puddlepuncher

Do you mind expanding a bit on that? I'm kind of curious if you thought it wasn't worth the high price? or just the whole DC control? I've been using bait casters for a while and don't backlash very often, plus I find the current braking systems on the Met and Chronarch MGL's are nearly the best I've ever used as far as ease of setup and performance. On calm days using anything over 3/8 oz I don't thumb much anyway. I just want that sound before my hearing goes completely. I've messed around with a friend's old met DC and was indifferent other than the sound, the action otherwise was not on par with the newer versions. What grabbed me about the Curado is I was already considering the K but figured for the extra few bucks might as well get the DC. I hope you like it just to see how you trick that baby out.

I'd trust the Pros tenfold more than these clowns on Youtube who are sadly emerging as the new market share grabbers hawking average gear for inflated prices. I'll not expand on this for respect for forum rules.

I know how you feel. The bite in my area slows after Oct so I'm hoping they ship a bit sooner. I go to FL for a bit in the winter so I'll just have to wait until then I guess. I was once told years ago to not ask a question if you don't expect to like the answer and so far.... On the bright side the money is spent so it will be like finding cash you forgot about when they do arrive.

@rippin-lips I've never understood people tricking out expensive reels solely for sake of appearance until now. That is a beautiful reel. I wouldn't even fish with it. I bought a 3rd Met that sits on my desk and is purely for stress relief during the day. As far as performance the biggest difference I've seen from an upgrade is carbon washers. IMO no upgrade can replace just plain good maintenance that keeps them running smooth with higher end reels.

Until the last year I've generally stayed away from online ordering. Call me old fashioned, or just plain old but I like to feel and hold something before I buy it. All that went out the window with the first US market digital reel. It's the first time I've ever pre ordered something without review or feedback but the bait monkey turned into full on King Kong. My question is for those who've also pre ordered is: When do you expect to receive yours? I ordered mine from American Legacy who I've purchased a few rods last year and know they are a respected retailer. Their ETA is a broad 'August' description. I've heard from other sources that they will ship out after Icast, which is technically now. Have any of you that ordered from Tackle Warehouse or other dealers received any shipment notifications? Now I understand the general consensus will be to email ALF and ask them, but I wanted feedback from others as well. I don't understand as this is no where near the most expensive reel I own yet I'm literally losing sleep over it. Thanks.

What about $224.99? TW website has Shimano listed as one of the excluded brands for the 15%. American Legacy has a 10% instant coupon if you sign up for their email list. I've bought rods from them and they are legit as can be.

I don't know much about the rod, but you won't regret the reel.

What changed my mind was the ALF website if you join their newsletter you get 10% off after you confirm through email. Can't wait.

I was thinking about getting one and I realized I don't really need one as my backlashes decrease every year. The only time I would feel it's benefits are on very windy days when I wouldn't be able to hear that cool zzzzzzz noise that is really 90% of a dc reel experience in my limited experience. I also looked at the brand new reels sitting on my desk that I literally use as paperweights. I finally beat the bait monkey and slept sounder than I have in years. Then woke up and preordered one too. I think I'm going to have to wait a bit longer than you as I understand the lefties will be in stock a month or so later.

Few years ago I picked up a couple of spools of Spyderwire stealth braid on clearance at Walmart for $2. It felt and smelled waxy and was sticky when I was spooling it up. Casting performance of this line was terrible, but the durability was never an issue. I used 15lb on my Stradic for a season and stripped it off. I used 65 lb on my swimbait setup a Cardiff 301 and it too had horrible casting difference. I've never used suffix because I only buy line at Walmart, but would give it a shot. I used PowerPro slick once and didn't like how it held a knot. I still have 2 spools of the Spyderwire in case anyone wants to buy it for dirt cheap.

The Fenwick AETOS is one of my favorite spinning rods I've ever owned. Super light and the skeleton seat is a great fit. The Cabelas fish eagle is another way under rated cheap rod. I have a few of the older generations before they went to micro guides on the casting line and they are the most versatile rod you can buy. They lean more towards moderate action and I've thrown weightless plastics to cranks with great results. When I fish deep in the woods and only bring 1 rod, it's a fish eagle. I'd check out the ZX if I didn't already love the FE.

Met MGL DC, and Aldebaran upgrade to name a few from Shimano.

Pretty good description of the process in this video. It started in reference to manufacturing process of the gears and how they are processed/forged. In short it's a description for cold forging with a single high pressure stamp.

Don't buy the Casitas it's not worth the price. Save up another $60 and the the Casitas MGL and you've got an unbelievable reel for the price and it will throw the lighter stuff too.

@BaitFinesse Forgive me for my broad response. I was only discussing the CI4 material that the Chronarch is made of not the earlier uses of graphite. Understandably Shimano has been tight lipped about the exact makeup of this material for proprietary reasons, but one of the best explanations from them that I've been able to find is this: CI4 stands for Carbon Interfusion with the 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. Ultimately, this means CI4 is reinforced Carbon Fiber. It is over one and a half times stronger than our normal XT-7 graphite and is over 20% lighter. Because it does not contain metal, it is impervious to rust. So, as a result of its strength and weight, we can create an extremely lightweight reel with very precise tolerances Now I do take this statement with a grain of salt as it's Shimano's description with a definite bias on their part. Ultimately the confusion in my last post was my fault for using the term 'Graphite' when discussing CI4. I had originally planned on pointing out the differences as I understand them and gotten mentally sidetracked. I wholeheartedly agree there needs to be a clear distinction between graphite and carbon fiber when discussing the differences to help consumers make decisions on the quality of the products they evaluate.

It's happened to me as well twice. I have a left retrieve but cast right handed. Because the Curado is a bit wider, I've hit the release button mid cast as my hand brushes the reel ever so slightly but apparently enough to pop it. Never had this happen with the Metanium as it has the same release switch, but it's thinner so it is not as exposed as on the Curado. The only 2 times it happened was with a full size plopper so I'm guessing I cast/grip differently when throwing heavier gear.

High end bike frames, sports/race cars, Boeing 787 fuselage and the tiles on the original F-117 to name a few much more expensive applications. Perhaps I should have expanded that it is the best of the best when taking weight and strength into consideration. Obviously the grade of graphite used to make the Chronarch isn't exactly what is used for the above examples but it's high quality and certainly not defined as 'Plastic', which is what first comes to mind of many when they hear and feel graphite. Same thing happened with golf clubs 20 years ago. Retired engineers and scientists shared their knowledge of working titanium to build golf clubs.

The biggest issue with the Chronarch CI4, the previous model was the spool (metal) corroded not the frame. I also have to agree with DVT that the heavier the reel the smoother it's going to feel with the same internal components. Check out reviews of the current Chronarch MGL and I defy you to find an instance where the frame failed. Truth is graphite is used in many other uses much more expensive than fishing reels and is considered the best of the best. My biggest issue with the Chronarch is it scratches easily, but that's my fault.

Would it be fair to say they are both great buys in their price range? That's what my vote is. Ironically the biggest issue I've ever read about with the older Chronarch CI4 version was never 'plastic' frame related issues, rather it was spool corrosion issues, a metal part.

I also own 2 of each. If money is the main issue I'd go with the Chronarch, it's a great reel and the Met IMO has a few novel improvements and a fraction of an oz lighter. Performance wish I would call them even. I'd actually say the Chronarch get's a slight edge casting lighter stuff as the Met has an extra bearing on the spool that adds just a bit of start up weight. I bought the Met's only because I had the cash and wanted to know. I don't regret buying them but if cash was a concern I would have stuck with just the Chronarchs. If you have the cash to drop I'd actually suggest holding each and seeing what one is more comfortable in your hand. They are the same size but have slight differences shape wise. Don't get me wrong the Met is worth every penny, I just think the Chronarch is a steal for $140 less retail than the Met. Either way you end up with a great reel. The carbon frame is just as solid as the Met IMO, but you know what opinions are worth. Lastly I'd check Ebay, you could get either for a slightly better price.

Thanks for all the responses. I've tried out new baits in the past and failed...for years at times only to realize it was my error in rigging and working.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Lake-Fork-Pig-Claw-Black-Neon-3-1-2-Inch-5-Count-2-Packages/1667060591 The only reason I mention the 'flat craw' it's the closest lure I have to the shape of the horny toads but much smaller. Regarding the horny toads should I be rigging them on a jig? Dumb question but I've found conflicting answers and wanted everyone elses opinion. Thanks for biting.

Soft plastics like Zoom Yamamoto or Berkley I always go to Walmart. They generally beat everyone else's pricing especially after shipping costs are included. I find if TW is having a sale I always spend over $50 to get free shipping, but then end up spending $50 when I didn't necessarily mean to spend that much. Bass pro has good pricing on their house brands too.

I've been having success with flat craw baits as jig trailers and was wondering how other guys are rigging them and fishing them. Thanks.

Funny I've been sitting on a few packs of these for over a year. Took them out this morning and absolutely killed them with these weightless with a 3/0 ewg hook. I've gone up to a 4/0 but they got torn apart quicker. My hook up ratio was excellent today. They sure cast a mile and skip like nothing else.