Ultra light reels

[Crestliner08]

Welcome aboard! The rods you have are truly outstanding. For the past 6 years, I've used nothing but Pflueger Presidents (#20 series) on the half dozen UL rods I use regularly. Not the most expensive reels out there, but they'll match their quality, smoothness and performance with anything out there.

[Ketchn]

Shimao makes some real nice reels in my opinion .
I also have a pretty smooth Pflueger or some sort that is ok too .
The abuse my Shimano reels take is impressive to say the least .
The drags are the smoothest I ever used for sure
I would think a nice little Sahara would be ok on at least one of them rods but I don't think they are expensive .

[Alphahawk]

Last yr I bought 2 new G loomis rods a 6'8" lite and a 6'7" ultra lite , due to family issues I never fished them. Today to my shock I find I have 4 G loomis rods & 2 st croix rods and only 2 reels that fit them size wise , after researching on line I am more confused then ever , stradic , JDM ballistic FW LT , or maybe a pflueger product? I have 1 6725 president and and 750 sedona that are good to go but nothing else. I want a small reel under 7oz if possible , it should take no more then 100yds of 6lb test , with smooth drag and tight lock up and a slower ratio maybe 4.8 or 5.2 at most , I mainly flip plastics around docks or top water plugs. live bait once and a while the following is a list of rods i need reels for....any help will be appreciated ...thanks much ....Jay

G loomis 5'6" ultra lite 2/6lb
st croix 5'6" utra lite 2/4lb
G loomis 6'7" ultra lite 2/3lb
G loomis 6'8" lite 4/8lb
G loomis 7' lite 4/8lb
st croix 7' ultra lite 2/6lbs

Oh I should also state I am willing to spend up to $300 on a reel though at that price wont be buying more then couple of them & will just have to out fit as time and $$$ allow

What size line do you want to use on this reel? Take a look at the Daiwa Luvias out of Japan. It weighs in at 5.3 ounces...Made In Japan......is 5.1 ratio.......holds 100 meters of true 4# test line...meaning .160mm diameter line. It is a very fine piece of machinery with 10 bearings...but those of us who own them tune them up to a total of 13 bearings. The Luvias is currently out of stock...it is an extremely popular reel...but it will come back in stock. Also take a look at the Ballistic FW LT 1000 or 2000 series.....a 4.8 ratio...weighing in at 5.6 ounces....it has 8 bearings but we tune them up to 12 bearings. I went down the JDM road in 2012 and have never looked back.

Regards

[Fatman]

I like Shimano for what you asked for a STRADIC FL 1000 meets everything you want BUT!!! Take your rods with you and go to the store and put the reels on the rods and see how they balance!!. There is nothing worse than a rod and reel combo that don't balance. I have Shimano's that I bought in the 1980's that I'm still using! You take care of them and they'll take care of you!!

[SGT67]

I am planning on running yo-zuri 4lb & 6lb test , one of my newer rods is rated for 2lb/3lb line but I dont know enough about any company who might make such line. I mean that gets into a whole different realm as far as do thinner lines get you more bites vs loosing the big one at the boat. If there are better lines I should be trying I am all ears.

[Alphahawk]

I am planning on running yo-zuri 4lb & 6lb test , one of my newer rods is rated for 2lb/3lb line but I dont know enough about any company who might make such line. I mean that gets into a whole different realm as far as do thinner lines get you more bites vs loosing the big one at the boat. If there are better lines I should be trying I am all ears.

The lighter....more rigid the rod....the better the sensitivity. The thinner the line.....better sensitivity. Nearly all US market lines are way over their pound rating. Many who think they may be using 2# test line are really using 4....and it just goes on up the scale. Then the thinner the line the better the casting distance. I quit using US market lines about 2 years ago. I recently bought a 4# test line that is only .148mm in diameter. Most of my lines are in the 2-3 pound test. Here is a good chart showing line diameters and the huge difference in US market lines. I catch a lot of big Smallies on true 2# test line. I’ve landed drum in the 15-25 pound range on 2 and 3 pound test line. I suggest you check out the JDM line....reels.....rods sticky in the Panfish forum. A lot of great info there. Here is link to my YouTube channel that show cases what can be done with light lines. The Panfish forum is fast becoming.....if not already.....the top resource for info on JDM ultralight gear.

Regards

Line chart Japanese Silk


YouTube


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[deathb4disco]

Panfish forum is fast becoming.....if not already.....the top resource for info on JDM ultralight gear.

[skeetbum]

I’m a big fan of the 20ga, but that’s another story. I have none ss of the JDM reels but have a couple on my want list. What I do have is six or seven President reels I. Two smaller sizes and one in a 30 size. They’re fine for me as I’m not spending tons on the rods either. If they swim or break I’ll still get by. One day I’ll handle some of this better gear and will probably get some of my own, but not yet. I’m throwing 2&3lb line mostly and I think that a 2000 series would be a bit big, by what I’m using. But a 1500 series Diawa does well on mY 4lb braid rod. It’s hard to find your way back once you start down this UL road. Good luck finding what you need.

[BobC]

Sgt67, the Japanese silk site that Alphahawk mentions is a great resource. Getting that cross reference info in the smaller pound ratings wasn’t easy to find. AH did the work! Check it out.
Bob

[SGT67]

So I made my reel choice I bought a Daiwa ballistic FW LT 1000s-p and a Shimano 17 soare c14 500s. Thanks for all the help so far I will now check into the lines alittle bit