Jaybert

So while the Metanium shallow spool edition was very tempting and likely better, I purchased a Curado BFS instead for this one. Found it on a great deal that was far less than Metanium in this instance by time I imported it and paid the US/CDN exchange. This is kind of an extra “fun” combo so I thought for the price ill give the bfs a try. Still, my next reel when I need it will likely be another Metanium, they are perfection.

Spinning Loomis IMX pro SJR782 / stradic ci4 3000 Daiwa Kage 6’10 “the Ned” light action, stradic FL1000 casting Loomis GCX MBR 782C / JDM metanium 20 6 gear Loomis IMX pro MBR 783C / Curado 150 mgl 7 gear Loomis GL3 MBR 784C / Calcutta 200GTB Loomis IMX pro CR722 / Curado BFS reel. (Good length rod for the kayak and just a plain fun extra combo) This is the main arsenal, try to have as few versatile setups as I can. Have some older compre rods and 90’s-2000’s stradic reels that still get some use too. Hi vis Braid to fluoro leader on spinning, casting I’m still playing with line choices have not found the perfect mix of braid/mono/fluoro yet. It would be nice to add more combos to have braid / mono available for different techniques, but that goes against my having as efficient and few combos as possible. Still fine tuning that. id like to add a high end Loomis spinning rod at some point in GLX or NRX for finesse, neds, dropshot, tiny jigs etc. but not sure what model yet, maybe I should start a thread to ask favorite finesse Loomis rod !

Old thread, but I have been researching this topic. Always appreciate the tips from @A-Jay Have you ever run braid to Fluoro/mono leader, then the AFW wire ? So braid to 2 different leaders ? I like braid to fluoro/mono for jerks and top water on a M fast rod. But I loose too many baits to toothy critters up here in Ontario. Looking for a solution for next season. I’ll likely give it a try but curious if you had any experience with this given your success with the AFW tieable

I use a Loomis MBR782C for similar uses in that weight range. 842C im sure is good too if you like a 7’. Mine is the GCX model which is in that price range. GCX gets some hate for not being a “real” Loomis, but I got mine on sale and for moving baits and light plastics it works just fine and is a nice rod for the price. I do have the more expensive Loomis rods and the Gcx isn’t as sensitive or crisp. But it’s still nice. If you push budget to an IMX Pro in the same models and you will really smile. Either way the MBR is very versatile in your range of techniques and weights. And GCX does the job well for me

I was going to buy an 845c imx pro crankbait. Would the 883C be similar at all to that ? I was thinking the moderate 845c CBR might double as a bladed jig, swim jig top water rod in addition to cranks. but that 883 BJR does look sweet. Curious how they compare

So is it a different color than the deep gray of my 20 Metanium ? I know I know color doesn’t matter

Makes sense thanks. So throwing say a 1/8 weight plus a plastic maybe a little less than 1/4 ounce total then likely, or a 1/4 ounce popper, my Metanium 20 would be borderline at its minimum. But the shallow spool that would be in its sweet spot by sounds of that ?

Interesting read there thanks! Looks like those pros are saying 1/8-1/4 minimum with the shallow spool version of if I translate it right ? How low can a Metanium 20 go I wonder ? I have only had limited use on mine tossing like 3/8 and above

I have a JDM metanium 20 and as seems to often be the case I now think I need another one. I have no complaints with my 20 but do I want the shallow version instead ? I have not had my 20 long and have not tried it out on lighter baits yet won’t have a chance to until spring now. this new purchase will be going on my 2 power Loomis Rod rated max 5/8 oz and used with a variety of baits low end probably 1/8 oz weight plus plastic, 1/4 oz poppers etc and up to near the max 5/8 for the rod occasionally too. the shallow edition has a cool factor, but if its not a huge advantage for what I need then I’m happy with another Met 20 since I’m familiar with it and love it. I see the shallow has an aluminum gear that not everyone sees as a positive ? Is the shallow is more of a “bfs” reel? I don’t fish bfs so I’m not sure, but I think I’m looking at heavier than what is considered bfs ? I used an older Curado 70 on this rod prior but ready to jump to the Metanium I think just curious who has fished both and any insight on what would be the better choice for this medium rod and 1/8 oz to 1/4 heads plus plastic, light t rigs, poppers, cranks, jerks etc. any insights appreciated!

Yep for sure, couldn’t believe when I saw it on a local buy/sell site. A very rare rod for this area in great shape at a low price. anyhow, agreed on the reel. For now I have my Calcutta 200GTB on it, older reel but one of my favourites. In today’s world of lightweight rods and reels my trusty Calcutta hasn’t hasn't seen as much use. But seems a good match here and nice with a lower gear ratio. It has an upgrade handle with cork knobs, I think it will work nice on this rod. I’m always watching for older curados etc to pop up for sale too.

Have an older MBR784C GL3. Cool old rod that I picked up used inexpensive locally. I already have mbr783 and mbr783 so this rod seemed a good fit for my arsenal. Wondering if it would be good for 3/8 and 1/2 chatterbaits & maybe swim jigs ? Thinking it would work best with heavy mono to add some stretch to the situation. Rated H but then seems soft for a H and rated 1/4-1. Hoping it would be ok for this application but can’t try it till next year and wondered if any opinions or experience out there. I’m also relatively new to chatterbaits as well so learning as I go.

All great suggestions here. My go-to with my kids in these situations has always been a 4” green pumpkin senko wacky rigged. Toss out, watch the line to go tight, set hook. Super easy and effective. Pulled more than a few surprise big ones out of campground ponds etc over the years. Live worm and hook is also a great suggestion. Personally I found the senkos way more user friendly, less mess, less gut-hooking and overall better surprise big catches with the senkos. When your kid nails a decent one on a senko surrounded by other kids catching dinks on worms they are hooked on fishing for life. My son who is now a teenager is an absolute hammer with a senko after learning it a young age.

I like a 6’6” which is short by today’s standards but it’s my comfort zone for a spinning rod. Specifically I use a Gloomis SJR782 6’6” fast action, rated medium but fishes more like a ML I’d say. Very versatile for the techniques you mention plus many other. I also like a 6’10” Daiwa Kage light extra fast. Good for Ned and light drop shot but less versatile overall

Yeah, I can see that. My Metanium has arrived and it is just so nice. My Curados are nice, but this thing is next level I see how it builds into more. Despite duties and customs my cost to my door was about 50% of buying this reel here and it’s a reel I wouldn’t have bought otherwise. I can see how 1 turns into more on these JDM sites I’m already looking and Aldebaran and Conquest BFS that I don’t really need now….

An update for my Canadian friends. I did get hit with about $53 duty/tax on my JDM Metanium, FedEx asked for that paid today to deliver tomorrow. Still crazy fast shipping from Japan. Anyway, my total cost then through Asian Fishing Portal was about $390 Cdn including the duty/taxes paid today. For comparison, if I purchased here, my main contenders where to buy another Curado 150 or 70 Curado MGL 150 $309 plus tax = $350 Curado MGL 70 $360 plus tax = $407 Metanium 20 $660 plus tax = $745 So $390 seems like a good value to jump to a Metanium all things considered. Even with the duty. Still more than I really wanted to spend. but basically 50% of Metanium price here and shipped all the way from Japan, which blows my mind…. Can’t wait to see it tomorrow! so if you are in Canada JDM seems a good option. I think the spread is maybe narrower on the less expensive reels by the time it arrives here but on this one it seems like a no brainer in the end.