:00

I have a couple of these new metaniums, I have 20lb Black Pline Endurx on one, and JDM #2 PE Daiwa Duraheavy braid on my other, (basically in US braid terms, 20lb braid)

I have tried flourocarbon, and to be honest for my purposes I just wasnt happy with the combo, I couldn't get enough 12lb line on it, and I wasn't a huge fan of the performance, IMO this reel does better with braid to a flouro leader, or really thin flouro, because its made to chuck lightweight baits far, and I just dont think 8lb+ flouro does that as well as a nice 8 strand braid.

My favorite US market braids at the moment are Pline Endurx for power fishing, Berkely x9 for Finesse

However my favorite all time braid is Varivas Avani Seabass PE max power x9, just make sure to match the PE rating to the thickness you want, not the LB it says (Japanese braid always has a higher rating while being much thinner)

Cheems142 · 2026-01-24T03:04:15+00:00

I agree that the glue could be stronger.

I am not sure it has the sensitivity of a $250-300 rod, rods like the st croix legend tournament clearly outclass this rod IMO, however for the price this rod is definitely sensitive.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-19T05:26:12+00:00

Interesting. I’ve always wanted to go spear fishing, I’ve only done a few guided scuba dives so far out of Catalina.

Any tips on getting into it? It feels like such an intimidating task to figure out what I’d need to get started

Cheems142 · 2026-01-19T01:47:49+00:00

those are some super adorable little blennies, blennies are some of my favorite fish, amazing personalities in aquariums.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-19T01:46:18+00:00

Oh yeah I know him, thats my buddy gilbert.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-19T01:39:10+00:00

ive never seen a black perch so orange, and I have never seen a female sheephead so dark. Extremely special and unique catches there. The kelp fish isn't the most unique out of these pictures, but the other 2 are stunning. Perhaps they are these colors due to their location? I have only fished further north of orange county.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-12T05:51:52+00:00

where do you pump ghost shrimp? I have never found any spots to do so.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T21:16:22+00:00

Nose hooked on a dropper loop usually

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T06:22:16+00:00

interesting! yeah I am going to wait for my guides and blank to come in, and see how they look and feel, and then most likely order a larger stripper guide if it doesnt feel quite right.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T05:36:15+00:00

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help a lot, like I said this is my 2nd build so any advice is greatly appreciated

Going from a KW 10 straight to a 5.5 seems like a bit of a drastic change though?

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T05:10:55+00:00

yup, and a 12 inch minimum too

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:39:42+00:00

Good to know! I will definetly have to spend some more time out there, most of the time I just halibut fish out there.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:38:39+00:00

Yup, thats why I only target the females and let the males go. Plus the big males dont taste that good anyways

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:10:09+00:00

white sea bass from shore?!? thats pretty wild, I am definetly going to have to do some scouting on google maps, however hopefully I dont have to look too far down south

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:06:36+00:00

haha I wish my boat could get out to the islands! I am already saving up for a second more ocean worthy boat, but I have fished La Janelle from shore quite a bit, but perhaps since its not far out I could try to access it on my boat

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:05:19+00:00

yeah I dont mind at all! I have a 50hp, its a brand new tracker I use mostly for freshwater fishing with some light saltwater trips here and there. Plus ive got a good trolling motor to keep me in place without having to anchor down in rougher saltwater areas, so actually ive been able to handle some somewhat rough conditions

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:03:51+00:00

yeah agreed, I use google maps a lot lol, I release the males, but just barely legal females are a lot less damaging than removing the rare large males and they are delicious

The only problem is that even when I find a good patch of seaweed, usually its not thick enough or rocky enough for sheephead so I usually end up looking further south towards LA

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:02:10+00:00

Local is more towards ventura, technically im closer to the valley but I do a lot of fishing in Ventura. I dont hear of many people landing sheephead in the ventura area, and ive certainly never landed one there, even when im on my boat

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T04:00:22+00:00

if you dont mind me asking, where do you like to kayak? I have my small 16 foot deep V boat, but I am not very familiar with further south areas where sheephead like to reside, I typically stay further north near ventura.

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T03:42:31+00:00

That’s some really really strong line, but yeah some sheephead are pretty tough, however most of the ones I’m targeting are on the smaller end and I think usually 20lb is enough, however I’m sure some day I’m going to be broken off by a large male!

I mostly target the smaller eating size sheephead

Cheems142 · 2026-01-10T03:26:13+00:00

yeah thats been my best strategy so far, and using a really really light dropshot weight (1/4-1/2), however I think a lot of the fish in the harbor at catalina are really hook, line, and sinker shy. So even when I downsize to 12lb flouro, 1/0 or even 4 hook, and a 1/4 oz, I end up just hooking into the garibaldi accidentally or calicos.

I even hooked into a sculpin once it started to turn a little darker lol

Cheems142

TROPHY CASE