DaveIN
06-14-2008, 11:07 AM
First. I wish to apologize for the amount of time it has taken me to begin testing of this reel. I have been dealing with the floods in this area of Indiana since last Saturday. Working around the rebuilding of our church, I will be giving this reel a true pounding test in various waters and conditions. During the flood I apparently lost my camera and will replace it this evening. This first post will not contain any pictures to my regret.
First post concerning the Arcadia ES-25 Microlight Spinning Reel. (A-BOS May 19-08)
Lee told me that it is “About the size of your palm - 5.7 ozs - good for 2-4lb test line. Unlike our other ES reels - which are made of aluminum - this one is made of graphite to keep the weight down.” I must agree with this initial assessment. It is a very light, smart looking reel that “Dry Runs” quite smoothly.
I put it on a Shimano Compre Spin CPS50ULB 5'0" Ultra Light Fast 1/32-3/16 rod, one of my favorites for this style of reel.
I spooled Trilene XL XLPS2-15 (1002002) (http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?k=96704&sk=47014&u=XLPS#XLPS2-15 (1002002)#XLPS2-15 (1002002)) Clear 2 Lb. Test. I am a big Trilene XL & XT fan. When going 2 Lb. Test, I favor XL. When I go 4 or more, depending on water, structure fishing I switch between the 2 line composites. The reel spooled smoothly with no problems noted.
I am a big Red Ear fan and when not available, Bluegill chaser. My Tackle is simple:
Rainbow Plastics A-Just a Bubble Float
Possibly a small weight depending on water condition, etc.
A handmade red ant jig tipped with a bit a red wriggler. I used a Trilene knot on the terminal tackle.
My first outing was this AM. I went to a favorite hole of mine called “Stump Jumper” which is one of six pits resulting from a Chinock Coal mining operation years ago in Stauton, IN. The Indiana DNR took over the pits and has done an amazing job of stocking and maintenance of this wildlife area. I chose this first location because normally I would have to 15 – 18 feet deep to get to the Red Ears. Bringing fighting Ears from this depth on micro-light rigs are fun enough, but with the flood I knew the water would be deeper. As it turns out I was right, about 22-23 feet deep.
I took a small Bass Buster type boat with a Minn-Kota trolling motor.
Perfect fishing morning:
Started 7 am
68 degrees
Sunny
Humidity 90.084 %
Wind 1 mph calm
Water dirty
The first twelve casts resulted in twelve ¾ to 1 ¼ Lb Ears off the bottom. Honey, fire up the frying pan, I am bringing home dinner! The lucky thirteen decided to hang itself around a tree. I broke it off and re rigged. I had drifted a bit during this and decided to try the Gills. I put on a Jig given to me by Mike, Illinoisgiller. I started to knock off the gills though not the size of the Ears and not on every cast, but still fun. I kept some of the smaller to take home to can. After about an hour of this, I went back to the Ear spot and put the Red Ant with red wriggler back on. The bite was there but slower. For this session I repeatedly dipped the reel in the water, drained it, than cast it out. No perception of rough action at all and it appears to drain well also. Had two hang ups during this time but no break offs. Some of the Ears were smaller this go around. Total caught during this 2 hour period was 27 with 11 of the best kept. A mans got to eat after all………LOL
Total time on water was approximately 3 ½ hours.
Total fish brought home: 23 Red Ears 8 Canning Size Gills
Conditions at the end of the session was essentially same with temp rising to 70.
Upon leaving, I meet a fellow just getting ready to put his boat in the water. He asked how I did and I showed him. I then showed him my rig and asked if he had heard of Arcadia. I explained to him about the WIF Forum and Arcadia. He said he would try to look us up. I have decided to make business cards with the WIF and Arcadia info on them so I can pass them out. Anybody else?
Reel appearance: Lee, the ES 25 looks great to me. Light, well constructed, flashy, I see no fault. The graphite body does seem to make a difference in feel, touch, weight. I am not much on cosmetics, just performance. BTW- I agree with your keeping the aluminum spool instead of graphite. This just shows me you are on the ball and not cutting costs. Will the extra spools be aluminum also?
Performance: Very smooth in all aspects. Frankly, I did not notice the “wobble” counterweight problem. It performed at what my “higher” end micro-lights do. Though not known, I have decided Not to crack this puppy open and look at the guts, but, I am guessing 5-7 bearings Lee? The drag was easily set, the spool and bail appears durable and I always expect the line keeper tab on the spool. I dropped the spool six times to see if it would dent, etc. Nope, held up just fine. I even tried to bend the bail out of shape, with no success. This is just a great little light reel!
:evilgrin0039: OK, a con or two, probably because I am just used to certain things:
1) The handle. I like the big wooden handle. What I do not like is that it is “offset” from the middle slightly. I would prefer to see it anchored in the middle of the handle. Just me, I have big thing on touch and feel. Sometimes it just “funny” when I grabbed it. I do not have this problem on the bigger reel/handles, just smaller ones such as this.
2) Lee, just me, I like the concept of the “Quick Fire” bail finger casting operation. I hope you understand the concept I am trying to relay. With the bail closed, back turn the handle and the bail will set itself in a position where you can extend your index finger down, grab the line and a finger tab on the bail which lifts it.
Lee, I think depending on pricing, you have a winner here. Retail will be?
:party0045:
I am going to take this rig and use it in rough, rushing Wabash River water on Tuesday. I will re-spool with 4 Lb Trilene XT. Stay tuned for this next adventure!
First post concerning the Arcadia ES-25 Microlight Spinning Reel. (A-BOS May 19-08)
Lee told me that it is “About the size of your palm - 5.7 ozs - good for 2-4lb test line. Unlike our other ES reels - which are made of aluminum - this one is made of graphite to keep the weight down.” I must agree with this initial assessment. It is a very light, smart looking reel that “Dry Runs” quite smoothly.
I put it on a Shimano Compre Spin CPS50ULB 5'0" Ultra Light Fast 1/32-3/16 rod, one of my favorites for this style of reel.
I spooled Trilene XL XLPS2-15 (1002002) (http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?k=96704&sk=47014&u=XLPS#XLPS2-15 (1002002)#XLPS2-15 (1002002)) Clear 2 Lb. Test. I am a big Trilene XL & XT fan. When going 2 Lb. Test, I favor XL. When I go 4 or more, depending on water, structure fishing I switch between the 2 line composites. The reel spooled smoothly with no problems noted.
I am a big Red Ear fan and when not available, Bluegill chaser. My Tackle is simple:
Rainbow Plastics A-Just a Bubble Float
Possibly a small weight depending on water condition, etc.
A handmade red ant jig tipped with a bit a red wriggler. I used a Trilene knot on the terminal tackle.
My first outing was this AM. I went to a favorite hole of mine called “Stump Jumper” which is one of six pits resulting from a Chinock Coal mining operation years ago in Stauton, IN. The Indiana DNR took over the pits and has done an amazing job of stocking and maintenance of this wildlife area. I chose this first location because normally I would have to 15 – 18 feet deep to get to the Red Ears. Bringing fighting Ears from this depth on micro-light rigs are fun enough, but with the flood I knew the water would be deeper. As it turns out I was right, about 22-23 feet deep.
I took a small Bass Buster type boat with a Minn-Kota trolling motor.
Perfect fishing morning:
Started 7 am
68 degrees
Sunny
Humidity 90.084 %
Wind 1 mph calm
Water dirty
The first twelve casts resulted in twelve ¾ to 1 ¼ Lb Ears off the bottom. Honey, fire up the frying pan, I am bringing home dinner! The lucky thirteen decided to hang itself around a tree. I broke it off and re rigged. I had drifted a bit during this and decided to try the Gills. I put on a Jig given to me by Mike, Illinoisgiller. I started to knock off the gills though not the size of the Ears and not on every cast, but still fun. I kept some of the smaller to take home to can. After about an hour of this, I went back to the Ear spot and put the Red Ant with red wriggler back on. The bite was there but slower. For this session I repeatedly dipped the reel in the water, drained it, than cast it out. No perception of rough action at all and it appears to drain well also. Had two hang ups during this time but no break offs. Some of the Ears were smaller this go around. Total caught during this 2 hour period was 27 with 11 of the best kept. A mans got to eat after all………LOL
Total time on water was approximately 3 ½ hours.
Total fish brought home: 23 Red Ears 8 Canning Size Gills
Conditions at the end of the session was essentially same with temp rising to 70.
Upon leaving, I meet a fellow just getting ready to put his boat in the water. He asked how I did and I showed him. I then showed him my rig and asked if he had heard of Arcadia. I explained to him about the WIF Forum and Arcadia. He said he would try to look us up. I have decided to make business cards with the WIF and Arcadia info on them so I can pass them out. Anybody else?
Reel appearance: Lee, the ES 25 looks great to me. Light, well constructed, flashy, I see no fault. The graphite body does seem to make a difference in feel, touch, weight. I am not much on cosmetics, just performance. BTW- I agree with your keeping the aluminum spool instead of graphite. This just shows me you are on the ball and not cutting costs. Will the extra spools be aluminum also?
Performance: Very smooth in all aspects. Frankly, I did not notice the “wobble” counterweight problem. It performed at what my “higher” end micro-lights do. Though not known, I have decided Not to crack this puppy open and look at the guts, but, I am guessing 5-7 bearings Lee? The drag was easily set, the spool and bail appears durable and I always expect the line keeper tab on the spool. I dropped the spool six times to see if it would dent, etc. Nope, held up just fine. I even tried to bend the bail out of shape, with no success. This is just a great little light reel!
:evilgrin0039: OK, a con or two, probably because I am just used to certain things:
1) The handle. I like the big wooden handle. What I do not like is that it is “offset” from the middle slightly. I would prefer to see it anchored in the middle of the handle. Just me, I have big thing on touch and feel. Sometimes it just “funny” when I grabbed it. I do not have this problem on the bigger reel/handles, just smaller ones such as this.
2) Lee, just me, I like the concept of the “Quick Fire” bail finger casting operation. I hope you understand the concept I am trying to relay. With the bail closed, back turn the handle and the bail will set itself in a position where you can extend your index finger down, grab the line and a finger tab on the bail which lifts it.
Lee, I think depending on pricing, you have a winner here. Retail will be?
:party0045:
I am going to take this rig and use it in rough, rushing Wabash River water on Tuesday. I will re-spool with 4 Lb Trilene XT. Stay tuned for this next adventure!