kickerfish1

That is the exact model I have. It is the fastest reel I have but it is just a blast to use. All the new technology including x-ship just makes it incredible even under load.

I have the Met MGL as well - You need one, and knowing you go with the JDM version with the shallower spool. I would put it in the top 3 of the best reels I have ever used.

Jon, I have experience with some of the rods you are referencing. I have several Dobyns rods in various series and powers both currently and what I have sold. The 4 powered rod is vary versatile and has an action that lends it self to throwing a lot of bass baits like the MBR 844 Loomis. The Orochi XX EMTF is pretty much a longer version of MBR 844 by 5 inches. It is great for a lot of things but not perfect for any one bait. I have used mine for weightless plastics, smaller texas rigs, jigs up to a 1/2 oz plus trailer, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and small keel weighted paddle tail swimbaits like 3.8 and 4.8 inch Fat Impact on a 1/4 oz weighted hook. It has really good feel and the balance is quite good. The NRX 893 is pretty much a bottom contact or weightless plastics rod. I have a few friends that fish the 893 and don't care for it for anything else. The only NRX I have is 873 CRR which is strictly a bottom contact rod and simply too fast for anything else for my liking. So to answer your question I would get the NRX 893 if feel and bottom contact apps is your primary technique and you wan a focus on superior sensitivity. If you want something closer to the 4 powered Dobyns or the MBR 844 Loomis the EMTF will be a better choice. Since you can't get a MB rod NEW for a discount while the 893 can be bought for Rep Sample prices at or around $400 the difference is $100 when buying from an authorized retailer. I have seen the EMTF go for around $200 used but rarely the 893 will go for under $350. Could always buy both and maybe sell the one you don't like.

Straight fluorocarbon. I hate braid for 90% of what I throw.

So the JDM Met MGL outcasted a 13 Met and Met DC with all baits except one that was over 1.25 ounces in a Video that was posted on YouTube using a line counter. The reel outdistanced the other 2 between 5-15% with all baits but the heaviest bait used to test. The US version has a deeper spool so the spool will obviously weigh more than the JDM MGL. The only drawback I could see with the US version would be it may not be as great with lighter baits. I believe you are talking about a 100 sized spool vs a 150 sized spool. Sort of like a 2500 sized spinning reel vs a 3000 sized reel. Same size frame just a different sized spool. Frankly, I would not spend the extra $100 for the US version and the warranty. I can spool plenty of 12# line on my JDM MGL.

He doesn't need a spinning rod for a weightless plastic or a 1/4 oz bait. He just needs the right combination of line, rod, and reel. I can throw weightless plastics just fine on a MH casting rod and 50 sized Shimano with 12# line. I can also throw 1/4 oz topwaters with an Alphas SV105 a 6"10 MH Cumulus(Fishes like a medium) and 8# line. The lighter weight spool of a 50 size reel will start up quicker to help cast lighter baits. The downside is that since it is smaller and lighter, it will stop spinning quicker than a heavier spool. Here is my take on the "E" series Shimanos. 200 sized reel - Great for anything from 3/8 to 1 oz 50 sized reel w/ stock spool - Perfect for 1/4 oz to 5/8 also good for flipping/pitching 50 sized reel w/ BFS spool - good for anything under 1/4 oz You can probably try lighter line and a Medium rod but you may need something down in size from a 200 sized reel.

Dobyns 705cb glass rods are good for a wide variety of treble hook baits like general cranking. For $300 or less you have pretty much endless options. Pick a brand and build style that you like and call the manufacturer directly to get their take on what would be best.

^This^ Another option may be looking into either Hammer rods or some the Megabass models. Both have that sort of fast/moderate fast action that is similar to the MBR rods from Loomis.

What # Sniper did you try? Keep in mind line diameter varies widely among brands and the different series of lines. I use 10-12# for most of my casting reels with just a few that get 15#. Once you hit 15# most lines get a bit more stiffer and difficult to cast unless you are using something quite heavy. A little KVD line and lure helps too especially if it has been on the reel for some time.

Another issue could be the reel size and spool weight. The 200e is best suited for baits 3/8 oz or better. The 50 size reels are much better suited for lighter apps and weightless baits.

NRX vs St Croix I am taking the NRX every time. The Orichi XX rods are nice but are a step down and some are slightly slower in action. Bumpup to 40-50lb braid if you are a braid guy or 12-15# flouro.

PM sent with a few more pieces of info. Anytime I try to link something or a video here it never works or gets deleted.

Have you fished a DC reel before? The biggest draw is the sound and the unique breaking adjustments. I don't have the Met DC as it never really intrigued me. There is a video on YouTube that documents casting distance of the Met MGL, 13 Met, and Met DC with various baits. For all baits but the most heaviest which I believe was over 1.25 ounces, the Met MGL out casted the others. It outcasted the others between 5 - 12%. The JDM Met MGL has a slightly shallower spool than the USDM Met MGL which is being released in the states now since I-Cast has ended at $419 a reel. Take that into consideration if you are worried about line capacity. I have used my JDM Met MGL a few times already. I can honestly say it is pretty unbelievable. The breaking system is both user friendly and highly adjustable. I can out distance my older Shimano VBS reels by using 3 breaks in the "on" position" and 1 turned off. The distance is great and I can't get it to backlash no matter how hard I want to throw it. At this point I haven't tried to do 2 on and 2 off but I am sure the distance would be even greater though requiring a bit more thumb. The reel is far superior to the 13 Met for casting distance, smoothness, and looks IMO. So, if it was my decision I would by the 16 Met MGL if I was after casting distance, smoothness, the ability to cast 1/8 oz baits up to 1 oz.

I am kind of a casting distance junkie in the same way some car guys are obsessed with speed and acceleration. I realize in most practical situations it doesn't matter and isn't necessary. When I am buyingsome more line I will keep an eye out for Smackdown. Sadly I only run braid on 2 of my 15 casting rods and I just spooled up fresh on two reels this season so it may be a bit before I try it. Thanks for the tip

Not a problem. Another thing to keep in mind about having the reels serviced is cost relative to what the reels are worth. Shakespear and Mitchell reels are probably something you can buy for $50 new whether it be online some where or locally. Reel service is on average about $20 a reel. You also have to account for shipping the reel there and back. Lets say you sent in 2 reels at $20 each for reel service plus lets assume shipping is $10 each way. That is $60 to service to reels. For that money you could have probably just bought a new Shakespear or Mitchell. If you can find a local shop that does it for a good price or learn to do it yourself it will be much more cost effective especially for sub $50 reels. If you service them yourself you will need various tools, cleaners, degreasers, and then bearing oil, gear grease, and maybe drag grease. In supplies alone it would be easy to hit $30-50 depending upon what you need to get and the quality of the stuff you buy.

Welcome to BR! Where can you learn to service your reels? YouTube has some decent tutorial videos. The one done by Shimano was really good especially if your dad has Shimano reels. If he has the reel schematic that came with the reels that would be great to keep handy for reference. What if I can't service my reels? You can send them to board sponsor DVT who offers a 10% discount to members here. There are many other guys that service reels too and prices will vary depending on the Reel Tech. How to store your fishing rods? I would recommend an upright wooden rod wrack. You can find them onlilne or at your local Cabelas or BPS. Just don't bunch them up in the corner of a room hang them on a wall hanger by the tip guide.

You tell me this after I buy some more FX2!

Foam or cork is fine with me as long as it is high quality stuff. Both can pit or chip and show signs of wear. Both materials are used from the cheapest of rods to the most expensive.

Reel parts are a bit more costly than one would think. A new set of gears and a handle can easily clear $60 right there. That isn't even a fancy carbon fiber handle either. I have a set of 6:5.1 gears sitting in my parts drawer for my Citica 200E for the day they wear out or get damaged some how. I have a few extra gear sets for my 50 series reels as well. Since I have quite a few 50s I am going to be stocking up on parts that seem to go missing easily or tend to wear out the fastest. If it is a reel that you like and plan on keeping for many years I would buy whatever parts you want or think you might need before they start to dry up and become difficult to source. If places like the Tackle Trap or Shimano stop carrying them at some point your only other option is Ebay or buying reels used somewhere for just the parts.

Looks like the MBR series rods will be full grip. I stand corrected.

You do NOT want the Brenious.

Just buy the kit from TheTackleTrap and use the code that Iabass8 noted and you are set. Free shipping over $75 so maybe add some plastics, hardbaits, or more reel parts like a handle to get up to $75. Since the reel platform is discontinued parts won't be around forever so you may want to grab it while you can. They are a great place to do business with

I question how that shop does much of any business at all. What kind of business plan would consist of having boats stored out in the open without much security. Even some of the sketchy marines centers here in pretty rough parts of town have at least very large and high chain link fences and dogs on the property. Sorry about your experience and I hope you can find a better shop and owner to work with. Reputation is a fragile thing, from the fact that once it is damaged or ruined it is hard to rebuild.

No kidding. For that kind of money just get the needed glasses if you can't read numbers on small screens. Anything beyond 10-12 inches would be overkill IMO. What are people trying to do? Display their graph info so everyone on that lake can see it. My buddy runs dual 10 inch screens on his Ranger. I can read the graph up front from the back of the boat during low light periods. He also has 5 locators on that boat which IMO is overkill, but hey, if you can, than why not

Get the Fenwick Elite Tech. I am pretty partial to the ML Fast rod for anything under 3/8 oz. In addition to dropshots, they also work well for flick shakes, shakey heads, ned rigs, and smaller jerkbaits. I have two and really like them for the money.