OnthePotomac

Any retailer of quality bearings can tell you the size you need based on your reel model.

I, like others, have been a Shimano fan for 20 years. When I retired I got into bass fishing and started with a couple of inexpensive reels then met a river guide who told me to step up in reel quality. He fished with Chronarchs, which I could not afford, so I started with the Curado 100B and added on from there with Curados and current CHronarchs and Curado models. One could be philosophical and determine that your favorite reels are those you really enjoy fishing with and can afford and that what it is all about...enjoying fishing.

15 years ago I purchased a 6'6" MH 2 pc Tourney Trail from Cabelas to take to Florida and the rod is alive and well today. I have never noticed the difference in it and a one piece. The doggone thing is light as a feather. As I recall it was $75 on sale.

I think it is because the bearings are sealed anti rust.

Came across this in my files and thought it would be interesting to post: Ring Hardness Values Stainless Steel (SS): 400 Chrome: 800-1000 Carbaloy: 1000 Aluminum Oxide: 1200-1400 Alconite : 1300-1500 NanoLite : 1800 Zirconia: 1000-1400 Zirconia PVD: 1600 Silicon Carbide (SiC): 2200-2400 Titanium carbide may also be used and is pretty interesting. Titanium carbide films have found wide application in various tribological engineering devices owing to its excellent hardness and, therefore, wear resistance. To apply titanium carbide coating on various substrates, physical vapour phase deposition (PFD) and chemical vapour phase deposition (CVD) methods are commonly employed. The key word here is "coating" because titanium carbide in its bulk state is not used. It has a hardness of around 3000 (30GPa). If a manufacturer uses the coating you will see it classified as PFD on the rod spec sheet.

Just read an evaluation of the Curado K by TT. The frame is aluminum, handle side is CI4, non handle side is graphite. The evaluation tested the drag at just under 12lbs, even though the reel is rated for 11lbs. It is 10% smaller than the Curado I. No wonder I like it so much. Salt water safe.

Do not be concerned. Braid will not grove those inserts. An old wives' tale.

I have been retired for over 20 years and everything I own is from family gift cards blessings and big sales. I still have my first three nice reels, Curado 100B's from 13 years ago. They really take care of the old soldier.

Agree. The 3000 will fill the bill nicely. The 4000 is overkill.

I should think the 96mm handle would help you. It is a lot longer than the stock Curado 70/71 handle.

Curious as to why you would want a handle like that on that little reel? If you want length, you can buy a 96mm Shimano handle, which fits with nothing extra to make it do so. The Metanium XG handle fits perfectly and I believe they are around $35.00

My Curado K 8.5:1 on a new 7'MHF Carbonlite 2.0 (from the big sale).. A wicked set up.

I really like fishing the Fat Ika that way on the Potomac on a 5/0 EWG hook. It will often get their attention when little else will.

I use Dawn and a really soft bristle brush under the laundry tub faucet then rinse well. A 50-50 mix of Simple Green and water also works.

They can come up with some great products with his input. Several years ago I picked one of his 7' MH rods intended for worms and jigs on sale for $80 and the thing is built so well I use it for a frog rod.

My 90's and 110's are on a 7' Carbonlite MH fast tip with 17lb mono on a Curado 200E7. It works for me.

Well, I checked with Dan at Shimano and all he will say is that the frame of the Chronarch MGL is a composition formulated by Shimano for lightness and strength, but they will not reveal what it is. Mystery solved.

Don't own the Met, but I do have a "plastic" Chronarch MGL 8.1:1 LOL and it is an incredible reel. Very, very smooth and effortless to cast. In full disclosure, I normally do not spend this much on a reel, but gift cards prevailed. I hope no one from Shimano reads this threat.

I have been using 15lb Invizx for three years now and since day one always tie with a uni...never a problem.

In retrospect, I forgot to add that I believe lure weight and reel adjustment has a greater impact on successful pitching then line size. Just me.

Always has to be one I guess. I fish all of those baits on17lb mono.

I have the Excelar 2500 I picked up 5 years ago on a.....forgot how to use English's special buy sale and have really enjoyed the reel. It has only had 8lb mono on it, but has hauled some husky bass from the grass beds. I service it myself once a year. Shortly after I picked up a Diawa Capricorn 2500, which is basically is the same reel.

I only use only 8lb mono on my Sahara, Exceler and Capricorn. Never fails.

Two knots for me. Palomar for mono and uni for flouro and braid.

I have never even considered putting a leader on the end of my braid for frog fishing and cannot see any advantage in doing so. The frog is being dragged across thick grass (in my case), or a small opening in the bed and the bite is a reaction bite and I don't think the bass are stopping to consider what is tied to the frog.