Jon G

Albino and baby bass

They have a high reputation for being tanks. They are also classics and are nostalgic

Haven't been out since December since life has been in the way. Had two hours to kill yesterday and decided to go to a pond since I haven't gone pond hopping in years. Brought my 7' MH St Croix Legend Elite with a Shimano Metanium Hg and 16lb Sunline FC Sniper. First fish of the year caught on a black and blue Siebert Outdoor Brush Jig with a Netbait paca chunk in black and blue with the tips dyed chart. Weighed in at #5.04

1/2 oz Siebert Outdoors Dredge Football Jig in Black and Blue with a Black and Blue Rage Bug trailer

I was only to use mine twice but out of those two times I couldn't put it down. It's crisp and light and balances pretty well. It balances/feels well with a Curado and a Metanium however to me it didn't balance/feel that great with a Chronarch CI4. So far overall I've been really impressed with it. I may possibly get another before or beginning of the season. I just really wish St. Croix would have made a 7'3-7'4 MH Legend Elite.

They are great and ship fast. Like others said the only problem you may possibly encounter is US Customs.

My lord that Scorpion is beautiful. Definitely going to have to get that reel although I'm not the biggest 50 size fan. Does the new Metanium MGL mean that the 2013 Metaniums will be discontinued? If so I may pick up a couple if they go on sale.

Furthermore proves Siebert Outdoors makes the best jigs on Earth and the bass agree

Well, look wise I like the color scheme of the CI4 a little more lol. The first thing that struck me about the Metanium was how unbelievably smooth it was. The micro module gearing system really makes a difference. Another thing was how smooth and strong the drag was. The CI4 has a fantastic drag but I found that the Metanium's was even smoother and stronger. I also really liked how light the Metanium is. It is only .5 oz lighter than the CI4 but it is noticeable and I haven't found a rod it doesn't balance well with. The biggest thing I like about the Metanium is the spool size and braking system. I really love the 100 size spool. I'm not a big fan of 50 size spools (probably the only Shimano fan you will hear say this, lol.) and I feel sometimes that the 200 and 150 size reels have just a tad too much line capacity for my liking. Both reels have the SVS braking system but I feel that the Metanium's is a little more solid and you can really bomb lures with very little effort. Again take my opinion with a grain of salt since I haven't had the Metanium for even a month yet while I've had well over a season or so with the CI4. This is just merely my opinions and observations between the two so far. I was in the same boat as you for a long time but after purchasing the Metanium I honestly do really think it is worth the extra money over the CI4. Especially since most of the JDM sites ell it for $265-275, same price you would buy a USDM CI4.

I was in the same boat as you I could never commit to the Metanium because I loved the Ci4 so much. I just got my Metanium on 12/31/15 and I've only used it once but so far I like it A LOT more than the CI4 and I can see myself picking up a few more. I haven't played with lighter baits on the Metanium. But I am able to cast a weight less trick worm quite well with the CI4 so imagine the Metanium will be a little better.

I've just always liked high speed reels. I've always been more comfortable with a high speed reel than I have with a lower gear ratio. That being said I've only owned 7:x:1 ratio reels. To me they've just seemed to be a little more versatile. I always seem to be swapping different reels on different rods for different techniques so the 7:x:1 has been perfect. However the past few weeks I've seen a lot of hype on 8:x:1 reels I think I may have to try one out. Knowing how much I've already fallen in love with my new Metanium HG I think and XG may come soon lol.

Picasso

I'd go with a medium for the techniques and weights you mentioned.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/165790-the-best-rod-thread/

You will enjoy that 705 it's a good rod. As for your line 30lb braid would work but I personally prefer 40lb.

Accu Cull is my personal favorite scale.

I pretty much stick to the Dredge series. I primarily use the Dredge Football, Dredge Brush, and Dredge Arkie.

lots of numbers but not a lot of size.

Spro Aruku Shad Strike King RES Bill Lewis Trap Xcalibur Xrk50 Lucky Craft LV500

Smithwicks and Spros. Like others have said look for deals my local Field and stream just had LC Pointers 30% off.

Really loving my newest addition. 7' MH St. Croix Legend Elite with a Metanium HG. Only complaint is that the Elite doesn't come in a 7'3-7'4 MH .

Keitech 3.8s

I use a Dobyns DX 744 with a Curado 200ihg and 16lb Sniper. Although these days I'm more into St. Croix the 744 is the perfect bladed jig rod for me.

TW has stopped carrying them and it makes me sad. A sideways rigged white pitboss chunk on a bladed jig was a killer!

16lb Sunline FC Sniper