That’s good info to know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Stewart
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That’s good info to know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Stewart
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I mostly fish shallow water... am I going to benefit from the ester? I know there is zero stretch... I was about to pick up 2 spools of varivas ester and 2 spools of some 1.4 lb tict ester for fun... I am probably going to get some nylon also but would the nylon not be about the same as just getting a spool of 2lb maxima?
Correction the tict shinobi line I was getting for fun is now out of stock...
I really like the Varivas lines. I’ve used Maxima in the past. I think for the same cost...that is if you’re ordering something else out if Japan to cover the shipping......it would be better. I don’t know how much ester will help you....but it is a hoot to fish with and extremely sensitive. If you don’t need a sinking line then just use some braid. My first foray into ester was 1.5# test. It was a ton of fun fishing for Gills with it.....but I literally could not see to tie it so I gave up on it. That was before I knew it came in colors. I think the 1.5# test line has a diameter of .090mm.Quote:
Originally Posted by VaCrappieMan
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I am going to give the ester a try as well, I ordered a spool of the Varivas Master Ltd Super Ester 2.3 from Chris and going to put it on the Diawa Exist mounted on the Graphiteleader CORTO rod.
Will be using that mainly for gills and smaller smallmouth.
Weather is finally getting better if the rain will stay away for a bit now I can finally play with the new stuff.
So what Chris said about the Japanese fisherman rarely hooking any larger fish while targeting Ajing hit home with me today while at work. I tried the Ester earlier in the winter while bank fishing and broke off many fish, most that I did not see due to the initial drag squealing run. I was targeting Gills of course with my small offerings but I know other species are in these shallow creek mouths, and hooked up (I did land some too) with many of them; the Bass trifecta, Whites, Hybrids, and even the slimy whisker fish. I was battling with my new Ajing rod, using a new line, the Ester, and losing at least two jigs per short afternoon trip. Learning curve, yes, but the Non Targeted Species may have swayed my feelings to this line.....a line intended for 8in Ajing and Area Trout fisheries only. Was actually thinking about ordering some more Ester, the 3lb fluorescent from Chris, but his statement just keeps going through my mind. When I start boat fishing for Crappie and Gills the NTS will increase, along with brush, trees, and bushes. Is this what the line was intended for? Switch to the longer Mebaru rod? I have a sinking Braid and it is doing much better except for the knot/shock leader thing. Tying directly to the braid and NTS break offs are not happening. Now like VA dude I will be fishing shallow waters from now til June, then the deep vertical jigging will begin. Different thoughts on line all together then. Oh what fun this is!!
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That will be one sweet setup.Quote:
Originally Posted by vfourmax
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Yep it’s a ton of fun. Going out in the morning on a 90 mile one way drive to get to some clean water. I am targeting Gills. Taking the super UL to have max fun no matter the size. The ester line still has a place on one of my reels. But I won’t be using it on any of my Ajing rods if I’m targeting white bass.....Smallies. If when fishing for Gills with it and the occasional bigger fish happens along I’ll just deal with it best I can. When July and August come I’ll be targeting those 14-17 inch KY bass below Nickajack. But the rod will be the area trout rod. That setup paid huge dividends last summer. Still have to get some premium Japanese PE. I too want to get some of the 3# test ester Chris sells. I think it would be the ideal line for my 2 months of KY bass action.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
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I finally got to get on the Duck River below Normandy Dam for some stocker trout. For those that fish for trout you know they are either close the bottom or close to the top. I was using a Trout Magnet on a 1 gram jig head with the ester line. The line really helped me out today. Water was only about 5 feet deep with a little current. Right line.....proper jig head weight.....made it a piece of cake. Caught about 2 dozen like in the pics plus a lot of smaller ones. Love the ester line....in the right situation.
RegardsAttachment 335423Attachment 335424
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Great catch, which rod did you use today? I ran into some bruiser Bass this evening and got schooled real quick with the Triple Cross!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
Thanks. I used the Finezza to catch 2. The rest I used the Fine Tail Banshee 67. It was more fun but really was under powered in the current. Should have stuck with the Finezza.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
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Anyone have any experience with Applaud GT-R line or Gosen ester line?
Both lines are pink... just seemed fun... went to order and they are closed until May 5th
You will find they take their share of holidays.Quote:
Originally Posted by VaCrappieMan
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I plan on field testing these lines extensively this Summer. Should be fun:-)
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Should be a lot of fun. I have the Night Blue...going to put it on after my hip is replaced to fish for those KY bass in July and August. I need to get the PE....haven't made that step yet. I have used the Area SVG in the past...but I had to give it up as I can no longer see clear line at all. Need to try the Ajing Red Eye.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
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I'm looking at an XUL rod that has a line rating of PE 0.1 to 0.3 (MF 0.8 to 2 lb)...PE line ratings are all over the map...one is .15 at 2.5 lb another .15 at 4.5 lb...not sure what line I should use...
It has always confused me also. After a lot of reading and one email I decided to go with the method that PE size equals out to 10X in pound rating. Example .15 equals 1.5# test. All the rods that I own....that have a PE rating..... show similar specs as on the rod you're wanting.....the mono/FC rating is lower than the PE rating if one is using the 10X multiplier rule. That may not be the best answer out there but it is the only one I can come up with. Chris Stewart checks in here from time to time and maybe he can shed some light on the subject.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gillfishn
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I sent Chris a message on his website...Hope to hear back from him Monday...Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
I don't know why rod manufacturers list line recommendations for PE line that are a stronger than for nylon or fluorocarbon. Perhaps line strength is not the issue, but rather diameter, stiffness or some combination of issues. I just don't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
I don't carry much PE line because people tend to think it is too expensive. However, the 10X conversion of line size to lb strength doesn't work for the two PE lines I do carry. The Sunline Small Game PE-HG .4 line is right at 15x (6 lb test) and the Varivas Bait Finess PE .3 line is over 18X (5.5 lb test).
Thanks Chris for the quick response...There's 2 rods I'm looking at...
Evergreen SaltySensation SPRS-60XUL-S Fine Sensor...The Line rating is PE 0.1 to 0.3 (MF 0.8 to 2 lb) Wt 48g
Olympic 18 Super Bellezza GSBS-602XUL...Line rating 1-3 lb Wt 62g
I really want to stick with Ester, so would I be okay using 2.1 lb or should I drop down to 1.75 or 1.8 to be on the safe side? I don't want to take a chance of damaging a rod...
I'm sure the 2.1 would be fine.
After being on a non fishing vacation I needed an afternoon on the water. No rain here for 11 days and 7 straight days of 90+ degree air temps I knew the water would be somewhat clear and definitely warm. I decided to do a JDM Line test/comparison on some deep fish I was hoping would be in their summertime pattern. I spooled the Luvias with a 3lb Varivas Nylon and saddled it up to the Majorcraft X-Ride. Bait of choice was a BGBS on a 1/32oz light wire hook. On the 18 Corto, same reel spooled with the Mebaru sinking yellow braid, same bait and jighead. My plan was to vertical fish the nylon line and if I found some fish then pendulum cast the braid to the same deep fish. It worked well, the fish cooperated and I had a great evening.
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Here is the nylon, and here is a nice Speck that fell prey to my offerings.
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Thoughts on the Nylon after one trip, I do like it. Some characteristic stretch of nylon, but decent sensitivity. I was fishing about 17-20ft deep over 23-24 FOW, dropping the bait straight down and vertical jigging according to Crappy Pappy’s article found on here. The bite was a muted, soft thump you would expect from a deep nylon bite. The subsequent fight was definitely softened by the stretch of the nylon which offset the stiff Tubular tip of the 7.6 rod. The line is clear and not easy to see to re-tie, and definitely disappears soon as it goes subsurface. I would recommend this nylon for clear water applications. I did not use a shock leader and used a simple Palomar and improved Clinch for my knots. I have used SOS Trout Magnet 2lb Line and initially I would rate the Varivas a little better. Time will tell about twist and longevity. The diameter of this line is very fine and it casts well.
Next up was the braid, same location I just backed off and let the bait pendulum more through the strike zone to get a feel of the sink rate and visible bite detection. Watching the fine clear Nylon was not an option.
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First couple drops and I saw a slight tick on the line, set the hook and a blame Cricket Cruncher intercepted my bait before it hit the sweet spot.
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Good fight and feel with the line and rod, have been using this setup shallow so I knew what to expect on this rodeo. A few more swings and a definite arm jarring thump was felt causing me to actually set the hook hard, a no no with this equipment and a fight was on with something from the depths. The whole time I thought Walleye but it turned out to be a 14in White Bass.
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With the no stretch line I had to rely on the drag and rod bend to capture this quarry, and of course the landing net. I went on to stick several more Crappie with the Corto/Mebaru line and noticed a definite difference in the bite feel from the deep water. A sharp short tic was felt from the braid and I began the lifting/ hook setting process immediately. I started with a shock leader but broke it off in the brush, so I just tied directly to the jig with the braid with a simple Palomar knot and had no noticeable issues with line shy fish. This line casts like a jig like a bullet and is visible as far out as I need to see it. For Bluegill, a definite keeper combination and the line has shown little sign of wear and very little discoloration. If this line lasts through the Summer season I will consider it a win as it is much cheaper than 2lb Nanofil.
In conclusion, for cost and availability the Varivas Nylon is a great line but I believe you can use the Trout Magnet Line and get almost virtually the same performance. I do like the braid, will re-order based on conclusions made so far. As I left the lake last night I scoped out a few dock lights that were on at dusk, so the 3lb Sunline Ester that glows in the UV light will be up next as I have black light plugs on the boat and have been wanting to do a Night Crappie trip for a couple summers now. Stay tuned for more line reports, I like to experiment around with different products.
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Good read and report I enjoyed. Good job with the catch as well.
Thanks for the detailed report STM! I know I am behind on the times and I need to give PE (braid) a shot. I really like the Sunline Ester but man it is hard to see in the day light. I have to take my polarized sunglasses off to see it and tie a leader on.
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Very good read. I now have enough reels that I can dedicate one for PE only...something I have been reluctant to do. I am holding my Night Blue ester in reserve for the July/August time frame to go after those Spots below Nickajack. Last year the 2.3# test ester worked out fine with the FineTail Banshee and I am sure the 3# test Night Blue will be just fine also. I am officially in love with ester line. I also need to dedicate one reel to straight through FC colored line. I still have the Twin Power spooled up with some Varivas 2.5# test Super Trout Advance Sight Edition from last year and it is holding up well. Why they no longer make that in 2.5# test is beyond me...but one thing's for sure......the Japanese have their own way of doing things. The line is orange in color and they have changed colors to green....I guess maybe you can see the green better? I have lost count of fish I have caught on 2# test SOS line and it has a place on one of my reels depending on what I am after. But using the 2.5# Varivas nylon I have an edge in casting distance over the SOS...as I should as it is much smaller diameter. I also give the nod to the Varivas being more sensitive...but then again it should as it is a smaller diameter. But there is no need of me acquiring the 3# test Varivas as it and SOS are, as you say, very similar. I will have to try another colored 2.5 pound test JDM line. Does the Night Blue ester also glow in the sunlight as the old UV lines we used years ago? If it doesn't I will have wasted my money....LOL. It is hard enough to see hi-vis lines....clear is just out of the question for me now.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
Regards
New JDM Reel and Line Review
Last week I spooled up my new Diawa Presso LTD 1025 spinning reel with some 3lb Sunline Ester. Both are new for me and things did not pan out well for a trip to the lake; work, weather, and the passing of a beloved family pet cluttered the week with obstacles. By Thursday afternoon I had enough and informed the wife were going to VA to see the grand babies and I was going to try out the new loaded weapons on their small lake. It is chock full of small to medium sized fish of all kinds, mainly Panfish, and hungry ones at that!!
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The Corto got this evenings call to battle, and on the second cast a small Gill thumped my offerings. As for the line, nice first bite detection but some manageability issues were rearing their tangled head and it took about 15 minutes of watching the spool and knowing when to manually close the bail to get things rolling.
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As for the reel, what a smooth operator, as nice as the Luvias 1003 but definitely lighter in the hand. The short stroke of the handle made the slow fishing of the micro jig a breeze, and actually helped with the presentation I was forced to employ from the bank. You will see that in a later picture. Next couple victims were some small Crappie, and their bite was just a deadening pull on the line, then an explosion of fight to the top of the water and a quick ski trip across the Lily pads.
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A quick move down the bank and the next fish made a believer out of me for the line, reel, drag, and rod. A violent strike and fight through the pads yielded the best fish I have caught out of this small lake in 4 years, an old Largemouth.
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From the above pictures you can see the vegetation extending out a good 5ft from the bank and trust me I think he wrapped me in at least 10lbs of it a couple times, but the gear performed flawlessly and I put my paws on him. Epic battle and a fun battle! Now, give me a 7ft St Croix UL with some 2lb Nanofil and the results would have been the same, but not as fun!! I caught several more Gills Attachment 346461
then finished the evening with a nice Crappie as the Moon was rising over the trees.
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I plan to get up early in the morning before the grand monsters awaken and slip my small flat bottom boat in and paddle around the lake to get more seat time on the line and reel. So far so good, stay tuned for more reports.
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Very nice read......pretty fish and good job on landing that bass. Spot on about the reel. Wish I had a couple of more. Pains me to hear about the line issue. I was hoping it would live up to its billing of having better manageability than other esters.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
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Thanks for the report and photos. Looking forward to tomorrow`s report.
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It was not as bad as the first time I tried Ester line. I think with a little more time I will like it. Bite detection is way ahead of nylon, I brought a JDM combo with the 3lb Nylon to fish tomorrow and make comparison notes on visibility. I did not bring the PE or the Nanofil, have limited time. I have fished Nanofil in this vegetation slop before and it does cut through the small pad stems better, but I have to say the Ester held its own as a couple small gills buried up in it and I was able to pull them out with ease.
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Quick update on the line, the 3lb Ester from Sunline performed excellent this morning. I think the inaugural run last night was needed to set (seat) the line. No over runs or flying off the spool. Also, I think the Cross Wrap of the Diawa Presso helps keep the line from jumping off the spool at the end of the cast. I did break a fish off in the pads, but that was my fault for not retying after tangling with a tree limb. Will do a full report with fish pics later today, up to my eyebrows in Barbies and Grand daughters!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
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Good to hear. I meant to pass on the same info. I’ve found when spooling up Ester it is best to do it about 3 days before you want to use it. I noticed the same about line lay on the Presso Limited....it’s pretty darn good.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
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Are you filling up the spool to the lip, below the lip, 2/3 full?
Thanks
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About 2/3 full, I will post a picture later.Quote:
Originally Posted by slowhand
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Attachment 346547Attachment 346548Attachment 346549
Diawa Presso with Sunline 3lb Ester
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I had the first opportunity to try the orange ester line yesterday. In the wind. Perhaps I had too much spooled up but this stuff seems to be pain to fish with. It kept unspooling after the cast. I kept breaking the line in snuggling up the knot with the FC leader. Then the wind caught it. Knotted up and I just cut it and started over. I am wanting to try to learn to use this JDM equipment. But I am getting old and my eyes don't work as good nor do my fingers. Help!
I’m certainly no expert on polyester line....though I have used it almost exclusively for a year now. I experienced the same issues as you the first time I spooled up. I had filled it too full and I had a mess. I had my wife walk all the line off the spool and I reeled it back on. By this time the spool was just a little over half full and I thought no way will I be able to get much casting distance. Much to my dismay it cast great. The fluoride coating they use on the line is slick. It also took me a while to get my knot down correctly. Finally switching to a 3 turn instead of a 5 turn surgeons knot. Too much room for error using a 5 turn on the thin diameter ester line. Then I learned it is best to spool the line on and let it set....to actually get some memory of the spool......for a couple of days. It for sure has a learning curve. My son has used it for about 4 trips now and is sold on it. He still remembers the day I was catching a KY bass out of 21 feet of water almost on every cast and he was catching nothing......the only difference was the line. I guess you could say it cost me about 16 bucks to learn the line.....yes I used 2 spools to figure it out. One thing I have not figured out is drag setting using the line. Well let’s say I do have it figured out as long as I keep a loose drag. There is so little room for error with this line I just keep the drag loose. I get a lot of grief on YouTube about my drag setting. Just this past week I have watched several videos out of Japan where they are fishing for trout, and or Aji using ester, and or light line. They keep a loose drag also. I’m still going to work with the drag setting though. In about 11 days I’ll be getting a new hip. I’ll be recovered by the end of July when those KY bass show up at my spot. I am extremely excited to know that with this line it will help me catch a lot of those.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quailtail
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Thank you for the information. I will get some line off the reel. Perhaps that will help. Will try it again as soon as I can.
I used the Varivas 2.3 lb ester line for the first time a couple weeks ago on my annual Maine smallmouth bass trip.
Quailtail - I would recommend flipping the bail or at least putting your hand on the spool as soon as your lure hits the water. That will prevent coils from coming off the reel even if you fill the spool to the same level you'd do with nylon mono.
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For the life of me I cannot understand why people have breakage issues. I caught numerous 14-17" smallies with it and the only time my line broke was when I got snagged and I had to break it on purpose. I was using trout rods (both Area and Native) rather than ajing or mebaru rods, and my drag was set about the same as I'd have it with a 2.5 lb nylon line (I don't have a scale to measure the drag setting). I used a 3-turn surgeons knot to attach the ester to 4X (5.1lb) nylon tippet for abrasion resistance. Obviously, I wasn't putting a lot of pressure on the fish with an Area trout rod, but the line certainly didn't seem to me to be any more susceptible to breakage than a nylon line.
Attachment 346735
Attachment 346736
Nice Small Mouth!!
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