Fishband Clamber Hyper Micro CR-HM06: Bait Finesse System Reel (Initial Review)

[@zihotki]

TLDR - they are like Ikea furniture, ok-ish, work well. It's quite interesting that they still didn't adopt a short shaft. It would easily cut off up to a gramm of the weight. At this moment I have 5 BFS (SpiritFox, Kastking, Kyorim, Fishband all different) reels from China and used some of them for 2 seasons, some only last year. There are some questions in regards with quality control and tolerances but in general I don't see why I would need to invest into top Daiwa or Shimano reels especially when drag clicker becomes more widespread in china reels. They cast good enough, the difference usually doesn't worth the price, 50-90 bucks is the max I want to spend on a reel. The reason is simple - I have too many hobbies (fishing is one of them) which also require equipment and material and my budget is not limitless. The key point of me switching over to them is that I can easily make several sets for specific conditions and needs for little money. And I don't need to switch them over, swap the line, etc. Just grab suitable one from a car and go fishing. In terms of reliability, I don't expect them to last 5 years of extensive use. Even the top reels will need some maintenance to last long and here you can avoid that and save additional money. Plus having many of them makes the use not that extensive so I expect them to last at least 3 years. And at the moment when one breaks, there will definitely be more advanced and a bit better quality reels for the same price like the one here. And if I loose a fish due to a reel - that's fine for me, although it never happened, even when I got 10-kilo pike hooked on a bfs lure.

[@antareslonghorn6943]

Hello paul. Your web and chane is very informative. Hope you always healthy.

[@zihotki]

Comparing to Zephyr, this one has only 6 magnets just like SpiritFox and copy-cats while Zephyr has 8. Amount of magnets determines how well it will slow down rotation of the spool. In my experience 8 is definitely better than 6, less overruns, less birdnests, etc. But FTB-style brakes (GH-100) is still the king here, even in left-handed version where Chinese implemented it wrongly it still works better that simple magnets on a side plate. I wish they released a version of this reel with FTB-style brakes.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

It's interesting because my experience is completely different from what you describe - which is one of the great things about fishing. Regarding "more magnets is always better" - that should surely only be true if you only ever fish with the brakes turned up to max? In my experience I fish the brakes on less than half for all reels including the Zephyr, GH100, Alphas Air and Hyper Micro. In other words all decent reels have plenty of spare braking capacity for my fishing and I never get anywhere near to maxing out my brake dial. To my mind the Hyper micro is more than twice as good as the GH100 - and this probably stems from the way, way lighter spool and its aluminium frame. As I say, it fascinates me that, depending on your fishing style and priorities you can have completely opposite experiences to another angler with different style and different priorities. A big one for me is that the GH100 isn't very good for flip casting light lures.

[@OmidasOnFire]

have you found any proof that, although in wrong direction, the left handed gh 100 version work less performant? i know about that issue, but have never seen an explanation as to why it wouldn't work as well

[@adamlogan135]

Been using one for 2 weeks now there great

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Nice one Adam. I'm impressed with mine so far, for sure.

[@alainingremaud7731]

Bonsoir et merci pour cette vidéo de grande qualité . Vos commentaires sont très pertinents et très intéressants . Cordialement , Alain.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Merci beaucoup Alain - vous etes vraiment très gentil de le dire. Paul

[@mcl560]

i get all the info i want from your video and article. i subscribe right away. u are the kind of source of bfs tackle info that im looking for. and you kinda look like a cool nice guy too.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Thank you Lim Mun Chew - that's super nice of you to say so and we're really happy to have you on board as a subscriber too. Look out in the coming weeks for a really cool "5-way Cast Battle" between some amazing BFS reels. Paul.

[@somersetfisher2694]

Good video pal looking forward to seeing your opinion on this reel vs the gh100. I have this reel and a standard gh100, hands down the clamber is a upgrade for the ultra light stuff, I can cast 2g on the gh100 but only with the bearings being clean. The clamber on the other hand can cast 2g straight out the box even with the bearings covered in grease and I've even managed 1.5g. Just need the trout season to start so I can put it through its paces 😂

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Exactly my experience...Keep an eye out for the video and blog post report where I do a 5-way cast battle with "Out of the Box" (I.e. unaltered) reels including the GH100 and Clamber HM06 (and Zephyr, PW100 + Alphas Air 2020 TW). Very interesting results.

[@chepachii]

G'day mate,out of all those reels,which one do you prefer?

[@BackTheBlu]

Someone mentioned that the left hand gh100 has brakes from the right hand reel, so the brakes don't pop up when the spool is spinning.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Hi - while this is the Clamber Hyper Micro (and has a different braking system) I've not found that right hand/left hand braking problem to exist on the GH100. I have heard about it on another of the Chinese market reels (and I'd be doing it a disservice to guess at which one - in case I get it wrong). raWr fishing did a review of it on his channel a while back though...

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries are both of the side plates on the clamber made out of plastic?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@BackTheBlu Yes, as is quite common with some other aluminium-framed reels. The rigidity of the frame is noticeable compared to carbon/plastic bodies reels (and will account for the more precise tolerances of "spool to reel-body" gap. It's a very interesting half-way option sitting between top end Japanese reels and entry-level priced carbon/plastic Chinese reels. I have to say that the stock spool is remarkably light.

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries would you recommend buying this reel or should I save up for a curado bfs?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@BackTheBlu It really depends. I don't see the Curado casting ultra, ultra light baits as well as the CR HM06 can... However if you're more "light finesse bass" than "crazy UL trout" then the Curado might be the one for you. There's not a whole ton of difference in price...so it really depends what you want. Paul

[@marcofaenzi3019]

Ciao Paul ho visto la recensione , e ho letto il blog relativo al caricamento del filo su un mulinello casting. A tal proposito ho visto che usi un contametri. Ti chiedevo il link di dove l'hai acquistato e inoltre volevo chiederti quale treccia 8 capi mi puoi consigliare. Considera che devo lanciare spoon di 3,5 g. Grazie

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Ciao - prima di tutto mi piace la treccia "fusa". Il giapponese (e costoso) che mi piace è "Duel Armor". Tuttavia credo anche che Berkley Ultra 8 Fireline sarebbe buono. Penso che il contatore di linea fosse questo collegamento: www.amazon.co.uk/Fishing-Counter-Professional-Digital-Diaplay/dp/B07YD13DHF buona fortuna a te! Paul

[@marcofaenzi3019]

Grazie Paul i tuoi consigli sono veramente preziosi.

[@l2acst]

Nice vid mate. Is there a huge difference to the Zephyr? Which is better in ur opinion and why?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Again - as with the PW100 comparison - I need more time onstream with both the Zephyr and the HM06; though immediate differences are that the Zephyr body is built on a "platform" which is a fair bit larger than the HM06. The Zephyr has a very light spool for a CDM reel - and is still a little bit over a gram heavier than the HM06. The Zephyr looks lovely in terms of cosmetics - especially at that price point. On that subject, the Zephyr is available at a much lower price point than the HM06. I look forward to doing some proper side-by-side testing so that I can put some more detailed observations to this answer. Paul

[@l2acst]

@@FishingDiscoveries thanks bro, waiting for your comparison ✌🏼

[@ukaszczekaj8542]

At first great video with full of details etc. 👌. Second when we can expect the side by side comparison with Zypher?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Be careful what you wish for!! Here is the "out of the box" head to head assessment (with some statistical comparisons) of those two reels - plus three more; fishingdiscoveries.com/ul-baitcaster-review/ Also - look out for the video breakdown of those cast test results. Thanks for watching, Paul.

[@ukaszczekaj8542]

@@FishingDiscoveries I'm absolutely impressed what I've read. First time I sow something like this. Absolutely phenomenal article 👏 Next time when somebody will call his max 5 minutes movie test, I'll send him link to your TEST. Good job and very welcome to see or read more made by you 😀👍Regards from Poland 🇵🇱

[@marcofaenzi3019]

ciao Paul ho ordinato questo mulinello e anche il kit dei cuscinetti ( boca bearing) . Ho anche ordinato la canna acehawk 60 ul con due cimini. La domanda e': quale cimino devo usare per gli spoon con peso che va dai 2,5g - 3,5g? Visto che sono un principiante con il casting, realisticamente che distanza pensi che possa lanciare. Io pesco a trout area da ormai 10 anni, e i miei lanci con spoon di 3,5g, sono di circa 30-35 metri. Infine, scusa se ti sto assillando, ma quando si effettua il lancio, bisogna mettere il dito sul filo in bobina per evitare che l'esca scenda, come si fa per lo spinning? Grazie

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Ciao Marco, scusami per aver impiegato molto tempo per rispondere. Direi che usare l'accendino delle due punte della canna aiuterà con il lancio - MA; potrebbe non aiutare a far penetrare efficacemente l'amo nel labbro di un pesce! Dipende solo dal tipo di esca ... Per lanciare: tieni la bobina con il pollice (finché non vuoi rilasciare la linea). Devi quindi mettere il pollice sulla bobina non appena la tua esca atterra sull'acqua, altrimenti fa un enorme casino. La precisione è più importante della distanza per lo stile BFS. Anche se da 20 a 30 m con un spoon da 3,5 g è ragionevole aspettarsi Ecco un breve video dimostrativo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fRcqNvq8yBhrs

[@marcofaenzi3019]

​Ciao Paul ti ringrazio per i consigli. Ho acquistato anche il GH100, e a tal proposito volevo chiederti se la bobina del PW100 e' compatibile cn il GH100. Oppure se esiste aftermarket una bobina piu' leggera per il GH100. Ma, possibile che Fishband non fornisca parti di ricambio!!!?? Grazie per la tua pazienza

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@marcofaenzi3019 Nessun problema Marco, Le bobine non sono compatibili tra PW100 e GH100. Fishband vende bobine di ricambio per GH100, ma sono identiche alla bobina esistente. Tipicamente le bobine speciali ultraleggere sono realizzate da produttori specializzati (come roro, amo, avail ecc.). Il CR HM06 ha una delle bobine "montate in fabbrica" ​​più leggere di qualsiasi mulinello BFS.

[@marcofaenzi3019]

Grazie Paul, gentilissimo . Un caro saluto

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@marcofaenzi3019 Prego, nessun problema :)

[@dXauus]

Hi , between pw100plus and clamber cr06, which one do u prefer?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

I need to test them side by side in much more detail Mohammad - It;s also worth saying that the CR HM06 is priced higher than the PW100. The obvious differences are the aluminium body of the HM06 and its ultra light spool (6.16g versus just over 8g). I haven't yet fished with a PW100 - so right now it isn't possible to give a proper comparison. I'll keep doing more research and update on the channel and also on this comments thread. Paul

[@dXauus]

@@FishingDiscoveries thanks for feedback 👍

[@chepachii]

Hi Paul ,in your experience what is the minimum and max casting weights this reel comfortably casts in your experience with it? Cheers and thank you for your good work.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Cheers James - I would say that it will handle 1.7-g Zoner Minnows well - but it is just labouring a little bit at weights lower than 1.5-g and a little prone to punishing you if you get the power application not quite perfect below that weight (at least with a relatively unstreamlined bait like a suspending jerk bait). Two grams and above is very comfortable. I've thrown up to 6-g on it and to be fair, once you go higher than that - as long as the rod can handle it, it is more about whether you'll spool yourself or not ha ha ha!

[@neilmcghee1016]

I admit that I don't even know what BUS is! What type of fishing is this good for?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Full lowdown here Neil: fishingdiscoveries.com/bait-finesse-system/

[@chepachii]

Hi Paul how do I register on your forum, couldn't find anything on it ,just comment as guest?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Hi James, Although I don't have a forum, the comments section under most blog posts or pages on the FD site will show usernames if you're enrolled in any of the Academy courses. However, if you wanted to have a username and profile without enrolling in a paid course, then, on the following link, there is a free course on the Academy, which would enable your profile details to appear on any comments you make on posts (as long as you're logged in): fishingdiscoveries.com/fly-tying-club-free-signup/

[@RonMTube]

Clicking drag. Yeah baby! Seriously, there are some pricier JDM reels I haven't bought because they lack a clicker.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Agree, it's something that is disproportionately useful and not just cosmetic when it comes to playing fish (I find, at least). Paul

[@RealSnapshot]

There are a few, new Tsurinoya Spirit Fox (black) in 2 Gear Ratio Versions, Lurestar C9

[@metallicblood]

Will this one be available on Aliexpress at some point in the near future?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Not from what Fishband have said. They say they intend to concentrate on approved distributors in different countries.

[@KungfuSlingshot]

You can buy it at a Finesse product Hub at www.dankung.com/product/fishband-clamber-hyper-micro-bfs-reel-661_3344

[@gaborszrnka1322]

Hi Paul, Please tell me, which one is better reel? The Fishband Clamber or the Soloking Acura? I have Acura now, but I hesitate to buy this reel. The Clamber have alloy frame, this is a great thing. I would like to buy with higher gear ratio model (8:1) with the purple spool. Are you recommend this one? I use from 5g-20g baits, but the lures average weight around 8-15g.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Although I, overall, think the ACURA is the better reel - the Clamber is probably the lowest cost alloy body reel. Just make sure that the gear ratio and spool diameter creates the right amount of "centimetres per handle turn" of line recovery for your style of fishing.

[@gaborszrnka1322]

@@FishingDiscoveries Thank you for your fast reply. Yep, the Clamber have a bigger diameter spool and it's plus for me. I'm looking for a light reel, not an ultralight what is the Acura. The Daiwa Alphas SV TW 800 is my dream, but a little bit expensive. I think this is a perfect light reel. Is it worth it the double price? Or do you have any reel recommendation under/around 200$ price range?

[@matthewcove8597]

So we're all waiting for the on the water video for this reel not many vids on this reel

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Here you go Matthew kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rOiGSjrMZ2jaM

[@matthewcove8597]

Don't what I'm more impressed with the rod & reel or fact you speak Portuguese so are we gonna get to hear your on the water real world impressions of the reel before I push the button and buy one

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@matthewcove8597 Google translate is a wonderful thing hehe. I like the CR-HM06 reel that I have - particularly for very light baits. OK, it can't match an Alphas Air TW 20 (and you may have seen our 5 way cast battle article on fishingdiscoveries.com for some heavy performance stats analysis) but it still retails at about half the price of the Alphas. Obviously those savings have to come at some cost. It seems that batch-to-batch manufacturing consistency may be one of those costs (as The Reel Test found that his spool was a little heavier than mine and also his drag clicker seemed jerkier). It all depends on whether you think it's at least half as good as the Daiwa - or whether you would be better saving up for an Alphas Air TW 20.

[@matthewcove8597]

@@FishingDiscoveries so I'm wondering do really need it if most of my fishing 3grams and above

[@BackTheBlu]

I just saw the reel test's first impressions video, and noticed that the drag clicker on his reel was really bad.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Yes - and weirdly, it seems so much worse than the one on my reel. As he highlights in his review and video comments - it seems that the challenge Fishband has is to nail down the batch consistency rather than only the overall design (which is remarkable when executed well). Paul

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries the seller I bought mine from raised the price and it seems like they might let my order expire

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@BackTheBlu Ugh - how annoying...

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries I spoke too soon, they did end up shipping it. Hopefully it's as good as yours 🤞

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries I got the reel 2 weeks later! Mine had the same issue with the drag as the reel test's. I managed to fix it by changing the spring that holds the clicker pin in place. The one I'm using is from a Nintendo switch joycon trigger. It's not as audible but it got rid of the shaking.

[@benahmed327]

Where did you get this in the UK?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

I was fortunate to get hold of a "pre market" one by pestering the Fishband Reps! If it performs well when casting, I'm considering setting up as a referral "affiliate" for the UK distributor - so watch this space Ben. Paul

[@BackTheBlu]

Have you tried changing the bearings?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Yes, I put Roro bfs hybrid ceramics in (1-10g) and they work great.

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries did it improve the performance of the reel?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@BackTheBlu It feels like it for the lightest lures, yes. Though the difference isn't enormous (and I need to test it more accurately), it feels worthwhile for a quite small price tag.

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries thank you so much for your replies, you've been very helpful.

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries could you tell me the size of the bearings

[@leonardbrown1512]

When this reel was available on Aliexpress it was selling for $260.00 aus $$. I can't see anything here on this reel that warrants the price. I definitely would spend more on a JDM Shimano.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Yeah I get you Leonard, and if you've the budget to pay two to three times the price then go for it. However, there aren't many JDM reels that will throw ultralight lures (when unmodified) with the same ease right out of the box- so you've a more limited choice to go like-for-like (unless you want to tag on an extra 80 to 150 AUS dollars for an ultralight spool in the 6-g or below range). Of course, savings have been made on materials and manufacturing - and there may be less consistency between batches; but I'd definitely say the Clamber HM 06 is a more than legit offering; specifically for throwing the lightest BFS baits. Cheers for commenting, Paul.

[@leonardbrown1512]

@@FishingDiscoveries I own the Shimano SLX BFS which I can cast 3gram weight approx 15 metres or more on the Ace Hawk ultra light. I owned th Shimano Scorpion BFS and I only used it twice before I lost it when I capsized my kayak. I own the Fishband PW100 and it's an excellent reel, and I have modified 3 Daiwa Fuego 100 reels using Billings ultra light spools and they all perform really well using 4 lb line. I own the Alderbaran 50 which I have never used, and I am thinking of getting the Shimano Calcutta BFS and another Scorpion. I use mine in the Saltwater and a little for Bass in the Fresh. The lightest I have thrown is 2 grams a tiny little crankbait. I fish with super light or big swimbaits mainly at the extreme at both ends. I find it's more challenging. I am learning all the time and BFS baitcaster reels are virtually non existent in Australia so I have to import everything.

[@KungfuSlingshot]

It's not 260 dollars, it'a a little more than 100 dollars at Finesse Fishiing Hub at www.dankung.com/product/fishband-clamber-hyper-micro-bfs-reel-661_3344

[@leonardbrown1512]

@@KungfuSlingshot Thanks. It's not a reel I am interested in anymore