#121836 - 09/23/01 12:52 AM
Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm currently using Shimano Corsair 300's and 400's Golds. The original Silver style had at least one particular deadly fault that appears to be cured. Haven't had any problems yet with the Golds...but want to hear from the crowd. I use to fish Ambasseudors exclusively until I realized I had a whole shoe box of parts and pieces! Anyone using the new Eon? Other makes and models?...I'd love to hear about them. Also does anyone know of any maker of truly direct drive reels? There's a bunch of us would love to find them ...even used. Cove RV Park & Tackle Prostaff(1) Always FishOn! Gooose
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#121837 - 09/23/01 12:22 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 07/04/00
Posts: 107
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goose,I am using the Calcutta with no problems to report-very smooth. However I am looking into the Team Diawa reel, it is like new model of the old procaster. It's a low profile reel that is very ergonomic, smooth, and light. I am looking for a place that knows how to work on older reels-any ideas? I like the 250, 251 Calcutta and the old 5000-6500s.
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#121838 - 09/23/01 05:40 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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The two Shimano Corsairs that I have used were pieces of sheeyat. Should be renamed Shimano "Corvair". The supposedly rebuilt the Corsair but still have'nt gotten it right. Stew
[ 09-23-2001: Message edited by: Steelhead Stew ]
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#121839 - 09/23/01 07:13 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Fry
Registered: 04/03/01
Posts: 27
Loc: Albany,OR
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Goose; I bought a left handed EON and after one trip I sent it back to Bass Pro. I then got a Shimno Curado BFS and love it, It probably isn't big enought for a Chinook hog but great for Steelhead, Silvers etc.
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#121840 - 09/23/01 11:10 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Returning Adult
Registered: 04/08/01
Posts: 334
Loc: Vancouver, WA
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The Quantum PR 600 8 ball-bearing reels are a delight. I now use them exclusively for casting. Smooth as silk.
_________________________
Jack
Please join CCA. After only 18 months total Pacific Northwest membership is over 7,000. We need you!
The walls of death have got to go!
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#121841 - 09/23/01 11:55 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Steelhead Stew yeah the first run of Corsairs were a miserable experience...but I haven't experienced any problems with the new versions. If you've had any headaches from them I'd sure appreciate knowing what to expect . I haven't fished big kings yet with my current batch.....that's usually the test of any reel...but so far I haven't had any problems. I'm going to test a couple of the newer Quantums and Daiwas and forget about the Eon. Cove RV Park & Tackle Prostaff(1) Always FishOn! Gooose
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#121842 - 09/24/01 01:30 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Goose here is what I experienced with the "A" version of the Corsair. The drag wouldn't function correctly. The level wind kept slipping out of the guide slot and when I tried to tighten the retaining set screw(plastic) it stripped out. I opened up the side to see if I cold tighten up the guideslot and was amazed at the amount of plastic they used to construct this reel. For $5 more the Ambassadeur 6501 is a better choice for me. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.
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#121843 - 09/24/01 10:04 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 09/19/00
Posts: 215
Loc: elma
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i also had the same problem with the corsair,lots of plastic.i have a couple daiwa procaster series baitcasters and they are very nice reels.scott
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#121844 - 09/24/01 10:11 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 06/22/01
Posts: 194
Loc: Bellingham
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riverdog, i've used that new ergonomic diawa that your talking about, man it fits the hand like a glove, but i have two issues with the reel. the first one is, the drag dosen't seem to get tight enough on it. it will only sinch down so far, i used it for silvers last year for a couple of different trips and after experienceing that i wouldn't buy one. the second complaint about it was it was hard to access teh spool if you get a birds nest, now i know your not supposed to let this happen but, you guys know as well as i do that it does happen. number two is more of my own little pet peive. anyway, see if you can try one before you buy one, might change your mind. just a head up for ya.
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#121845 - 09/24/01 12:31 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Spawner
Registered: 05/09/00
Posts: 915
Loc: Osprey Acres /Olympja
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I've fished a 200# Calcutta for over 10 years now,no problems,last year I bought a Curado and it was smooth,but got my rearend kicked by some Satsop fish But for summeruns it was fine,I'm using my Calutta again.....My next upgrade will be to the GT-TE Calcutta WOW nice reel........Os [ 09-24-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]
_________________________
[/b]The less I give a [Bleeeeep!] the happier I am[/b]
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#121846 - 09/24/01 12:42 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Returning Adult
Registered: 03/09/99
Posts: 454
Loc: TACOMA,WA
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I am sure I am in the minority here, but I really like the Quantum 1311's. I have handled everything from kings to steelhead on them and never had a problem. Too bad they dont make them anymore. Anyone else like these?
_________________________
always wear a Miami Dolphins hat never horse a fish on a losing streak Diet Coke Pro Staff
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#121847 - 09/24/01 01:10 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 06/22/01
Posts: 194
Loc: Bellingham
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hey randy, those are pretty good reels, not a lot of money and seem to hold up pretty well. little sticky in the drag, but for the price they were pretty hard to beat. good choice for not spending a lot of money.
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#121848 - 09/24/01 02:07 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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River Nutrients
Registered: 03/07/00
Posts: 2955
Loc: Lynnwood, WA
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IMHO, For the money, it's awful tough to beat the Ambassadeurs. Calcutta's are awesome, Curado's are cool too, But for $55 to $65 the 5501's and 6501's are the best overall value.
_________________________
A day late and a dollar short...
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#121849 - 09/24/01 02:53 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Spawner
Registered: 06/24/01
Posts: 684
Loc: Toledo Wa
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I have a couple corsairs,and think they are great.the drag is as smooth as you can get.As with the other 7 or 8 shimanos of different types I have.I don't think you can beat them for the price. I had a couple ambassador 5500s and don't care for them any more.They use to make an excellent reel but think they just arent of the same quality the last 3-4 years that they used to be. The Quantums I think are made by Zebco.That should give you an idea of the quality there.I havent used them personally,but a friend of mine bought one for plunking.No matter how tight you set the drag you could watch your spool back off and feed line.He took it back and got another.It did the same thing.Thats really the only experience I've had with them.Didn't want any more.
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#121850 - 09/24/01 04:13 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Returning Adult
Registered: 03/30/01
Posts: 444
Loc: Blyn, WA
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I'm a firm believer in buying good stuff and having it for a lifetime. I've got a Penn International 965. I love it. It was my first levelwind reel, it took me a while to figure out how to cast it, not sure if it was me, or trying to get the internal anti-backlash weights figured out, but it took a while. No problems now, though.
I've used it in the salt, too, trolling, its drag handles big fish just fine.
The only complaints I could ever have with that reel is first, its weight... it's a little on the heavy side, and second, that it's bright gold... maybe I'm just paranoid, but I wish it was a subdued color, no need to spook fish with a bright gold thing reflecting the sun.
I've asked here a couple of times what other people think of the 965, but it seems like not many have ever used one. I'd like to get another reel, but I'm not sure I want to spend the $175 that a 965 costs.
I recently used a Calcutta (don't remember which model, it was gold colored) while on a guided river trip. I didn't like how narrow the spool on the Calcutta was, it took a little while to get used to how much more force it took to cast that reel. Other than that, it seemed fine.
-N.
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#121851 - 09/24/01 04:16 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Returning Adult
Registered: 06/15/01
Posts: 286
Loc: Mill Creek, WA
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This how I rate my baitcasters. 1. Millionaire (30 yrs old, copy of 5000C) 2. 5000 C (original black one, also 30 yrs) 3. Curado (very smooth, but I don't like thumb bars) 4. Calcutta 400 (a little big for steelies)
Hey goose, I've got an Ambassadeur 2600 direct drive (thumb brake) level wind (they stopped making then over 25 yrs ago) good shape, neat little reel for summer runs and light rod. I'll swap it for a Penn 955. Interested??????/
_________________________
Tip Up ---- 'Peri'
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#121852 - 09/24/01 04:58 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Three Time Spawner
Registered: 03/13/00
Posts: 1830
Loc: Kelso Wa.
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I've tried most of the reels mentioned here and some that haven't been, my favorites though would have to be the Calcutta or Chronarch, I have never had problems and only do minimal amounts of maintenance. As much as I love these Shimano reels you couldn't give me a Corsair
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#121853 - 09/25/01 12:21 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Geez you guys are great! First of all my current inventory are all version 2 Corsairs and yeah I expect they won't meet the test when I start layin in to the kings...but so far they've performed well and they were affordable. One thing that I may be doing differently from a lot of you guys is fishing with a loose drag...just enough to retrieve my gear for another cast. I prefer to burn thumb skin on the initial run or two and only tighten up the drag as the fight progress'. My experience is based on nasty fresh from the salt(tidewater) Humptulips Kings and Steelies and no drag on this planet is going to save your @$$ if they decide to leave the hole. Seen too many people trying to fight powerful fish place their faith in their drag. So I don't experience the drag faults that others do. My recent experience is that I won't trust Ambasseudors to make it thru more than one or two seasons. Does anyone need parts? I'll probably invest in a Shimano upgrade but some of the others like the Procaster sound interesting. Periwinkle I don't have the trade you want right now but am very interested. Thats a small reel as I recall. What's the max line capacity for 12 pound test? Cove RV Park & Tackle Prostaff(1) Always FishOn! Gooose
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#121854 - 09/25/01 02:11 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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BUCK NASTY!!
Registered: 01/26/00
Posts: 6312
Loc: Vancouver, WA
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My favorites would be: steelhead- shimano calais and chronarch, there's nothing smoother! salmon- calcuttas, and the 6500's for heavy water. silvers- the same as the steelies. I must say that the whole line of shimanos are great other than the corsair, I've owned a few and would rather fish a 6500. The corsair drag sucks and burns out too easy, whereas the 6500's I have are 3-6 years old and have never needed work on the drags. Don't forget about the new curado that's out it's a doozie also. Keith
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It's time to put the red rubber nose away, clown seasons over.
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#121855 - 09/25/01 02:28 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Fry
Registered: 02/23/01
Posts: 24
Loc: Albany, Oregon
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NEW Curado? Huh? What? Am I missing something here? Tell me more. John
_________________________
When snow melts, where does the white go? I have to grow old, but I don't have to grow up.
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#121856 - 09/25/01 02:50 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Repeat Spawner
Registered: 11/04/99
Posts: 983
Loc: Everett, Wa
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It is the Curado BSF, avaliable in both left and right hand retrieve. It is very similar to the standard Curado as in 6.3:1 ratio, 5 bearings etc. except its a light green color with a metal preset cap. The biggest differance so is that it is equipped with the Shimano Super Free system-a wiffle spool which disconnects from the pinion gear, thus it just spins on bearings when in free spool. This system is on some of the Chronachs and the new Calcutta GT TE.
In simple terms...the spool spins like a top!
BTW-They run 149.99 compared to 119.99.
[ 09-24-2001: Message edited by: RPetzold ]
_________________________
Ryan S. Petzold aka 'Sparkey' and/or 'Special'
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#121857 - 09/25/01 03:03 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Fry
Registered: 02/23/01
Posts: 24
Loc: Albany, Oregon
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Oh, THAT one! I fondled one at G.I. Joe's the other day. Nice! In the event my wife increases my allowance, that's the next reel on my list Thanks Sparkey. John
_________________________
When snow melts, where does the white go? I have to grow old, but I don't have to grow up.
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#121858 - 09/25/01 02:59 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Returning Adult
Registered: 06/15/01
Posts: 286
Loc: Mill Creek, WA
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Hey Gooose, Yes the 2600 is a small reel. Free spool release is a button on the end of handle. I used it on a 7 1/2' EagleClaw powerlite fiberglass rod (graphite was unheard of then).. I'm not sure of line capacity, but 12# would be on the heavy side. 8# or 10# much better on this finnese outfit. Caught my first ever summer run on the upper Toutle (before the mtn blew up) with this gear, (he gave me a 'whippin' at first, but I won out) and several fish thereafter. I'll email you since you said you were interested. Ollie Damon said it was a shame that Ambassadeur discontinued it.
_________________________
Tip Up ---- 'Peri'
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#121860 - 09/25/01 06:47 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 07/04/00
Posts: 107
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Goose, it looks like there is a lot of information and agreement on the reels. I have to agree that the drag on the new Diawa may not cinch down all the way but I also prefer to run a litte light on the drag and thumb a bit when i need to. I have an old Diawa procaster and I love it, it's over fourteen years old and needs a little tlc which I am getting in order. That is the main reason I bought the Diawa, it's a more ergonomic version of the procaster....and the Calcutta TE (which I think is a better reel that the 251) is not available in a left hand drive. That is my $.02.
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#121861 - 09/25/01 07:31 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 06/22/01
Posts: 194
Loc: Bellingham
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periwinkle, those little 2600 abu's are pretty collectable, you should put it in an display case and admire it! guys will pay big bucks for those these days! just a little info for ya.
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#121862 - 09/25/01 09:39 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Returning Adult
Registered: 06/15/01
Posts: 286
Loc: Mill Creek, WA
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Thanks Chumsalmon -- that was really good of you to offer that sincere advice. Do people really put them in glass boxes and look at them?? Hell, I'd die and then my wife or daughter would sell it for a buck fifty at a garage sale!! That 2600 has been sitting in my basement fish gear cabinet for over 20 years. I have a coupleold Pfleugers from my deceased uncle that are probably even older than the 2600, but wouldn't fish as well. Since I'm 'older then dirt', I guess most of my toys fall into the collectable catagory. Did you notice my original Daiwa Millionaire and 5000C are my favorite reels. Funny how the 'older' stuff works better.....My deer gun is a 300 Savage lever action that I bought thru the PX in Korea in 1952. My old model 12 Winchester 30" pump shoots circles around my Benneli 20 auto and Browning Sporter o/u on traps. And my Edsel is ----just kidding--oops I got off of the original thread, baitcasters.
Thanks for bringing out the memories --maybe I'll rethink the 2600..
_________________________
Tip Up ---- 'Peri'
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#121863 - 09/25/01 11:54 PM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Periwinkle I've got to agree...I'd never part with that reel and as for the Model 12 I'm looking at my dads right now. Never shot it myself as I'm not a pump shooter but that's not the reason I'm keeping it. Great rec's from all and I'll be ordering that new Curado pronto. My Corsairs have not failed me yet but from all of your comments I don't want to find out. Thanks! Cove RV Park & Tackle Prostaff(1) Always FishOn! Gooose
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#121864 - 09/26/01 10:49 AM
Re: Bait casting Reels: How Do Rate Them
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 06/22/01
Posts: 194
Loc: Bellingham
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periwinkle, that's too funny, those old reels are great stuff. yes, people do put them in glass cases, my father happens to collect old fishing tackle, mainly salmon and steelhead tackle and my mother has let him devote a room in there house to just antique fishing tackle, man there was some cool stuff made back in the day. that's interesting what you say about the old savage, my grandfather started me out with that same gun, but in 308. ya know, i personally think those are still good rifles even in todays world. Like i said before, enjoy that "old" stuff, i'm sure it will bring back a lot of great memmories for ya
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