lmbfisherman

It is a local shop up here in Ontario, Canada. Did you still want the info? If so, I will pm you.

I'm not sure I'm "Brand Loyal", but I own a lot of Shimano products. I'm also finding I enjoy the Fenwick lines a lot, I've decided between Shimano/G Loomis and Fenwick, between both manufacturers, I find they offer Power/Action that I like to fish with. However, I will never give up that 1 Avid - 6'6" M/F, for some reason I find this rod to be my favorite Topwater/Jerkbait rod. Don't know what it is, but to me it fishes these two techniques perfectly. Here's the breakdown of my current arsenal: Rods - 11 Shimano - 2 Crucials, 3 Compres, 2 Cumaras, 1 Cumulus, 1 Clarus, 1 V Rod, Bob Izumi Edition Rod 5 G Loomis - 3 GLX, 1 GL2 and 1 Custom 4 Fenwick - 2 Elite Tech Smallmouth 2 Aetos 1 St Croix - Avid I own 1 of each - Daiwa (T Rod), Abu Garcia (Veritas), Airrus (Ultra XL), BPS Pro Qualifier Tournament (After posting, I'm thinking it's time to sell or get rid of the odds and ends!) Reels - 15 Shimanos 2 Abu Garcia 4 BPS 2 Daiwa Lexa 1 Quantum Energy I'm definitely a Shimano guy when it comes to reels.

I found the 6'10 ML two Friday's ago, had it in hand....I almost pulled the trigger, but stopped myself as I was purchasing a CI4+ and Cumulus MH/XF 7'1 to match with it, it was on clearance too. I probably should've just nabbed it. ($219)

I'll have to wait until 2014 to get one. Thanks for the quick review.

After using this on the water for a couple of days, I will give you my initial thoughts. Chronarch CI4+, 15lb Seaguar AbrazX paired with a Cumulus 7'1" MH/XF - Great casting ability, it is so easy to cast and is effortless. When I mean effortless, when casting I felt like I was one of the big boys just flinging their baits and talking like they weren't doing anything..I did have to dial in all my brakes though as I guess my thumb isn't as experienced as I thought. I am still trying too understand how to effectively use it. I did backlash a few times. Not horrid or anything, but if I tried to give it more umph..I would've probably have gotten bad ones without remembering using my thumb. This reminds me of something roadwarrior posted. Can a reel be too advanced for your skill level? I'm thinking it could be somewhat true...I'm not an expert thumb guy as some of you guys..I'm hoping it's just me understanding the break system still and getting a more experienced thumb...all my other Shimanos Curados, Citicas and Chronarch Es I don't usually backlash, but I know the break system and used them daily or it could just need a standard cleaning, as I picked the reel up just before my trip to the cottage. - I was able to throw a 5" senko with minimal effort and better distance, especially compared to my lower end reels. I checked to see how it would handle tossing a weightless Trick Worm and I wasn't able to get my normal accuracy and distance, but I'm sure I would've been able to get better results if I used a medium powered rod and lighter line. I also tied on a 3/8oz Jig and did some light pitching with it and it was flawless. It was much smoother and easier than doing it with my normal pitching reels (Curado E7 and BPS PQ). - Unfortunately, I didn't catch a fish yet with it (So I couldn't tell you how it performs under load)..as for some reason the fish only wanted reaction type baits (spinnerbaits, jitterbugs I was slaying them with this, buzzbaits) I'm thinking due to the unusually cool summer, it looks to me they are active and maybe starting the fall transition early. - The shape/profile of the reel was a huge pleasure to fish with, I have small hands but was able to palm it as easy as my CH50E/Curado 50E. Although not perfect balance with the Cumulus, I can't remember at the moment, but I think it was like 1" or 2" away from the front of the handle. The combo was light and was easy fishing with it. Overall I am impressed and definitely think it was worth every penny. However, I do not have any experience with higher end reels (Core, MGX, JDMs..etc) so I can't say how it will stack up to them. All I can say with my initial impression, I think Shimano has righted the ship as some would say (I never thought they did anything wrong, just a business/cost decision). As I continue to fish it the rest of the season, I will post further thoughts and experiences.

The Ci4+ side plate removes totally I can attest to that. Unless I broke it?

Here are a couple of pics I took side by side with a Chronarch 50E. I guess you can't tell totally from the angle, but I would say it is slightly bigger...but not by much and don't notice it when I palm it I love size 50 reels and it definitely feels as comfortable. Of course I also had to buy a rod with the CI4+, so I got an on clearance Cumulus 7'1" MH/XF to pair with it.

I have 3 brands I buy...Strike King, Booyah and Terminator. I also am starting to like the Ish Monroe River 2 Sea spinnerbaits. Just too bad the couple I bought only lasts after 1 pike hitting it...guess that is what you have to live with in northern waters.

It is essentially the same reel with the exception some of the internals have cheaper parts. I think the biggest difference was the type of bearings used, plus on my PQ is states Made in Korea..while the one that came with this combo says Made in China. The rod is junk honestly..you can't feel crap! Even moving baits it was hard to distinguish what you were hitting..weeds, rocks, ...a fish?... I bought the combo because I said the same thing..it's a PQ, but then realized it was a little different. Hence why they could sell it cheaper.

I just landed a Chronarch CI4+, even though it's a 150 size reel..it seems to have a "50" size profile. When I get home after work, I'm going to compare. So this maybe an option if you are looking for for something different than the standard Chronarch 50E.

Definitely what he says...I only got the GL2 because it was a super deal 100 bucks even...so I said why not? At this price it isn't that bad, but still not the "best overall deal". In my opinion they are selling the name and the builtin cost for the warranty and Wild Card system. You have to keep that in mind. Definitely can't compare the GL2, GL3, Mossyback and IMX against the Champion Extreme.

Yeah it's been the odd one. Maybe due to the cool summer, the bass are staying deep. I haven't figured it out yet. I caught my first bass in a week last Sunday. I think the weather has screwed up everyone. Fish and Anglers in our areas..lol However, I've been catching more 3+ lbs (10) bass more than anything below. I usually catch way more 1-2 lbers this time of year, well I only have 1 year to compare too though. Also, pike have been easier to catch of late. Last season I caught 5 pike all season, this year I have caught mostly 14-20" pike but I'm counting up to 57 total and 6 in the 24 to 30"

I was visiting my local tackle shop who sent today that they were having no tax on rod and reels sales. I had no idea they had these on stock was furthest from my mind. Until my guy I usually speak to there says, hey man did you see the new Chronarch? I was like WHAT? You have it in? He said yep, we have 3 in stock just got them. OH MAN! I WAS SO EXCITED! I had to check it out and HOLY WOW! Is all I can say, this thing looks freakin' awesome. Feels awesome, even though it's a 150 it feels so light and it felt like it was a size "50" reel. I didn't have my cash today, so I asked them to hold it for me until tomorrow! So I'm going to be a proud owner of a new Chronarch CI4+. I got the 7.6.1! Anyone else see them yet or purchased one? Perfect timing too, I'm going up north for a week (cottage) to get a lot of fishing. So hopefully I will have a nice review for everyone of my experience.

Not sure what is wrong with those setups really. Don't see an issue? If you like the Quantums' on those rods just leave them there. Key thing is, if you like fishing with them who cares if it is a reel that isn't up to snub with the rod. Kind of silly, but if you still do. Then I'd say check out the new Shimano Stradic CI4FA that will be coming out later this year.

So last season was drier and hotter than normal and this season it has been cooler than normal by like 10 degrees © that is. The temperature has been around 70+ degrees the last couple weeks after the 1 week heat spell. Due to the cooler and wet summer the weed mats that normally form on my lakes and ponds are all submerged...so frog fishing hasn't been great as last year. I've not had much success with a buzzbait/spook/popper. The reason I am bringing this up, we are now entering week 4 of cool weather and it is now stating we will be in the high (18-20C)60s F. I am going to a cottage up north where it is a great smallmouth bass fishery and some areas with largemouth. (harder to find but they are there!) Question is, how much would this affect your normal "summer" fishing tactics? I wish I could take everything, but my wife would kill me if I brought it. My plan was to do this like last year: 1. Morning/Nights/Cloud cover - Buzzbaits, Poppers, Frogs 2. 3/8 or 1/2 oz Spinnerbaits - Searchbait 3. Flipping/pitching docks and weed cover 4. Dropshot/shakey head during the day This was what produced for me last season (exception of 4, didn't get into DS/Shakyhead until this season). I normally found them near islands/rocky points, rocky ledges, and matted flats with weed/lily for cover, especially with deep drop offs nearby. Would this still be a good idea? Or will they be doing something different like roaming more in the shallows (especially largemouth) because of how cool it has been for almost a month during the day. Not sure of the water temp yet.. Just curious on what you guys would do. Oh and this lake is a finger lake, I can't remember how big, but it has many bays and a few rivers that feed it. It averages around 40 in depth if I had to guess, with the deepest being 100+ in a couple of spots. The water is also super clear. Would be interesting to know what everyone would do!

As others have stated, you can use a BC from the bank, but you may have issues if you are in tight spaces..where a spinning setup can be more beneficial. Although once you get better with using a BC you can start to learn how to just pitch your lures in these areas. I have learned how to cast a bc in all manners to try and get my presentation in areas I think can hold bass. In my opinion you have to go in these tough areas, because more than likely it will hold fish. When I do shore fish, it depends on what I am doing..but normally I have 1 spinning and 2 baitcasters with me.

As JFrancho said, no. It is similar to the Stradic lines - FJ and CI4, Chronarch E and CI4+.

HAHA Man I hope you know I was joking around, I heard that statement on WFN from a LEWS guy. I'm not a "fanboy" but because they don't offer Lews where I am, my choice is always Shimano (and I grew up with them) or BPS. Abu Garcia just isn't the same for me.

I use three different setups - Light - I use 1000 series (Shimano) Medium - I use a 2500 Series (Shimano) For heavy situations I will use a BC.

x3 I have all three too. Love fishing them all..for some reason though everyone says it's a white Curado (Chronarch E), but to me it seems to perform smoother than my Curado Es.

What he said. I'd add that next.

No I haven't joined you LEWSers. I probably will buy one when I can actually get a local dealer.

I've caught bass using an orange worm and caught them on a pinkish crayfish imitation. They were BPS branded baits. I wacky rigged the worm on a ds and nose hooked the crayfish. This was in clear water too, the reason I tried the worm was because I ran out of my go to colors and decided wth? The crayfish was done another day after gaining some confidence on the crazy orange worm. Still surprised really.

Yeah it has cooled a lot, the weeds aren't matting any of my local waters either..so no frog fishing yet! I'm kind of disappointed, haven't had a frog fish yet. On Sunday I did get 1 2.5 lb bass that broke my "no bass streak" of 1 week. (I caught pike all that time only) Of course I changed it up and went to a different body of water.

I never swing a fish in, I always, ALWAYS grab the line when I can or lip the fish and bring him in..while keeping tension with my other hand or set the rod down and hold line and fish. I guess he didn't punch you out? lol