JGBassinAL

The Rainshadow Immortal blank is on par with the NFC High Modulus blank (the KLX uses the Intermediate Modulus blank). I know where you can get a custom built on the Immortal blank for under/right at $200, if interested. I do like the KLX but the Immortal is much better IMO. Custom is the only way to go in my book.

Agreed. I use all customs and get mod-fast actions on my jig and t-rig rods. Landing rate goes out the roof. Btw I have used some KLX's and they are definitely worth the price. Kistlers and Dobyns are my two favorite production rods.

IMO the Core 50MG7 is no better than the Chronarch Ci4+ and not as good as the Metanium. Plus, the Met can be had cheaper from Japan. The Core is a good reel, but I sold mine as I didn't even find it much better than my Curado 50E. The Met is as easily palmable as the Core50MG7 to me and I have small hands if that helps with your decision.

Haha idk but with the value of the yen and the fast shipping I'm gonna be ordering from Japan a lot in the future!

Update: I ordered the Metanium Friday afternoon and I received it today! Sad that I can get a package faster from Japan than from somewhere in the US!

I really have no idea. Hopefully someone else who knows will see this and chime in.

Glad I could feed the addiction!

I haven't in these two times I have ordered from Japan. I know others have. I don't think it happens very often tho.

Shipping was like $11. I ordered it Friday afternoon and just checked it today and it's in New York so I should get it by Thursday. I've ordered from Japan once before and it only took a few days so It's really not much longer if at all than ordering in the states.

I haven't looked at mine much yet as I haven't used them, but how did you rig the split ring on the top? Is there a piece on the top where you can attach a split ring?

Did you use the Butch Brown rig on yours? I have a few and am contemplating rigging them that way. I was just wondering if people have had trouble with their hookup ratio using the stock hook.

I drag mine 90% of the time, the rest I am reeling it as fast as I can while still maintaining bottom contact.

Just apply for their pro staff. They let anyone on and you can get their rods dirt cheap. I know this because my cousin is on it. I have held the J2's and Rosewoods. Every single rod they have is heavy and doesn't balance very well IMO. I wouldn't even buy one at their pro staff pricing.

https://japanlureshop.com Got some other awesome prices as well. Picked up a Metanium XG for under $290 after shipping.

I gotcha. Honestly my favorite reel that Shimano ever made is the E series Curado and you can get them for around $100-$120 used if you ever got the itchin to buy a Shimano. Also, I didn't mean anything bad when I said beater combo. I have a full-time job and am blessed to be able to fish and afford some nicer stuff. Never spend more than you can afford, and from what I've read on the PQ then that would be a good option for you. But like I said, if you ever have around $100 to spend on a reel then I would look for a used Curado E or Tatula.

What Shimano reels have you owned that make you not like Shimano? I'm just curious. I only use Shimano, but there isn't a brand that I don't like or wouldn't try. I might even pick up a couple of the Pro Qualifiers for some beater combos.

I use swinging football jigs all the time during the summer on ledges. I love them and they are one of my main ways to catch fish along with a carolina rig, jig, and dd crankbait. I never buy any kind of jig heads that are mass produced like biffle hard heads, strike king structure jigs, etc. I'm sure you have a hometown tackle shop that makes them and will be a lot better quality than what you order from larger companies. At least in my experience it is. Would also be cheaper too. I can buy 5 swinging football jigs for $3.99 in any size I want where the biffle hard heads are 2 for like $8.

I have never used dual breaks or really looked at reels with dual breaks but I'm pretty sure that the reel you have is just magnetic breaks. I'm thinking the dial on the outside corresponds with the numbers on the inside...I could be wrong tho.

What are you using yours for?

The 8.5:1 gear ratio is the main reason I'm wanting it. So I can pick up the slack line quick when my jig is in 25' of water.

Or swing 5 bats at one time. I promise, you could hit a lot better with just one bat...

You can fill out your bag in 5 casts with any bait if you are on a big enough school of fish. Like everyone has said, you still have to know how and where to fish it. These past couple of months on Pickwick it is literally almost the ONLY thing you could catch fish on. I have seen two 30 lb. bags be weighed in and me and my partner have been on a consistent 20-24 lb. bag for the past two months. Every single fish on the a-rig, and you can bet every single good bag being weighed in at the tournaments on Pickwick have came off the a-rig. It just produces big fish this time of the year. I caught my PB 10 lb 1 oz. LM on the a-rig about a month ago. If everyone can use an a-rig then I see no problem with it. I also have no problem with them being banned from tournaments. The only problem I have with the a-rig is when the extra hooks hook into the side of the fish. And btw I have doubled up one time ever on the a-rig. It doesn't happen all the time like you seem to think.

And its gonna be for 3/4-1 oz jigs on ledges, not flippin or heavy cover.

Thinking about picking one up for my new jig rod I have being built right now. Just wondering if any of you have or currently use the XG model? How do you like it?

Almost every rod I have picked up at BPS has had a crooked blank. No matter what rod it is.