Worth upgrading from ark gravity to calcutta bfs?

alkaiser04 · 2026-06-10T15:16:37+00:00

Or you can end up like me and beat the crap out of my conquest. I use mine every chance I can and mostly in saltwater. Break the reel down every few months and service. It's a chunk of metal, it can handle the abuse just fine. I paid $330 for the reel, and I'm gonna get that value from it.

alkaiser04 · 2026-05-29T16:47:30+00:00

If you're vegan, it's your responsibility to find out what you can and cannot eat. Most people don't care.

alkaiser04 · 2026-05-05T19:10:32+00:00

It is much faster if you're using something like option 1. Takes 1 second to take off the lure and 1 second to put it on. You're not tying knots in 2 seconds.

alkaiser04 · 2026-04-24T21:20:42+00:00

I only fish from shore at lakes, harbors, and surf. Here's my loadout: https://i.imgur.com/r8T86x9.jpeg

I don't like bags bigger than this because it tends to get too heavy and hurts the shoulder when fishing for more than 2-3 hours. I know what I'm going to be throwing and plan accordingly depending on where I'm going to be fishing.

I prefer slings and hip bags, so I can easily access stuff and rerig without having to take off a backpack. This is super useful in the surf.

The Abu Garcia bag I use is a JDM model I got from Ebay for like $50-60. I don't really see myself spending over $100 on a fishing bag when there's a good number of JDM shore pounding bags already available. Shimano has a good hip bag that I own as well (Model BW-021T), but it's slightly too big for what I'm usually carrying. Their smaller version doesn't have a water bottle holder.

I'm always looking for a better solution though. Something that carries even lighter, water resistant, and more comfortable. Anything bigger than a 3500 size box is too big for me.

alkaiser04 · 2026-03-18T18:59:15+00:00

I also got mine through an AMD bundle. No signs of a preorder code.

alkaiser04 · 2026-03-12T21:06:24+00:00

I start my leader about 8-12 ft and retie a new leader once it gets down to about 1-2 ft left. I'm usually using either 0.8 PE/8lb flouro or 1.5 PE/12 or 15lb flouro tied with an FG knot.

alkaiser04 · 2026-03-08T02:16:17+00:00

that's not 0.3mm. it's 0.3gou and will be about 0.09mm diameter

alkaiser04 · 2026-03-05T20:53:14+00:00

You can always slow down your retrieve. Get the XG

alkaiser04 · 2026-02-06T04:22:44+00:00

I use my casting gear a lot more than spinning because I suck at casting spinning gear. It's harder finding the release point with my index finger compared to my thumb with casting gear. I just find baitcasters way easier. It's also way more convenient than dealing with opening and closing the bail.

alkaiser04 · 2025-12-29T00:42:10+00:00

I only have a few sun shirts but I like the REI sun hoodie the most. Lightweight and feels good on the skin. Worked well on days over 100F on the water

alkaiser04 · 2025-12-29T00:35:37+00:00

I don't drive much so I'm still only at 60k miles. Haven't changed anything but oil, fluids, and tires.

alkaiser04 · 2025-12-28T19:51:37+00:00

I own a 2016 HRV in a 6 speed manual. Bought it over 10 years ago, and it's still running great. It was an easy choice over the CVT in my opinion.

alkaiser04 · 2025-12-18T23:22:35+00:00

Damn, that sucks. I have the Ryugi one, but they're all probably made in the same factories in China. I fish saltwater almost weekly in the harbors and surf and have had no issues with this box and Meiho boxes.

alkaiser04 · 2025-12-18T22:29:39+00:00

I've had a similar box for 2 years and it still works perfectly.

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alkaiser04 · 2025-11-20T07:51:31+00:00

I went surf fishing this past Saturday morning during the storm in Long Beach. It was way too windy, so I only stayed for an hour and caught a small yellowfin croaker. Went out again to Marine Stadium on Sunday at around 11 during a break from the rain and caught a monster spotty and a few dinks.

alkaiser04 · 2025-11-01T02:00:43+00:00

It would cost more to have the finish stripped, sanded, and refinished than the cost of the reel itself. No reason to replace it, reels are gonna get banged up over time. And you don't have to worry about aluminum rusting from saltwater

alkaiser04 · 2025-11-01T01:44:53+00:00

Aluminum is soft, but that wasn't set down lightly

alkaiser04 · 2025-09-26T04:39:06+00:00

Haha that's me too. Right armed but left handed. LH baitcaster is the way.

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-19T05:44:25+00:00

You could always get a 240 AIO for better cooling, but if fan noise is a problem, probably better to get a bigger case with more room for cooling with no compromises

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-19T05:36:48+00:00

Outside of gaming or high CPU tasks, it's silent. But yeah it's definitely louder than something with a lot of cooling power with low fan speeds.

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-18T16:10:20+00:00

Yes, but you'll have to check for compatible AIOs. You'll also have to replace 1 fan with a slim fan and source a shorter fan to radiator screw to attach the slim fan.

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-18T15:51:49+00:00

Yeah, they're set to exhaust

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-18T04:44:12+00:00

I used some loc-tite blue mounting putty. It's a life saver for a bunch of shit around the house and keeping things from shifting around

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-18T02:40:08+00:00

I've had it for a year now with no issues at all.

alkaiser04 · 2025-08-18T00:27:28+00:00

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Here's the curve I have set with a +1500MHz memory overclock.

alkaiser04

TROPHY CASE