Power to the Scorpion

It's been a while since we were last offshore over the east coast jigging in the shallows. We usually head there with a myriad of tackle from ultra light to light jigging tackle and Jackson pintail casting to occasionally popping set-ups. My past few trips there has thought me to prepare a little bit more than the usual across the range tackle set-ups in view of the wide variety of small to big game targets. I use spinning outfit for both ultra light and light jigging. Ultra light tackle can be super fun in the shallows but these waters also hold big fish that will sometimes bust your lines. Light tackle will be the safer bet this time around, but I'm also bringing an extra set of light tackle as we usually spend quite some time jigging.

For this new set-up, I opt for a baitcaster for extra sensitivity and connection when working light jigs. On top of that, recent demand up rise for light jigging meant that more and more brands are coming up with specific gear to match. Previously, there were only a handful of these light jigging overhead reels and they are hard to come by.

The day I picked up this new Scorpion, Shimano decided to announce that they will be releasing a new light jigging reel called the Ocea Conquest. A heavily modified version of the latest fun sized Conquest and Daiwa decided to update their Ryoga Bay Jigging reel *sigh*. Nevertheless, the Scorpion is built as a sturdy 'daily' reel. For a 200 sized reel, I figured this would do very well for light jigging in the shallows with drags to match. All it needs is a nice power handle with big fat knobs to make it more jigging friendly.

Luckily enough, Studio Composite has the perfect part, power handles with over sized EVA knobs for power games. On top of that, the carbon fiber handle is thicker than the usual aftermarket handles. It's even thicker than the stock aluminum handles.

Scorpion ready to power up!

Odd thing for Shimano to be including a spring retainer for free spool bearing support on the crank side. I wonder if there's a cost difference between this spring vs a more efficient pentagon retainer wire.

Alas, a pentagon retainer wire on the brake side free spool support bearing. Why the double standards Shimano?

Careless Shimano folks smearing grease where they shouldn't. This means the one-way bearing needs to be cleaned and oiled with one-way bearing oil.

Lubricated just enough to go fishing with minimal protection. Time to lube everything up!

Here's the interesting bit about the 'Safety Level Wind' which will prevent injuries or damages in the event of foreign object getting stuck between the level wind and reel body. It's a simple design mechanism that acts like a clutch which will slip when there's enough force stopping the level wind from moving. This system is built into the main shaft gear which also drives the satellite gear for the worm gear shaft.

Red arrow points to the gear having notches around the inner ring. The shaft has holes which houses tiny spring loaded clicker tooth. The gear and shaft will act as a clutch which will slip when there's enough force stopping it from rotating therefore preventing damages or injuries.

All bearings are loaded with marine grease for maximum protection and smoothness for mostly salt water application.

Bearings loaded and ready to be reassembled. Crank case given a nice coat of marine grease for protection too.

Custom sized carbontex drags for the new Scorpion to improve drag force and smoothness.

Rubbed with drag grease and maxed out dimensions for the lower drag stack.

Almost a full house.

Scorpion's got new power!

Paired with MajorCraft's Giant Killing Tai Rubber jigging rod. Can't wait to put the gear to test!

Let's see what species are in during this time of the year and we are expecting plenty of reef residents to hopefully give this set-up some stretching in time for next year's diamond trevally hunt.