I'm looking to purchase a reel for jerkbaits+. I'm aware of the differences between the USDM and JDM 2020 Metaniums. That said, would the JDM version be worth considering over the Aldebaran 50 for its increased capacity, sensitivity reasons, and available higher gear ratio? I know the Alde is significantly lighter but I'm also looking at using this rig for shaky heads and possibly more. I also have larger toothy critters in my waters.

 

 

Out of curiosity, how does a reel have increased sensitivity? 

I've always relied on the rod for that. 

5 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Out of curiosity, how does a reel have increased sensitivity? 

I've always relied on the rod for that. 

I've kinda wondered that myself, but I hear it as a selling point. I think it's suppose to transfer sensitivity through the blank better to the hand because of the one piece design. 

34 minutes ago, Sir Shamsalot said:

I'm looking to purchase a reel for jerkbaits+. I'm aware of the differences between the USDM and JDM 2020 Metaniums. That said, would the JDM version be worth considering over the Aldebaran 50 for its increased capacity, sensitivity reasons, and available higher gear ratio? I know the Alde is significantly lighter but I'm also looking at using this rig for shaky heads and possibly more. I also have larger toothy critters in my waters.

 

 

For me the JDM metanium is a much better offering than the aldebaran.

 

Aluminum gears in the micro size have not been kind to me and many other fisherman I personally know after long term use.

 

Also, that JDM Met spool can slap throw a jerk bait a mile.

 

I can’t definitively say one reel is more sensitive than the other though.

26 minutes ago, Sir Shamsalot said:

I've kinda wondered that myself, but I hear it as a selling point. I think it's suppose to transfer sensitivity through the blank better to the hand because of the one piece design. 

I'm thinking it's purely marketing..........

54 minutes ago, CFDoc said:

For me the JDM metanium is a much better offering than the aldebaran.

 

Aluminum gears in the micro size have not been kind to me and many other fisherman I personally know after long term use.

 

Also, that JDM Met spool can slap throw a jerk bait a mile.

 

I can’t definitively say one reel is more sensitive than the other though.

I concur with CFDoc. last time I considered purchasing an Aldebaran, the aluminum gears scared me away and I went with a 20 Metanium HG instead.  

The new Met & the Bantam could very well be considered more sensitive because of the three piece housing design over other reels that are five piece. Fewer pieces in the housing design contribute to a more rigid design that flexes less & is more smooth in operation. Those two factors would contribute to them being more sensitive. The three piece designs just make those two reels feel rock solid & combined with a quality well balanced rod that just plain feels good & you get the feeling that they become an extension of your arm. You have to try it to determine the difference.  

5 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

The new Met & the Bantam could very well be considered more sensitive because of the three piece housing design over other reels that are five piece. Fewer pieces in the housing design contribute to a more rigid design that flexes less & is more smooth in operation. Those two factors would contribute to them being more sensitive. The three piece designs just make those two reels feel rock solid & combined with a quality well balanced rod that just plain feels good & you get the feeling that they become an extension of your arm. You have to try it to determine the difference.  

I don't disagree regarding that possibility but I've yet to feel a bass pick up my jig through my reel before feeling it in the rod.  If I did my first thought was I need a better rod. 

Some folks claim the more rigid magnesium frame transmits strikes better than an aluminum/carbon framed reel.  So "more sensitive" is the claim

2 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

I don't disagree regarding that possibility but I've yet to feel a bass pick up my jig through my reel before feeling it in the rod.  If I did my first thought was I need a better rod. 

I totally agree the rod is the major factor considering what you feel in your hand. But I do feel that the reel can contribute to increased sensitivity by minimizing any distraction to feeling the transmitted vibration through the rod. Imagine the increased feeling of sensitivity you would feel if the reel & the rod were manufactured as one piece  rather than two pieces combined. 

9 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

I don't disagree regarding that possibility but I've yet to feel a bass pick up my jig through my reel before feeling it in the rod.  If I did my first thought was I need a better rod. 

Agreed.

I have never purchased a reel thinking it was going to help me feel more bites. I have purchased many a rod though for that exact reason.

5 hours ago, Sir Shamsalot said:

I'm looking to purchase a reel for jerkbaits+. I'm aware of the differences between the USDM and JDM 2020 Metaniums. That said, would the JDM version be worth considering over the Aldebaran 50 for its increased capacity, sensitivity reasons, and available higher gear ratio? I know the Alde is significantly lighter but I'm also looking at using this rig for shaky heads and possibly more. I also have larger toothy critters in my waters.

 

 

The Alde is a great reel especially for JBs and finesse techniques.  Its nice to have a sub 5oz reel, but thats a double edged sword.  It can be hard to balance with longer rods without adding counter weights.  Aluminum gears are fine for JBs and lighter techniques, its spinnerbaits, flippin jigs, T rigs or anything where you lock the drag down and swing for the fences that can cause issues with aluminum over time.  

Again the Alde is a great reel, but personally I think the Met B is far more versatile.  I know the term "game changer" is over used, but it describes the Met B well.  I think eventually the core solid bodys will be standard on mid range reels and up.  The Mets frame feels really solid in hand, almost like an aluminum reel, it doesnt have the hollow feeling of older Magnesium reels.  The Met B is good for just about anything.  Its light weight and casting ability make it great for JBs

I've said it before, and I will say it again. I think the 20 Met is the best Shimano reel out right now. I wouldn't hesitate at all to use it for JB's. That being said, if I were looking at a reel for a dedicated JB rod, I might lean toward the Alde. I had an Alde 50 on a 6'6 M Expride and it was an amazing combo. Actually one of the few I regret selling. You can't go wrong with either though.

Just wanted to pop in and say that the 20 Met has the wow factor. It bombs and is super smooth. I’ve never used an Aldeberan but the Met is a joy to cast and seems to be a great all around reel. I bought it to throw smaller cranks, squarebills, and wake cranks with. If it can launch a small 1.5 a country mile I’m sure it will put jerkbaits into orbit. 

On 2/4/2021 at 9:24 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

I totally agree the rod is the major factor considering what you feel in your hand. But I do feel that the reel can contribute to increased sensitivity by minimizing any distraction to feeling the transmitted vibration through the rod. Imagine the increased feeling of sensitivity you would feel if the reel & the rod were manufactured as one piece  rather than two pieces combined. 

I think maybe the reel is pretty important. The way I see it is that the anchor part of the line is the reel. The vibrations that you feel in the rod are parasites robbing vibration from the line as the line makes contact with the guides. The reel transmits what left to the rod through the foot. I think they both matter.