Ten years ago as I was getting into retirement bass fishing my daughter gifted me with a Johnny Morris reel and then I went all Shimanos. Contrary to the negative comments on his reels, this has been a great reel for me for the last 10 years, but I maintain it in top shape. BPS is having their trade in program right now and with that reel turned in I can get the Johnny Morris Carbon Black for $90.

Anyone on here own a Carbon Black and can comment on it? Not interested in any brands except Shimano and they are not participating.

I doubt you'll find very many people who have experience with the Carbon Black since it's a new reel for 2011, but from the looks of it, it's just last year's Johnny Morris Signature Series with a carbon fiber handle (what's the point on a 9+ oz reel?) and a different finish.

A search for info on the JM Sig. should turn up plenty of info.

If you compare their exterior features - it seems pretty clear that the new Carbon Black is an update of the 2010 purple RCX - which in turn was just a renamed version of the blue 2009 Rick Clunn.

The RCX was selling for about $110 full price but was recently on clearance for a while for about $90 - it's back up to it's regular $110 on the web site right now but I expect it could be reduced to a clearance price again.

The differences between the RCX and Carbon Black are probably worth the $20 price delta. Compared to the RCX, the Carbon Black gives you two more bearings (probably in the handle knobs), a carbon fiber handle, an upgraded drag, and a click-adjustable cast control knob.

I have 2 of the original, blue Rick Clunn reels - got them on clearance for $71 each. Good reels, only thing is that they're heavy at 9.45 ounces. The Carbon Black is probably OK too - but even with the carbon fiber handle, it's still listed as 9.4 ounces for the standard spool width model - a bit "portly" by today's standards...

For $90 clams, it would be a pretty good value if you don't mind the weight issue.

Potatoe/potato ;D

Note the spool and cast control knob.

After looking at the reel data on last year's JM signature and the Carbon Black, I am inclined to believe it is the same reel with a face lift.  The Carbonlite may be a better choice, or the ProQualifier.

Don't trade in your old beloved JM just for the discount.  Find another reel or get one of their $5 reels and use that for a trade in.

Hard to tell the origin. I imagine it's a common frame and just parts bin engineering from there!  Either way - they're all a bit fat....  :

Don't trade in your old beloved JM just for the discount. Find another reel or get one of their $5 reels and use that for a trade in.[/quote

X2 and I work at BPS.........Al

I bought a carbon black a few days ago and put it on my rod, I am not to impressed. First of all it is pretty heavy. Also the spool has a lot of side to side movement, so much that you can hear it bang against the frame as you reel. The handle also has a lot of play in it. I can not speak for the performance because I am not going to take it to the water, I am going to take it back to BPS. I may just have gotten a bad reel so I will compare it with another carbon black when I get there. I have a feeling I am going to exchange it for a PQ. I already have one PQ and love it.

My fianc é bought me a carbon black for valentines day right after it came out. I thanked her and promptly went to bass pro and exchanged it plus some cash for another 50e.

Jeff

My fianc é bought me a carbon black for valentines day right after it came out. I thanked her and promptly went to bass pro and exchanged it plus some cash for another 50e.

Jeff

Ha ha, those 50e's sure are sweet, huh? I love mine.

My fianc é bought me a carbon black for valentines day right after it came out. I thanked her and promptly went to bass pro and exchanged it plus some cash for another 50e.

Jeff

Ha ha, those 50e's sure are sweet, huh? I love mine.

Yea my main problem with it was it felt like a boat anchor! HEAVY!!! I dare say I even liked the color Just didn't hold a hat to an 50e, granted the 50 was like $75 more! She had also bought me a core from the same guy, and when I returned it to him he smiled and said I knew I should have gotten her another Shimano! LOL

I'd like to play with a Core to get a feel for it. I bet it's a nice reel.

To be 100% honest, the difference in the core and the 50e are so small that I probably wouldnt buy another core!  My core is the 50 and even though it is lighter and they say the drag is better, for the money, you can buy 2 50e on slezzybay for the same price as 1 core!  My vote is 2 50e's!

Jeff

I thinks it's kind of funny all the young guys want light reels, and I am well over 60 and do my deep cranking with a M3600 Morrum. 

Us young guys arent built like you older guys were!  Were too reliant on technology!

Jeff

To me the Johnny Morris Carbon Black reel is just an updated version of the old silver titanium deposition reel that they no longer sell.

SJ

Ya, nothing feels as good as a solid block of aluminum.

So Now I dont feel as bad by fishing my 5lb 4600's !!