eBay made me do it! Daiwa SL-X50HV

[Fish ON!]

I was really looking for a 30 but this 50 popped up with a decent buy it now price and well, you know how that can be…and it should work nicely for sharks. I think I'm off to Bev's for a 30.

The reel is in very good condition but it did not come with any brakes –that’s eBay for ya! – so I took some from a very old, small daiwa I have. They are too small for the reel but it’s what I had. It was loaded with 25ish? pound something - .020” – about 1/4” below full.

Put it on my Ocean Master 6-12 spinning heaver ‘cause, again, it’s what I had. First tries = it’s pretty fast. Too fast for me at least. A lot of overruns and several nests. Tightened the spool adjustment a bit and kept trying. Got a few good unitech casts with 6oz. but I reached a point where I didn’t like how much tension I had on the spool so I headed home.

Cleaned out the bearings and added 80/90w. Added little pieces of WD40 spray tube for more braking (pretty micky mouse huh? )
Re-spooled with 20lb Big Game. It took almost a full 650yd spool! And yes it’s very full.

Went to Bass Pro. They didn’t have any OM heavers so I got the 3-6 ouncer. I hope to pair it with a smaller reel in the future. I don’t want a Cape Point and I think Charkbait cleaned them out anyway!

Well, the 80/90 & micky brakes helped a bit. I’ve been out 3 more times so far. If I’m not real careful it still over runs. My technique leaves a bit to be desired too If I do my part I’m getting about a hundred yards with no over runs using 5ozs and an overhead unitech cast and a 7-foot drop. I’m guessing on distance ‘cause I’m casting at a lake. I’ll take it to a field sometime soon. Oh, and the 4.9 ratio seems to be plenty fast.

Over all it’s a nice reel. I really want to try it on a heaver with more weight. Hopefully when I get the correct brakes I can drop down the oil weight and get some more distance. I have to become more consistent in my casting too. I’m sure that some one good using a better cast could make this thing fly. Now I need to get back down to the beach and try it with half a bunker…

[trowpa]

congrats on the purchase! Enjoy the learning process.....you may just have to schedule some extra sessions at the beach...

[igormothra]

ebay is dangerous........ congrats on the good find .

[Charkbait]

I think you're right, I took them all...they scratch EASY, I need to pad my spikes for those things.