kickerfish1

Outstanding! Keep us posted as you log more time with it.

I can honestly say that have I have fished darn near every trailer on the market for a jig whether it be a craw or swim style trailer. Having said that Rage can cover most of what you need amomg their product offerings. I am not one to give props to the sponsors here just to do so, but they have done a great job catering a product line to jig fisherman. The space monkey, smok'n rooster and especially the eeliminator are very under rated for bigger profile trailers. Keitech's fat swing impact, Strike Kings Rodent, RI dipper, Zoom speed craw, Netbait Paca chunks, Megabass's bat and fly, and Big Hammers are all trailers that see alot of use on my jigs. Coming from a guy with (10) 3700 series boxes full of jigs, I would start with some of the rage products in colors and styles that fit your water conditions and what you are trying to achieve with the jig. There really isn't a right/wrong answer. Just experiment with some at different times of year to get the right profile and color they are keying in on.

Pointer 78 and 100 and for topwater the gunfish has a nice dual action. I have many colors that I will use depending upon water clarity and body of water.

Chronarch E followed by the Tournament Pro.

I am digg'n the new rig "thehooligan"! It looks sharp. With your experience with some of Shimanos nicer spinning reels, I would like to hear your thoughts on how the reel fishes compared to the previous generation CI4.

I own over two dozen. Some general purpose and some only get used for one technique maybe a few times a year. Depending upon the trip or day plan it could be as few as 2 to as many as 15 for long days in the boat. Probably most comfortbale having 8 with me if I had to put a number on it.

Shoot a pm to 21 farms as he has the reel and is a good guy that understands upgrades and can shed some light on it. Off the top of my head you could: 1. Upgrade the spool bearings 2. Upgrade the spool to a finesse spool. This would be good for lighter baits but wouldn't give you any added distance on say 3/8 and above. 3. Upgrade the handle to CF and knobs. 4. Upgrade the drag to say carbontex drag washers. 5. You can likely find a cool drag star and cast control cap and handle nut retainer. 6. Have the reel cleaned and professionally supertuned. Frankily I would leave the reel stock with the exception of a carbontex drag and possibly having the reel supertuned. Most all other upgrades will be cosmetic and not effect performance. In its stock form it is a great reel out of the box.

I don't consider rage products to be expensive for a product that comes scented and has the action it does. Sure it may not be as durable but considering prices for other trailers I use like the megabass bat and fly and keitech fat impacts the price is good or at least close to what I would consider to be average for plastics. As a long as a products works or works better than the less expensive options the cost can be justified in end results. A senko would be another example for me... A space monkey or smok'n rooster seem to be more durable for rage rigging on the keel weighted hooks!

Between those two you may want to think big picture. Essentially further upgrades to help the reel achieve a true finesse state. Both reels have a special finesse spool upgrades that can be purchased. Also upgraded bearings and supertuning will help as well. A scorpion for the most part, if purchased new will run you around $220+. This is what I have seen them go for on auction sites and what can be had on japantackle. However the chronarch can be bought for around $160 or so when retailers have their sales. In terms of performance the scorpion is slightly better out of the box among users of both reels. The scorpion is obviously a much more rare reel and may hold its value better if either matter. If I was fishing one out of the box I would probably opt for the scorpion. However if I planned on doing upgraded bearings, a finesse spool, and a supertune it would be much more cost efficient to start with chronarch at say $160 and build from there. I have a scorpion 1000xt on the way. This will be added to other 50 size shimano reels I have so I can better break down the differences in a week or two. I did not purchase the reel for finesse fishing (as I have other casting reels for that) but I could throw some light stuff with the chronarch 50e and scorpion 1000xt if you wanted to know the lower limits of baits on those reels. How light of baits were you planning on using when you say "finesse"?

From a fellow Nebraska'n, welcome!

Good quality floro and its not even close.

Nice grab! If you haven't fished the cumulus line of rods you will be in for a real treat. Very light and sensitive. If they would have used smaller guides for say the last 5 guides up to the tip the rod would be even lighter and possibly more sensitive. However the rod was very advanced for its time and had smaller guides been more the norm I am sure they would have used them. Still a stellar rod that will look sick with new ci4 and I would be the balance will be stellar. Should be a great bottom contact combo! Gives us an update after you play with the new pairing. I for one, would love to hear an account on how it fishes compared to other shimano reels especially concerning the braking system and casting distance.

Very nice! I am sure even if it is a slow day on the water they are a blast to fish paired up with those Loomis sticks!

You are a bad man maico! Are you fishing those bad boys or just using them as center pieces for the dining table?

From my understanding ... though I haven't had to use it ever ... is that it is an over the counter warranty. For instance your rod breaks and you take it to a local authorized dealer, they will swap out the broken rod for a new rod if it is the same model. If there isn't a local store close by that has the rod line or the specific rod you then have to deal with shimano directly. I don't know if they require the buyer to pay for shipping to get the rod to them or if they will send a postage paid label. I do know they don't charge a "replacement fee" like say dobyns does of $60 ... at least from what I have found. The most I can see you having to pay is shipping to get the rod to Shimano but it may best refer to their website or speak to a Rep that understands the process. I do know they require a receipt but at the same time they aren't sticklers if you can't provide one.

Some say that Daiwa's magforce z is the best magnetic brake system built while Shimano's DC system is incredible as well. Reels with different brake systems are a joy to use but require getting used to it when switching between outfits or changing lures. That's why some folks enjoy reels that are all the same. Depending upon your own taste and comfort level any brake system can be perfect when set right and the operator knows how to adjust it for maximum performance. Sometimes the simpler the better and shimanos braking system gives me ease of operation as does the magforce z in Daiwa's reels.

I agree. Under the IMX line of rods, most folks aren't impressed. Often times they are left holding a heavy, average build rod that doesn't wow them for the money. I almost wish they would cut out there lower tier rods but some like the thought of owning a Loomis regardless of performance. Assuming a max limit of around $300 I would look for a cumara, champion extreme, or the megabass xx line of rods. I have all 3 and think very highly of all of them. They are all great rods with good sensitivity and power for your jigs and Texas rigged plastics. If warranty is a high priority I would say the cumara, dobyns, and megabass (in that order) from best to worst.

I have a scorpion 1000xt on the way. It is the JDM version of the chronarch 50e, with the XT meaning extra tuned. It will be a joining a curado 50e, chronarch 50e, and a core 50mg7 in the 50 series reels I own. I am hoping to be able to fairly ***** the cost to performance of each to see if I can 'feel' the differences outside of weight and higher speed gear ratio of the core. BTW... Congrats on the new chronarch!

Neither is better than the other. Just a matter of preference. I have casting gear that can finesse the light stuff and spinning gear that I could fish jigs and frogs with but I prefer it the other way around. Generally in the spring/fall I fish more spinning rigs but during the summer it is 90% casting rigs. I enjoy both and couldn't imagine having to pick between exclusively using one.

Great catch! From a "non-coffee" drinker... heck with the coffee!

That fish has a "spare tire". Nice fish my friend!

I never swing fish in the boat and cringe at people who use them as levers to do so. Net or lipping the fish is the only way I do it. To watch people use the rod as a means to "levitate" the fish is just asking for trouble. When we pay as much as we do for rods there is no reason to jeopardize a rod unless you are sponsored and can get them with ease and at little to no cost. Roll the dice if you must but I believe a good percentage of rod failures can be avoided. Great post / reminder!

For the criteria you listed may I suggest a 50 size shimano. The core or chronarch would be good buys. IMO the chronarch 50e is one of the best band for your buck reels. Very palmable, light weight, casts well, and is smooth and deceptively powerful. You can find them on sale for $170 or less during the holiday sales. It is very user friendly and easy to adjust plus the finish is pretty durable from my findings. I can't speak to the Abu and Quantum reels but if you are looking for a safe pick this would be my choice and less than some of the reels you listed.

Nice updates Mike! I think folks are really going to like the new dredge football head jig. The expanded color selection is an exellent touch as well.

If it isn't of the quality you like I would think it would make a nice gift for a family member or friend that is looking for a decent starter setup. Probably not going to be able to find many Birthday or Christmas presents like that for the money considering that may only buy you a few hardbaits or bags of plastics. Of course if you want to keep and have a need for it by all means hang on to it. Just throwing it out there...