kickerfish1

Both are great reels for senkos and general use. There are more gear ratios in the CI4 line vs the core 50mg. The core is lighter in weight thanks to the magnesium frame. They look very similar from a color scheme standpoint. Either would work for your situation but I would probably snag the CI4 and save a few dollars to put towards other gear.

The quality of say a Sahara in box vs plastic packaging should be the same. Typically reels that are higher up the chain will come in boxes rather than the see through clear plastic packaging. When a shimano casting reel is sold in a box typically it will include reel oil, paperwork/schematic and reel brake tabs and a tool for handle dissasembly. Spinning reels are similar with the schematic and paperwork plus it has some sort of spacers I think. I can't recall whether oil is included with these. Note: Reel oil is sometimes included and other times not included with a reel purchased in a box. Didn't receive it with a stradic FJ or core 50 mg. Maybe it is random or some other factor.

Define 'tacklebox'? If a Plano 3700 series box or a standard soft plastics bag or binder is considered a tacklebox then I am real trouble.

Probably darn close with the modifications both internally and externally. The AOI is worth at least $700+ and the TD ITO 103 reels are at around $400 a piece give or take. On the Daiwa low profile reels this is about as good as it gets in terms of high end... performance, quality, collectability, etc...

Oh no you didn't! Superb collection Trey!

I think the decision you made was correct based upon the info you provided. Despite the slight difference in rod weight, the balance with an "average weight" reel by today's standards would balance fine. I have a custom curado 50e on my dx 703 and the balance is phenomenal.

Never gets old seeing this beauty! I will second Calfish's work. Very good product he puts out there. To be honest I am not even sure he would handle a disassemble. I am almost 90% sure it must be done prior to sending it in for painting by the owner or by a reel tech.

Check the show and tell thread at the top for more pictures and modifications to that stunning citica!

WOW! Stellar work. No offense to your 1st attempt, but personally I think both of those look outstanding and improved over the first. The sky is the limit...

I like blue on alot of baits including jigs. Patterns like the Okeechobee craw and molten craw are standbys for me using a green pumpkin base with varying shades of blue. Having said that, take the green pumpkim blue sapphire skirt you see on the Siebert website and perhaps incorporate a few strands into the bluegill jig or another similar skirt color. Just an idea. That is how I would modify it for my own use but there is certainly nothing wrong with your rendition. Should work well year round and in many bodies of water. Bluegills, sunfish, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, etc... all can vary slightly in color from body of water or time of year or about any other stress factor. Sometimes they can darken in coloration when removed from the water for an extended period of time. So color can vary for any reason at just about any time when choosing a color to mimic the forage. No right/wrong depiction of the 'correct' bluegill color... Keep up the good work and if you remember to post a few shots of other jigs you create!

Looks like the jig head came from Mr. Siebert which is a good choice. The color combo is fine at least for me. May want incorporate blue and perhaps another accent color. A great jig for sure and a solid start into custom ties.

Siebert jigs- recommended by several trusted members Fat Ika rigged weightless and backwards- Road Warrior Megastrike scent-Lots of folks here swear by it DVT- several favorable leads lead me to sending some reels to Mike last year True hairjigs- had some but not to the extent of what I have now That is about it as far as items/services tried as a result of BR.

Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth series rod. Look at the 6'9 medium xf rod. Probably one of the best rods one can get for general use in spinning. Retail is $130 but can be had for around the $100 mark +/-. Lifetime warranty, light, sensitive, well balanced, and just fishes well for a rod in its class.

Megabass Orochi XX 7'0 shakey head spinning rod with a Stradic CI4+ 2500 series reel. This will be my dedicated hair jig outfit. It will also be used for the occasional shakey head and tube.

There is a significant price difference among both of those rods. I have no personal experience with the new TFO rods nor do I know anyone that has. Keep in mind that Gary Loomis was the man behind the original G-Loomis rods. He has since started a new company called Edge rods... a very high end rod with limited model choices at the moment. I am not sure much on the history or involvement he had in the TFO rod lines. They may be a good rod at that price point but how they would stack up to GLX or Dobyns Extreme rods I am not sure. The CI4 and E series chronarch reels are both fine choices. The CI4 may give you a few more benefits for the added cost... lighter in weight, more adjustable cast control system, and the micro gearing and x-ship advantage.

Scorpion 1000xt Curado 50e Curado 200e Chronarch 50e Core 50mg7 All of the above are on rods that I use for finesse jigs all the way up to 1/2 and 3/4 oz football jigs. I don't think there is a bad reel with your budget. Did you settle on a rod yet or are you still sorting that out? If you can find a core 50 for $210 jump on it for sure. I have seen them go as low as $240 used but rarely under $270 new in box.

Just for clarity the profile of the core 100 series may be slightly larger than other shimano casting reels. The core 50mg is as small a profile reel as shimano has ever built.

Nice Tim! Don't you know that it is against the law to mount a Daiwa Alphas on a Shimano Cumulus? That is one sweet combo regardless! I dig the white tdz's and that blue reel is pretty unique looking. Good stuff, and yes don't get rid of the last combo!

I hear ya there. I have a calfish painted reel and it is a stellar two tone reel. I am hoping by January I will have all 8 of my custom reels finalized. They do get pricey and there is always the balance of cost vs benefit. It is is fun no doubt and gets even crazier when you go the extra step to ensure the rod rod matches.

That is the Darth Vader of Citicas. Get a few of the Chronarch E series reels and you will have a small fleet of storm troopers. Nice job on the project. One unique and outstanding looking citica! Almost looks like a Daiwa ree like a Tatula type R without the red accent parts.

Classic post Goose! Nice vintage collection!

I really think performance wise they are close. Obviously the highest factors to me would be weight of the reel in relationship to rod balance and reels size and profile in relationship to overall comfort. I don't think there is a wrong choice here. Personally I would select the chronarch 50 because I just prefer smaller and lighter weight reels as a whole. You may get a few feet more distance with the tatula but at the end of the day if you aren't comfortable palmimg it, the added distance may just not be worth the hassle. If you are buying from a local Cabelas mount them both on rods and see what might feel right to you.

If you want a general idea of what is popular and what works take a good look on the TW website at the 'best sellers" section. It features a wide range of hard and soft baits at different price points.

The problem with the sticky thread idea is that it would become too cluttered with varying subjects. Someone may post a pic or two of some cool limited production reels, meanwhile there may be a discussion about spool upgrades by another poster, while someone is asking about which megabass rod is best for a dropshot and so on and so forth. You would have to click on the thread and try to figure out who is discussing what and it would be a bit of a mystery because there is no telling what direction the discussion is going. I still think people will chime in when possible to help with JDM rods, reels, tackle, etc... just by posting it in correct forum. If you feel like it is insufficient here just move over Tackle Tour where that is about all they discuss in their Enthusiasts forum.

If you go to YouTube and search for shimano casting reel maintenance you will see a series of videos made. The shimano tech does a good job of explaing the cleaning and maintenance process. Really just need a few tools, a q-tip, and a rag.