Bronzefly

We each feel in our own different ways, but there is enough difference between the IMX and GLX to warrant the differnece in price in my hands. Rod selection should be based more on the primary weights of the baits you'll be using most often, action is secondary. If you're looking for a 10" worm/football jig rod, that will be different than a 1/4 oz. T-rig, 3/8 oz. jig rod. The 4 and 5 power BCR GLX Loomis rods are FAST action, NOT extra fast. The 2 and 3 power BCR GLX rods are extra fast... Let us know the weights of the baits you plan to use, and how heavy the cover is you fish, then a more accurate reccomendation can be made!

I like the Bocas and they are an improvement over the stock shimano bearings IMHO, but the ABEC 7 Stainless Steel bearings that Big Green Fish sells are by far the best bearing for the $ out there that I've tried - and I've tried alot of them. They are $9 each and make a substantial difference, especially for casting/pitching lighter baits!

Both ZPI and Bassart both have several carbon fiber models available in various sizes. A 92mm ZPI black carbon fiber handle would look sweet on a Core 50!!

Count me in as another who loves the sound of braided line and recoil guides on the BCR GLX rods. I've had them since they were first introduced and NEVER had a problem with the sweet, sweet sound they make - especially when reeling in a big fish!!

Honestly, the fractional backplay in many of the Shimano reels doesn't bother me a bit... don't sweat the small stuff, right? I have a different take though on that comparison. Head to head with what presentations exactly? The Aldebaran is a much more powerful reel than the Pixy and/or the supertuned Pixy (PixZilla). It's available in a higher speed (7:1) with HEG which sets it apart as well. I will agree that if we're talking about throwing a 1/16 oz head with a 2" grub, sure - the pixzilla is going to win out. If were talking about casting a 1/2 oz. jig, tossing buzzbaits or spinnerbaits, the Aldebaran is the way to go for overall performance. It's simply a much more versatile reel than the Pixzilla - and don't get me wrong, I LOVE my pixzillas! I've had the Steez reels - while I think they are very nice, I would pick and Aldebaran MG7 over any model steez - and in fact, have sold/traded more than one Steez in favor of them... The best Steez to me was the 100SHA...

How big do you mean? Are you talking hardbaits like the 3:16 Hyper Herring, Wake Jr., or larger like the Real Deal or Armageddon? The Curado 300 is a great swimbait reel but for most any of the larger swimbaits, but the BIG stuff I like the Calcutta 250DC or the Calcutta TE 300/400...

Welcome to the forum! Within your budget, I'd suggest a G Loomis MBR 783 IMX - it's a 6'6" medium heavy rod that can do everything you've listed - and do those things well. It's a GREAT all purpose rod with enough sensitivity to detect those lighter jig/worm bites. It can pretty easily be found on the used market for a good bit less than $200. If you get lucky, you may find a GLX version for a bit over the $200 mark - and worth it - but either are great! As for your reel, depending on your budget there, I'd suggest pairing the Loomis with Shimano Curado E7 - It's a great new reel out by Shimano with a high speed retrieve that is very smooth and powerful. It's not great for crankbaits due to the high speed retrieve, but it would work if you forced yourself to slow it down. If you've discovered that you enjoy fishing - you should just go ahead and learn to use the baitcaster. It really isn't that complicated and the Curado is very user friendly.

In order to give the best reccomendation, it would be great to know if you toss 1/4 oz. jigs and light t-rigs most of the time, or if you're looking to throw 10" worms on 1/2 oz. weights or 1 oz. football jigs. There are different rods in the BCR series - which I'd reccomend for jigs/worm fishing - that will do all of the above...

It's really an unfair comparison on many different levels. First off - the Core 50 retails at $369.99 and the Curado E at $179.99... For literally more than DOUBLE the MSRP, it should be much more refined, lighter, etc. Practically speaking - it would depend on what you want the reel to do... if I wanted a carolina rig, big football jig, swimbait reel, I'd rather be using the Curado E - but if I wanted to pitch 3/8 oz. jigs, or even 1/4 oz jigs, lighter texas rigs, etc... I'd go with the Core 50. The Aldebaran is the "same" reel, just JDM, and it is easily one of the best reels Shimano has produced IMHO. The Curado E is the best performing reel in its price range I've ever used as well. Fortunately, we have both. BTW - dan - I think you'll like what the upgraded spool bearings do to the Curado - I've been using Big Green Fish ABEC 7 SS bearings in mine and LOVE them - especially for the price! 8-)

I love the CBR 845 for "mid" diving cranks - DT 10, Deep Little N, etc. But it isn't a great DD22, DT 20/16, Hot Lips rod. It depends on what kind of deep cranks you're looking to throw and if you're willing to buy a rod that is technique specific for deep cranks. The blank on the CBR 847 is great for the larger cranks, but the handle and the rod are both a bit short. I'm interested to see some of the new Loomis deep flex crankbait rods - they may actually have one in there that will work well for the big deep cranks. Until then, I use the Powell 806CB as a dedicated deep crank stick. It's 8' and heavy power with a reasonably moderate action and does a great job for the biggest, nastiest deep cranking you'll want to do... 8-)

I've changed out mine on my Aldebarans - they're the standard 10x3x4 sized spool bearings 8-)

;D ;D ;D 8-)

If you don't know how to do it yourself, I'd suggest sending it to a reel mechanic for a good cleaning!

Spinning gear - rod in right hand, handle in left Casting moving baits - right hand retrieve casting reels Bottom contact baits - left hand retrieve casting reels I've made the switch to left handed reels for the majority of my bottom contact lures. I've found it fantastic for dragging big football jigs or big worms in deeper water as I have my right hand/arm available for a monster hookset ;D Also when pitching to cover, I'm more accurate pitching with my right hand and it's more natural to just be immediately ready to engage the reel and set the hook. I still haven't gotten the feel for moving baits - buzzbaits, cranks, etc. with lefty reels, but I'm playing around with it. It's nice to be able to use both because I find twice the amount of great deals!! 8-)

I agree completely... he was one of the greatest ever, period. He deserves his spot in the hall of fame without a doubt!

Great choice - a nice cleaning out of excess grease and set of quality ABEC 7 spool bearings will help expand the ability to present some of the lighter baits as well...

Depends on the water color for me. I don't use braid for most of my fishing, but my favorite use, aside from frogs and toads, is for skipping senkos under overhangs and docks. I use 30lb braid and a 17lb FC leader. If the water is fairly clear, and I happen to have braid on the spool, I'll sometimes add a leader when pitching to cover as well.

One of them should go on your 803 GLX for pitching plastics and 3/8 oz. jigs, for sure. That is one absolutely amazingly light and sensitive combo, and one of my all time favorites for sure! I'd also use the other for either smaller buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, or put it on another rod for pitching other jigs and plastics. I LOVE my Aldebarans!

7:1 - I want to get it back fast and present the bait again... whether pitching or casting!

Great info Glenn! Fish care is all too often an afterthought with alot of guys I see at weigh ins... :'(

Good to see another TN member!! Welcome!

Hope he does some hard time for all that... what a worthless shell of a man...

Another story to reinforce the vitality and power of the 2nd Amendment!

I've had them since they were introduced and think they're absolutely fantastic reels. I've torture tested them with lots of heavy grass and nice fish, larger hybrids and stripers as well. The Dartanium drag system is one of the nicest stock drag stacks on the market these days...

You can order one from Shimano Japan - they offer the Aldebaran, the JDM counterpart, in both right and left handed 5.8:1 ratio... I agree with steezy - I like the Aldebaran/Core 50 better than the Steez without a doubt.