Thread: JDM reels relating to panfish

Randy - does that mean that the 1000 size Ballistic spool is the same size as the new 2000 size Luvias spool. In other words, the new 2000 Luvias is actually the size of a 1000 spool? Thanks.


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Originally Posted by D10

Randy - does that mean that the 1000 size Ballistic spool is the same as the new 2000 size Luvias spool. In other words, the new 2000 Luvias is actually the size of a 1000 spool? Thanks.


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Externally no. Internally it is exactly the same. The shaft....drag clicker......are the same....drag knobs are the same....drag washer is the same. I am pretty sure all is same size across the board in the new LT reels of the same series. When you think about it from a manufacturing standpoint it does make sense. Any RCS handle will fit...the Presso Limited handle fits...the Ballistic FW handle fits. Which by the way I am ordering a 35mm RCS handle...Zaion handle knob for the new Luvias. More than likely the first time I fish with the new Luvias I will have the Ballistic FW spool on it as I have not decided which line to put on the Luvias just yet.

Regards

Originally Posted by MtnFisher

Pulled the trigger this AM on the 19 Daiwa Ballistic FW LT 1000 S-P for $251.97 shipped from Asian Portal. Not a bad price considering I would have paid tax if purchased off EBay. Was considering the Freams LT since it seems like alot of reel at its low price point. Also purchased the Hedgehog Studio full bearing SHG kit from HedgeHog for the Ballistic. Not sure which line but probably one of the JDM 3lb lines.

This will be mainly a trout reel for my MC Finetail 632L.

Question about the factory drag, is it decent or should I replace with carbon fiber drag washers?

I bailed on the Ballistic FW LT, canceled my order. I know this a crappie forum but I wade fish alot for trout and my reels get dunked quite a bit. The Ballistic FW Lt does not have Mag Seal so it was a deal breaker for me.

Was thinking of the Freams LT 2018 (it comes with mag seal) but then saw the specs on the Daiwa 18 Gekkabijin MX LT1000S-P which more suits my needs. It's still pretty light at about 6.5 oz with the 4:8 gear ratio, digi fear, ATD and Mag Seal. There are add on bearing kits available too so I ordered the Daiwa 18 Gekkabijin MX LT1000S-P awhile ago. Hoping this JDM is a winner?



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Originally Posted by MtnFisher

I bailed on the Ballistic FW LT, canceled my order. I know this a crappie forum but I wade fish alot for trout and my reels get dunked quite a bit. The Ballistic FW Lt does not have Mag Seal so it was a deal breaker for me.

Was thinking of the Freams LT 2018 (it comes with mag seal) but then saw the specs on the Daiwa 18 Gekkabijin MX LT1000S-P which more suits my needs. It's still pretty light at about 6.5 oz with the 4:8 gear ratio, digi fear, ATD and Mag Seal. There are add on bearing kits available too so I ordered the Daiwa 18 Gekkabijin MX LT1000S-P awhile ago. Hoping this JDM is a winner?



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I saw that reel on sale on Digitaka. I considered getting one. Then I checked again today and they were gone.


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They went fast... I was up at 4 am and saw the e-mail and the next day before I was done with breakfast all the reels that were on sale were gone... the red one wasn’t a 4:8 gear ratio or I would have probably pulled the trigger even though the red wasn’t my favorite... they did have another reel on sale that I thought about getting for the ocean... can’t remember the name now...

Originally Posted by MtnFisher

I bailed on the Ballistic FW LT, canceled my order. I know this a crappie forum but I wade fish alot for trout and my reels get dunked quite a bit. The Ballistic FW Lt does not have Mag Seal so it was a deal breaker for me.

Was thinking of the Freams LT 2018 (it comes with mag seal) but then saw the specs on the Daiwa 18 Gekkabijin MX LT1000S-P which more suits my needs. It's still pretty light at about 6.5 oz with the 4:8 gear ratio, digi fear, ATD and Mag Seal. There are add on bearing kits available too so I ordered the Daiwa 18 Gekkabijin MX LT1000S-P awhile ago. Hoping this JDM is a winner?



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Hey Mtn Fisher dude, I have the Diawa 18 Gekajibin MX LT in the 2000 size, the higher speed retrieve model. I bought it to keep 2lb Nanofil spooled on and use it as an all purpose reel to handle heavier jig heads, float fishing, brushpile fishing, etc. I have 2 rods that will handle the breaking strength of the US braid. Now for the reel impressions, I have put considerable seat time on this reel, and zero issues have been encountered. The drag is as good as the 15 Luvias, cannot tell much difference when a big fish is giving it a go. The retrieve is smooth, not as smooth as the Presso LTD, but not much tops that reels performance. The color scheme is nice, red accents on black. If I found any fault in the reel it would be the handle size, and that comes with the high speed series, I assume. The handle feels big and the rotation seems (it is) larger when compared to the other three 1000 series low ratio reels I own. However, when fishing 20+ft deep or casting a float and jig 60+ ft and I want my bait back to the boat quick, the higher speed retrieve is the ticket. Bass fished plastics for years and when my slow retrieve bottom bumping cast was over I wanted the bait back quick to get the next cast put out there, hence 6-7.1 retrieve BC reels were necessary.
Made in Vietnam, it is light feeling in the hand and does not show any flex on the rod. I think you will be pleased, I am for the purpose it was bought, and if I had more dock shooting opportunities I think it would shine there with the larger spool size and fast retrieve.


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Originally Posted by StantheMan2567

Hey Mtn Fisher dude, I have the Diawa 18 Gekajibin MX LT in the 2000 size, the higher speed retrieve model. I bought it to keep 2lb Nanofil spooled on and use it as an all purpose reel to handle heavier jig heads, float fishing, brushpile fishing, etc. I have 2 rods that will handle the breaking strength of the US braid. Now for the reel impressions, I have put considerable seat time on this reel, and zero issues have been encountered. The drag is as good as the 15 Luvias, cannot tell much difference when a big fish is giving it a go. The retrieve is smooth, not as smooth as the Presso LTD, but not much tops that reels performance. The color scheme is nice, red accents on black. If I found any fault in the reel it would be the handle size, and that comes with the high speed series, I assume. The handle feels big and the rotation seems (it is) larger when compared to the other three 1000 series low ratio reels I own. However, when fishing 20+ft deep or casting a float and jig 60+ ft and I want my bait back to the boat quick, the higher speed retrieve is the ticket. Bass fished plastics for years and when my slow retrieve bottom bumping cast was over I wanted the bait back quick to get the next cast put out there, hence 6-7.1 retrieve BC reels were necessary.
Made in Vietnam, it is light feeling in the hand and does not show any flex on the rod. I think you will be pleased, I am for the purpose it was bought, and if I had more dock shooting opportunities I think it would shine there with the larger spool size and fast retrieve.


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Good to know, I snagged the last one off one of the Japanese websites. I rechecked and I did order the slower retrieve since I cast and twitch light jigs and the slow retrieve keeps the jigs in the strike zone longer especially in shallow water. I don't even know how to pronounce the name for this reel: "Gekkabijin". Lols. I'll add some supertune bearings and I think it does have the same drag as the Luvias.

There's another JDM reel I want really bad, and have not found much info on it in the forums. Not going to name it just yet but I'm awaiting a response from one of the Japan vendors. Fingers crossed here.

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Externally no. Internally it is exactly the same. The shaft....drag clicker......are the same....drag knobs are the same....drag washer is the same. I am pretty sure all is same size across the board in the new LT reels of the same series. When you think about it from a manufacturing standpoint it does make sense. Any RCS handle will fit...the Presso Limited handle fits...the Ballistic FW handle fits. Which by the way I am ordering a 35mm RCS handle...Zaion handle knob for the new Luvias. More than likely the first time I fish with the new Luvias I will have the Ballistic FW spool on it as I have not decided which line to put on the Luvias just yet.

Regards

Good morning Randy, how much weight will you decrease with the shorter RCS handle and Zaion knob on the new Luvias? Is it the main reason for the upgrade or the shorter handle also improves retrieve? I’m thinking about replacing the knob on mine with a cork knob but simply because I like the look and feel better. I have the 2000S-XH model with a 50 mm handle....



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