After one year, here is my findings.

[inicoll]

So, about a year ago, I decided to buy two new reels and two new rods for my jigging. I purchased the following two rods:
Jigging Master Power Spell 50 S 300g
AMJ-S52EX 400g

And the following two reels:
Shimano Stella 20000SW
Diawa Saltiga Z6000

Now approximately 1 year later here is what I have discovered:

On the AMJ-S52EX 400g rod, I see signs of rust coming through where the guides join the rod, at present the epoxy covering is not broken but it doesn't look like it will be long before it starts pealing away.
The Jigging Master Power Spell 50 S 300g rod shows no signs of rust anywhere.

The Diawa Saltiga Z6000 reel has too much corrosion on one certain place (see attached photo's) It looks like there was a part not painted (under the bail spring) and this is where it has started corroding and has spread fast!
The Shimano Stella 20000SW still looks like new.

I would like to add that I take very good care of my equipment, washing things down after every trip with soap and fresh water + plenty of maintenance - stripping down the reels approximately every 3 months for a total clean and lube job.

I have to add that for Saltiga reel and AMJ rod I am very disappointed, rods and reels of this standard and price should not have these faults after only one year.

This may be down to me unluckily getting bad ones but it has put me off these for good, from now on it's Stella and Jigging Master all the way for me.

I am aware that someone might come and say that they have had their AMJ or Saltiga for years without any problems, and thats fine, this is just what has happened to me and I thought I would share it with you all.

[Dyllan]

I have this same rod,,, and I too take very good care of my equipment.... wash every trip... and mine too is showing slight surface rust on the guides under the epoxy.... I have had mine for 3 yrs. and LOVE the rod,, but spending all that money (the first in my live for a rod) I'd think that would be the last thing I'd be seeing??? Other then that.. I do love this rod...!

[inicoll]

The rod is fantastic, as is the Jigging master one, the AMJ is about 2 inches longer than the JM one and has 6 guides (JM has 5) They are both perfect jigging rods but I'm not too sure what can be done about the rust as it's under the epoxy, I really don't want to break the epoxy to clean it up then re-apply as I have no experience with that sort of thing, guess I will just have to keep an eye on it for now!

I now apply a VERY thin layer of grease over these area's on the rods in an effort to repel salt water.

I have inspected the rod under a magnifying glass and really can't see any cracks on the epoxy, it seems that salt water is just managing to get in right where the epoxy ends and the guide starts. I believe that there is always going to be a little salt water gets in at this point in all rods so it's down to the amount of corrosion resistance the actual guides themselves have, especially an the point we don't see (under the epoxy)

I have had a few rods over the years die because of this problem, the guides just get so weak they break. Guess I should learn how to apply new guides but that shouldn't really be down to the consumer as I believe it is a pretty specialist job.

I have also noticed over the years that this problem seems to be worse on rods with the black guides, the chrome ones seem to have more resistance.

But it just shows you how corrosive our saltwater environment is, even the top rods and reels are not managing to fight against it. But why don't rod guide manufacturers use different materials for guides? What kind of steel is used for a guide base (before all it's protective coatings)? can it not be stainless steel? or some other material that can't rust?

LOL.. I remember when I was a kid we use to use bamboo sticks with hair grips wrapped on it with fishing nylon for the guides. lol...

[regue]

I've same problem with Daiwa reel, corrosion appered around bobin after one year

[dulangan]

and so as other rods...

some of my rods show signs of corrosion on the guides too. But it's true that is not so much on the Jigging Master. On the Tuna Max, there is no corrosion too.


O/T

are you the same innicoll based here in the Philippines?

[inicoll]

and so as other rods...

some of my rods show signs of corrosion on the guides too. But it's true that is not so much on the Jigging Master. On the Tuna Max, there is no corrosion too.


O/T

are you the same innicoll based here in the Philippines?

Yeah buddy, from Scotland but live in the Philippines, just coming to the end of my one month holiday at home, think my company is sending me to Hong Kong for 6 months next week. Had a good night a few days ago, caught a 22lb Grouper and a 28lb Almaco Jack, I know it is not a big Almaco by USA standards but for my area it is a cracker and it's the biggest one I have caught here, wow... these fish are awesome fighters, the take was amazing followed by a very hard dive to the bottom (550ft)

It's such a shame about the corrosion on both the rod and reel, but at this price range there is no second chances for me, I simply won't buy or recommend these items again.

I absolutely love the Stella, it also holds a LOT more line than the Saltiga but it is a lot more noisy! I have stripped the Stella numerous times and can't see any faults, but when winding in (jigging a 350g jig in 550ft) it almost sounds like there is sand in the reel, do any of you have this sound with the Stella? I have mine loaded with 65lb Jerry Brown (red, solid) spectra. This is about the only thing I don't like about the Stella as it worries me!

I have the Saltiga paired to the AMJ rod now and bring it with me as a back-up rod.

[dulangan]

can i jig with you in the future???

my stella does that sound too... it is loaded with 80lb Tuffline XP indicator..

[biboy2000]

hi, i have two jigging master rod's with corrosion showing on the guide foot.
best to get rods with the titanium guides for corrosion resistance.


fish on!

[Charl]

Yeah buddy, from Scotland but live in the Philippines, just coming to the end of my one month holiday at home, think my company is sending me to Hong Kong for 6 months next week. Had a good night a few days ago, caught a 22lb Grouper and a 28lb Almaco Jack, I know it is not a big Almaco by USA standards but for my area it is a cracker and it's the biggest one I have caught here, wow... these fish are awesome fighters, the take was amazing followed by a very hard dive to the bottom (550ft)

It's such a shame about the corrosion on both the rod and reel, but at this price range there is no second chances for me, I simply won't buy or recommend these items again.

I absolutely love the Stella, it also holds a LOT more line than the Saltiga but it is a lot more noisy! I have stripped the Stella numerous times and can't see any faults, but when winding in (jigging a 350g jig in 550ft) it almost sounds like there is sand in the reel, do any of you have this sound with the Stella? I have mine loaded with 65lb Jerry Brown (red, solid) spectra. This is about the only thing I don't like about the Stella as it worries me!

I have the Saltiga paired to the AMJ rod now and bring it with me as a back-up rod.

Inicoll..

From my experiance some reels start to make these sounds when the Crown wheel gear and pinion gear are not matching, thus worn or needs setting. On the side of the crown gear there are thin spacer washers that sets the depth of the crown gear with relation to the pinion gear.

If the reel is new you should try and get it to a Shimano agent and have them check it out but If you have disasembled it before I think they will not help you but it's worth the try...

Hope you get it sorted..

[inicoll]

Inicoll..

From my experiance some reels start to make these sounds when the Crown wheel gear and pinion gear are not matching, thus worn or needs setting. On the side of the crown gear there are thin spacer washers that sets the depth of the crown gear with relation to the pinion gear.

If the reel is new you should try and get it to a Shimano agent and have them check it out but If you have disasembled it before I think they will not help you but it's worth the try...

Hope you get it sorted..

Thanks pal, will definitely check that out.
To get it clear, the "Crown Wheel gear", is that the "Drive Gear"? I can't find anything named that in the schematic, and the washer you are referring to, in your experience, if the reel is making this noise do you have to replace with a thinner washer or add a thin washer?

Thanks again.