I'm looking for a good reel to pair with my st. Criox avid 6'6" M, I currently have 4 curado I's. I'd like to stay shimano. I've been looking at older high end reels trying to find good deals here and there. I'm wondering what would be a good higher end used reel for my setup? I've been Checking out Calais, core, chronarchs and others but I don't know much about the older shimanos.

A nice Calais 100A would be sweet for jerkbaits. The gear ratio is perfect and you can't beat the quality of that series. And that's coming from a Daiwa guy.

I really enjoy my Core 50MG7 for jerkbaits. Casts great and is nice and compact.

Metanium 13 HG or XG

I use a modified Ambassadeur 4600c3.  I'm in the minority that prefer round reels.

Regards,

Josh

Chronarch 100d7, curado 100d, calais 100a

Bulletproof reels! Some of the best reels ever made. I wish shimano still made reels like theese. 

Core 50MG7 or Aldebaran  MG7.

 Both are really about the same reel.

Both cast great and small enough  the palm tightly  while  jerking.

Don't need anything real special to fish a jerkbait but if you really just want to blow some money on a reel to fish one, the Aldebaran 50 would be a great way to do it. If you can find one, a Curado 50E does it well and I'm sure a Chronarch 50 would as well. 

I have a Chronarch 50 that I use for jerkbaits and shallow running Crankbaits that casts well.  I'm also in the minority (maybe) that sometimes prefers throwing jerkbaits on spinning gear in certain conditions like into wind. 

1 minute ago, Turkey sandwich said:

I have a Chronarch 50 that I use for jerkbaits and shallow running Crankbaits that casts well.  I'm also in the minority (maybe) that sometimes prefers throwing jerkbaits on spinning gear in certain conditions like into wind. 

I like fishing them on spinning gear to use lighter line and get them down deeper, or so I can switch to my right arm and give my left wrist a break. 

To cast them well, I've found that either a M crankbait rod (casting), or M fast spinning rod work best for me.  In either case, I spool braid with leaders.  For me, they both have applications.  I have a 6'6 or so M F casting rod that I've replaced with a 7' M F spinning rod for a lot of jerkbait fishing.  I'm finding that personal preference plays a huge role in jerkbait tackle. 

I think I'm sold on the Calais 100a it seems like the only downfall is weight, which doesn't bother me. I've been trying to hunt one down for a good deal but I'm having a hard time even finding one for sale.

One last thing is, when does the 50 size spool start to become a problem over a 100 size? It will be spooled with 10-12lb sunline sniper