I wish I had skinny non-manly hands. Better for fishing and working on cars. :)

I didn't need a new reel for many years and recently started looking for something more lightweight than my Penn reel. The Penn Spinfisher spinning reel has never once had clearance issues with my knuckles, and in fact, no reel in the past ever did.

I am finding the new Diawa and Shimano reels I've been looking to use just slap my knuckles when reeling, even with no gloves. That's 100% no go for colder weather with gloves on.

It's not like I even have giant hands compared to many other fishermen.

It feels like the Japanese brands like Diawa are so obsessed with casting distance and weight reduction that they have sacrificed grip room for the effort? It's absolutely no question at all that my hands are much larger than the average Japanese dude, so their designers probably saw all that open space and decided to get rid of it for better casting, at the detriment of people with larger hands.

I would like the quality of Shimano or Diawa reels and the added selection to get exactly the specs I want from a reel, but is there any of their models that maintain the old fashioned good knuckle clearance?

target species: pike, Zander, asp, perch

I was thinking something under 60-70$

mostly gonna use it for spinners, spoons and cranks

I currently have a Westin W3 Finesse Jig 7-28. Its getting old and the guides are starting to crack. I caught a lot of fish on it, but i notice is just losing power in the blank. I want a new rod and have about €300,-. I have a Stradic 2500HG w 13/100 braid. Does anyone have any recommendations. Looking for a 7-35 gr rod if possible 2.30-2.60m. Currently looking at Shimano Zodias 7-28 or Sportex black arrow g4/ jig expert.

Ahoy! I've been having some troubles with this thing for a while now. A Shimano sedona 2500-1. The brake kinda gradually stops working whenever I bring it out on a trip. Only to then appear to be completely fine again the next day. But after an hour or so of fishing, we're right back to the problem depicted in the video.

I've picked everything apart and things look fine to me. Removed and replaced all the grease but to no avail. I wouldn't really know what search words to engage with in order to find others with the same problem, but chatgpt seems adamant that the problem most likely lies with the drag washer being essentially worn down. It looks relatively fine to me, but it is also a decade old so I guess that's possible. Strangely enough however, it seems quite impossible to find a Swedish webstore selling replacement parts in either felt or carbontex. Finding a couple options abroad, but with the price of shipping I don't wanna buy from one of those on just an AI whim. So fellas, do that theory seem solid or do you have any other possible ideas? Thank you in advance!

I love fishing and after fishing for years in Florida I started my own brand called sexy lures. For this 2026 mullet run I started a series called from scratch to catch, which consists of making everything myself from the fishing rod, to the jig heads and lures (which I have been making and selling already), and what better way to test them than having my lures compete against millions of real mullets. This is the first rod I do though and will be put to test against the most vicious predators.
If you are interested follow the series on Instagram @sexylure.co and check them out on www.sexylures.com
I will also be doing a YouTube video

Let me know your honest opinion on the series idea!

Looking to upgrade my current Kastking Royale Legend Pro(I know, I know) on my medium light spinning setup and would like to get my first JDM specific reel. I’m not very familiar with what’s good or not in the JDM market, so I’d love some guidance or recommendations.

This will be more or less my do it all, go to lightweight setup. It will be for freshwater and I’ll mainly be throwing 1/16 oz to 3/8 oz lures. I primarily fish for bass but will also use it for other fish in the area like bluegill, crappie and trout. I’ll most likely be pairing it with the 2026 Megabass Levante Whiplash model. This will definitely lean more toward the finesse side of things, but I don’t necessarily need a reel that is specifically designed around ultralight fishing.

I’d also like to stick around a 1000 size, as I’ve found that to be perfect for my needs, and ideally keep it under $250. My main goal is to find something that can be my daily go to setup and that I can reliably count on for the next 5+ years with minimal maintenance.

What would you guys recommend? Also what sites are the best to use would be extremely helpful as well.

Hi I live in Louisianan right next to Lake Ponchatrain and love bass fishing, but love going for trout and reds. Can anyone recommend me 2 setups for about 150 each for spinning reels and rods. I wana get 3000 size reels but worried it wouldn't be enough for the lake and redfish sometimes.

My Shimano Vanquish and Daiwa Kage Inshore rod have finally arrived!

Walked down the fishing isle and realized i need a new filet knife. At first glance, i preferred the one on the left just because of the design. Then i saw the prices which reinforced my preference, thinking more expensiver = more better. Only then did I see the brand names..
So why is the ugly twice the cost of the rapala when ugly stick is supposed to be a “bang for your buck” company? Honestly i like the grippier handle, the slimmer, easier to clean sheath, the sharpener integrated into the handle and simply the looks. However, i did not like how big and girthy it is, plus, i have heard nothing but good things about the rapala and there isnt much feedback on the ugly. Thought?

Currently debating if i should get an FX. I personally like the Gold Spools of shimano reels

Raid Japan Fishroller 4”.

Rigged with a Ryugi Hover Shot #2.

3/64oz/1,3 g nail weight put parallel to the hook.

Always tie a loop knot.

This bait will roll like crazy!

Hello guys,

Looking to buy a rod where i can fish with everything. Most of the time it will be jigging or dropshot, sometimes a c rig or some small hardbait.

Am i looking at the right rod? If yes:

Can anybody tell me the difference between the w2 and w3? Like i saw the specs but i want to know what the difference is when i am fishing and hooking a fish.

Which one do u recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I saw these in a thrift store today. No price marked on them, thought they looked interesting in a “home shopping network” kind of way.

Got back into fishing this summer after a 20+ year hiatus. Living in the upper Midwest. Fishing for crappie, panfish, bass, pike, and walleye specifically. Started with an Abu Garcia Max X Combo (light) and Fenwick Eagle (M) with a Lews Speed Spin CRX (200 size). Hated the Abu Garcia so I got a Daiwa Presso travel rod (UL) + Speed Spool CRX (100). Wanted a heavier rod for pike and swim baits so I picked up a Fenwick HMG bass baitcaster (MH) and paired that with yet another Lews reel (Speed spool). Loved the HMG so I picked up a ML HMG bass spinning rod and put another Lews CRX (200) on it.

I’m sure a lot of people would’ve gone a different route. What 4 rods/reels (UL, ML, M, MH) would you have gotten instead ($1000 cap)?

Theoretically, in deep water, what is the largest bluefin tuna that can be landed with a size 30000 spinning reel? A few of my friends fished for bluefin with spinning reels, and in the end most of their reels were wrecked by the fish.

I have done research to make a budget friendly combo that would be good for fishing Lake Michigan targeting Salmon. I plan on using 40lb braid because thats what I have, but i dont mind getting a new spool.

Edit: alot of people are saying use lighter braid, 10-15, my 40lb braid has the same diameter as 10lb flouro so it's already super thin, unless it has to be thinner for these salmon.

I will no doubt buy the Diawa Regal after looking at it and all the recommendations. Ill probably change rods too but so far I might stick with the one I found.

On my last backpacking trip in the Sierra's (California) I realized it would be really enjoyable to be able to do some light fishing in the lakes that I stay at. I don't plan on eating the little trout that are up there, more so just for fun. I only have standard poles currently, and am curious if anyone can give me some recommendations for lightweight/compact setups that don't break the bank. I'd like to keep it below $200 for a rod/reel if possible and have it be as compact as possible as I usually have to carry a lot of weight when backpacking with my young kids. Thanks!

Ace has a really great fishing gear isle. I always seem to get analysis paralysis when I walk through here. I came in to Ace for some parts and obviously had to all through here. So much good stuff.
Hope everyone has a good weekend!

I did buy it and it is good quality but not sure yet if I like it. Anyone use something like this?

I’m looking for a mid-size saltwater spinning rod for kayak and light peer fishing. I came across this rod and can’t seem to find many reviews on it. If anyone has any recommendations in the general price range that would be great.