DINK WHISPERER

I don't think the DC system was ever designed to cast lighter lures better. The MGL spool on the other hand was. MGL spools are considerably lighter than non MGL ones. This is to help with startup inertia. Lighter lures can get the spool spinning faster since there's not as much spool weight there. DC spools because of the digital technology built in them are way heavier and take more energy to get going. None of my DC reels excel at anything really light. To me they really start to stretch their legs at 1/2oz and up. The MGL III spool however does great even at around 1/8oz if you have the appropriate line diameter on.

I've only ever seen them at Walmart. My son and I actually use their hard baits when bank fishing since there's a high risk of losing baits. It saves my more expensive stuff. I just swap the hooks out and they've proven to be just as good as some name brand stuff.

No such thing as "too much" it will just hold less the bigger the line diameter. Choose the line you need for the conditions and go fishing man! I use a lot of 17-20lb fluorocarbon on my 2020 Metaniums. Even on a long cast I've never felt like I needed to downsize line.

Yes!

30lb braid is the highest I go for topwater. I've never ran into a situation where I needed more and I fish some nasty cover here in FL. Also, I've never had to spool a reel on a cast to get a bite. Even in crystal clear water it's not an issue.

I use a 4/0 Owner beast hook weighted and unweighted with the hook exposed but laying against the top of the body.

Sorry but no! It's weight completely makes it's price unreasonable. They use the same micromodule gears, MGL III spool and carbon drag so there's no difference in smoothness or drag feel. I've owned it and the DC version and promptly got rid of both to keep the Mets. And as far as casting further, no again. I put them side by side and the Met MGL cast a 1/2oz plug further. Not by much but still. I've yet to test a reel that outcasts the Met MGL, especially a DC version. To say the Antares "puts them to shame" is reaching.

How in the world did you spend $100 sending it to them!? On average it's $10 to ship a reel. I've never sent in reels for cleaning to them but have had many other interactions with CS and they've always taken care of me.

To me it's the whole package not necessarily one single feature. Some that stand out are the feel and durability of the core solid magnesium body. The crazy casting distance of the MGL III spool. It's the first reel I've used that actually casts "too far". Also how light they are(6.1oz for my HG models). The handle feels like it's not even attached to anything when you wind it with the micro gears. I Will say though that I wouldn't be as thrilled if I paid retail for them. I currently own 12 of them and my average is about $280 a piece for each.

I think the MGL spool being lighter and faster than regular spools can get unruly on you in a hurry if you're not experienced yet. But I will say that out of every reel I've tried, Shimano's SVS system is one of the easiest to fine tune for no backlashes. The Diawa SV reels are also very good at that but I don't use Diawa anymore. For your specific scenario though I might tend to say stick to a DC. Although if not set up properly for windy days they can produce some monster backlashes too. But out of all the reels mentioned, the DC is the easiest at the "set it and forget it" method. I highly doubt that you'll be disappointed with any of those options.

Not on this specific one since I just got it. But on the previous gen 73XH I did experiment a little. 2oz was at the very top of the weight range for it. And even then you have to kinda side lob cast it. It can do it but there are far better options for that weight range IMO.

I would look for a deal on the Shimano Zodias 72MH.

There is ONLY one for me now, Vicious No Fade.

All of my reels have carbon drag but I still back it all the way off after every trip.

Here are my top 3 options in this order 1. 2020 Metanium MGL 2. 2020 Metanium MGL 3. 2020 Metanium MGL I'm kinda partial to the new Metanium MGL ? I have the DC version as well but don't like it nearly as much. Especially for anything 1/4oz or less.

The lowest I ever go is 15lb fluoro. But most of the time I'm using 17lb. I fish mine in and around cover so I can't go any lower.

Yes I forgot about the whole Canada thing. That kills a lot of the deals out there. Good luck man.

Where did you get that decal?! I've been looking for some.

Have you considered the new Curado 150 MGL? Much better than the K IMO.

I don't know if I would call it bling but my combos have to be aesthetically pleasing or I won't even bother. We spend so much on this stuff it might as well look good too!

Poison Adrena without a doubt! You can get significant discounts if you look.

Have you actually tried it and all the lines you mentioned for comparison or are you just going on what you've read? I was recently on my last spool of Abrazx and found a guy on the forum with a ton on Trilene 100% for $10 a spool. I bought a bunch to try and I'll admit I'm really impressed. Not sure what everyone's talking about stretch and thickness. I remember thinking it's way thinner than Abrazx in equal line lb sizes. I've been pitching in pretty moderate cover here in FL with the 17lb and haven't had a single break off. The abrasion resistance isn't as good as Abrazx but it's not terrible either. I'm also using the 20lb as leader material down south for peacocks, snook and tarpon with zero issues! For the price I paid I couldn't be happier.

For the reel.... Anything Shimano! For frogs I like the new Bobby's perfect frog and the old wobbletrons.

I start almost every trip with a hollow body frog. As for the gear it goes like this.... Shimano Expride B 7' 3" XH/Mod F 2020 Shimano Metanium MGL XG 8.1:1 Vicious No Fade Braid in 50lb green New Bobby's perfect frogs/old wobbletrons

I'm over your limit by an inch but oh well, it's that good! Shimano Poison Adrena 73mh/RF.