When I read the stuff on the Core 50mg it states "Light line and finesse" fishing. I have a Loomis GL-3 6'6" MH rod for this reel. I use 10pd and sometimes 12pd test line on my reels. Will this reel handle an 8 pound bass at the end of a 1oz weighted c-rig? I'm looking for a compact, low profile, light weight, multi use (not just finesse), reel for 1/8oz up to 1oz stuff.

Thanks.

The short answer is YES it can handle it.

Can it? Absolutely. Just watch it as you go up in line size, as the spool is shallow. I can nearly spool a few of my rigs with 17lb and a c rig.

The Core can more than handle an 8 pound bass.  The question should be, can 10-12 pound mono handle a one ounce jig and an 8 pound bass?

I'm curious - are you throwing 1oz Carolina Rigs on a 6'6"MH Loomis with 10/12lb line?

The Core 50 has plenty of power, but doesn't have the line capacity I would look for in such an all purpose reel - 1oz carolina rigs included.  You may want to consider the Curado or Citica E... you'd still have enough $$ left over to buy a longer, heavier rod for your C-rigs 

I'm curious - are you throwing 1oz Carolina Rigs on a 6'6"MH Loomis with 10/12lb line?

The Core 50 has plenty of power, but doesn't have the line capacity I would look for in such an all purpose reel - 1oz carolina rigs included. You may want to consider the Curado or Citica E... you'd still have enough $$ left over to buy a longer, heavier rod for your C-rigs

The use for this reel will be mainly for shallow river fishing, 1/4 to 1/2oz. spinner baits and for reservoir fishing 1/2oz and depending on the wind I might go a little heavier on the bullet weight. On the 8 pounder, that might be a little dreaming on my part but it is a possibility. I guess the question I should be asking is "given the right rod and the correct line" will this bad boy shine?

I guess the question I should be asking is "given the right rod and the correct line" will this bad boy shine?

Yes. Given the right rod and correct line it does shine. I consider the Core 50/51MG7 a "finesse power" reel - I use mine for pitching 1/8 to 3/8 oz jigs and plastics most often. It really shines with the lighter stuff, and can handle the 1/2 oz stuff - but most any reel can do that.