Ballistic

**skeetbum** · 02-08-2020, 05:43 PM

Got to handle a ballistic 2500 today at a local tackle shop. I like what I found but I have some questions. First, are the American ballistics that much different than the Japanese version? This one had 6 bearings and while it was smooth, I felt the $229 price a bit much if I understand you guys right. My thought was that there was more bearings for that price range. They had no 1000 series or anything smaller than this one but they could order it. Most places that have offered to order also comes with a kiss of death. Once they figure you want it the price changes, usually in their favor. I’ve had enough of that. Are they in or out of line, and thanks for the input. Just shopping and educating at this point.

**Alphahawk** · 02-08-2020, 08:38 PM

There are several Ballistic reels on the market here in USA. Tackle Warehouse sells the JDM version of the Ballistic FW LT model. I suggest you look at that model. Several of us on here have the BallisticFW LT 1000S-P. It has a total of 8 bearings. A bearing tuning kit is around 30 bucks that will bring it to 12 bearings. It is a low ratio reel at 4.8. It takes in only 23+ inches per turn. I have 2 of them and I was lucky to get them at 216 bucks. That price is gone and I wish I had bought 2 more.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**redearhoosier** · 02-08-2020, 09:33 PM

I have the 1000 series that Randy mentioned above. I purchased mine for $216, kicking myself in the butt now because they jacked the prices way up on them. I certainly wish I had purchased one more!! I would only want the JDM version...I'm sure it's superior to the American version.

**drdore** · 02-09-2020, 12:02 AM

Turn slowly and walk away.

**trypman1** · 02-09-2020, 09:08 AM

The cost of pan fishing has really gone up. I really want one of those reels or 2!!

**skeetbum** · 02-10-2020, 06:23 PM

Looked at tackle warehouse. At $280 I’ll have to just watch and let y’all have all the fun. Thanks for the input folks.

**TheGrandPoohBah** · 02-10-2020, 06:33 PM

Those kinds of prices may lead many back to cane poles...

**Just_Bass** · 02-11-2020, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Looked at tackle warehouse. At $280 I’ll have to just watch and let y’all have all the fun. Thanks for the input folks.

I know, right? Can’t bring myself to spend that much on spinning gear, that why I have to settle with high speed reel 6.2:1 of Tatula. I’m not sure how much of 6.2 gear ratio will effect me (2000 size 32” per turn). I did, on the other hand, swap out the gears on all my baitcaster to low speed 5.8:1 (21” per turn).
If you like US ballistic LT, there is another reel that should be pretty close to US Ballistic/Tatula with low speed 4.8:1. It is 2018 Caldia LT.

**skeetbum** · 02-11-2020, 07:27 PM

I don’t want anyone to take offense, we all have different tastes. I handled a Stella once,a bigger one, and told the salesman that I just didn’t see the point in a spinning reel priced at $700. A gent standing nearby was patient and when I was done he said that he didn’t either, until he was a guest on a friends boat and used one, hooking a good fish. He said that under pressure it was completely different than any other spinning reel he had ever used. I imagine these JDM reels would be like that. All I can say for sure is, not right now.

**jawjatek** · 02-12-2020, 06:17 AM

Look at the Daiwa Regal LT. 10 bearings, very smooth, nice quality, around $50 on Ebay. I have 3 and they are very nice reels, in my opinion. I wish they had the shallow spool, but I just use some cheap mono backing.

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