I noticed they are no longer on TW site. A new one on the horizon? 

Edited June 17, 2025Jun 17 by bassheel
Wording

I have been saying this for years, the Chronarch is the most neglected reel from Shimano. This thing has been using the same frame for how long now? Like 10+ years? Ridiculous, especially because the frame wasn't even that good to begin with, AND a full plastic reel.

 

I had one for a very short time.  It now lives in NY.

Probably.  All of the other reels in the lineup have had refreshes or redesigns in the past 5 years.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they kill it entirely, though that would leave a hole at the USDM price point that it is at.  Then again, with the yen pricing right now I’m not sure the USDM prices make any sense anymore.  

I have the 17 Chronarch MGL and its been a solid reel but its not worth the $299 they are now asking for it. There really isn't enough in the reel to separate it it from the Curado.  I hope they do resign it though. Currently, who would choose it over a Bantam or a Zillion, especially at the JDM price? 

18 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have the 17 Chronarch MGL and its been a solid reel but its not worth the $299 they are now asking for it. There really isn't enough in the reel to separate it it from the Curado.  I hope they do resign it though. Currently, who would choose it over a Bantam or a Zillion, especially at the JDM price? 

 

That's kinda my point above.  Ignoring the DC models and using TW pricing, you've got the Antares ($550), Met ($450), Bantam ($350), and Curado 70 ($250), and Curado ($200).  The Chronarch is nominally a $300 reel (still available at that from many outlets).  At that price point it gives you a more refined curado.  And if you need a 150 sized reel that is light, then it's about the right combination of size, price, feel, etc., so I think there is a place for it in the lineup.  But the Curado 70 is encroaching on both weight and price (I can't speak to refinement).  And the current Curado is pushing up close on features (micromodule, hagane, Ci4+, MGL spool, etc).  If the chronarch is going to survive, they need to upgrade to MGL3, silent tune, and infinity drive so that the feel is even better while keeping the price point the same.  That would probably be enough to keep the series alive, though it wouldn't move the needle a ton.  It would be just enough to justify keeping it.

 

All that said, anyone who is willing to order JDM obviously is in a completely difference place when you get get a met delivered to your door for $260 last I checked.  

I wonder what they could do with the the name? 

 

Make premium Curados with nicer detailing such as anodized metal handle lock plates and drag stars with a high end silver or white paint?  It would probably be lost on the average Shimano buyer and flop.

 

Make salt water versions of the Curado for inshore?  They have already done that with the Tranx 150 and 200.

 

Bring over JDM reels like the Stile, Engetsu BB and Grappler for niches in the US market like vertical jigging, lake trout and inshore?  If they did that they would certainly call them Tranx anyways.  

 

I'm at a loss here.

Lews has 150 sized reels weighing 5 ounces and this needs to be where Shimano takes the Chronarch. 

I would make it as direct competition to the zillion. As is, Shimano has nothing to compete with it. Some might say the Bantam, but the Bantam weights a ton, so i would never say that it's competing with the Zil. Made in Japan, meta frame and handle side plate, weights between 6 and 6.5oz, and sold for about the same price as a zillion. That's what i'd try to achieve.

its a bit of a shame because for a time in the late 90s early 2000s the Chronarchs were arguably the best baitcasting reels available.  

 

it would be a shame to let the line die. 

For anyone with a '14 Chronarch, 

KTF has a $45 sale price on their BFS spool

in gold - http://www.karil.co.jp/online_shop/sys/catalogue.cgi?me=detail&ma=&mp=SALE-KTF-FS-14CHRON-SG

and blue - http://www.karil.co.jp/online_shop/sys/catalogue.cgi?me=detail&ma=&mp=SALE-KTF-FS-14CHRON-LB

Though buying requires using a Japan broker, such as Noppin or ZenMarket.  

while you're there, buy their IXA spool bearings...

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

its a bit of a shame because for a time in the late 90s early 2000s the Chronarchs were arguably the best baitcasting reels available.  

 

it would be a shame to let the line die. 

The TD-Z would like a word with you.

21 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I would make it as direct competition to the zillion. As is, Shimano has nothing to compete with it. Some might say the Bantam, but the Bantam weights a ton, so i would never say that it's competing with the Zil. Made in Japan, meta frame and handle side plate, weights between 6 and 6.5oz, and sold for about the same price as a zillion. That's what i'd try to achieve.

You must be new at fishing lol, the Bantam doesn't weigh a ton.  It weighs 7.6-7.9 oz depending on gear ratio, which for all intents and purposes, is pretty dang light. Let's not split hairs here because it is counterproductive.  The Bantam is definitely the competing model to the Zillion.  Oh yeah, it too is made in Japan.

1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You must be new at fishing lol, the Bantam doesn't weigh a ton.  It weighs 7.6-7.9 oz depending on gear ratio, which for all intents and purposes, is pretty dang light. Let's not split hairs here because it is counterproductive.  The Bantam is definitely the competing model to the Zillion.  Oh yeah, it too is made in Japan.

While I may not agree with it the market driving force is for tiny light weight reels with high capacity, huge drag numbers and big handles.  They basically want a Steez CT size and weight reel with a Zillion HD handle on it and 20 pounds of drag at every price point.

2 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You must be new at fishing lol, the Bantam doesn't weigh a ton.  It weighs 7.6-7.9 oz depending on gear ratio, which for all intents and purposes, is pretty dang light. Let's not split hairs here because it is counterproductive.  The Bantam is definitely the competing model to the Zillion.  Oh yeah, it too is made in Japan.

Almost 8oz for a low profile, all around reel isn't a lot? First time i hear of this. The OG zillion was always considered as a heavy tank, and this is almost the same weight. It's great for a heavy powered rod for flipping, frogging and such, because it'll balance your setup, but nobody in their right mind would choose it for jerkbaits, etc. For today standards, a reel that is 8oz is a lot. If you're used to low end reels, then sure, it's the norm in most cases, but if you're mostly using higher end stuff, that is not a light reel. So no, i would never consider it as competition, not even close (unless you're looking for a heavier reel to balance out your rod of course).

3 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

The TD-Z would like a word with you.

And the OG Alphas.

18 Bantam, yeah. The newer Bantam A is a much better all rounder. Feels fine on a 7'3 Adrena. Feels good in general. 

 

I also don't use my Zillion for jerkbaits. Tatula 80 goes zoom with 12 lb fluorocarbon. 

 

The only reason I prefer the Zillion is my monkey brain likes Magforce and cannot figure out Shimano braking.

 

4 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Almost 8oz for a low profile, all around reel isn't a lot? First time i hear of this. The OG zillion was always considered as a heavy tank, and this is almost the same weight. It's great for a heavy powered rod for flipping, frogging and such, because it'll balance your setup, but nobody in their right mind would choose it for jerkbaits, etc. For today standards, a reel that is 8oz is a lot. If you're used to low end reels, then sure, it's the norm in most cases, but if you're mostly using higher end stuff, that is not a light reel.

A lot of low end reels are actually feathers because they use composite or graphite frames, nice try though lol.  Maybe you should take this up with the engineers at Shimano and tell them about the perceived shortcomings in their design.  They'd be delighted to further their credentials.

In today’s market 7.6-8oz is definitely on the heavy end for a 150 sized reel. Standard is around 6.7oz now

2 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Almost 8oz for a low profile, all around reel isn't a lot? First time i hear of this. The OG zillion was always considered as a heavy tank, and this is almost the same weight. It's great for a heavy powered rod for flipping, frogging and such, because it'll balance your setup, but nobody in their right mind would choose it for jerkbaits, etc. For today standards, a reel that is 8oz is a lot. If you're used to low end reels, then sure, it's the norm in most cases, but if you're mostly using higher end stuff, that is not a light reel. So no, i would never consider it as competition, not even close (unless you're looking for a heavier reel to balance out your rod of course).

And the OG Alphas.

I guess I’m out of my mind.   Love using a 2018 bantam for jerkbaits over my steez sv

1 hour ago, GReb said:

In today’s market 7.6-8oz is definitely on the heavy end for a 150 sized reel. Standard is around 6.7oz now

Standards… shmandards….    If you can’t lift an 8oz reel we got real world problems.   
 

They need to re-release the mg50.

8 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

For anyone with a '14 Chronarch, 

KTF has a $45 sale price on their BFS spool

in gold - http://www.karil.co.jp/online_shop/sys/catalogue.cgi?me=detail&ma=&mp=SALE-KTF-FS-14CHRON-SG

and blue - http://www.karil.co.jp/online_shop/sys/catalogue.cgi?me=detail&ma=&mp=SALE-KTF-FS-14CHRON-LB

Though buying requires using a Japan broker, such as Noppin or ZenMarket.  

while you're there, buy their spool bearings...

 

I know it's an old model, but still, this is lowest price I've ever seen on KTF spools, which IMO is a hype I'd probably never understand.

@newapti5 - if you follow that link up, you will notice the OOS Kahen and Neo spools were always sold at realistic prices - less than $120.  

Certainly my favorite spool, Ray's Studio SV, is a direct copy of KTF Kahen.  

SV brake was invented by KTF, and shared with Daiwa.  

Following ebay scalpers is no indication of reality, and might drift your mind into hype.  

If you want to find one, shop on Yahoo.  

And KTF spool kicks butt.  

On 6/19/2025 at 9:51 AM, redmeansdistortion said:

A lot of low end reels are actually feathers because they use composite or graphite frames, nice try though lol.  Maybe you should take this up with the engineers at Shimano and tell them about the perceived shortcomings in their design.  They'd be delighted to further their credentials.

If you stick to low end and noname reels, sure there's plenty of plastic reels. I don't use that crap. All my reels have a metal frame and handle side plate. Other than Aldebaran mgl, which i had no idea used a garbage plastic side plate.

6 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

 Other than Aldebaran mgl, which i had no idea used a garbage plastic side plate.

Then you'd complain that it's too heavy if it were alloy.  Me thinks you should bust out a few CAD mock-ups and go show those Shimano engineers who's boss.