westcoastangler In my experience with Shimano, the clicking 'thump' you feel, getting greater with increased load being key, is a big blob of grease on a gear. It will deteriorate over time as the grease thins and the gears hone themselves. If your Vanquish has a maintenance oil port, put a couple 3...

Destroyer X7 7' Diablo Fastmove is built for this application. I grind deep regularly with it and I absolutely love the stick. To say it's high performance is an understatement... Looks super trick, too. Fair warning; the machined winding check will ding the upper reel seat once clamped down. Just t...

You guys need to try the new Maxima. It's as quiet as it gets. Really. The line is a thinner diameter than most and also heat fixed. It does not bleed, not even a little, and has been durable for me (I've not yet tried the HV). Sheer volume of sales around the world appear to allow for tighter profi...

Hmmm.... My take on this topic is that knot strength is paramount. To that end, I'd take Tatsu any day.

Avail for sure. I like the look of that 100mm gold. Been eyeballing that thing myself...

Left hand only for me. I learned to fish as a youngster with a spinner and stuck with it exclusively until low profile casters became available lefty. It has now been upward of 40 years and I see no reason to change.

Thanks for that, brother. Be safe out there.

I'd suggest a 2014 Daiwa X-Fire 3012H. I purchased this reel as soon as it was available. First time out I went to show it off to a buddy who commandeered it and wouldn't give it back. So now I DON'T have this reel, since I sold it to him, but it would be perfect for your application. He chucks 30lb...

Not my style and I refuse to do it. I let them bed in peace and I'm delighted when others do the same.

You are looking in the right place. We've all been waiting. I figure the shootout must include many a brand, as it should, and I'm sure it will be worth the wait. I hope.

Yup. 90mm

Japan Tackle and Hedgehog Studio both list the T3 spool bearings as Size (5x11x4 / 3x10x4). http://www.japantackle.com/Tuning_parts/tuning_bearings.htm (ZPI SIC ceramic) OR http://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product-list/102 (Hedgehog ZR) I use the ZR's and they've held up great so far. They are also ...

I cannot believe I had this all written out and the stupid site signed me out. So, here it goes again... I had a 72X4 Destruction until it broke mid blank during a hard cast. Loved the stick, but it did take me 3 or 4 outings to adjust to the sensation you describe. What you feel is the balance poin...

My pleasure. I'll trust the site to respect a popular reference on the subject at the link below. Enjoy.

http://www.japantackle.com/Daiwa/Daiwa_Exist2015.htm