TimTheGearNerd

Sir, as I read the last part I squirmed like a child. Awesome and horrifying story. Thank you for sharing and tight lines.

A poet is among us, well written sir, your title also got my attention initially. I am just amazed at the Daiwa tech vs Shimano. Looking at the zillion and all the T-wing in general, I see the required wider body, then I look at the new Met B and see they solved the same problem with a big line guide and narrow spool. I see the new zillion breaking the same way, seems like the same problems are being solved in different ways. Seems like Shimano solved it better first, I’m curious what the reviews say about the comparison. I’ve always been a fan of zillions since the TDZ. The way they designed the hefty drive gear to almost feel like the reel turns itself is magic.

My favorite type of topic. Thanks @Nathan it appears the conversation got heated so I’ll try to bring it back and give a different perspective. I have banked for a long time and now I’m on a yak. Bank fishing is very different. In addition, I current own the 6:1 Met B and a bunch of other reels including multiple 6:1 7:1 & 8:1 so I’ll try to answer if I were in your shoes. I use the Met B for crank bait and moving since it cast so far and retrieve is smooth. For your situation, -bank -you like 6:1 ratio -want an all round -Met B is a $300 reel, why risk getting something you don’t like. I recommend going with the 6:1. It’s safe and you’ll be happy. Here are a few reasons why you might change your decision and go up to 7:1 If you are just curious, and want to try 7:1, I say go for it as long as you feel like you don’t mind spending $300 to satisfy a curiosity. I would also go up 1 speed to 7:1 if you’re doing bottom contact more often, like @scbassin said. This is because you’re moving the bait using your rod and dragging so the reel speed matters less. Given, you already have 6:1, you might start to designate reels for different things. Ultimately, since you’re on the bank, you likely won’t notice much difference. Both speeds will be good all round with slight advantage for one application or another. I would recommend your decision come down to, -the value you put on curiosity -what application you’ll likely use the reel for most often -what is the worst that could happen if you make the “wrong” decision. Hint: there is no wrong decision here haha Here is my last perspective. If I only had 1 reel, I’d get the 7:1 because I catch more fish with senko and 7:1 helps me fish a senko better. But since I have multiple reels already and I have several 7:1 I already like, what I did when I got my Met B was get a 6:1 for crank baits because the MET B will excel for that specific purpose. It casts far and retrieves smooth. good luck! I’ve been there with choosing fishing gear, I hope you found some useful info in this thread.

I always though an educated thumb and MGL reel will outcast the same model DC reel. Anyone have experience on this subject and can chime in? i.e Met DC will not cast as far as Met MGL

@Capt No Fish The rod says medium fast, I would definitely argue it fishes like a med moderate. I fish the old USA bucoo, not sure about the SR and how it fishes. Check FB marketplace, I typically see them for sale in my area for 50 bucks

@Mike L would love to hear more about what about the E you appreciate. sounds like there are things about the reel that’s not all about the improvements.

I have the old made in USA bucoo and I pick them up occasionally off the used market and Facebook. I really like those old bucoos, new ones (SR), I haven’t tried and not really going to try there are just so many options and as you fish more you tend to buy up in price. I use my bucoo in a medium. It’s great for weightless plastics I have the lowrider cranker II. I like it. I use it for heavier crank baits/ 1/2oz+ it’s great for heavier moving baits. The 7’6 mh is definitely a bit hefty. The cork is honestly a bit more high maintenance. The foam doesn’t really go bad on the bucoo I think you might also email Falcon and get some help. They might be able to tell you if the blank is the same.

I just got my 20 Met @DomQ thank you sir! it’s pretty sweet. It reminds me a lot of the 50 sized reels. Super tight tolerance. It’s like a Rolex, superior engineering and craftsmanship.

I think the core was 350 new. It surprises me how well it retained value. Based on the tackle tour review from almost 15 years ago it was a killer reel. They compared it to the Metanium mg from the same era. I wonder if the Metanium and Bantam reels today will enjoy the same prestige 15 years from now.

I missed like half the question the first time I responded ? I own a few Dobyns dx702sf, dc703cb, dc734c, xp 736c, hp Dx745c, I also have a KLX 6’10 MH fast, I think it’s a 4 power the blank is the same as the helium so I assume the feel is similar. This is one of my favorite for senko and bottom contact. I think it’s similar to the 734 but the KLX may be less powerful. Definitely one of my favorites. @MidwestBassAttack let us know how you end us using the new gear. I once through about trying a cara. I wonder if it’s got better feel vs the helium.

I started the other Shimano thread and it just seems like there is a love affair with older Shimano gear. Yeah post on here and maybe a few other forums if you frequent those.

I was afraid you’d say the core was awesome. Now it’s impossible to get one. My buddy has a 50 size. I might have to convince him to sell it to me. I keep hearing the new 2020 metanium is amazing, I wonder how the two compare. Core and Metanium seem to be at the same price level considering the core was one step above the Chronarch back in the day. If only I had the dough back in the day.

I might be too late ! @TNBankFishing what did you end up getting ? I have the Daemos, and I fish off a Hobie PA If your buzz bait weights more than 1/2 oz forget it, Daemos feels overpowered from the yak. I threw a 1oz buzz and while I could do it I didn’t enjoy it. Stick to 1/2 or less on any spinner/buzz/chatter/swimbait. That’s the ideal size for Daemos. I did get a lighter chatter bait just to try on my Daemos. I usually fish 3/4 oz chatter + trailer. If total Chatterbait+lure weight is 1/2 oz then the Daemos is ok. I have a falcon lowrider cranker 2, 7’6 mod fast MH. And I prefer to throw my chatterbait/buzz bait on that.

Another bucoo & lowrider owner here. The Falcon rod run a power lighter. I have used their replacement program. I think I paid 85 bucks for a replacement lowrider and they were helpful, let me choose any model in the series.

I still have a Curado 50e. I still really like it but I’m hearing great things about the 2020 Met. I almost got an aldebaran but the aluminum gear was a concern.

For long time Shimano casting reel owners, how does high priced reels from the early 90s/2000s like the Core/Chronarch compare to cheaper reels today like Curado & SLX? I know the tech has made its way down the product line like DC, X-ship, MGL, but could a Curado 70 K today outcast a core 50? Is the SLX MGL better than a Chronarch D? I’m curious specifically about comparing build quality, cast distance, and quality/power of retrieve. Here is a list to get the ideas flowing. Caenan SLX , DC, MGL Curado, bantam , E, G, K Chronarch D, E, G, ci4, MGL Bantam MGL Aldebaren Core 50, 100 Metanium DC, MGL, B MGL Antares Surprise challenge: Can we have a topic like this without bringing up the whole Curado G vs Chronarch E thing ?‍♂️? Shimano dun messed up with that one. thanks!

Dude your friend is awesome. That’s a serious gift. I think the 7ft is a clear choice between the two. The only other consideration is what rods do you currently own? the pro Longer rods get longer casts in wide open areas. If you’re on a kayak you get better hooksets but if you’re on bank you don’t need the length for hooksets. High end rods are generally lighter so the longer the rod, the more it benefits from the weight savings. You’ll likely use a 7’ rod most often in general so if you already have a really nice 7’ rod you like then go with the 7’6. the con longer rods are a pain to store and move around. You’ll likely hit something on the cast and can’t effectively fish in close quarters. I assume there aren’t many 7’ better than a conquest. You have to post when you get it! Let us know what you decide and how you like it!!

I have a strange mix of Daiwa and Shimano. My reels include Casting, Daiwa 1016 T3 Daiwa t3 SV Daiwa tatula first gen Daiwa TD-Zillion Shimano Chronarch MGL Spinning Shimano ultegra Shimano stradic CI4+ I think the the Daiwa casting reels are a little easier to backlash and doesn’t “feel” like it casts as far as the Chronarch. I’m slowly buying more Shimano casting reels. I keep buying Shimano spinning reels but I can’t say I’m impressed. Going forward I’d rather try Daiwa spinning reels.

My 2020 met is in the mail. Now I can’t wait to try it. Haha!

I doubt any old Metanium is that much better than new Chronarchs. I would guess 13 metanium~Chronarch MGL There may be differences in how each reel handles different sized lures. Casting distance for Metanium MGL vs Chronarch MGL is almost the same. The only difference is .3 oz in weight and 2 additional knob bearings on the Met. I can’t imagine how they could improve the Met since the Chronarch doesn’t backlash much.

I need to get my buddy to chime in since he has a 2013 met. I don’t hear much about it from him. He owns a core 50, a bantam MGL, curado k, etc. I guess maybe the 13met isn’t his favorite. I was between the met mgl and chronarch mgl a while back. I ended up getting the Chronarch since it was a bit cheaper and every bit as smooth on retrieve. I think the metanium mgl was a bit lighter at the time but over time you heard about the aluminum gear on the Metanium wearing down. There is a YouTube video comparing 2020 JDM vs USDM Metanium. Long story short, JDM has smaller knobs, smaller spool, might cast lighter lures better. USDM has bigger spool, bigger knobs and cost about 100 bucks more retail. Hope that helps.

If I had 500 I could a great set up just by splitting the money evenly. get a Shimano reel and a Dobyns rod and I’d be pretty happy. I think if I only had one set up, I might always focus on reel first then rod. Likely the rod won’t be that great at everything anyway. If I went and got a super sensitive rod for bottom contact, it would likely not be a great moving bait rod. I rather get a great reel and get an ok all around rod after. I think rods matter more when I have technique specific purposes. I do hear about some high end rods are good for multiple things like expride or megabass p5 x bite. I think again, 500 is a good budget to have enough left over for a curado k which is a great reel. If instead I only had 300, that might be more of a challenge. I might get a curado k and just get a Dobyns fury. If instead I got a nice rod like a Dobyns champion and got like an abu black max, I might not be as happy haha. I would notice the black max was cheaper more than I’d notice the fury was cheaper.

I saw the hook up. I woke up 4 minutes late and it sold out.

I have a Shimano ultegra and a stratic. I’m SOL ?can’t backreel if I wanted to.

My set up Hobie Pro Angler chronarch MGL 7:1 14# fc sniper flourocarbon Presentations I’ve tried. Underspin and little dipper Little Dipper and swim jig head KVD 1.5 t-rig senko 1oz Buzzbait 3/4+ oz chatterbait Below is a video from Punch Fishing. He has a ton of good info so I won’t repeat, I’ll just give some perspective from a kayak and some personal experience. From a kayak, usually I prefer to go one power up for all presentations since hook sets are not from a solid platform. Setting the hook from land/boat tends to be more secure while on a kayak, you could be sitting or drifting around which could absorb some of the leverage. The Good The rod looks awesome, and reel seat exposes a ton of blank which lets me connect more with the feedback from the presentations. Sometimes it’s a bit awkward and different but overall I’d say I like the design and build of the rod. Paired with the Chronarch MGL, the set up is very enjoyable for chuck and wind. I caught a 5# LMB with an underspin and the fish was pinned well thanks to that Megabass taper. The Daemos handled Kvd 1.5 well. Based on this experience, I’m confident open hook presentations will continue to shine (as advertised). I have not tried deeper cranks. The so-so The Daemos as a result of the softer taper and kayak setting didn’t handle Texas rig as well in my opinion. I didn’t have enough backbone to get a good hook set and punch the hook through the fish and the plastic. I didn’t notice any special advantage in sensitivity vs a Dobyns HP or a KLX. Maybe I’ll fish a jig and that might change my mind. I don’t think I’ll throw Texas rig on this rod. I have concerns about punching the hook into a fish from deeper water. I also found the Daemos didn’t handle heavy weight well, I think 3/4 oz is too much for chuck and wind presentations. The rod felt underpowered. I could not throw my 1/2 oz chatterbait with a zako. That presentation weighted at .8oz. I would stay maybe 1/2 oz as the upper limit for chuck and wind. The 1oz buzzbait was too much for the Daemos but if you’re in a pinch I think you could do it. Maybe a jig or some bottom contact open hook presentation would allow a heavier presentation. I cannot confirm since I didn’t try it. Conclusion I like the rod, I’m interested in the Javelin because it seems to cast better per Punch. If I were to do it again, I might choose to try the Javelin instead but it’s not a big deal, the rods sound similar enough. I’ll keep the Daemos around since it fills a gap in my collection for MH do it all rod. It’s my first megabass rod and I was disappointed in the sensitivity so far. I have a Brigand coming in, hopefully it’s an upgrade from my gen2 champ extreme. Shoutout to Punch for his video.