EllisJuan

How does it compare to their other high-end stuff...Metanium, Conquest, etc? Mine is on the way...it's a HG Lefty. I kind of wish it was a DC reel.

I have been happy with G Loomis's warranty. I had one with a manufacturing defect and it was quickly replaced. I had two NRXs replaced on two different occasions after accidental damage for $125 including shipping both ways. I find comfort knowing if I spaz and stick a $500 rod in the ceiling fan or slam it in a vehicle door I am only out $125.

Thanks man. I think so.

10lb Power Pro V2 in Marine Blue for me. https://imgur.com/pd3vnAk

I have this setup (but with 10lb braid), can confirm awesomeness. ?

Doing some re-pairing of rods/reels...

If I am looking for a high end rod I am expecting to spend $400+.

If I bought a Porsche I would put track miles on it, it would get scratches, and I would not cry about it. Like these reels, they are purpose built tools designed to be used. I definitely would not be one of those guys at the track with the front end covered in blue painters tape... BTW, the reels all still look mint except for a few scratches on the Conquest 101. That reel will never be sold.

lol...I knew it was coming. I also don't use head covers on my golf clubs. ?

Yeah. I have the neoprene TW covers. They are really nice for the money. I stopped using them because my stuff is usually just laying on the carpeted deck of my boat. If I had them on this trip, I may have used them.

I have reel covers for all of them. They are a pain. This is not a common occurrence, but I bought them to use and have accepted they wont stay mint. The only one that made me cringe a bit was the Antares...this was the first time it was ever fished...lol.

Haha! I was a with a buddy that lives on a private lake that is electric only...although I am pretty sure I have more money in the rod locker of my Tracker than the value of the boat, but she works for me. ?

Call a few Megabass dealers. You should be able to get a Addermine for ~$320.

Tools bouncing around the bottom of an old aluminum boat...

Managed to snag another Studio Composite handle on Ebay from Japan. These are the nicest handles I have ever seen or used and have become very hard to find.

I like the 2500SHG Vanquish enough that I ordered a second one, this time in the compact c2000SHG, to go on a Megabass Addermine that is destined for Ned Rig and weightless Wacky duty. ][

http://www.gloomis.com/content/dam/shimanosnaffish/pdf/Shimano EXPRESS Rod Service-Final.pdf

Just ordered a c2000SHG. It will be going on a Megabass Destroyer Addermine. It'll be a ned rig/whacky setup. This will be the first non Loomis rod I have bought in a few years.

Those are the same techniques I use mine for and it is perfect for them. I agree, it feels crazy solid for how light it is...to me it feels like a Stradic Ci4 FB in terms of solidity, just lighter and much smoother. The Yumeya cork handle to match the Stella came in...

I picked up a 2019 Shimano Vanquish 2500SHG a few weeks ago. First impression was crazy light it and Stella smooth. It actually is 40g (1.4oz) lighter than the Stella. I got to fish it 4 days in Guntersville last week along with my Stella on comparable rods...NRX 852s and Conquest 842s. I caught on them both, but nothing huge. They are both super smooth, cast a mile, and perform perfect. The Vanquish feels lighter, but the Stella feels more powerful. I would feel more comfortably going for larger species than bass with the Stella before the Vanquish. I could definitely make the argument for the Vanquish being the better bass reel. Interesting note: I handed them both to my occasional fisherman father and when asked which one felt smoother, he said the Vanquish.

Family photo...

'19 Vanquish 2500SHG. Feels VERY close to Stella smooth, but impossibly light. 20g lighter than my same size Stradic CI4+ FB. I'll be fishing them both on Guntersville Thu-Sun. I'll try to give an idea of comparison after.

Metanium. I have one on a NRX 803c and they are perfect together. One of the few combos I will not separate.

Had to have the cork Stella knob... https://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/2061

Scooped up an Ebay reel stand. One of my JDM reels came with one, and they are pretty nice for keeping the rash off a reel when laying on deck. I could not bring myself to buy the Titanium Shimano one... https://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/4376 https://ebay.us/sFSk3a