First JDM reel I bought was a mint second hand TDZ 100m US trail. Then it was the Shimano Scorpion 1000xt also lightly used. I have kept both to this day and modiefied each pretty heavily like most of my reels. For rods I honestly can’t recall.
Both have been fished A LOT, but the US Trail has been through many adventures and has some rash. Effortless casting machine with that IP68 Honeycomb in it. The Cosugi works is outstanding in the Type F. So many memories and so much sentimental value. These will never leave the stable.
I was out on a rental boat with a good bud of mine at Lake Casitas in my teen years. I had a floating Rapala tied onto my Fightin Combo (the OG 110). Big wolf packs were busting on Shad early that morning and we were frantic to get on em. I pulled up, killed the motor, picked up my combo and tried to launch that Rapala out as hard and as far as my (then) chubby, punk little ass could. Only to have the spool mega-fluff as I switched hands (I cast RH and retrieve RH) and yank that nearly brand new combo right out of my grasp.
Unfortunately, I had backed my mag dial all the way off the night before while rigging and never dialed it back up to four or five before I put it in my dad‘s truck.
I tried to lunge/grab it right afterwards and went overboard, but it was gone. The fish stopped boiling and the silence was deafening. I did the Swim Of Shame back to shore so my buddy could to pick me up, as I couldn’t climb back into the deep V aluminum rental boat.
I was out on a rental boat with a good bud of mine at Lake Casitas in my teen years. I had a floating Rapala tied onto my Fightin Combo (the OG 110). Big wolf packs were busting on Shad early that morning and we were frantic to get on em. I pulled up, killed the motor, picked up my combo and tried to launch that Rapala out as hard and as far as my (then) chubby, punk little ass could. Only to have the spool mega-fluff as I switched hands (I cast RH and retrieve RH) and yank that nearly brand new combo right out of my grasp.
Unfortunately, I had backed my mag dial all the way off the night before while rigging and never dialed it back up to four or five before I put it in my dad‘s truck.
I tried to lunge/grab it right afterwards and went overboard, but it was gone. The fish stopped boiling and the silence was deafening. I did the Swim Of Shame back to shore so my buddy could to pick me up, as I couldn’t climb back into the deep V aluminum rental boat.
My 1st love was an Ambassadeur 5500C. Caught a lot of fish with it. Then came rhe love of my life,the 2500C. That reel did everything well. Doodling split-shotting,darter heads,you name it. I still have 17 of these little gems. I'm old as fuck,and probably have shoes older than most of you here 🤣🤣🤣 but the longevity of these reels is a testament to their quality, and fish catching ability
@oldschoolbasser Hahahaha I chuckled when I read shoes older than me. lol you have a pair or shoes older than 30 years old? lol bro.. you need some new shoes. Dang.. well I like my Daiwa round reels.. do I need to dabble in this Abu Ambassadeur line.. if so anyone here wanna hook me up with a lefty for a decent price? lol
