So I passed up the Curado and the Core..

[tacklejunkie]

I actually like the smaller reels and have somewhat big hands.

I dunno folks. I think I'm a Daiwa guy. I just can't get over the play in the handle and spool. I just realized if I use this reel in some jigging situations I may still feel the spool and handle play and hear that clicking noise like when jerking.

At risk of looking like a jackass noob,
Here's my email and response to/from Shimano Re: the handle play with ch100D7 vs the Sol.. although trying not to compare, I have to have some sort of example.

Figured it couldn't hurt to ask the source instead of worry about a bunch of forum finger pointing.

-----Original Message-----
From:casey's email
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 3:05 PM
To: fishsitefeedback
Subject: Reel Inquiry

Name: Casey

Email Address:

Address:

City:

Region/State:

Postal Code:

Country: USA
Message: Hello Shimano staff,

I have been fishing large mouth bass and inshore halibut and spotties every weekend or so for a couple years now so my experience is very limited. I have purchased and tried several brand of reel on the market now and have found pretty much Shimano and Daiwa are top names.

I'm not trying to get into the famous which brand war. I like reels from both brands. My question comes down to your baitcaster lineup and the handle play that may or may not be present. I own several Daiwa spinners and baitcasters and have started to branch out into Shimano spinners. I like the quality and build amongst the smooth drag and many other features of the Shimano spinners.

When it comes to comparing Daiwa baitcasters to Shimano baitcasters (specifically the low profile versions), I find there is a wiggle in the handle that the Daiwa reels do not exhibit with the Shimano baitcasters. I have read several things on the internet forums that are likely just hearsay and would like to get the opinion on the matter from the source.

To be specific..
I would like to compare my Daiwa Sol Baitcaster with my recently purchased Chronarch 100D7. Just about all the features of the new Chronarch are better until it comes to the handle backplay. The Sol has none! I would have no problems using it for jerkbaits on largemouth bass and the likes, where as I would get noise from the reel and an "unconnected" feel with my Chronarch.

Is there a reason that this handle play is built in to the Chronarch? Will this dampen my hookset authority or should I not worry about it and keep on the fish? Not trying to make a reel comparison but just using this for example.

When I hold the Sol spool, the handle will not wiggle.

When I hold the Chronarch spool, the handle will wiggle back and fourth about 1mm.

Likewise, when I hold the Sol handle, the spool will not wiggle.

When I hold the Chronarch handle, the spool will wiggle.

Hopefully this explains what I mean in further detail. Any input you could provide on the situation would be greatly appreciated. The Chronarch is brand new purchased 7-17 from Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga, California. I really love my Chronarch 100D7 but my old 50MG had this problem form the get go as well, so seems to be a reason for it?

Thanks again for your time. Shimano and Daiwa customer,
Casey


Reply...........

Casey,

There can be a small amount of play if you try to force the handle. This play does not have anything to do with the reel when you set the hook. In fact most of this play is actually in the pinion bearing and spool cross pin. We leave a little play here to ensure positive engagement of the pinion gear to the spool with reduced wear on the pinion gear.

There are only 2-3 manufacturers that offer these bearings. We go with the bearings that meet our strict QC requirements for durability and corrosion resistance. The Chronarch D7 also has our assist stopper which is a back up anti reverse. This acts as a back up should the primary bearing fail or slip.


Dan Thorburn
Product Support Specialist

I think he forgets to address my issue about the noise the reels can exhibit and I actually might be forcing the spool or handle some while jerking or jigging or setting the hook. I just went down and felt several other Shimano reels and they all do this. I also see that if you tighten the drag some (not even all the way necessary) and push the spool in the way a fish would pull, there is flex in the anti-reverse. In my newbie opinion this could translate to loss in hookset power. But what do I know.

Whatever the case.. I keep trying to like Shimano casters but I just feel more connected with a Daiwa!

[bsp]

For what it's worth TJ, I use a Calcutta 400 and Curado 301DSV for swimbaits and they both have the back play. This (and sometimes the noise) becomes obvious when working a Lunker Punker quickly, but I have had zero mechanical failures (so far) be brought about by the handle slipping backwards. I think it is because their bearings don't "catch" whenever they stop like on Daiwas. It's like they aren't machined with the tightest tolerances, but I have no idea what the engineering/technical reason would be.

Your concern about anti reverse flex is a valid one, as the anti reverses on the Toriums and Trinidads have been known to break when under pressure from a large fish. I have never seen it, but there are enough guys that upgrade the bearings to make me think it is valid. I doubt a bass could put enough pressure on the reel to do that before the line broke, but it could happen with a 10lb bass, 65lb braid, locked down drag, and very little line out.

In any case, sorry to hear that the reel you spent good money on did not meet your expectations. Return it and get your money back if it isn't all that you wanted. For $300 you shouldn't have any complaints about your reel. Maybe a Zillion or a TD-Z if you could find one would be better? Ichiban always has some interesting used Daiwa JDMs if you feel like going that route.

[That Dang Guy]

The Toriums and Trinidads were never originally designed to fish the amount of drag it has now. If you're fine with fishing 16 or so pounds of drag, it'll be fine. Past 18-20+ (which is definitely possible with carbontexs) theres a possibility of antireverse bearing failure. Fishing the stock range, you shouldn't encounter this problem. But now that alot of people are fishing braid, it becomes an issue. The new Trinidad DC helped alleviate this problem by adding a springed dog pawl. I'm unsure if the antireverse bearing is any different on the newer units.

But with that said, I don't think it has anything to do with the antireverse bearing. It's the amount of play betweenthe pinion and it's pin and the amount of play between the roller sleeve and the main gear.

[tacklejunkie]

Well I'm pretty sure I'm a Daiwa fan for life now.
Decided to return the Chronarch and buy a Steez to show my love after selling a few things to gain some money on the purchase.
I tried, Shimano. Just not my cup of tea.
I boggled over 6.3 or 7.1 for a while. Not too much of a difference there so just bought the fast red one with the lower capacity for longest casting distance possible.

I'll just keep using the Sol and the Luna for the fresh and saltwater and keep this fresh.

Now I need a carbontex set and some ceramic bearings..


How should I tie on my braid? (shut up!)

[a biley]

BOOO!!! Shimano for LIFE!

[a biley]

Like they said, the back play doesn't affect the hookset, but if you're more comfortable with the Daiwa, go ahead! the Steez is a nice reel.

[4g63power]

ballin! congrats on your purchase..many shimano fans are rather biased and narrow minded.

[tacklejunkie]

That might be so (as far as the play not effecting the hookset),
but IMO the flex might. Also, the sound of the racketing back and fourth from the play when jerking and jigging gets to me and makes me feel unconnected.

Nothing against Shimano. I love my Saros to death. I guess I'm just used to Daiwa. Everything else about those Shimano reels is very nice in my opinion. My newb opinion doesn't mean much around here anyways appearantly. I can not put an $8 part in the Shimano to rid of the play I don't like but I can put an $8 carbontex washer set in the Steez if needed and be set for a while as it has no play that I will notice when fishing it.

[a biley]

ballin! congrats on your purchase..many shimano fans are rather biased and narrow minded.

please explain the narrow mindedness... it goes both ways with daiwa fans and shimano fans.

[bsp]

Awesome new high speed Steez, and glad to hear that you have no complaints with it like you did the Chronarch. There are a lot of after market modifications out there for the Steez (aside from the Carbontex) too in case you ever feel like it. I look forward to seeing your ninja reports with some big bass caught on it!

As for the whole Daiwa vs. Shimano fans thing, they both make very good quality reels but each has their own negatives too. It's like getting into a debate on cars. Chevy or Ford, Toyota or Honda, Lamborghini or Ferrari. All good companies, but some prefer one over the other. I personally own reels from each, and like them both.