Manifestgtr

if you’re ever down on the cape during the summer, check out sand pond in harwich (assuming you don’t mind using a kayak or canoe...no motors). It’s only 50ish acres but it’s some of the best 50 largemouth acres on the cape. Docks, pads, overhangs, deep water, filled with perch for forage and best of all...almost nobody “serious” fishes it. I have the entire thing to myself basically every time...

I hear you, man. You’re lucky to have gin clear lakes around haha in order to find anything like that around here, I have to drive up into the mountains of New Hampshire or down to the cape (which has some KILLER smallmouth/trout ponds if you know where to go). When I think of gin clear water, I think of a trip I took to lake placid back in the 90s. My brother lost a rod and we actually found it the next morning, clear as day 20 feet down...the rod and a smallmouth on the end of the line. It was unbelievable

This is gonna sound really goofy but this is how I work it. I ditch the spray mechanism and use a couple q-tip drops on each side of the spool. Sinks right down... It’s a mental issue that I have but something about spraying substances onto/into a metanium or aldebaran that I’ve lubed up, etc just kind of freaks me out. It’s totally irrational but hey...it makes me feel better and fishing is hugely mental.

I tend to agree with this. Fishermen have really, really bought into fluorocarbon for whatever reason. Enough guys use it successfully that it’s obviously effective but the few times I’ve given it an honest try, I could never justify its superiority over mono...especially as leader material. And I’m also a trout fisherman, btw...so I’m welllll aware of spooky, wild fish in tight quarters. I’m sure there are pros out there who could really lay it on the line and say “I NEED fluoro to get such and such crank to such and such level” but that’s just never been practical for me. I think it’s also because I never really deal with ultra-clear, still water bass fishing situations...that’s the one application where I could see going light braid to long, light fluoro.

I don’t understand the issue. These aren’t sealed, saltwater reels. That’s going to happen with basically any baitcaster...they’re designed as such. Most even have ports in order to allow water to evaporate easily.

Graphite reels are NOT as bad/bendy as some guys say (unless you’re out there trying to pull trucks with them or something...) ive been throwing several Shimano casitas right alongside my aldebarans, curados and metaniums for years...they’re just fine. the abu black max is arguably the greatest >$50 reel on the market...cheap graphite. the chronarchs that a lot of guys swear by...a lot of those are graphite and they’re high end, pro caliber reels. Don’t let it throw you as long as the reel is made by a reputable company.

It’s still too early to tell, imo... the steez models have been on the market for years, same with the metaniums butttt these 2020 ones are really just getting to their owners now. Mine’s coming in on Monday (saw another guy with the same deal). To be 100% frank, those reels are just gonna be different flavors of awesome. The steez has a relatively unimpeachable record (although, I’m of the opinion that they’re too little reel for the insane price) and a tiny, core solid metanium with brass gears will be similarly top of the line barring some godawful, unforeseen quality control circumstance. Its probably a matter of whose format/ergonomics you prefer. I do better/cast farther with shimanos personally but that doesn’t mean much if you’re a guy who likes the daiwa feel

I’ve been using my xt and mgl a lot lately and was just thinking yesterday how awesome these little things are for the price. They fit in next to my scorpion and aldebarans which says a lot... I own every model of the slx since they’re so cheap. Don’t regret any of them (yet at least?). Whether or not the infinity is worth an extra $30 is TOTALLY down to what you’re gonna use it for. If you wanna try and throw lighter stuff, it probably is. Jerks, frogs and spinnerbaits? Meh...

I did...just picked it up on the flea for the best price I could find

The black max is something of an anomaly in its price range. Typically, anything you can pick up for under $50 is going to be for the “fishes twice a year” crowd. I bought a black max on a whim 5 years or so ago and it stood up right next to my shimanos. The only reason I don’t have it now is because I gave it away last year to a kid who was getting into baitcasting. As far as it being the “smoothest” reel, I don’t know about that. “Smoothness” as a descriptor/metric always kind of makes me go “meh”. Until they invent little, finger sized seismometers that can detect the amount of gear vibration present in a reel’s knobs, smoothness is always going to be subjective.

I’m expecting a new 70 this year as well. Not only is this about the right time in the “cycle”...apparently, dealers have been dumping their 70s. Although, the latter is a bit less convincing since I feel like we would have SOME information at this point if the dealers knew something. The only evidence “against” a new curado 70 is the sheer number of slx models that have been released. I have an slx, an slx xt and an slx mgl....they’re very, very curado 70-like. The mgl and (to a lesser extent) the xt cut into that market a little bit. All of that aside, a k series curado 70 would be mind-blowing for me. The only reels that rival my aldebarans in comfort and general usability are the curado 70s...to my hands at least.

The aldebaran/nrx combo was my number one all last year (as evidenced by my thumbnail). They’re amazing reels in terms of build quality, ergonomics and function. For some reason, I’m more accurate with an aldebaran 50hg than any other reel...couldn’t tell you why. It doesn’t make a ton of sense. But the phenomenon has presented itself across several different rods and bait types. The only thing to check is that your nrx balances at least somewhat closely to the reel seat. If it doesn’t, the aldebaran isn’t going to give you much help in that dept...it’s just too light.

I own and love both. The curado will inevitably be a bit “sturdier” due to its x-ship and might feel a bit “smoother” (ugh...) due to the micromods...but honestly, my favorite “curado” is the scorpion xt 1000. It has neither of those things, is ridiculously smooth and free casting 10 years into its service. So those features don’t make or break a reel for me. If you like smaller reels, the slx series is really nice (aside from the dc, which is basically the size of a modern 200 curado). They’re built on 70 sized frames and feel really nice on the retrieve. You won’t be disappointed with either...however I will add this. Word on the street is that there’s a new 70 sized curado coming soon. Retailers are trying to sell off the I series 70s as quickly as they can. So if you don’t mind waiting...I’m even more excited for those than the new metaniums

whoa... I’m gonna look into that. That’s almost PRECISELY what I’m looking for.

Yes, it does matter in a tip down orientation...to me at least. As explained before, this “issue” becomes apparent after a while of tip down fishing, when keeping the tip out of the water starts to distract from “presenting” as it were. The living room stuff is a consequence of it being January in the northeast, so I’m taking my reels apart and shuffling my gear around.

Yeah, I guess I wasn’t clear on that point. The reason I’d even considered this on the off season was because of the number of times last year I’d had this exact thought: “man...this combo is so light and you can feel everything going on. I just wish it wasn’t tip heavy” the reason the balance weighed on me so much is that my fluking cadence happens right down near the water’s surface so doing that little bit of extra work to keep the rod tip out of the water is fine for a half hour. After four hours, it becomes something you think about. This is really the only combo that I had on the list of “things to research” during the winter.

Thanks man : ) funny you should mention the mbr. I’ve actually been looking at those lately for entirely different reasons. I’ve never owned a glx/imx/conquest or by extension an mbr. The conquest line was what got me interested in those since they don’t come in any jwr models (yet?)

I’m doing my annual cabin fever induced reel cleaning, gear evaluation... I’m looking to see if anyone has a REALLY good, well balanced rod pairing for the aldebaran 50hg. The issue is...it’s so light that alllll of my rods become tip heavy as a result (and I’m not super keen on the idea of balancing kits, etc). It’s my dedicated fluke setup and since those bites can be tricky, I tend to dedicate some of my best/most sensitive gear to it. ive been checking through old posts for both the aldebaran and well balanced rods. It seems as though a lot of people recommend Dobyns for balance. Maybe they have a model light enough to deal with the alde? I fish all st croix and loomis but I’m not brand loyal enough to scoff at a suggestion outside those brands (quite the contrary. at any rate, here are my findings with the NRX 1.) My 2019 fluke setup alde/nrx803...super tip-heavy in hindsight 2.) 13 metanium/nrx...definitely better...I dig the weight. 3.) Scorpion xt 1000/nrx...without a doubt the winner...it might end up being a jig/worm/senko combo this year ive come to the conclusion that the nrx, being an older design, was meant for older (or at least heavier reels). Any help with a similarly “sensitive”, lightweight, nicely balanced alternative for my aldebarans would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks, guys ?