Darren.

I've been at a couple sites drooling over the Aldebaran BFS XG. Dang. 8.0:1! Would love if my 50e reels had that ratio.

Sometimes Bass Pro's site makes me wanna scratch my head.

Not just the Chronarch 50e, but the 200 series as well. Only Chronarch is the CI4+. They're still at TW and elsewhere...

Glad to hear his first was a success. Hope the next surgeries go smoothly, as well.

Here's to a speedy recovery!

Do you plan to use this straight spooled, or as a leader tied to braid, or other mainline? If you're going to use it straight on spinning or baitcasting gear, try some line conditioner as some of the copoly brands can be rather springy and jumpy off your spool in coils. I don't think anyone is truly qualified to say what line is "best" as that is entirely subjective to that person's opinion. I've tried a number of copoly brands and like Yo-Zuri Hybrid and P-Line Floroclear the best. That's me, you can do a search and find others who hate the Floroclear line... experience matters. Pick one and try it out.

Congrats. My wife would probably approve of that today if only to get my fishing gear out of the house. See, I have a car port attached to a "shed" which is already stuffed to the gills. So my fishing gear is inside and in bins, or like the rods and reels, against walls or on a circular rod holder. Problem is, it drives her crazy. Before I try to convince her I *need* a new reel, I *MUST* clean the fishing clutter.

First, welcome to the forums! While I don't throw a lot of topwater, I tend to use M/F and M/XF for the ones I do. However, I think your choice would serve you well.

Yo-Zuri is a bonding of copolymer line and fluorocarbon. Hence "hybrid". It's rated strength is high, but so is the diameter for said line. I use YZH quite often for leader. For a looong time I used P-Line Floroclear - which I still love - which is a copoly line *coated* with fluorocarbon. But I've since bought several 600 yard spools of YZH for like $9 each. So I've been using it in 6 and 8 lb test on several of my setups (as leader tied to braided mainline).

LOL, yup. Turning 40 brought the inexplicable weight gain. 45? What you said.

Congrats! You'll really enjoy it, I think. And when you dig out a birds nest, the line doesn't kink as it does with mono/fluoro which can weaken the line. I can only recall one birds nest so bad with braid that I had to cut it out. I've had nasty ones since, but each and every one I've been able to resolve.

I'm afraid my wife is trying to get ME to understand that.

That's cool, and entirely valid.

#Lovin'VA

Welcome aboard!

Hey Jared, welcome aboard!

I've become a big fan of Shimano, especially their baitcasters. Got 2 Stradic 1000 FI reels and 2 Chronarch 50e reels. The 50e reels are absolutely amazing. I really like the Stradics -- a lot. They're light and fully capable of reeling in 6+ pound bass with nary a hitch. The Smokes I've only heard about in reviews and such. I'm sure they're great reels, and light. But when I went in to BPS to buy spinning reels I left with the Stradic. Something about the quality, the feel, etc. Haven't been disappointed. The Quantums felt like solid reels but something drew me to the Shimano reels. I also like Daiwa. But If you are flipping a coin, good luck. For me, I'd pick the Shimano.

Merely the 12th man, gang green, limb about to be amputated. Rest assured, the Pats have the edge.

Yup.

Most of my jig fish have been caught on M/F rods, not XF. That said, I think an XF can work with the right line(s).

Not hard for me, but maybe not what you're looking for - Shimano Chronarch 50e. The combos I have (2) both with 6'6" BPS Carbonlites are amazingly light. One is a ML/F, the other M/F.

Let me just say that on a neutral field, the Pats will beat the Packers. Did I just say that?!

Oh man, I'm sooooo sorrry... no, not really. You probably have amazing reels in hand. I've been drooling over the customizations at Hedgehog. My Chronarch 50e reels are beyond my reach after I finish customizing them at Hedgehog. Glad I don't have the money to follow thru. Curse the one who first turned me on to that site!!! GAAAAH!!

Stay away from Japanese customizing sites!! Preserve your sanity and your retirement fund!

I can understand that. I have used all these lines as leaders, not mainline. Although early on I did use Floroclear as a mainline, I haven't for years. So much better as a leader.