FishTank

Shimano chronarch 200 e5 or a Calcutta 200gtb

I received a new G. Loomis 803C via the expediter service to replace my old version 803C yesterday and wanted to share a few thoughts.... I was able to take it out and fish for a few hours today. My first impression was that the rod is very well made. The design is sort of different for G. Loomis. The new version has a split grip and no longer has the recoil guides but instead has fuji titanium guides. The reel seat is sort of, well, odd. The rod itself feels stiffer and stronger. As far as fishing goes, I will get right to the one thing that bothers me the most..... It's hard to say but it is not as sensitive as my old 803C. I am not sure G. Loomis was thinking but it is definitely noticeable, especially when fished next to my 783C GLX and my 844C IMX. This rod feels more like my 844C IMX. It has just a little less power and it may be a fuzz lighter. This rod sort of fits somewhere between the 783C GLX and the 844C IMX when it comes to sensitivity. Hooks sets with this rod are not quick as they were with my old rod, despite it being stiffer and a little more powerful. Now for some positive notes..... Casting distance with this rod is somewhat better and maybe just a little more accurate. It loads extremely easily and makes casting a breeze. It also has nice balance. Once a fish is on, it has plenty of muscle, so no worries there. It does however seem to have a little weak spot just above the reel seat where the epoxy ends (seems odd, but if you fish it you'll see what I mean). Bottom line, I think, at first, this rod is not an improvement on the old version but is really a step back. One thing I would expect Loomis not to mess with is the sensitivity. One other aspect that the old rod did the new has yet to show is> it fit the technique specific application perfectly. This is not to say that the new version is not a finely crafted and great rod but it is not what I would expect from G. Loomis. I guess I had higher hopes. I should have found a way to get the NRX but I thought for the same money I would be investing I could get a new reel (Chronarch 51e). I know what you guys will say, " You broke your rod. They sent you a new one for $100. Why complain?"> I am really not upset just disappointed. I really thought the new rod would be an improvement. But for the $100 I spent on the expediter service, I have a sweet new rod (just not my old one).

Based on the price of the PQ, you might wait to until Spring and trade it in at BPS's big sale. I would venture a guess that shipping, a professional cleaning, and the replacement parts would be quite expensive. Below is a review from BPS's website to drive home my point...... "I bought 6 of these reels over the past 3 years. I bought these reels with the hopes that they could be used for years and years but that has not turned out to be the case. I have purchased two of these reels every year for the past 3 years and if you lined them up you couldn’t tell which ones are new. The reel cap are discolored, not a big deal but they look like antiques versus reels that are newer style. Another issue is that all 6 reels went to BPS reel repair and all came back with parts that need to be replaced. Not a big deal but 2 reels were 9 months old. I don’t know which ones but regardless the bill was $198.00 for 5 reels to be repaired. So my point is expect that 25-30% repair expense per reel to keep these going. I attached a picture of one of the "newer" ones but they all look like this."

I had the old version of the 803c GLX (waiting for new one to come in should be here today). I used it for weightless senkos and light Texas rigs. It is, in my opinion, the perfect rod. I like the 6'8" length, it's very accurate at casting, the sensitivity is off the charts, and hooks sets are easy. I am not sure how the new one will stack up against the old but I start a post when it comes in and I get a chance to check it out.

If u are able , check out Gander Mountains Elite Rod and reel. Not the Elite combo. Despite the name, the combo is different from the sold separate Elite rods and reels. It's a good ,solid setup for under $200.

I have used both Red Label and Invisx. Red Label is not bad but Invisx is just better. I do like both of them.

The most expensive lure I have found was a Megabass Cyclone.

I tried it years ago. I was not a fan. Maybe it has been reformulated over the years but what I used was almost unfishable. I marked it on my "What the heck was I thinking" list.

It finally arrived today. Im planning on pairing it with a G Loomis 783c glx. I have loaded it with 8lb trilene 100% FC. It has the same diameter as most 10lb mono. Just can't wait to try it out. One thing about this reel, it was not short on oil or grease. It was overloaded. It needed to be cleaned and re-lubed.

Wow. Looks like some heavy braid destroyed those guides but the two piece construction has me stumped. Why would a rod manufacture make a rod this way?

You should be able to find a Shimano Citica G for around $100. Great reel that gets the job done but the Tatula is not a bad reel either.

I am right handed and have tried to get use to using right handed reels but for whatever reason it just feels wrong. I used spinning reels with the crank on the left side for so long that using a left handed baitcaster almost feels natural. Also, it feels weird to switch hands after a cast with a right handed reel. I know it's just me but well, that's how it is.

You should be able to find the Shimano Citica 200 for around that price or less. It's just a good basic reel that gets the job done. I picked mine up dirt cheap ($40) at Dicks Sporting Goods. One other thing about this reel, is that makes for a good intro baitcasting reel. It cast well, easy to set up, doesn't backlash much and it can haul some fish in. As far smoothness goes, if it given a good cleaning and re-lube, it will perform flawlessly but there are smoother reels. Bottom line, it is a solid reel for the money.

7' MH Moderate-Fast Shimano Crucial.

It's pretty good stuff. I have some left of the original from when it was first being tested and some of the new in a spray bottle. The original that was in a little gray bottle is the best. I have no idea why but the original formula for this stuff was different. I apply it in the same way. I spray or pore it on a lint free cloth and apply it as I am spooling a reel. I will then spray the line every once in a while. You can tell a difference in most lines especially FC. Bottomline, it pretty much does what it says> makes line limper and cast farther. One other thing, I also will wipe the guides on my rods with the stuff from time to time. I figure it can't hurt, it's already on a cloth when I am spooling my reels.

I could not make up my mind between the new curado 201 or the chronarch 51. I spent about an hour debating between the two. I was looking for a finesse type reel that could handle most light weight applications. I have heard and read so many great things about the new Curado but the Chronarch seemed to be more of what I was looking for. The price was about the same. Both felt smooth. In the end the Chronarch just seemed to be the better fit. Did I make the right choice? How would you guys compare these reels?

It depends on the rod and the size of the lure you are wanting to through. Lighter weight baits, Shimano Core. Heavier stuff, Shimano Calcutta. Average weight stuff, Shimano Curado.

G Loomis NRX853C and a Metanium.

G Loomis 783GLX Shimano Core Zoom Lizard 5 inch Senko Fat Ika LC Flat Mini MR (any color) Mann's Baby Bass -1 Disney Lands Lake in Florida.... Nobody fishes it and the average fish is about 5lbs

Gander Mountain online has the Shimano Core 100MG on closeout for $270. There is an online coupon that makes it $244. And guess who's Birthday it is??????

I have my 844c paired with a Daiwa Zillion. The Zillion works best with heavy lures and the 844c loads well with any over 3/8oz and up. Seemed to be the right match.

Luca di Montezemolo just resigned as CEO. What does that mean for the future of Ferrari? If I had the kind of coin, I might wait to scratch that itch..... Just for the fun it check out the Jaguar F-type R..... I got to play with one and it was sublime plus it has a lower risk of catching on fire.... Love my other two jags though.... If you want to tow something, I thought this was funny but it's reel..... http://www.inautonews.com/jaguar-xf-voted-most-desirable-towing-vehicle#.VCD6ufldWSo

Very cool and great advice. I have battled it for years. One year I got it so bad I had to change my clothes several times through out the day because of all the urushiol coming out my skin. I took an oatmeal bath twice a day and used a doctors rx skin ointment (useless by the way). There was nothing I could do but wait it out.

It's the one on the right because you can tell she is still screaming at him......

I have a St. Croix Avid that I love that would fit the bill of what your friend is looking for. It is not as sensitive for super finesse presentations as I would like but it gets the job done.