lmbfisherman

I never liked the Clarus line, I found anything below a Crucial wasn't worth it. Having said that at 45 dollars they are a decent rod at that price, the two things I didn't like about the Clarus line as a whole was they were heavy rods and weren't great in the sensitivity department (avg). I say fish it and figure out if you like it, I use a similar powered Crucial for jigs/texas rigs only and could probably handle frogging.

You said it better than I. More to the point.

2 of my three CB setups I'll use braid (30#) with a Hybrid lines (Pline or Yozuri) 10-12# leader. The main squarebill CB rod I use straight Yozuri 12#.

I'd get the Avid, I use to be all St. Croix...and if I was doing it all over again, the Avid line would be my foundation rods (moving baits, bladed baits, top water etc.) and the Extreme/Elite lines would be my bottom contact. I don't like the previous nor the current Mojo line. To be fair though I have only held the current Mojo line and never fished them. Only have experience with the previous version and I found them subpar to other rods in the range. Of course this is all my opinion and experience.

30-40 lb braid with a floro or copoly leader (12#).

Yeah I'm leaning more towards the Zodias ML 7' than the E6X. As for Dobyns' there aren't many places that have them here locally and I'm one of those I have to feel the rod before I buy. Although the Avid is a good rod, I just didn't like how the rods fished to me. (I had St. Croix all first) Not knocking them just didn't have the tapers that I liked. The other rod in contention is the newer Fenwick Aetos or ET Bass spinning rods. I own the previous version and love them, but I have heard a mixed bag review on them vs the previous version. Why I haven't pulled the trigger on one. Has anyone fished the newer Fenwicks and can compare them to the previous version?

For crankbait rods like WRB states sensitivity isn't greatly needed. What I look for in a CB rod, especially when using a deeper CB is comfort. My advice is to mount that reel on each one and feel which one you think feels the best.

As for the spiral wrap, I understand the concept and all...but for me it seems like the benefit really doesn't match the hype. This is just my opinion.

Man Angry John, every time I read your posts I see this "Angry" looking person typing all of your responses. Love the profile name!

Get the the BPS PQ on sale for 50 bucks, I'd get the 7 ratio version. Buy a Berkley Lightning Shock rod for 50 bucks 7'6" Heavy and put on 20lb mono. 110 buck combo!

Darren's post is well thought out and I do agree part of my assessment in buying equipment, especially rods and reels. They have to feel good and comfortable in my hands.

I'm sorry I have never heard of the ALX. Is this a new line? Also I agree just because it is a smaller profile it doesn't mean it can cast light weights better. Another misconception, when people see me use my 50E and pitch it into heavy cover they cringe and ask me why I'd want to risk breaking my small reel. Then when I pull out a fish they are in awe. As for the choice above, in my opinion not because I'm a Shimano homie. Trying to be as objective as I can be, since I do not hear much about the ALX and Shimano has a superior rep on the 50 plat form and in general small platform reels. I'd go with Shimano in this fight.

Pflueger President gets lots of love from everyone. That would be what I would choose from your list, the Shimanos I would rule out, even though I'm a Shimano guy...I really don't love their lower end reels. I wouldn't go below a NASCI/Symetre, preference though.

Best response.

I have a huge problem. I have 5 reels that needs a home! I thought I only needed 2-3, this is not taking into count the spare reels (3) that will be sitting on the bench after the reshuffle. I guess I'll have to find a partner for them. Oh the troubles we bass fisherman face. I'm looking for a permanent home for: Chronarch 50 MG - 50lb Braid (Thinking of changing the line to floro or copoly) Curado 70 XG - 8lb Yozuri Shimano Metanium MGL - (I'm thinking a NRX 852C) Shimano Stradic CI4+ - 15lb Brad - (New DS rod, leaning towards an E6X or Zodias 7' ML) Shimano Metanium '13 XG - A 70 Curado XG replaced him on my pitching/flipping/skipping rod. So my focus in 2017 is find a home for these guys!

After buying my first Metanium MGL just recently and toying around with it on open water, well partial open water due to the mild weather the last week (still too cold up here to catch anything though). Now I understand what people were raving about. I have 2 Met 13s' that I bought last year and loved them, but this MGL to me feels a ton better and smoother! The Met 13s though will still be in my arsenal, they are still smooth reels...but I'm definitely in line to get another Met MGL in the future. I just bought my first MGL and it is the 2nd smoothest reel I've ever used (Conquest 100 beats it by a little). I used my Met 13 XG for pitching duties before and it is super smooth. I can't see why the MGL would be worse at it. Having said that, I've been using my Curado 70 XG as my primary pitching and skipping reel, this reel is great at it. I'm not a pro at skipping, so I still backlash so I can't say how good it really is as i consider myself beginner-intermediate level, but if I can do it I'm sure all the experts can do it better than I.

I fished both of them on finesse weightless plastics and I didn't find the sensitivity all that different. Both these spinning rods are 90% with me on all trips. Reason why I like the Aetos better, it seems it was easier to load for lighter presentations (was able to handle the lower end of the lure range.)

I'm not looking for something in general and yes I'm referring to the JDM Met MGL. I'm just thinking considering the JDM price point vs the Chronarch MGL (US), I'd rather just get the Met MGL. Since the Met MGL has a smaller capacity I was stating if I needed a bigger spool I'd just get a Curado. I'm not saying the Chronarch MGL is bad or anything, but considering the price difference, I'd just get another Met. That is all, not knocking! I like my sole Chronarch CI4+ but I don't use it as much as my other reels (Mets, Chronarch Es and Curado Es and Chronarch 50 MGs). The Alde is definitely on my to buy list, along with an Antares, Scorpion DC, Scorpion 70 and another Conquest. Just have to balance staying married.

I feel silly. I didn't realize the OP was from 2007. I helped the thread along after.

This. This year though I'm going to use 10lb P Lline Floro.

Quality and placement is more important than bearing count. Raul has given you a good detailed explanation. I'll take a Shimano low bearing count reel every day over the cheap reels with 1000 bearings.

Actually to me after reading this review it made it easier for me. I'll just save the few bucks and get another Met MGL or the new Scorpion DC. If I need more line capacity I'll just get a Curado 200.

Then I agree, that Extreme was horrible and it was so crappy feeling. When I actually caught something it felt like the reel was going to explode on 1 lb fish. I'm having a hard time getting rid of it. I tried and gave it a chance, it just didn't get any better. I picked one up only because the older Extreme did get better reviews. The PQs are on sale you can easily get 2 for 100 bucks right now.

That is the same thought that crossed my head but the OP needs to clarify.

That is the first I heard anyone saying this about the PQ. I would have to disagree, I still fish my 3 PQs regularly along side my Citicas, Curados, Chronarchs, Metaniums and Conquest. They will continue to be in my rotation! I never thought of once like they felt like a cheap toy. Are you sure you got a PQ? To me it sounds like an Extreme (1 versions ago) and other BPS lower end, they felt cheap.