bassbassontherange

Good point. I've fished mine for almost two seasons now. I don't think there's been anything noticeable with the gears. Time will tell. I kinda just trust Shimano's reputation for durability.

The older reels are great reels from a durability standpoint, but I'm not sure today's reels are built worse. Some of the less expensive reels yeah, but the quality ones seem to me like they've got all the same inner workings, just better. I've got some old Curado's that I still use from time to time, but I'd much rather fish with newer, better equipment if I have something riding on it. Newer reels are every bit as consistent, but smoother, more accurate, and I believe easier to use. Spend $130 on a new Curado and compare it to $120 on a Curado bought 20 years ago. The difference in performance is pretty staggering in some situations. Small tweaks on proven formulas, yes, but it adds up to more fun using them, and more fish. I buy that. Not saying you're wrong at all in that a $60 CU200B is a great deal, but there's a reason people upgrade.

That was my thought also at first. I own both, and I can't say I see much difference. The Met is overall a tiny bit smoother, but I feel like I get more sensitivity with the Chronarch. The Met may end up being a little more bulletproof, but so far so good on the Chronarch. I haven't had any issues a couple other people have talked about due to scratches. For me, it's a toss up. I guess if you put a gun to my head I'd pick a Met because I've never heard anything negative about them from anyone.

Haha I drive a Ford:)

Haha. I'm a Shimano guy, but the stuff people say sometimes... I don't get it. Lew's makes some solid stuff. I hope you're a Ford, GE, Motorola, ect. guy, otherwise you're buying "wannabe" products by that logic. Quite frankly, that's an ironic thing to say considering the first low profile baitcasters were invented by Lew himself. Shimano started out in this arena as a wannabe.

Thanks for the quick hitters. I'll let you know how it went in a month or so!

I don't think we should wait until the last minute to set up the league. Can we get it started so we can get engaged and start the smack talking?

That's really a relative statement. It depends on the user and how much money they'll devote to fishing gear. Someone who fishes multiple times a week, or has a higher income will feel justified in spending more $$$ on a reel that's only slightly better. Look at it this way: You wanted a new Curado I, but because you didn't believe it was worth $140 at the time, you bought a reel that was $100. Ten years later, when a Curado would have been going as strong as ever (and heck, maybe the alternative reel is also), could you justify the reel you REALLY wanted for 4$/year more? I sure as heck can. Get what you want. If you don't have the money, save for it. If you're buying a good reel, what you spend is worth whatever the cost of regret may be otherwise. It sucks always seeing something in the window that you wish you had.

Were you catching some of those cats on lures while targeting bass? That's a nice haul...

Nice fish!

If you have 120 bones I'd buy the Curado I on sale (you'd have to come up with an extra 10 or 20) or just buy it online. Save your money for however long you need and just get the next tier of reels up from what you're asking about. They're worth it. I prefer the shimano offerings at $130+. If you're going less expensive, Lew's makes a lot of sense.

I remember a small neighborhood pond that had a fountain I often fished as a kid. It turned on every day around 12pm, which is also getting into the hottest part of the day, which ALSO meant the fish slowed down, especially during the summer when I was out of school fishing it all day. It took us awhile to connect the dots, but it wasn't the fountain, it was the heat. Could that be what's happening?

I'm in: Cash

Yep

Best answer. One of the least understood pieces to remember is there are two reasons backlashes happen. 1-The spool spins faster than the line coming off of it. This happens at the beginning to middle of the cast and can be fixed by adjusting your casting control knob on the right of your reel. This can also be caused by trying to cast too hard. 2-The brakes/your thumb are not slowing the spool down as the lure enters the water. This causes an overrun at the end of the cast. Turn up your brakes and thumb earlier until you get the hang of it. Oh, and don't hit a tree. That'll cause em too. I'm still trying to figure out why I have to try for a perfect cast every time.

Brian, Rumor has it you're the authority on Lonestar. I fished it a couple of times ten years ago while I was at KU, and I wasn't overly impressed with the size of the fish I caught. Granted, I exclusively fished the shore since my boat wouldn't fit through my apartment door. So now I'm stuck in Topeka. I've caught some good fish out of Shawnee SFL (some nice fish, but a generally boring lake), but otherwise there doesn't seem to be great local waters. I hear I should give Lonestar a second look, and I'm encouraged by what I read. I'm making an effort the second week in September to hit Lonestar up on my way down to Bone Creek. Any advise for late summer on your local hole?

Glad you're getting the feel for it. I'm a little surprised you had issues with it initially. I bought my Curados after I was already used to the braking system, so I never had an issue, but I remember adjusting to the Chronarch when it first came out. I guess I started out with pretty heavy line and worked my way thinner. Two brakes, external dial set to three, you can almost not thumb it and you're good to go unless you're using really thin line. I agree with you about the hatch. You probably won't mess with it once you get the hang of it though. I seldom have mine on anything but one brake, and use the external depending on the weight of the lure and wind. I usually go with 12lb mono or 40lb PP Slick. Hopefully you grow to like it. If not, I know someone who will take a RH off your hands:) And now to discredit everything I've said.... GO NINERS!

Noice reel, mate! I'm envious. You have to review this after you have tested it on the water.

That's a tough question to answer without being there. Are you right handed? If you are, it's likely you're letting go too late. My suggestion would be patience, practice, practice. Also, casting distance is a distant third to casting angle and height. There are many types of casts, but most people are going to do 90% of their actually casting using little more than their wrist. I'd start with casting only using my wrist, then as that improves, get more motion in it to nail down your distance. Stick with it! You won't look back, and it doesn't take long, really. An afternoon on a lake with a decent reel and anything but the lightest lure should be more than enough to get you comfortable.

I can't imagine getting rid of tackle when you don't have an option if the situation changes. What if your buddy asks you to fish his pond? What if you're on vacation and you're fishing deep water where a crank bait would kill it? I'd save my money. You don't want to limit yourself. I guess what I mean is I wouldn't want to limit MYSELF. Trig's are among the most versatile setups, but I can guarantee there will be a time when you wish you had a fuller arsenal.

Welcome to the boards! I own that setup as well, and I didn't really care for the Carbonlite. It didn't feel dead to me like you're describing, but it wasn't overly sensitive either. I love how they balance but they're not exceptional for cranking. You'll probably find some differing opinions, but I wouldn't use that rod as an all purpose.

For me, they're really really similar reels. You'd expect the Metanium to be smoother with more teeth on the main gear, but I haven't noticed that. In fact, I think the Chronarch is a bit smoother on the retrieve. The Met slings it, the Chronarch slings it. Maybe with the lightest of baits the Met will cast farther, but I'm not usually fly fishing with my baitcaster. One of my favorite things about the Chronarch is the ergonomics, and I have to say the Metanium is even better in that regard. I love the all lightweight metal frame -- heck I think it's just the THOUGHT of knowing it's metal, but I really like it. They palm almost identically. You're splitting hairs IMO between the two. Go with your gut. It's one of those things where if you don't, you'll always wish you had.

Haha I don't know how else you can stretch $212 out twenty years and have a blast each time you use it.

I live on a neighborhood pond where I do a lot... and I mean a LOT of frogging. That's how I've caught a good 25% of my fish this year. Never a bit of flex. Thanks for the info on the rods.

I'm excited about the 13's as well. If the first gen is any indication, go with one. In fact, if they end up clearancing the 1st gens, I'd pick up one because I feel they're competitive beyond their price point even now.