Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Mr. Sandman · 12-23-2004, 07:55 AM

JoeP, Thanks for that info. When I was reseaching stellas I also phoned shimano and spoke to them about the differenced between the FA and SW models. There were some folks selling some SW models on ebay from Japan. Anyway they tell me it is a packaging difference. The reels themselves are the same but the SW includes an extra spool ($140 if purchased sep) and about 3o or 40 bucks of other goddies, lube ect. The retail price difference is about $90. So if you are planing on an extra spool for these reels it makes sence but other wise the are the same. Also, each year they seem to make some impovements in coatings, bearings ect, so if you see a great deal many times it is last years model....still a great reel but keep that in mind. I know this year in late 04 I have seen some visiable differences in the reels as I am planning on buying 2 more smaller models (4 or 5000 notr sure) just for albi fishing (surf)

Alessandro,

Thanks for that info. 6 euros each...that is an expensive hook! Given the current weakness in the US dollar that makes it about $8.07 US per hook. You probably don't buy them 1000 at a time do you?

I have been on the warpath to beef up my terminal tackle after a few failures last year that cost me a couple big fish. Split rings were the failure twice and hooks once with some near misses as well (partially opened hooks and rings). I hate that feeling in your stomach when the line becomes slack and then you see the plug return missing a hook.

I will keep an eye out for those Decoy hooks here and check out that website but to be honest I have never seen them in the US. I have located the Owners ST66 this year and just got my first order. The look very rugged and are rated 4X. While expensive for a hook they are only about $1.25 each. I also picked up some VMC gladiator treble hooks rated at 6X and are like $.65 per hook. Both are very sharp hooks with heavy wire....they seem "impossible" to staighten or open.

I saw that photo of the saltiga that exploded....With new braid lines, composite rods, 400# test triple split rings, new heavy duty swivels, Ultra strong hooks 4X-6X, and better drags allowing increased settings...I can see why the weakest link is now becomming the reel structure itself. Something has got to give.

Over here we fish for striped bass from the shore. They don't fight like a GT or get that big. (50# is a trophy fish) but they like rocks and if they take your plug they will swim hard along the bottom trying to scrub the plug off. What happens is he will manage to get one of the hooks in its mouth and while swimming hard along the rocky bottom get another hook caught on a rock, the momentum of him swimming hard and then instantly snagging a plug on a bolder on a can rip the plug out of his mouth, snap a hook, open a splitring without breaking your line. (thats if you don't get your line cut on the rocks during a the fight)

From a boat they are much easier to land and many here don't consider a fish caught on a boat worthy of recognition. I fish both boat and shore and enjoy both. (but would rather land a big one from the beach anyday)

12-23-2004, 07:55 AM	#13
Mr. Sandman Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 7,649	JoeP, Thanks for that info. When I was reseaching stellas I also phoned shimano and spoke to them about the differenced between the FA and SW models. There were some folks selling some SW models on ebay from Japan. Anyway they tell me it is a packaging difference. The reels themselves are the same but the SW includes an extra spool ($140 if purchased sep) and about 3o or 40 bucks of other goddies, lube ect. The retail price difference is about $90. So if you are planing on an extra spool for these reels it makes sence but other wise the are the same. Also, each year they seem to make some impovements in coatings, bearings ect, so if you see a great deal many times it is last years model....still a great reel but keep that in mind. I know this year in late 04 I have seen some visiable differences in the reels as I am planning on buying 2 more smaller models (4 or 5000 notr sure) just for albi fishing (surf) Alessandro, Thanks for that info. 6 euros each...that is an expensive hook! Given the current weakness in the US dollar that makes it about $8.07 US per hook. You probably don't buy them 1000 at a time do you? I have been on the warpath to beef up my terminal tackle after a few failures last year that cost me a couple big fish. Split rings were the failure twice and hooks once with some near misses as well (partially opened hooks and rings). I hate that feeling in your stomach when the line becomes slack and then you see the plug return missing a hook. I will keep an eye out for those Decoy hooks here and check out that website but to be honest I have never seen them in the US. I have located the Owners ST66 this year and just got my first order. The look very rugged and are rated 4X. While expensive for a hook they are only about $1.25 each. I also picked up some VMC gladiator treble hooks rated at 6X and are like $.65 per hook. Both are very sharp hooks with heavy wire....they seem "impossible" to staighten or open. I saw that photo of the saltiga that exploded....With new braid lines, composite rods, 400# test triple split rings, new heavy duty swivels, Ultra strong hooks 4X-6X, and better drags allowing increased settings...I can see why the weakest link is now becomming the reel structure itself. Something has got to give. Over here we fish for striped bass from the shore. They don't fight like a GT or get that big. (50# is a trophy fish) but they like rocks and if they take your plug they will swim hard along the bottom trying to scrub the plug off. What happens is he will manage to get one of the hooks in its mouth and while swimming hard along the rocky bottom get another hook caught on a rock, the momentum of him swimming hard and then instantly snagging a plug on a bolder on a can rip the plug out of his mouth, snap a hook, open a splitring without breaking your line. (thats if you don't get your line cut on the rocks during a the fight) From a boat they are much easier to land and many here don't consider a fish caught on a boat worthy of recognition. I fish both boat and shore and enjoy both. (but would rather land a big one from the beach anyday)