bunz559

This is something that will be available to us state side correct? Or JDM?

So this is a state side available reel? Or JDM?

Oh... Very nice! Any ideas which sites will carry them?

Anyone know of a JDM Shimano reel that's geared in the 5:1 gear ratio that I am not aware of? I like to stick to the Shimano brand. Why doesn't the company offer much in this gear range. Doesn't seem like anything in the US market has the 5:1 gearing except the larger round reels or the Tranx which are heavy. Obviously older reels are available if you can find them but nothing new? I know the Bantam comes in a 5.5:1 in Japan but that's hardly available either. I'm looking for something for deep cranking. This is new to me. I previously had a Gen 3 Abu Garcia Revo Winch but sold it. Something about its build that didn't feel right in my hands. Slightly too tall, too wide, and the knobs just felt like cheap hard eva. Any pointers in newer Shimano reels would be greatly appreciated. Any pointers as to other reels that may have a more compact build would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I am somewhat of a Dobyns Fan Boy. All my bass fishing rods are Dobyns with the exception of 2, 1 Powell punching rod and 1 Shimano ultra light Expride. I'm sure there are other great rods made by others out there, but I have grown accustomed to knowing what I'm getting with some of the specs. I have tried a few companies, Phoenix and Shimano and their MH vs a Dobyns MH are slightly different. Because of this it's easier for me to just stick to one brand, a quality brand by the way, and bump up and down in powers and action as needed. Probably not the best way of finding and exploring new rods but I've been happy with my Dobyns. All reels are Shimano. I stick to what I know and trust. Not that there aren't any other great companies out there.

Every company has their specs differently when it comes to building their rods. Even rods from the same company but different series can have different feel although listed with same specs. Generally speaking through, I'd go with something in the Medium Heavy with a fast action for your target usage. MH may not be ideal in everyone's perspective, but it's definitely one of the more versatile specs. My next choice would be a Medium power and Fast action rod.

I have a Metanium MGL. I have yet to use it but by the it feels and free spools I am going to assume it is a nice reel. But how does the bantam line up to it? I have searched for comparisons but have yet to find one. My main question is size. It is heavier, probably due to its construction but how about size? The Metanium MGL is rather a larger reel comparably to the Chronarch MGL. Unfortunately the only shop in town doesn't really carry these reels and the big chain stores around me do not either. Your insight on size comparison would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

Just received my Metanium MGL and I've have to say it's a beautiful reel! I haven't used it yet, but off the back I notice that free spool is much smoother and longer with the Metanium as it should be when being over $100 more in price point. Moreover, it is notably larger than the Chronarch MGL but weight difference is negligible. The handle on the Metanium is much larger as well. I have had my Chronarch MGL for awhile now and I'd say that it would be my preferred reel for plastics and all around fishing. The Metanium would probably be left for heavier baits or heavier cover with that larger handle.

I just started using braid for bass fishing as well. Prior, I have always used the double uni knot for surf fishing. Mostly using the drop rig with a 2oz bait at the end. The double uni is relatively simple to learn quick and can be pretty strong. I too, have noticed the slight ticks as the knot passes through on my bait cast rods. I tried tying the FG using the video above and it's relatively simple up till the hitch knots. I got a little lost. But practice makes prefect so keep trying!

Everyone has already mentioned the pros and cons, and I would agree with all of them. Sucks that it's so pricey!

I love the few I have. I'm a Shimano guy so I only speak from experience with this brand. But this Curado reels and feels like a really high end reel. Only problem I seem to have is with the spool tension knob adjustment. I have noticed that you have to slightly over tighten it more than other reels. Anything looser than the bait dropping will end in a back lash. It just takes some minor adjusting, but other than that, it definitely reels and casts better than my Aldebaran.

I have a Champion XP 734 and fish jigs up to 1/2oz just fine. It's a pretty versatile rod. I throw Keitechs, spinners, and heavier Texas rigs as well. My lakes are all open water though, so that's all the back bone I really need. Any heavy cover and I'd probably prefer a 735 or 736. The 734 has a pretty nice tip. I'd like to add that the Dobyns Extreme HP 744 is a really nice finesse jig rod as well. It seems to be slightly more stout with a faster tip. It'll probably be a little more accommodating when throwing jigs heavier than 1/2. Either way, you can't go wrong. My 734 gets a lot of use!

I've had some success fishing tubes traditionally with spotted bass as well.

I have a Expride 7'2 ML that I paired with an Aldebaran and it was a sweet setup! Once I got it dialed in, the setup felt really good. Super light and very sensitive rod. The only thing I wouldn't throw on it is a drop shot, but that's because of my own ability to cast. BTW, my Expride is for sale ?. It's seen the waters twice and is in like new condition. PM with you number if you're interested. I've learned that I prefer a spinning rod for the finesse applications so I ordered a Dobyns 742.

I use Sunline Sniper 12lb at the moment. And Yes, I've thrown smaller spinnerbaits on it as well, 3/8 and 1/4oz. Anything heavier and I feel it's a bit too heavy (considering you're adding a trailer to the spinner bait as well). While the 705 and 735 are rated for the same lure weights, I feel the 735 has a bit more backbone when casting heavier lures. I would stick to 1/2oz and below on the 705. Just my preference and experience owning both rods.

The 705cb is not a bad choice. I have one of those as well. I use it for squarebills, lipless, jerkbaits, and small top waters. It has its perks in treble hooked baits. But yes, the 733 and 734 are great rods, with great reviews, and have great versatility. Probably not ideal for cranks, not that it wont throw them, but it'll still handle them just fine.

In the Dobyns Champion XP series, the MH would be the 733c. It's a great rod and I use it for all kinds of applications. Super versatile. It'll handle light finesse jigs, senkos, texas rigs, light c-rigs, and jerkbaits. It's probably one of my most used rods.

I don't have a huge arsenal of rods but of what I have, I mostly have Champion XP and Extremes. I do also have a Fury and Sierra. This is the list I'd get with the coupon you received. SF stands for spinning, CB stands for crankbait which are casting, and C stands for casting, that's how Dobyn's distinguishes them. I have found that the HP feel a bit stouter and slightly lighter than the XP. They're both great rods. 733c Champion XP (texas rigged baits, senkos, other soft plastics) 744c Extreme (finesse jigs and middle weight jigs, heavier bottom crawling baits) 735cb Champion XP (chatter baits, larger spinner baits, medium diving cranks) 705cb Champion XP (squarebill, lipless, jerbaits, smaller top water) 742sf of 702sf Extreme (drop shot, small finesse swim baits, weightless senkos) Those are the rods I'd get and what I'd use them for. It really depends on what body of water you're fishing on. The lakes around me are mostly open water so I don't have too many heavy rods. If so, maybe you might want to consider a 745c or 746c. Also keep in mind of you prefer split handles or full handles, Dobyns distinguishes this by S/H and F/H.

Darn. I really like the K. Just wish for something smaller in the 50 or 70 series.

Love my 201 and 51 curados. They just don't build them like the used to I always say. But I also have 2 K's and they are great! Only time will tell how long they'll last but they do cast, reel, and feel like quality. If I had to say, they're definitely the better since the E series.

Never heard of Japan Lure Shop till now. Wow, great prices. May have to put in a nice order.

Curious if anyone knows if Shimano may or possibly ever make a 50 or 70 series K? Really digging the K's I have but do love the size of my Aldebaran. I just can't buy too many as they're definitely more spendy. An Aldeberan size at a K price point would be nice! I have no experience with the Curado 70, but love my K's.

Francho's got a great point.

Drop shot is the way to go for me. It could just be confidence but drop shotting can be fished fast as well. Pitch, twitch, reel back, and repeat. I'm used to making long casts with the c-rig and slowly dragging the bait on the bottom. At that point, the preferred bait is to drag a jig or large texas rigged worm.

They make swimbait jig heads that you can use such as the Dirty Jigs. Hook up is great but they're not very weedless. If you're looking for a more weedless rig I often use Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head. It's basically a wide gap hook with a weight on the head. Works great!