School me on Megabass reels

[Mike Bush]

Im about to get real silly and pull the trigger on a few Megabass reels. Ive always been into JDM products, just dont spend the extra cash on them. Looking at the FX68, FX73, Zonda...basically several.

Pros and cons of them....worth the money? Wont be shelf pieces either. I need to bang some heads.

Im thinking I want one for light flip work, dock stuff, small jigs. I know JDM is the way to go when going "finesse" baitcasting. Just know they cost some cash.

[cortman]

They're basically tuned Daiwas with a few custom parts to my understanding. I would love to own a couple myself someday.
I really doubt myself that the performance increases justify the extra expense. I think you could get a Daiwa supertuned for $35 or so and have the same performance.
Looks and feel and style on the other hand... They're definitely a notch above! Depends what you value in your equipment.

[LgMouthGambler]

More or less, you are getting a Daiwa reel with a tuned spool, and different gear ratios. Most have as many bearings as you can add to the reel as well. Worth it? It really depends on what your gonna do with it. Be careful with the FX and Zondas as the palm plates tend to crack. There are better options for JDM reels for finesse applications.

Define what you mean by needing a finesse reel?

<")))>{

[Down4ttown]

Aldebaran is my finesse. The only megabass I want is the IP79


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[LgMouthGambler]

Aldebaran is my finesse. The only megabass I want is the IP79


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I love my IP68. I feel they are the only Megabass reels worth the purchase, but they are not finesse.

[Down4ttown]

I love my IP68. I feel they are the only Megabass reels worth the purchase, but they are not finesse.

Is the IP68 the steel platform?


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[LgMouthGambler]

Is the IP68 the steel platform?


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The Megabass IPs are based on the TD Zillion. 68 model is the 6.8 gear ratio, 79 is the 7.9 gear ratio. 68 is gold and black, 79 is red and black.

[Mike Bush]

More or less, you are getting a Daiwa reel with a tuned spool, and different gear ratios. Most have as many bearings as you can add to the reel as well. Worth it? It really depends on what your gonna do with it. Be careful with the FX and Zondas as the palm plates tend to crack. There are better options for JDM reels for finesse applications.

Define what you mean by needing a finesse reel?

<")))>{

I noticed those sideplates as well, thought it could be an issue.

I would finesse for me is 1/4oz jigs...we can go with that for a baseline.

The other digging I did last night showed many people saying the reels I mentioned are good around 1/2oz? Thats not finesse to me. Any reel is good at that weight.

I know the Pixy is the true finesse baitcaster from what I have see. I dont know...I think Im losing my mind honestly. Maybe Im just jacked up about the different look and the paint schemes.....

[LgMouthGambler]

I noticed those sideplates as well, thought it could be an issue.

I would finesse for me is 1/4oz jigs...we can go with that for a baseline.

The other digging I did last night showed many people saying the reels I mentioned are good around 1/2oz? Thats not finesse to me. Any reel is good at that weight.

I know the Pixy is the true finesse baitcaster from what I have see. I dont know...I think Im losing my mind honestly. Maybe Im just jacked up about the different look and the paint schemes.....

The look and paint schemes are the main appeal for those reels. Honestly can get better for cheaper if you know what you are looking at and know how to tune them.

<")))<{

[rockchalk06]

The Megabass IPs are based on the TD Zillion. 68 model is the 6.8 gear ratio, 79 is the 7.9 gear ratio. 68 is gold and black, 79 is red and black.

I will say that the 79 is a "woops"y beast, but it's like trying to domesticate a wolverine. Put ZR's on the spool and palm plate and it makes it shine.

[rockchalk06]

I noticed those sideplates as well, thought it could be an issue.

I would finesse for me is 1/4oz jigs...we can go with that for a baseline.

The other digging I did last night showed many people saying the reels I mentioned are good around 1/2oz? Thats not finesse to me. Any reel is good at that weight.

I know the Pixy is the true finesse baitcaster from what I have see. I dont know...I think Im losing my mind honestly. Maybe Im just jacked up about the different look and the paint schemes.....

Look at the IS series for finesse. I had an IS79 that was probably the "woops"iest reel I've ever owned. Anything over 3/8 oz total weight felt like too much. It would cast 1/4 oz stuff like a mother. The IS are basically the most tricked out Steez you can get. Ridiculously smooth and light.

[Mike Bush]

The look and paint schemes are the main appeal for those reels. Honestly can get better for cheaper if you know what you are looking at and know how to tune them.

<")))<{

Nothing I run is stock, so thats never a question.

[Down4ttown]

I thought you were a lews man Mike.


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[Mike Bush]

I thought you were a lews man Mike.


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I am

I ordered some HH finesse bearings yesterday. Gonna put them in a Mag or Custom Pro. See what those can do vs "normal" ceramics.

[Down4ttown]

I am

I ordered some HH finesse bearings yesterday. Gonna put them in a Mag or Custom Pro. See what those can do vs "normal" ceramics.

I am digging my hedgehog bearings.


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[Silas]

Mike, to answer your question, I have the FX73 in red. Fantastic, smooth caster on a GLX or Megabass Hedgehog for 3 inch weightless senkos!
 
   I also have a Zonda 10. Another fantastic reel.  No problems with sideplates. Of course if you are a clumsy dude and also carry them in the bed of a pickup truck, I suppose they would crack.
    I also have the IP79 which is excellent on a Megabass Black Elseil.
And I've IS73C on an X4 Rattletrap is beyond compare.

    So to answer your question--are they worth the difference?  Hell yes!  Like eating a fine filet mignon rather than a New York strip. Both are good and will fill the bill.

    I read Rockchalks comment on the EXCENCE and agree it is THE frog reel. I have it on a Rainshadow custom.

    And as good as the Metanium MGL, (I have one) my Conquest 100DC will outcast it and be smoother. .

     As I got older and older , i, too, would like to know if these things are worth it.
To ME, they are.

I don't drink the "House Wine" anymore. What is life for if not to find true pleasure in what you do.

   Others opinions are certainly valuable too. For me, I no longer wait in line for anything; I don't hang around people I don't like, I do what I want when and how I want.

    But you see, I'm retired now and 74, and have been told by docs that my time is short so I better do what ever I wished I could do. So when my funds run out I'll sell all my stuff to you guys to enjoy. I realize I just have it on "loan"

     Forgive the rant, but I want you guys to experience the best you can!!

[cortman]

Some good stuff there Silas, thanks for sharing and keep me in mind when you want to sell off some of those gems.

[LgMouthGambler]

Mike, to answer your question, I have the FX73 in red. Fantastic, smooth caster on a GLX or Megabass Hedgehog for 3 inch weightless senkos!
 
   I also have a Zonda 10. Another fantastic reel.  No problems with sideplates. Of course if you are a clumsy dude and also carry them in the bed of a pickup truck, I suppose they would crack.
    I also have the IP79 which is excellent on a Megabass Black Elseil.
And I've IS73C on an X4 Rattletrap is beyond compare.

    So to answer your question--are they worth the difference?  Hell yes!  Like eating a fine filet mignon rather than a New York strip. Both are good and will fill the bill.

    I read Rockchalks comment on the EXCENCE and agree it is THE frog reel. I have it on a Rainshadow custom.

    And as good as the Metanium MGL, (I have one) my Conquest 100DC will outcast it and be smoother. .

     As I got older and older , i, too, would like to know if these things are worth it.
To ME, they are.

I don't drink the "House Wine" anymore. What is life for if not to find true pleasure in what you do.

   Others opinions are certainly valuable too. For me, I no longer wait in line for anything; I don't hang around people I don't like, I do what I want when and how I want.

    But you see, I'm retired now and 74, and have been told by docs that my time is short so I better do what ever I wished I could do. So when my funds run out I'll sell all my stuff to you guys to enjoy. I realize I just have it on "loan"

     Forgive the rant, but I want you guys to experience the best you can!!

Im with this guy. Enjoy the fine wines of life, cause it can be gone tomorrow. I know, Im really not supposed to be here.

<")))<{

[Mike Bush]

I did order some HH BFS bearings and a reel, see if those bearings and a tune will get me where I want to be. Oh...and a ordered a 704HP as well...and a few 745HPs.

Have some other fishing things in the works that are going to require some cash, so Ill put the JDM stuff on the back burner for a bit.

Excellent info in this post though. Thanks guys.

[rb-nc]

Mike keep a watch on this site http://www.carolinafishingtackle.com/
The last time I talked to Doyle he said it was looking like Megabass was going to let him stock their full line including reels and line. He has a MB store inside his store pretty cool. Keep a watch on his Facebook site too