I'm happy as all heck!  Is the Ci4 Chronarch an actual official replacement for the Core 50 MG7?

No, it replaces the chronarch d. There's no replacement for the core 50. Hopefully it will be around for at least another year before they update it.

The current 50 size lp is already an all time great imo. The 100 size is considered an all time great in Japan.

I have the 100Mg7 and love it.

Hootie

When you guys say "100", you really mean "101", right?

Can't be that many southpaws on the forum.

 

Roger 

When you guys say "100", you really mean "101", right?

Can't be that many southpaws on the forum.

 

Roger 

Im a southpaw I want handle on the right so its 50,100,150 for me

Which is why I'd be hesitant to pit it against the new Chronarch Ci4.  The Ci4 just doesn't have the years of proven quality.  It's probably a fantastic reel and I love mine, but the core has what 5 years on it?

 

But it does have decades of Japanese proven quality backing it up with the SHIMANO name on it

When you guys say "100", you really mean "101", right?

Can't be that many southpaws on the forum.

Roger

My 100Mg7 is a right hand retrieve reel.

Hootie

My 100Mg7 is a right hand retrieve reel.

Hootie

 

Hootie, do you cast with your right-arm or left arm?

If you're right-handed, do you pass your rod to your left hand after every cast?

 

I'm right-handed, and for years I fished with reels with a right-side crank,

but offshore fishing caused me to switch. With a left-side crank, the power arm of a right-handed angler is 

always available for 'casting', 'hook-setting' & 'pumping big fish' to the boat (the left hand just takes up slack line).

 

Roger

Im a southpaw I want handle on the right so its 50,100,150 for me

 

Exactly, otherwise you'll be playing switch-hands all day  

 

Roger

Been playing switch hands for sixty years, not likely to change at this late date. It feels perfectly natural to me.

Hootie

I haven't used the CI4+ yet, but absolutely LOVE my Core 51MG7.  I've got a Steez I would gladly trade for another Core 51.

Been playing switch hands for sixty years, not likely to change at this late date. It feels perfectly natural to me.

Hootie

 

I'm not touching that one  

I'm not touching that one

I think you just did...lol.

Hootie

My fav feature of the Core 50 is it's weight.  It you fish often and have issues with tendonitis these reels help a lot!  Can't imagine going back to the 10-12 oz reel days.  Ouch!

I've used the Core 50 MG7 and the Chronarch Ci4 the past two mornings.   The Chronarch casts further and reels smoother than the Core.

I love both of my Chronarch Ci4's. I'm hoping that maybe Shimano will revamp the Core this year at iCast!

I love both of my Chronarch Ci4's. I'm hoping that maybe Shimano will revamp the Core this year at iCast!

Nope. I don't think they'll even revamp it, to be honest. They'll probably phase it out and the Metanium will be the new Core. I don't know for sure, but it would make more sense from a business aspect.

I love both of my Chronarch Ci4's. I'm hoping that maybe Shimano will revamp the Core this year at iCast!

No new LPs from shimano at icast. Wouldn't be surprised if the brought over the new conquest from Japan to sell here like the metanium and Antares.

Before I got my METS, the core was my favorite.

i feel like both my Ci4+ are better than any core i have used and i have used quite a few just never was that impressed with them so never pulled the trigger

For me, the light weight of the core is the selling point.  I don't think it's as smooth as the Curado E's they replaced for me but probably cast as far.  Both cast far enought that a reliable hookset with mono or fluoro gets iffy when bit at the end of a long cast.  JMHO

Did some more comparisons with the Core and Chronarch Ci4 last night.  Both on the same rods and tried the same lures.  Spinnerbaits slow rolling in deep water, the Chronarch has a smoother retrieve when stressed a bit. 

 

But as a top water reel on my Loomis Topwater rod the Core 50mg7 is nice and light.  But I like the way the Chronarch Ci4 palms.  I've got big hands, the Core 50mg7 almost gets lost in there.  So it's really a toss up.  I'm leaning towards selling the Core.

 

I also compared them to a 2013 Metanium.  Smoothest cranking on the Metanium.  The Ci4 and Metanium both cast further than the Core as well, but not that much further.

 

My finesse line is out for UPS delivery today so I'll finally get to compare the Alderbaran BFS to the Core 50mg7 this weekend.

I have to agree my Core is not as smooth as some of the other reels I have fished but it's light, gets the job done and feels good in my hand.  One thing that did improve the smoothness of the reel was cleaning the pinion gear.  I found it had more build up in it than other reels.  Maybe it had to much oil in there to begin with.  

 

One day I would like to compare it to the Okuma Helois Air.  It may be the next baitmonkey purchase.