Shimano SLX

rb-nc · January 17, 2019, 10:24:30 AM

Robert likes his

LgMouthGambler · January 17, 2019, 12:24:06 PM

Oh man. This thing is fun for little baits. It really sings with them HawgTech spool bearings.

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Pipepro · January 18, 2019, 04:53:51 PM

Nice write up/tear down!

I got mine in the mail today!

Do you think its worth it for a weekend fisherman to upgrade the bushings to bearings? What kind of cost is involved?

LgMouthGambler · January 18, 2019, 05:18:06 PM

Quote from: Pipepro on January 18, 2019, 04:53:51 PM
Nice write up/tear down!

I got mine in the mail today!

Do you think its worth it for a weekend fisherman to upgrade the bushings to bearings? What kind of cost is involved?

Depends on who you are. If you enjoy refinement in things, yes. You will notice a difference in how smooth the retrieve is.

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Pipepro · January 19, 2019, 04:04:02 PM

I was checking out some of my other reels, and I think the bushings in the handle knobs have to go. The bummer is, I think the Curado DC that I just got has the same handle and knobs on it.

Is there a place you recommend for bearings? I think hawgtech was around $8 per bearing, $32 per handle. I dont mind the grips on the shimano so I dont think I am ready to get a whole new handle for it.

LgMouthGambler · January 19, 2019, 04:05:29 PM

Quote from: Pipepro on January 19, 2019, 04:04:02 PM
I was checking out some of my other reels, and I think the bushings in the handle knobs have to go. The bummer is, I think the Curado DC that I just got has the same handle and knobs on it.

Is there a place you recommend for bearings? I think hawgtech was around $8 per bearing, $32 per handle. I dont mind the grips on the shimano so I dont think I am ready to get a whole new handle for it.

Just type in the bearing size on ebay and you will get plenty of options. Handle bearings are 4x7x2.5

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Pipepro · January 19, 2019, 04:17:37 PM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on January 19, 2019, 04:05:29 PM
Handle bearings are 4x7x2.5

Thank you for the info, I appreciate it.

cbburke · February 09, 2019, 07:53:22 PM

Nice write

Would you still buy this for crankbait purpose or go with the fuego ?
reason is that I need a crankbait reel and I'm considering those two due to small frame.

LgMouthGambler · February 10, 2019, 03:14:21 AM

Quote from: cbburke on February 09, 2019, 07:53:22 PM
Nice write

Would you still buy this for crankbait purpose or go with the fuego ?
reason is that I need a crankbait reel and I'm considering those two due to small frame.

The best advice I can give is that you cant go wrong with either reel. You are basically gonna get the same build quality, plus or minus. The difference is, and what I like about the 2, is that now you have a good solid choice of braking profiles for $100. If you prefer Daiwas Magforce braking, go with the Fuego. If you prefer Shimanos VBS braking system, go with the SLX.

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LgMouthGambler · February 25, 2019, 08:22:17 PM

Juat got done tuning a SLX for a member on another site. Also sent spool bearings and frame bearings to a person who was a member here to install, and he is now a believer in the abilities of this reel.

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SFL BassHunter · February 26, 2019, 06:12:56 AM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on January 16, 2019, 03:34:57 PM
You got to look at it like this, you cant just have a reel that performs good, but looks hideous. Yes, there are people out there that dont care for the "looks". When you really think about it though, its kind of like food. Presentation is everything. Shimano has really been lacking in the looks department on some of their stuff. I know Bud went from mostly using Lews reels, to now the Daiwa Tatula SVs, which are really nice looking, as well as performing. You put that Tatula SV next to a Curado K, and the Curado looks cheap. Sure, Daiwa had the flat black look on the Fuego CT, but its a $100 reel, not pushing $200. The SLX, well its $100 reel, so I really cant complain.

I personally like the flat black on the fuego and the color on this reel ain't that bad. Maybe the accent color could have been a little better.
But for a 100 dollar reel...whatever.

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Bretts_daddy · April 01, 2019, 08:58:44 AM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on February 25, 2019, 08:22:17 PM
Juat got done tuning a SLX for a member on another site. Also sent spool bearings and frame bearings to a person who was a member here to install, and he is now a believer in the abilities of this reel.

<")))>{

So, how much is it to upgrade this reel like you did? How much for the parts and how much would you charge if I bought this reel and sent it to you?

LgMouthGambler · July 18, 2019, 09:14:49 AM

Used the reel a bit last night with pitching some 1/2oz weight, punch skirt, and a craw bait. Was pitching that around with my 6'8 Powell Endurance. I set the brakes to all 6 on, and went to town. This reel still impresses me everytime I use it. That being said, I can definitely feel the "power" difference in this reel vs the Bantam. The Bantam is just more solid feeling with heavier baits. The SLX was still no slouch. Pitches were smooth and consistent.

3crows · August 13, 2019, 09:05:12 AM

I do not have an SLX but have used one. I just bought the new XT and DC versions. Both in the XG. I also have three Curado 200, a Curado 70 and a few others. I really like the DC. I bought it to supplement my Shimano Stradic for kayak fishing. I figure the DC braking will be helpful because often I have a paddle in one hand or at least am very uncoordinated, to say the least. So the DC, which works amazing, should be helpful.

3crows · September 19, 2019, 11:18:31 PM

Been using the SLX DC all week. So, two weeks ago I fell from a ten foot ladder to a concrete floor and hurt my left hand and wrist. I was rescuing a Humming Bird. Yes, I caught him and he survived the fall. This makes it difficult for me to cast left hand or to reel right hand holding left hand. The SLX DC allows me to cast left handed because I do not need to feather the spool nearly as much as my other reels. Yeah, it still needs a little touch but I can manage a little touch. Yeah, I cast a bait caster equally well both left and right, but I reel in right with a bait caster. But with a spin caster I can only cast right handed and reel in with the left hand, beats me, just the way it is. Anyways, the DC is definitely easier to cast with and has no downside I can see.

Jacobguy · September 20, 2019, 05:47:59 AM

I know this thread is pretty old but my dad recently got the slx and he doesnt use it so I love the thing. It's a great reel I can no thumb it no problem with long smooth cast. But I am curious to what you did to the fuego to make it such a machine? I'm wondering if its somthing I could do with mine. I'm a pretty handy dude. Thanks.

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LgMouthGambler · September 20, 2019, 09:24:59 AM

Quote from: Jacobguy on September 20, 2019, 05:47:59 AM
I know this thread is pretty old but my dad recently got the slx and he doesnt use it so I love the thing. It's a great reel I can no thumb it no problem with long smooth cast. But I am curious to what you did to the fuego to make it such a machine? I'm wondering if its somthing I could do with mine. I'm a pretty handy dude. Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

Pretty much the same thing I did to the SLX. Changed out all the bushings to bearings, and added HawgTech spool bearings to it.

Jacobguy · September 20, 2019, 12:53:24 PM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on September 20, 2019, 09:24:59 AM
Pretty much the same thing I did to the SLX. Changed out all the bushings to bearings, and added HawgTech spool bearings to it.

Was it an easy job or a little more technical? Also if I would plan to ever do this in the future got any bearing recommendations? And is there any downsides compared to bearings vs bushings? Thanks.

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LgMouthGambler · September 20, 2019, 01:22:45 PM

Quote from: Jacobguy on September 20, 2019, 12:53:24 PM
Was it an easy job or a little more technical? Also if I would plan to ever do this in the future got any bearing recommendations? And is there any downsides compared to bearings vs bushings? Thanks.

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Yes. It requires an almost complete disassembly of the reel. And I have sold quite a few "kits" to people already to complete the task with all the necessary bearings.