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Good stuff Beast. I've seen a lot more chatter about the Lews reels in recent years, but have never snagged one.
I'm more of a fan of the Falcon rods than you seem to be, but I also much prefer the cork handles (probably just used to it from way back). The HD has been solid and I really like the Coastal spinning 7' I got last year.
Agree on the cheap feel of the lower end Abus, but if it works, it works.
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Originally Posted by
SpeckleDawg
Good stuff Beast. I've seen a lot more chatter about the Lews reels in recent years, but have never snagged one.
I'm more of a fan of the Falcon rods than you seem to be, but I also much prefer the cork handles (probably just used to it from way back). The HD has been solid and I really like the Coastal spinning 7' I got last year.
Agree on the cheap feel of the lower end Abus, but if it works, it works.
I really don’t have any issue with the Falcons HDs. But when I post the 2020 gear early thoughts you’ll see what I’m talking about. I’ve gotten in to buying gear at the new year because you’ll find some heavy heavy discounts. I bought 4 new rods none over $69 and some retailed $130. The Omen rods are fine. I’m gonna make another post today.
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Shimano Curado X 7:1 on a 13 Fishing Fate Black 7’3 MH
The Curado on sale for $99 (reg $179) and the Fate for $69 (reg $99). Are we seeing the huge discount trend? Dec-Feb is a great time to get your shopping done. The Shimano cast well and feels really sturdy. It feels the most well put together of all my reels including the Lews Super Duties. Very low profile so they feel really good in you hand. Smooth smooth reel. Small spool but I love braid so no biggie. Here’s what I don’t like about Shimano. While the rest of the industry makes cool little details they stay in 1986 with detachable side plates on almost $200 reels. Come on man. And while I don’t have any complaints about the performance of the drag, the plastic clip system just feels antiquated. It’s hard to tell if they’re clicked on or off unless you remember. I will say this this plastic clip system is an upgrade from the Citicas I had a cpl years ago that had these weird plastic tabs you slid up and down and could actually pop off. The Fate Black rod is 24 ton graphite but it feels pretty good. Love the split handle. The color is bright. One thing I hate is why cork the blank above the trigger when it could be exposed? I don’t understand why you do that. One thing I really like about this rid compared to the same power/length on the omen series is this one has a lot more tip. I’m gonna have some versatility with this one.
Last edited by BeastMan; 01-29-2020 at 03:53 PM.
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Shimano XG 8:1 on a H20 Xpress Ethos 7’3 Heavy
This is my frog setup. Actually got the rod mid summer but it made the cut to 2020. Although my best bass this summer was on a mh rod, my percentage went waaaaay up with this rod. It’s a value price point probably $70ish bucks. I’d highly recommend it if you have need for another cheap heavy stick in the arsenal. Love the split grip and exposed blank but since most of the time I’m froggin with this the exposed blank doesn’t matter. Maybe if I do some pitchin with it.... See all above praise and complaints on Shimano Curado X series but this one is the high speed picks up some damn line. My froggin equipment got a huge upgrade for 2020. I’m pumped about this setup.
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13 Fishing Concept A on a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1 M
You’ve already heard about this exact rod so I won’t say much more other than it’s a tad heavier than some other brands medium so with the braid on this one I’m going to get to throw pretty much my 3 favorite 3/8-1/4 presentations: under spin jigs, swim jigs, and chatter baits. I chunked around the lazyman hook with a paddle tail a lot the other day just because it was fun to throw. The Concept A is a sexy ass reel with the matte black finish and the cork grips. The side plate stays connected and the breaks are the same as the Z. I’m really curious to test the durability of the A vs the Z. It’s a battle of more industry standard tech vs new tech.
Last edited by BeastMan; 01-29-2020 at 05:58 PM.
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Now for the 2020 stuff. I’ve thrown everything here around so this is more an out of the box thoughts then actual review. Everyone knows durability is key and I can’t speak to that yet. You’ll a lot of 13 Fishing stuff. I got a cpl of their spinning reels 2 years ago and they were great for the money so after doing a bunch of research snob talking to a lot of people, I invested further for a real trial by fire. Here we go
13 Fishing Concept Z on a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1 M
I’ve wanted a Z since they dropped and was able to score one for $99 (regular $199) and the omen black for $55 (regular $100). I like throwing topwater a a medium action so that’s my go to plan for this one. I’ll use medium for other apps too but that’s where I start here. Since the Z has no stainless steel bearings, instead carbon bearings, it’s light as a feather. 13 does a good job with the little stuff like the line hole on the spool and the badass hookeep on the rod. Great details. The Z throws a mile with suffix elite 12lb mono and reels really smooth. Has the side plate that stays connected if you adjust breaks. No dial on the outside. If you picked up all my new setups blindfolded, this is the one you’d pick. Feels incredible. The omen black is a 30 ton graphite so it’s a step up from the standard 24 ton graphite on cheap and budget models. You can feel how it’s lighter immediately. They have a mostly plastic blank, maybe all plastic, but it feels sturdy. Also the exposed blank in front of the trigger for my finger. You can’t see on the pic but there are tiny ridges going all the way to the tip that are some kind of Kevlar wrap technology with the graphite that improves durability (supposedly). Also, 13 rods have an extra guide. Don’t really have an opinion one way or not.
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Great write-up/review Beastman. I've been wanting badly to try the newer Lew's reels but just haven't pulled the trigger due to the excess number I already own. I have quite a few older models. They are pretty popular with a lot of the touring pros the last several years.
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Good stuff, Beast!
Speaking of fishing gear, I finally organized my sticks with a ceiling rack. Didn't leave myself much room for expansion, but if I need to, I can always mirror this set up on the other side of the garage.
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Hey Beast, with all that Braid you turned those into winches.LOL
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Originally Posted by
Offshore Dawg
Hey Beast, with all that Braid you turned those into winches.LOL
I throw a lot of braid lol. If application calls for it I use a flouro leader. I keep a finesse rod w/10lb flouro, my Concept Z has 12lb suffix elite mono, and I have 12lb suffix elite mono on 3 other setups.
On Wednesday I threw that Z a lot and damn son I’m buying the hype. That reel cast like a dream. That and the Curados are really making me rethink my prior experience with lesser Shimano baitcasters. Incredibly impressed with both of those reels.
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I also use the garage roof racks to store most of my rods & reels, I have 48 from Bass to offshore Penn's with 80# line, Too lazy to take a picture.
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I'm not nearly the fishin' pros you cats are, but I really dig this (for the money):
https://www.lews.com/americanheroseries/americanheroc
Although it's not as effective as this:
And this is my next method I'm tryin' to master:
*
"It is not courage to resist TUSK; It is courage to accept TUSK."
No.
Easy there buddy. Tusk is...well Tusk is Tusk. Tireddawg 12.20.17
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My worm rods are braid to the weight and swivel then Fluro to the hook on a Carolina set up. With floating worms.
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