It's Time for a new fluke setup.

[george]

Hey Lep, it's that time of year again and I never buy anything until getting your take on it.

I know this may come as a surprise, but I'll be staying away from Shimano for a while. I'm very disappointed in their 2500FG as both bail bearings have failed within a year. Also, I have an issue with both reels with the bail closing as I'm casting.

I have found myself going back to the same reel here in Florida and I was curious what you thought about it for our technique of fluking. It's my Abu Garcia Revo SX20. I love that reel.

Is there a model that will work for the type of fluke fishing that we do? If so what would you match it up with?

 

[Leprechaun]

All these new high-performance spinners need more in the way of maintenance than the old Penns and Mitchells from years past. This is because the manufacturers are in an "arms race" to deliver the smoothest cranking reels possible. Fine, but this means that there's ball bearings everywhere, whether they will tolerate repeated SW soakings or not.

For instance (and I'm not singling it out - they ALL suffer from this malady) I have yet to see a new-ish Shimano Stradic that DOESN'T need a new bail line roller bearing to replace a rusty one that grinds or squeaks on retrieve. An easy repair, but why? Well, its the "Bearings arms race." They stick a rustable ball bearing in every possible location - "Its what people want."

No it isn't. People want reliability. Though this isn't the only reason, but those "In the know" will buy a much less expensive Shimano Spheros SW Inshore, which had a Delrin bushing in that location, rather than a dopey ball bearing. Rust-resistant my butt, plastic is way better in that location. This reel is 99% as smooth as the current Stradic FL, w/o the ball bearing-equipped bail nonsense. I REALLY like this reel:

SPHEROS SW 3000 4000

Known for its durable design to handle the salt, the Spheros SW series of spinning reels offer even more angler confidence with saltwater-specific features. The Spheros SW 3000 and 4000 are perfect for fishing off the beach, on the pier or inshore.

fish.shimano.com

I recommend (and do it myself) a drop of 3-in-1 (blue) or Reel-X oil on either side of a spinning reel's bail roller after every single trip. One or two drops at the bottom of the handle knob too, along with a drop at each of the bail arm pivot points.

You of course know that we spray down the setups after every one of our trips. Heavy spray on the rods, light mist on the reels, right? Well, once I get home, every setup gets further cleaned with a damp shop rag, then the spinners get the foregoing oiling, and the bait casters get a drop on either side of the level wind worm, and a drop at the base of each handle knob. takes about 10 seconds and really helps keep the "rusty bearing syndrome" at bay. Not 100% perfect, but waaay better than not doing it.

This Winter I've had to replace quite a few handle ball bearings on friend's and reel repair client's reels, because of rusted out bearing races. Not always an easy job, because if left too long they tend to galvanically attach themselves to the aluminum handle knob shafts. There's a few tricks to getting them off the shafts, which I will not reveal here. Gotta keep a few things proprietary, ya know?

Anyway, you asked about a new reel, right? And you mentioned a preference for Abu spinners - so the brand-new 2023 Gen 5 Abu Winch, with its uber-low 4.8:1 gear ratio looks to be a hot tip for where “we” fish. Check it out:

Look for the “30” size. I covered it at the end of my ICAST review thread:

ICAST 2022

So though I'm fighting off a COVID infection (doing better since Monday, thank you very much!), it is time to briefly look at the new gear being unveiled at this season's show. This will be an on-going post, as I'll append new items to it as I find them. Right off the bat, Shimano is giving a...

nyangler.com

If not this, then the new Daiwa Tatula MQ is also really nice. Just need the special tool to open it for gear case servicing. Which tool I do not yet own, but eventually will, of course! And no dopey (and VERY expensive) "Mag Seal" ferro-fluid oil to have to track down and replace.

Tatula MQ

Our flagship model, Exist has personified excellence throughout Daiwa's history, and now the new Exist LT introduces even more ground-breaking Daiwa technology. The all new Exist LT features our brand-new Light & Tough (LT) concept, reducing reel size while at the same time increasing strength...

daiwa.us

Or do what I did - get yourself a Penn Clash II in the 3000 size and call it a day. This reel is a salt water light tackle tank. Its one of my go-to's for tog jigging as well - along with my Tsunami Evict 3000.

PENN Clash™ II Spinning Reel | PENN® Fishing

The PENN® Clash™ II is the ultimate inshore reel. Featuring our proprietary CNC Gear™ Technology and HT-100™ carbon fiber drag system, the Clash II can handle any inshore species you hook. The Hydrophobic Line Roller Bearing, along with the Clutch Armor System ensure protection to critical...

www.pennfishing.com

 

[Leprechaun]

As far as new rods go, I really like my new Palmarius SP jigger, and at the $250 Joisey show price it was a steal. If a deal is no longer to be had at that number, then in the "new rod category" the Tackle World (Jigging World) Luminous SP jigger spinning version JW-LUS651S-M as my friend Darryll finally broke down and purchased, is as good as you'll find out there, for "our" purposes at a reasonable price:

Jigging World Luminous Slow Pitch Spinning Rods – Tackle World

Jigging World Luminous Slow Pitch Spinning Rods are true slow pitch rods that have a moderate bend from the tip down past the reel seat but just fast enough where the tip will recoil to a straight position when slow jigging. This series is super light in weight but has the back bone to withstand...

www.tackleworld.com

Or just keep using your Shimano Grappler ML, its as good as or better than anything else for fluke jigging.

 

[george]

As far as new rods go, I really like my new Palmarius SP jigger, and at the $250 Joisey show price it was a steal. If a deal is no longer to be had at that number, then in the "new rod category" the Tackle World (Jigging World) Luminous SP jigger spinning version JW-LUS651S-M as my friend Darryll finally broke down and purchased, is as good as you'll find out there, for "our" purposes at a reasonable price:

Jigging World Luminous Slow Pitch Spinning Rods – Tackle World

Jigging World Luminous Slow Pitch Spinning Rods are true slow pitch rods that have a moderate bend from the tip down past the reel seat but just fast enough where the tip will recoil to a straight position when slow jigging. This series is super light in weight but has the back bone to withstand...

www.tackleworld.com

Or just keep using your Shimano Grappler ML, its as good as or better than anything else for fluke jigging.

Thanks for the advise. I'm going to try the winch on, my grappler! Can't wait!

 

[Leprechaun]

Might need a better aftermarket handle knob on that one. Check.

 

[Chinacat]

All these new high-performance spinners need more in the way of maintenance than the old Penns and Mitchells from years past. This is because the manufacturers are in an "arms race" to deliver the smoothest cranking reels possible. Fine, but this means that there's ball bearings everywhere, whether they will tolerate repeated SW soakings or not.

For instance (and I'm not singling it out - they ALL suffer from this malady) I have yet to see a new-ish Shimano Stradic that DOESN'T need a new bail line roller bearing to replace a rusty one that grinds or squeaks on retrieve. An easy repair, but why? Well, its the "Bearings arms race." They stick a rustable ball bearing in every possible location - "Its what people want."

No it isn't. People want reliability. Though this isn't the only reason, but those "In the know" will buy a much less expensive Shimano Spheros SW Inshore, which had a Delrin bushing in that location, rather than a dopey ball bearing. Rust-resistant my butt, plastic is way better in that location. This reel is 99% as smooth as the current Stradic FL, w/o the ball bearing-equipped bail nonsense. I REALLY like this reel:

SPHEROS SW 3000 4000

Known for its durable design to handle the salt, the Spheros SW series of spinning reels offer even more angler confidence with saltwater-specific features. The Spheros SW 3000 and 4000 are perfect for fishing off the beach, on the pier or inshore.

fish.shimano.com

I recommend (and do it myself) a drop of 3-in-1 (blue) or Reel-X oil on either side of a spinning reel's bail roller after every single trip. One or two drops at the bottom of the handle knob too, along with a drop at each of the bail arm pivot points.

You of course know that we spray down the setups after every one of our trips. Heavy spray on the rods, light mist on the reels, right? Well, once I get home, every setup gets further cleaned with a damp shop rag, then the spinners get the foregoing oiling, and the bait casters get a drop on either side of the level wind worm, and a drop at the base of each handle knob. takes about 10 seconds and really helps keep the "rusty bearing syndrome" at bay. Not 100% perfect, but waaay better than not doing it.

This Winter I've had to replace quite a few handle ball bearings on friend's and reel repair client's reels, because of rusted out bearing races. Not always an easy job, because if left too long they tend to galvanically attach themselves to the aluminum handle knob shafts. There's a few tricks to getting them off the shafts, which I will not reveal here. Gotta keep a few things proprietary, ya know?

Anyway, you asked about a new reel, right? And you mentioned a preference for Abu spinners - so the brand-new 2023 Gen 5 Abu Winch, with its uber-low 4.8:1 gear ratio looks to be a hot tip for where “we” fish. Check it out:

View attachment 61247

Look for the “30” size. I covered it at the end of my ICAST review thread:

ICAST 2022

So though I'm fighting off a COVID infection (doing better since Monday, thank you very much!), it is time to briefly look at the new gear being unveiled at this season's show. This will be an on-going post, as I'll append new items to it as I find them. Right off the bat, Shimano is giving a...

nyangler.com

If not this, then the new Daiwa Tatula MQ is also really nice. Just need the special tool to open it for gear case servicing. Which tool I do not yet own, but eventually will, of course! And no dopey (and VERY expensive) "Mag Seal" ferro-fluid oil to have to track down and replace.

Tatula MQ

Our flagship model, Exist has personified excellence throughout Daiwa's history, and now the new Exist LT introduces even more ground-breaking Daiwa technology. The all new Exist LT features our brand-new Light & Tough (LT) concept, reducing reel size while at the same time increasing strength...

daiwa.us

Or do what I did - get yourself a Penn Clash II in the 3000 size and call it a day. This reel is a salt water light tackle tank. Its one of my go-to's for tog jigging as well - along with my Tsunami Evict 3000.

PENN Clash™ II Spinning Reel | PENN® Fishing

The PENN® Clash™ II is the ultimate inshore reel. Featuring our proprietary CNC Gear™ Technology and HT-100™ carbon fiber drag system, the Clash II can handle any inshore species you hook. The Hydrophobic Line Roller Bearing, along with the Clutch Armor System ensure protection to critical...

www.pennfishing.com

Hi Ya Pete!
Are you still liking the Penn Clash II?
I was looking them up and stumbled across an on line price for the 2500 for $181 which seems good compared to other prices I see
I would probably be looking to use it skinny water fluking and the think the 2500 is big enough for same rather than the 3000?
Thanks
Mitch

 

[Leprechaun]

Can I recommend the new Tsunami Evict II over the new Clash III? I have both (granted, both are one generation back) and like the Evict better. Both of them are pretty HD reels, that can easily double up at tog reels (that's what I use mine for), but at the expense of heavier weight. If this is intended for shallow water more finnesse-y fishing, I would go in a different direction.

Either the new Shimano Ultegra 2500D, or the Miravel 2500, or if you really do want a metal body, the Speros 3000SW. I do like the new Ultegra, a lot!

The Spheros is what I recommended to Capt. Mike for his fluke/tog fishing and he says its a real nice piece. A few others of my friends took that same advice and all really like this reel. I'm sure you've seen Mike use it on his boat. The advantage of the Spheros 3000SW is the 5:1 gear ratio and the fact that its actually a two-gen back Stradic FK with a blue paint job. Considering that it costs around 55% of what Shimano used to ask for that Stradic, it's actually a best buy.

Miravel:





Ultegra:

 

[Snapprhead27]

I have 2 Ultegra 3000's that I use for fluke and tog. Nice reel and no issues. Although mine is not FD

 

[Leprechaun]

EDIT to my above post - just remembered that one other advantage of the Spheos 3000SW over pretty much all other Shimnao spinners is that not only is it a 5:1 reel, but it uses the old-school HEG gears, not the delicate "MicroModule II" micro-toothed versions. HEG was bullet-proof. MM II? Not so much, especially for harder-pulling SW fish like tog. I hate reels that go grindy after a couple of seasons.