2012 Shimano Antares HG

Still use it, just not often. It’s been smooth and remains that way after tossing many baits ranging from cranks to some jig duties on Flouro. Regardless, it’s been a pleasure to fish and should be ok as long as you don’t get into heavier resistance baits. Swimjigs are right in its wheelhouse, but I wouldn’t be utilizing braid for that tech unless fishing around gnarly cover, so there’s that. As you know… Braid will be a bit harder on internals during hooksets etc and that’s why I mention it. 

@rise 

Thanks brother, appreciate it.

FYI, I matched up parts numbers and ordered a main gear and pinion gear set from Shimano US Fish Shop.

The gears in the 2012 Antares HG I received today, while still free cranking and smooth, have the classic whine of MM gears, granted this reel likely has about a decade of use on it, albeit not heavy everyday workhorse use.

Main gear part number 10CRA

Pinion gear part number 10CU7

I also completed a quick tear down, clean and regrease and fresh oil on the frame bearings and spool bearing....this helped a ton because this Antares HG I received was showcasing the classic MM whine when cranking fast, even with very little pressure on the spool...after cleaning and doing a quick service, it is very smooth and quiet, but I know it'll need the new gears sooner rather than later.  I will give Shimano kudos for simplifying the amount of tedious screws and frame access holes on the 2012 Antares versus prior Gen Calais/Antares reels.  Even the hidden screw on the handle assembly is now one (instead of two) tiny PITA to re-set back in Phillips screw head...lol.

This 7.4:1 is really fast and Japan Tackle lists the IPT at 86 cm, which is ~ 33.8 "...so I'm thinking this spool is at least a 36 mm outer diameter.  FWIW, this is not far off of the IPTs on Daiwa 34 mm with 8.5/8.6 gear ratio, and felt a smidge faster than the OG Zillion 7.3/36 mm combination.  This said, I feel that Daiwa's cranking power is better on both the OG Zillion Type R and even current XH 8.5/8.6 gear ratios on the 2019 Morethan and Steez A1/A2.

The casting is excellent and very fast and free, although I didn't cast anything under 1/2 oz with it yet.  I am running three of the lighter white + three red brake blocks.  I ran with two white on and the outside dial at about 3.5 for all purpose work with a 1 oz total weight spinnerbait and .70 oz total underbelly spin paired with a 4.8" Keitech. Once I get used to dialing in this reel, I'm sure it'll be a rocket launcher.

The real purpose for this reel is swimjigs, jigs, t-rigs, 4.8-6" paddletails, big walking baits, wakes and glides paired to my Zenaq Spirado Blackart 72MH Biwa Special.

Nice combo homie! Enjoy the reel. Should be right at home with your style of fishing

@kickerfish1 

Thanks again bruddah, I'm sure I'll put it to great use for a long time.

Pretty combo pairing with a Gen II Evergreen Combat 7'7" MH Moving Bait.

Copied from TT post:

Confirmed, 100% fitment and the new gears make my Antares feel Uber smooth the way MM should be in an Antares. I put the original gears back in and will just use them until I can't stand them anymore, for now they are still 80-85% of the new smoothness IMO...very akin to the OG Zillion Type R 7.3, granted I can tell the difference in teeth cut when reeling slowly and with some pressure on the spool.

Strangely, the OG Fuego I sold on TT last month is nearly as smooth as the new gears, granted not as connected, precise or refined. Each individual reel still stands on their own for overall feel.