John G

Does the CH50E have an anti reverse pawl? I think it does. The XT1000 does not. I believe the new Scorpion has 4 bearing in the knobs as opposed to 2 in the new Curado.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/japanbasstackle/item/12antares-hg-right/

Are the clear sticker strips the same shape as the reel foot? If so, you put those on the reel foot to avoid scratching it up that may be caused by your reel seat.

On my light line setups for moving baits, I have used 6# P Line which I don't like because it seems to curl and kink easy. I bought some 6# Sunline Super Natural that handles great but it's weak. I'll bet the last time that I used it, I had 6 knots break while I was retying. I recently bought some 8# Big Game that I have not fished with yet. If that doesn't work out, I may switch to 8 or 10# braid For bottom contact baits, I have used 7 and 10# Sniper and at the moment, I have 7# spooled on a Aldebaran Mg7. I am also using Avail and Yumeya Shallow Spools.

I hope you guys don't have the problems that I did. I know in the future, I will be using Plat or any of the other Japan based JDM Retailers for my rod n reel purchases. I did recently order a Megabass Baby Pop X and a Megabass Baby Griffon Zero from Shimreels and the wait was what I expected so I was not disappointed. The Major Craft rods are worth a wait but the main thing is is hopefully your rods arrive safe and sound.

It wasn't customs that was at fault. I attribute the problems to using economy shipping from across the globe. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/160790-i-got-my-first-jdm-rod/

This coming Thursday? Please let us know if it gets here Thursday because it took a month and a half for my MS-X Limited to arrive and I bought it from the same people, Shimreels, that you bought your Volkey. I may be buying another MS-X Limited but next time it will be from Plat.

If you wanted to fish 10" worms and a craw the size of a Rage Tail Lobster, I would opt for the 724. If you are sticking with Trick Worm size worms or regular size crawls, then the 723 is what you want. Cover would also play a part in your choice. Heavier cover, the 724. More moderate cover, the 723.

The G-Loomis CR723 IMX is a great rod. It's nimble, has backbone, a soft tip and is plenty sensitive. It does many things well from worms, top water, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs etc. If I were looking for another CR723, I would get the GLX version because it will be more sensitive for bottom contact baits and have better guides but the IMX version is fine if you can't afford the GLX. BTW, the CR723 is in their Classic Casting section.

You can buy it from the parts section on Shimano's website and unless Shimano changed their drive shaft diameter, it will fit. You just need to make sure you get everything you need such as the nut and retainer or you might be able to use your Core 50 nut and nut retainer but I don't think so.

I recently bought a Vietnamese built Major Craft MS-X Limited and there is not a flaw in the rod. I mean it's beautiful and perfect in every way. It's exactly what you would expect from any manufacturers flagship bass rod. Now I love G-Loomis and for what their rods cost, every one of them should be perfect in every way but sadly they are far from it. I am patriotic myself but it seems there are times when buying American Made may not be the best way to go so my point is to keep your options open.

That's not really a finesse rod and it definitely won't go down to 1/8oz and that rod would defeat the purpose of buying the Honeycomb Spool.

I will have the money for that rod very soon. My only problem is convincing myself that spending $600 on a rod is a sane thing to do. I keep telling myself that we only live on Earth once and I can't take my fun money with me and as long my bills are paid, I might as well get the best bass rod that Shimano makes so we'll see.

There is new condition Loomis MBR844GLX on eBay right now that is being sold as used. You could get it at a great price and I can guarantee you that it's never been abused or landed a fish. The Loomis MBR844GLX is a heavy power but it's not a broomstick at all. It has a very nice tip and if you look at other manufactures lure weight rating for their rods, the 844 would be a MH instead of a heavy compared to other rods. I think of it as a MH+. IMHO, you are getting out of the comfort range of the 843 with the weights that you listed. Also, a quick Google Search will bring up lots of reading for you about the 843 and 844.

If you want a 6'6" rod, the Loomis MBR782GLX does a fine job at throwing the Bitsy Minnow size mini cranks. It's a medium which in Loomis power rating is probably like everyone else's ML and it has a really nice soft tip that loads easily.

The CR721 will go below it's 3/16oz rating. I throw Strike King Bitsy Minnows which are advertised as 1/8oz but they are lighter than that. The rod that I am going to be ordering in a week or so is the Shimano Poison Adrena 166L BFS and hopefully it will do what my CR721's will do.

Japan Lure Shop has the left handed XG in stock for under $270 + shipping. Everybody here loves Japan Lure Shop.

I would get the Metanium because it's heavier and for such a long rod, that is a plus IMHO. BTW, Yumeya makes a deep spool for the Metanium. It's $85 at Japan Tackle.

Yes

Not trying to talk smack but 9 grams is extremely heavy compared to what I have been throwing lately. It's not hard to get away from spinning but in some cases, it can be costly.

I understand what you are saying in regards to weight and two weeks ago I would have partially agreed with you but the Japanese invented BFS and their BFS rod ratings do not mirror our across the pond definition of what BFS is. The Megabass F2-60X Cliffhanger is a BFS rod that is rated to 1/2oz and there is a video on YouTube of Yuki Ito using this rod with a finesse jig and after he catches a bass he says 'Bait Finesse'. Shimano's BFS rod ratings are to 3/8oz as far as I can tell. If you have not seen the Yuki Ito video, just go to YouTube and type in 'Megabass Bait Finesse'.

Take some line off your overfilled spool and problem solved unless there are other issues not related.

20# braid is and that is what he was talking about. Actually, 10# braid would be better if you are using a shallow BFS spool. I just got back home from trying out a rod for topwater walking baits and the reel was a Conquest 50 with an Avail CQ5026 spool, the line was 20# Suffix 832 and the lure was a Lucky Craft Sammy 65. I casted down to the spool with this setup. My options are to use a deeper spool or thinner line. 10# would be ideal.

And your point is?

An old style used in really nice condition G-Loomis MBR782IMX on eBay for $150.00 or maybe a little more.