John G

It would have to go back to Japan for warranty service. I would buy the necessary parts from either Japan or Shimano America and send it to DVT.

X3

Nice looking Bass!

Right now it's a Rage Baby Craw.

Saving line is the only benefit that I can think of. I will be using mine for Panfish so higher line capacity is not needed. If I hook a bigger fish and get spooled, well then I will have fun getting spooled with the 1000 and an UL Rod.

Oh you are giving me way to much knowledge than I deserve. Maico 1 I am sure has forgotten more than I will ever know as others have too! Thanks anyway and Happy Thanksgiving!

Japan Tackle says that the sideplate on the 300/400 doesn't open up. Only the 100 and 200 sizes open up. To the OP, Japan Tackle has the older model Conquest 300 for $409.00. I know it's more than you want to spend, but if the Conquest 300 is anything like the Conquest 50 and Conquest 100, it's money well spent. I know if I had the cash, there would be one on the way to my front door.

I'd buy the Rareneium because IMHO, it is more appealing to my eyes and it's a JDM Shimano. I have the Rareneium 1000S and I like it a lot even though I haven't used it much or caught anything with it. The Rareneium 2500 has a knob like the one on my 1000 and I like it a whole lot better than the knob on the Stradic. The Rareneium 2500 is a little bit slower than the Stradic if that matters to you. Have you looked at the Shimano Japan Rareneium CI4+ page?

The Metanium that came out in 2013. It is also referred to as the 13 Metanium by JDM retailers.

I will buy some plastics from my local DSG and WalMart but as far as rods/reels, nobody around here sells JDM Shimanos and I can't afford to pay full price for rods from the local G-Loomis dealer.

Loomis and JDM Shimano Power Pro for braid and Sunline or Seaguar for FC and Sunline for mono Gamakatsu for hooks Seibert Outdoors for jigs and Strike King, Zoom and Yum for plastics

Hootie, I have thought about this myself many times and I can't come up with a good reason!

Hootie, I do think he is looking for help. The man is in Portugal and unlike us, he doesn't have a Bass Pro Shops down the street that he can visit and handle every rod in the store. Buying an expensive rod that you can't hold is risky so I don't fault him for wanting to be as close to 100% sure of his purchase as he can be.

My mistake! I meant GLX!

The Metanium and whatever NRX you choose would make a very nice combo.

I think casting with FC sucks! I have to tighten the cast control knob more than I like and instead of 2 brakes on I will use 3 and I generally have to use a heavier lure than I like.

I bought a couple of the J Francho jigs in 3/8oz with the Bama Craw a couple weeks ago. It's a good looking jig and I am looking forward to using them.

Braid

Like I said in my earlier post, I like the Loomis fast actions better than the extra fast. If I was using a 3/16oz bullet weight with just a Trick Worm or a Rage Tail Craw, I am going to use my NRX802. I know of another member that told me that he uses his 802 with 1/4oz. I assume he meant 1/4oz plus the plastic. Anything heavier and he goes to the 803.

Loomis use to make a Flippin Rod with a Mod Fast Tip.

If you are going to fish the heavier weights that you mentioned, I would get the 853.

Sharp looking reel Hootie! Can't wait for a report on how it performs!

Dont forget the JDM variants in the Shimano 50 lineup. The Scorpion XT1000 and the Aldenaran MG and MG7.

That would make an already great day a whole lot greater!

Siebert Outdoors