I almost exclusively use mode 3. Mode 4 works just as advertised for skipping. 3 works too but 4 offers a little more insurance and skipping isn’t for distance anyway. I’ve only tried a stiff 17lb (.015” diameter) fluorocarbon and suspect braid would be better. 

Skipping is one thing that I've yet to try on this thing. I may have bashed mode 3 prematurely!

Well, I’ve been skipping since the old gold chronarch super free. This reel will skip very well. I used a 3/8 jig the other day but I believe a 1/2 would be right in its wheelhouse. It pitches better than I expected but don’t expect something like a finesse jig or senko to cooperate as well pitching. 

45 minutes ago, five-bites said:

Well, I’ve been skipping since the old gold chronarch super free. This reel will skip very well. I used a 3/8 jig the other day but I believe a 1/2 would be right in its wheelhouse. It pitches better than I expected but don’t expect something like a finesse jig or senko to cooperate as well pitching. 

My only thing with pitching is, I can't get it set just right so that when the jig hits the water I can let it free spool. I can do that with my Tatula SV TW.

4 hours ago, Woody_California said:

These things must be inconsistent albeit I find setting 3 a bit useless myself. If I tune the reel to cast well in mode 1, all other modes work. I wouldn't think you should have to readjust the spool tension for each brake setting.

I readjust each time. Minor though

1 hour ago, Junger said:

My only thing with pitching is, I can't get it set just right so that when the jig hits the water I can let it free spool. I can do that with my Tatula SV TW.

I believe that. It’s definitely not my first pic for pitching. I’ve recently started switching to Shimano and the curado/scorpion 71 is going to be my day in day out pitching reels. Also the aldebaran but it might be put on a rod that’s best for 15lb or less. 

Has anyone tried theirs with a heavy lure, like 2-4oz? 

I've overhanded our family cat a few times... I find that I can cast the line out all the way to the spool with no overrun on all settings! Side arm I lose about 30 yards but the accuracy is a LOT more consistent. 

5 hours ago, Woody_California said:

These things must be inconsistent albeit I find setting 3 a bit useless myself. If I tune the reel to cast well in mode 1, all other modes work. I wouldn't think you should have to readjust the spool tension for each brake setting.

 

I'm a bit anal about having the spool tension as loose as possible so I change it slightly depending on what brake setting is being used.  I've never liked over tight spools, or an over braking reel.  If I set up for brake setting 1 the tension is too tight for the other settings.  I buy equipment for maximum performance and that's what took a bit longer to with this reel.  I'm a perfectionist with equipment, so I guess you could say for the average fisherman I had this baby dialed in within minutes but for my standards it took a bit longer.

 

3 hours ago, Woody_California said:

Skipping is one thing that I've yet to try on this thing. I may have bashed mode 3 prematurely!

 

Sounds like you have some messing around still to do!  LOL.  

 

Either way I do enjoy this reel very much.

On 9/13/2018 at 10:46 PM, Woody_California said:

I've overhanded our family cat a few times... I find that I can cast the line out all the way to the spool with no overrun on all settings! Side arm I lose about 30 yards but the accuracy is a LOT more consistent. 

You must have a smaller cat, I had to use the TranX to get any distance with my little fatty.