Nice smallies!
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Nice smallies!
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Friday I fished both the Tict IceCube and the Major Craft Triple Cross with Daiwa JDM reels and the Varivas Master Limited Ester (2.4# orange) with a Sunline Troutist Darkness 2# nylon leader. The Tict and Presso Limited was used to cast and work trout magnets with the Daiwa gekkabijin jigheads and the Major Craft Triple Cross and Daiwa Luvias setup threw zigjigs (local maribu jig made in Northwest Arkansas). Both sets were used on the Little Red River, a tailwater trout stream in Central Arkansas. I personally caught over 30 Rainbow Trout ranging in size from 10-16”. Including my two coworkers, we boated over 120 in 5 hours. We realized at the end of the day that we did t take a single picture. We were too busy trying to out do the other two! Nothing huge but it gave both setups a workout. Both setups worked great with the Varivas Ester line. Like others have pointed out, you need to make sure the line wears spooled properly on the reel. By the end of the day, I had noticed significant line twisting on the reels. I think this was mainly due to the action of the jigs and the way we were fishing them. I simply took 5 minutes to fix this issue by removing the jigs and feeding the naked line out into the current. After the line had sufficient time to unwind in the current, reeled it was in and will be ready for the next outing. I only broke off twice when I snagged a couple of logs. The Triple surgeons knot works great for attaching the Ester to the nylon leader. I am sold on the Ester line. It takes a little getting used to but man is it sensitive. I will be ordering more soon from Chris at Finesse Fishing!
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I don't have any issues with breakage if I am using the right rod. The right rod for me is either an area trout rod or a mebaru rod. It's rare for me to post bass pics on here but here is a pic of a largemouth caught using the ester with the Fine Tail 6' 7" Banshee....and he had me wrapped in a tree twice and the line performed fine. Here is a pic of a Smallie I caught using the ester in pretty good current that measured 20 inches. Once again I had the right rod...the Lunakia 6' 10". I cut my teeth on ester catching spotted bass in the 14-17 ich range last summer.....using the area trout rod. Decided to take the Blue Current TZ one day and first fish broke off.....I did not lose another fish the rest of the day....but....had to loosen the drag quite a bit. I continue to believe that ester line and ajing rods are not a good mix for larger fish. I flat love the stuff and here in about 5 weeks...after the hip is replaced....I'll head after the spots with the Lunakia spooled up with the Night Blue...the Fine Tail Banshee and a Tict Ice cube spooled up with the Varivas ester. I have also run across some ester that is rated 4# test...but right now it eludes me where I saw it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Stewart
Regards
I will do the same after 6-7 trips using the ester. I know my drag being so loose causes what line twist I get. The Luvias roller guide does a great job of helping to prevent line twist but the Presso Limited does a superb job of helping to prevent line twist. I'm hoping that I will be making several trips out to the Little Red this fall.Quote:
Originally Posted by D10
Regards
I did notice that the Presso had less line twist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
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It looks like Plat has some more Presso 1025's https://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/...-ltd-1025.html
Another line experiment.
This Summer I set out to test a couple new JDM lines for my specific applications of use. Last couple trips I have been weaning away from the shallow Gill bite and transitioning to the deep water bite. I tested the Varivas 3lb nylon on shallow and deep water fish and have decided it will not go back on my reels for normal use. A little too much stretch and lacks a little on bite detection. It’s out. Last couple trips I have been fishing 20+ deep for Specks that are buried up in the brush. The 3lb Unitaka Braid has been handling these chores, and doing a good job so far on both the Corto and the X Ride.
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Attachment 348062
Decent abrasion resistance, using it with no shock leader, it has faded a bit but still plenty visible. When sinking if a fish ticks it I can see the line jump and then set the hook. It still lays flat on the water and comes off the spool very smooth. Anyway, this morning I decided to make a change and use the Sunline 3lb Ester on the X Ride and vertical jig the same conditions for the same fish.
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The line is spooled on the Presso and it is a little small for the rod, but I put I to work anyway. I did like the bite detection when a fish hits, a good sharp tick when they suck the jig into their mouth, but the line does lack overall visibility of the yellow braid. I can see it just fine, as I am fishing straight down but I can not see if a fish hits it as the bait is sinking. Another observation, it has a tendency to coil ever so slightly after a couple hours of jigging, making it seem slow to sink. My conclusions, the Ester is a great line for the Corto and the Presso combination ....shallow water Panfish; cast and retrieve Trout Magnets, buggy lures and small jigs for shallow applications from the boat and bank is where the Ester shines. I will replace the nylon with the Ester and keep it spooled on two reels. The yellow braid will be my deep jigging line, and stay on the X Ride for the rest of the Summer. I have one more line to test, another Ester, a red one, but may just wait until the Fall to give it a ride. Content for now, happy with my choices so far, I think I have a better handle on line, rod, and reel pairings.
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What is the opinion on the SOS 2lb and 4lb line on these Japanese reels/rods? I've used the SOS 2lb line and it was ok, I think I needed to use it a little longer to get a better idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by redearhoosier
Lines are as personal as the selection of a wife....LOL. I have used SOS 2# test for years...lost count of big smallmouth I have caught and landed using the line.....plus untold numbers of Gills and many other species. But it is not true 2# test line....and no I'm not trying to set a line class record. But due to the diameter of the line being the size it is you lose some sensitivity. I will always have it on one reel for white bass....Smallies. My main line for fishing now is going to be the ester....I just love the sensitivity. I also need to get off my rear and order some JDM PE line. As was pointed out to me by Chris, and Allsorts....many of these JDM ords are designed around a type of line and using the line the rod was designed for will give you the best performance.
Regards
I have used the SOS and do find that it performs a little better on the JDM equipment than the available Domestic gear. I used the 4lb SOS on a Pflueger President reel and BPS Microlite rod (the older ugly puke yellow ones) for almost two years, several years ago. I bought a big spool and fished the snot out of it for multiple Panfish and Temperate Bass Species. My biggest complaint was line twist, I fought it about once a month, fishing 2-3 times a week, then just changed lines. It is cheap enough to do that, and I had not discovered braid yet. So fast forward to my first JDM rod and reel set up, I tried it and did not get near the line twist as before, thanks to good rod guides better reel line wrap I am certain. However, after learning about and fishing with braid I have to echo what Alphahawk says, it is just not as sensitive. Just now learning about line diameters and lb test ratings, so I will leave that to the experts. If it is readily available at your Walmart and you have the time to test it out, give it a shot.Quote:
Originally Posted by redearhoosier
I like a little stretch in my copolymer and I like GAMMA from Black Knight Industries who own it now. Smaller diameter than SOS and lays down nice and smooth and is extremely abrasion resistant. Also strong well over line rating, unless you want to go a bit softer (as in colder weather) and drop down to their ice line which at 2# rating has just a tad over 2# break and only 0.10 mm diameter. Like I said I want a bit of stretch. In my crappie fishing I may also tangle with pike (to 32"), walleyes into the high 20"s, bass to 21 or 22" and occasionally a musky in the mid to upper 30"s to about 40". In the spring carp also take the little crappie plastics. Between the stretch and the drag I have landed bonus fish like those named. I have been using GAMMA since before it got sold to Black Night Industries and since then they have kept up the quality as well as also offering a full selection of other fishing lines.
I buy from them on-line. Service is fast and courteous.
Anyone have any experience with these two lines? Thanks.
Attachment 348772Attachment 348773
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I have not. I have used 3 brands of ester. From what I can tell is ester is ester......no matter the brand. I have used Tict.....Sun Line......Varivas.Quote:
Originally Posted by D10
Regards
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I had a tough time the first time I used ester (2.3 Varivas) with wind knots and tangles, but I think it is because I filled the spool too full. I have a couple more spools and want to try it again. Tips?
The Varvaris uncoils on my spool. Perhaps I have too much on. I am still learning the ins and outs of JDM lines rods and reels. Love the reels, like the rods, but the line I am struggling with.
It needs to be on the spool several days before using it. It needs to obtain the memory of the spool on the reel so it does not jump off the reel when casting. Filling the spool too full will cause you big problems. The line needs to be well below the lip of the spool.....much lower than if you had mono on the spool.Quote:
Originally Posted by jawjatek
Regards
This line can be a pain in the rear to learn. But once you do the reward is great. I would take some off the spool and see how it goes. I went through a couple of spools figuring it out and really was very aggravated and ready to give up on it. I'm glad I stuck it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quailtail
Regards
Looking for line to put on my new presso reel that came today.
Well....if you don’t want to put Ester on it I would spool it up with a premium JDM mono 3# test......and if you wanted to put the 4# that I know you prefer....it would also be a premium JDM mono. You’ll find line lays real nice on the Presso LTD.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quailtail
Regards
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I have tried the top line, the Daiwa Ester. Did not give it a fair shot and was using it from the bank and fishing hangy territory. Lots of break offs. The 3lb Sunline Ester has been the best non braid JDM line so far. After the initial break in it behaves almost as good as mono but a ton more sensitive to the bite of the little blue gilled buggers.Quote:
Originally Posted by D10
Yet Another Line Experiment
The Yellow PE (Braid) by Unitaka is here to stay, I have put considerable seat time deep vertical jigging and pendulum casting with it this Summer and so far it has held up nicely.
?Attachment 348978
Rated for a couple of my JDM rods, I can switch the braid spooled reel to any rod and get the same performance and confidence of not exceeding lb. test ratings. For a comparison and back up vertical jigging combination I tried some Berkeley Crystal Fireline in 2lb test (from Bass Pro) on my Majorcraft X-Ride.
?Attachment 348979
The rod is rated for 5lb test, and I do not know the true breaking strength of the Fireline product but with the smooth Diawa drag and a good net I decided to use it alongside the Yellow Braid loaded on the Majorcraft Triple Cross, another rod rated for 5lb test line. I used the same lure on both rods, a light wire 1/32oz jig head with a Bobby Garland Baby Shad jig body.
?Attachment 348980
?Attachment 348981
Using both rods interchangeably and fishing 20+ft deep, I found both to detect the bites well, handle the Specks with ease, and bend the light wire hooks out of the brush well. Advantage on pulling out stuck jigs went slightly to the Fireline, but I sort of expected this. As far as casting, the Yellow Braid seemed smoother through the eyes but the pendulum/ cast retrieve bite detection was about equal. While the jig was sinking I could see both lines jump if something intercepted the falling bait, and have even learned how to detect when the jig hits a limb on the way down. I tied the same Palomar Knot in both lines, used no shock leader as a storm came through last night and really churned up the waters, and had no knot slippage that I was aware of. Abrasion resistance seemed about equal also, I re-tied a couple times on each rig.
In conclusion, I like the Fireline Crystal product, it is readily available and compares almost equal to the JDM line. I do not know the true breaking strength of the Crystal, but with a good drag and quality piece of graphite I think it will stay on one of my reels for now. As always, your mileage may vary!! Oh yeah, fish were caught this morning during the experiment [emoji16]
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Good read.Quote:
Originally Posted by StantheMan2567
Regards
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I order some of this in 3.3 lb rating. It was one of the only Ester lines I could find over 3lb.
Attachment 350045
They also make it in 4.4 pounds but that exceeded the max line strength of my JDM rods.
Attachment 350046
I hope it gets here before next Friday. I am planning on chasing some smallmouth around a stream and I want to give it a good test.
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Some info on ester mono. The other day....and today.........I lost some fish due to line breakage that I didn’t quite understand. After losing 2 fish today I pulled some ester off the reel and just a slight pull and it broke.....way too easy. Get home and tested it out on my Bouz Drag Checker. It was breaking at around 1.2#......checked another reel I had spooled up and it broke about the same. Checked my new ester line and it breaks at the 2.3# test. This line had been on these 2 reels all spring and summer up until today. Both reels I have been using are in direct sunlight the complete day I’m fishing......which as most know I’m out a lot in spring and summer. Evidently ester breaks down from UV rays. I personally have no problem changing line out every couple of months but some may not like that. Just thought I would put the info out there. I know of no other reason that would cause this line to deteriorate.
Regards
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Good info Randy.
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Hi All. I'm looking for line recommendations for the Tenryu Lunakia 6'3" model. Will be wading a rock bottomed warmwater creek where depths are for the most part 3' or less, and deeper spots are easy to work around and fish. Primary target is panfish using micro softbaits such as trout magnets, etc. Budget doesn't have a high end reel in it at this time - will be using a Pflueger 20. Nylon mono or ?...
Thanks for any advice,
Bob
Well......I will pass on what Chris reminded me of a good while back. One spends a lot of money on a JDM rod and you might not be getting the most out of it with an inferior line. It is hard to beat Japanese premium lines. When using nylon I prefer the Varivas Sight Advance line....but the last I have was 2.5# rated and evidently the smallest they make now is 3# test......if using ester I also prefer the Varivas brand. I still have not gotten around to getting a good Japanese PE line but that is a good choice also. Since the rod is rated at 3# test max I assume you are going to stay under that. Recently I have been using the Sunline BMS FC line in 3# test....but that is a bit heavy and I feel the 2# test will be a good sweet spot there. Not as sensitive as ester but no leader required....easy to see.....and sensitivity is better than nylon mono. Chris is carrying the Sunline Troutist Lines......their diameter is smaller than other similar pound ratings on lines and should give great casting distance. I’m sure some others have ideas also.
Regards
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Here’s a spreadsheet I made with my own personal scoring system of the lines I’ve tried thus far on my JdM equipment... So far, the Suffix Nanobraid and Varivas Red Ajing Ester mono are my favorites, I think, though that when I get the 2lb Sunline BMS 2lb that I just ordered in, it will shoot up to the toward the top of not being the all around #1, I really dislike tying leader knots.... which is something you’ll want to consider with that 6’3” Lunakia, it has the smallest guides as on any of my other rods... 2lb fluoro to the 2.3lb Ester with a 2 turn surgeons knot will sometimes click through those top guides enough to affect cast distance. If you want to stock with Nylon I can’t recommend the Sunlime Troutist Wild 3lb that Chris sells enough, it is fantastic nylon mono, my wife uses it exclusively.
Attachment 355369
I'm glad I'm not the only one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yodie
Ditto Dude!Quote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
I don’t like leaders also....but love the ester line.
Regards
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Nice workup. Crappie.com is fast becoming a site to scope out JDM info.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yodie
Regards
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I still have a long way to go to catch up to what you’ve contributed on this subject.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
I should have my rod summaries completed this month sometime and will publish them to Google Docs to share to the JDM rod thread.
Great chart, I use braid most of the year and see it has a high score in your observations. I do not use a leader, have no water clarity issues so visibility above the water of the yellow, pink, or white lines is the only factor I consider with braid. I have tried the Sunline Night Blue and like it as well, have it spooled up on the Daiwa Presso Ltd. 1003. I will be trying the Red Ester this winter when the Gills get back up in the creeks again. Fluorocarbon is not my cup of tea, not found any I like so far. I am saving the chart for future references.
I too, hasn’t found any fluoros that I liked, had lots of management/twist issues, kinks, memory all that with the fluoro on the chart, except the BMS line, I’ve got three trips with it now and had none of the above issues, which I had from the word go with the others. I’ll keep updating the chart as I try new lines, it will get published with the rod summaries as well. I’d be glad to make a section for this with Crappie.com user submissions for line ratings if anyone would like it? I can make a blank template of my chart for people to fill in their own information on lines they have tried.
+1 on Crappie.com. Very useful and great information. I’m really learning a lot, and look forward to being able to contribute to the conversation.
Bob
Going to try out unitika nightgame pe 3 lbs fluorescent yellow on my tenyru lunakia tomorrow.
Switching from sunline fc sniper bms 3lbs flouro. Which I like.
Need good visibility my eyes getting old [emoji41]
Attachment 355758Attachment 355759
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Well caught lots of bream/crappie 4"-8" and 5"-9" largemouth. On 2 different rods. With 2 lbs flourocarbon leader- 12 inches.
First rod tenyru lunakia, cast very easy and far. Was a bit windy today so line was all over the place. But it is sensitive and no line manageability issues. I did like the line a lot for ease of use, but was very hard to see in sunshine. I guess because braid is really thin and probably made for nightime use.
2nd rod usa daiwa presso, easy to cast but not as easy as lunakia. I could feel sensitivity on line but reduced on this rod. I tried braid on this rod to really man handle the line. Performed well, didnt break off. I did have drag set loose but was lifting fish out of water without issues.
Overall impression, varivas neon orange ester 2.3 lbs is my favorite for sensitivity and casting. But sunline fc sniper bms 3lbs flourocarbon is what I'll stick with for a while. For visibility ease and no tying leaders but with reduce sensitivity.
I will keep testing unitika 3lbs braid to see how long it last or any other issues come up.
One last thing, unitika nightgame has a marker every 25 meters, so you can put exactly 75 meters on each spool. Like that!
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Thanks for the report on the line. I have the Unitaka Braid on a Diawa Luvias 1003, been using it since early summer on a couple different rods.Attachment 355865Quote:
Originally Posted by gjaime
Attachment 355866
I have put some serious time on the line using various techniques, cast/retrieve light jigs, vertical jigging deep brush, and casting small lures to schooling White Bass and Green Carp. The line has handled well, no wind knots or twisting issues, great sensitivity on UL to L action solid and tubular tipped JDM rods, and decent to good abrasion resistance. It is cheaper than US braids, and I have the peace of mind that it is rated for the rods I am pairing it with. If you look in the picture you may notice some of the line is off colored. It will stain from muddy waters and pick up a light brown to red color, the primary colors of our lake bottom soil. I use it tied straight to my lures , no leader as I have no issues with water clarity. I do re-tie in between trips and usually pull off a foot or so and make a fresh knot to start the day. Attachment 355867
Latest catch on the line using Majorcraft Triple Cross Ajing rod and the Unitaka line. Great fight, just let the drag and rod do their job and enjoy the ride!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjaime
If you know how much line your reel retrieves with each revolution of the handle you can calculate how many revolutions are needed for any desired amount of line. Just count the revolutions as you fill the spool.
The stats for the reel should show how much line is retrieved with each revolution of the handle, but if you can't find the stats, you can measure yourself. As you begin to fill your spool (starting from an empty spool), make one full revolution of the reel handle, hold the line right at the reel, flip the bail, pull off all the line that came in and measure how much it was.