bassbassontherange

How are you using it? What do you have it paired with? Do you have a feeling for how it compares to the 20,16,or 13 Mets?

Ordered one and should be receiving an XG later today. Going to primarily use it for plastics, Texas and wacky. Thinking 10 or 12lb Sniper FC. Likely pairing with a MH rod, but I haven't decided if I'm going to get a new one or stick with one that I have. Anyone have experience with the new Met? It's been hard to find a review. Rod recommendations?

Great input, thank you! You're going to be the reason I spent a bunch of money I didn't need to, so thanks for that. I used to import most of my reels via Digitaka or Japan Tackle. Most of that was under the former administration. Has there been more difficulty in getting stuff through customs lately? Any recommendations for where to buy?

Thanks for the input! I was eyeing that when I saw some of the positive reactions. It sounds like a great moving/swimbait reel! I can't really see a use case for the xg version where I live and with the faster ratios I already own. I'm looking for something primarily for small squarebills like a MB Knuckle or for willow leaf 1/4 oz spinnerbaits using something like 8lb Sniper FC. I'm thinking something in the 7:1 range would be ideal. I mean... I don't really need a new reel. I'm really just a bit of an enthusiast who wishes he had a couple more 103's. I'm surprised to hear that you replaced yours with a Bantam. It seems like it's a bit more "tanky", but then I've never held one either. I'll probably end up trying one of the new Mets or Aldebarans, but if there are any other recommendations, especially on the Daiwa front that you might suggest for my use case, I'd like to hear them.

I used to be pretty active on here once upon a time, but I've been out of it for about three years. Speaking of three years ago, I purchased a couple of the non-twing sv103's prior to the sv Tatula being released around 2017. I REALLY like them and I can't even find them on Ebay to purchase anymore. I wish I would have snapped up more of them. What's the most comparable Daiwa reel at this point to these? I feel like they were a superior reel to the Tatulas by a fair margin. Is there anything these days that meets that quality that's not a Steez? To give you an idea of the other reels I typically use they're mostly 16' Metaniums and Aldebarans. The SV 103's were the first Daiwas I really liked. Thanks for your input!

I'd tend to agree if it's an all purpose rig. That's not a bad rod, though. If you want to sink money into a higher end reel and a budget rod, that's fine. I've done it. Someday you'll catch the rod bug too and upgrade. For topwater, that rod is fine. For bottom contact or moving baits, you may want something else down the road. For a reel, there are a myriad of options. My preference would be a JDM Met MGL in the gear ratio you want. That would get you in right around 300. An SV 103 is a nice option as well, as are all of Daiwa and Shimano's options in that price range. Lew's has a nice reel in the tourney pro g's. A Revo MGX is a steal if you can find the previous generation clearanced, and they're still out there for under $200. There are so many options, but like stated, you'll find most longtime anglers will suggest Shimano and Daiwa. Consistent quality and product support for years are strong reasons to consider them. My short list for an all purpose reel in your price range: 1. Met MGL 2. SV 103 3. Curado 70 4. Used 13 Met 5. Used Curado/Chronarch E It's hard to go wrong with almost any reel you're spending $150 or more on. Depends largely on preference.

They're very good rods for the money, but I don't think the specific one you're looking at is their sweet spot. I like their MH rods for an inexpensive all purpose. They're lighter than most other rods based on how they're rated, so a H fishes more like a MH from other manufacturers, ect. At the $100-150 price point, there are lots of good options. I'd include the Bucco series as a nice option, but probably not the model you mentioned for all purpose, especially if you bank fish. Some others to consider: A 6'6 M veritas 2.0 is an excellent rod. They fish heavier than rated. They're clearanced as well. The new scIII MH mojo rods are nice for $30 more. Worth it imo. A MH or H Bucco or Bucco micro is a good rod. I prefer them for moving baits though. Not a huge backbone on them, which is a good thing for moving baits. There are many other options, but those are three I've kept in my lineup even as I've moved onto much more expensive rods in general.

For bank fishing, Wichita is probably one of the best areas in the Midwest. Look at Google maps. Nowhere that I know of has anywhere near the number of small lakes, especially on the west side of town (mostly neighborhood ponds). They're almost all stocked and many hold 5+lb lmb's. I can recommend several. Where will you be?

Heard some pretty crazy stories coming from Nebo this year. A guy claimed he's caught two 9+ lb out of there this year. Anyone been out there lately? In the past the bite always seemed sporadic, but the quality was there.

Nope. I've been fishing Met MGL's for over a year now. They've maintained their smoothness and honestly I've never held a low profile that feels smoother. Several have been around the same to start, but nothing's been better, including the Chronarch I picked up. I'd put it right there with the met in that regard though.

Nice find. Best Abu reel I've used. Only one I kept as mostly a Shimano guy. Excellent reel, excellent find.

Huh? A Curado I? Something is really wrong. I can't even imagine how the brakes could generate enough friction to melt unless the drum was somehow misaligned or something. Also, there aren't magnets, but I'm assuming you just didn't realize it's centrifugal braking only on that reel. How long have you owned this reel? Has this always been a problem for you? Have you performed any maintenance and possibly reassembled incorrectly?

When you get above about $200 retail, almost any reel you buy is going to cast extremely well. The rod will impact distance more than the reel above that price point. The MB SSS is a really good option for the applications you detailed. I'm a big fan of that recommendation for what you need. I have less experience with the new Zillions than the older ones, but they're no slouches. What are you looking for, exactly? If it's the best caster, smoothest retrieve, most features ect... I'd have a couple of different answers. Based on your earlier post, I'd still go Metanium or Aldebaran. My opinion only here, but when it comes to a general purpose reel (which seems to be what you're looking for), I think Shimano has the best options. If you're looking for finesse it's another story. Daiwa gives you more choices and usually more customization possibilities.

I think you'd see the most benefit of a higher end reel (and a light setup in general) if you're using it for bottom contact or suspending baits. The idea in this case is that a lighter reel/rod combo will give you improved sensitivity to be able to feel bites. With moving baits (most of what you throw with the combo you're replacing), often the fish more or less hook themselves. That's the logical perspective, if you're asking for it. I don't always fish logically. Most of the time I use what I'm in the mood for unless I'm tourney fishing. For the combo you're replacing, I really like what I'm using, an Aldebaran 50 on a Poison Adrena M F. I throw mostly spinnerbaits (anything but huge ones), bladed jigs, small squarebills and lipless cranks with it. I use it for more than I probably should because I enjoy throwing it so much, but it's just too fun to use. If you're looking at replacing that setup specifically, I'd do something like that. You won't be disappointed in a Met or a Steez for the same purpose either, I just giggle a little bit inside each time I pick up the Alde/Adrena combo. It's probably one of the very lightest combos you can find, and you can find a crazy good deal on the Poison Adrena's if you look around a bit. I'd say if you're looking at throwing anything but smaller swimbaits though, you'd be better served with something a little meatier. I think you're going to be happy with whatever you end up with. I'd say though keep your gear ratio in the 6's. Reels in that ratio are sometimes a little less sought after, so that can be of benefit to you if you're buying used. I've nabbed some really good deals on this forum and others when looking for slower geared reels.