What Shimano Reel??

[JWOA]

Which one should I buy...I'm a bc guy so I'm talking about their bait caster line up. My budget 200-375

[DelcoSol]

Look around and get a Metanium. You should be able to find one for around $320 or so. 

[F14A-B]

Core...

[FishTank]

The Core would be my choice.

 

Another great choice would be the Calcutta D.  

[deaknh03]

Metanium..

[Arv]

Haven't used the Metanium, but I'm loving my Core 51mg7

[thehooligan]

Can't go wrong with a core, bfs xg, or metanium.

[War Eagle 44]

Another vote for the Metanium.

[*Hootie]

Core

Hootie

[BigMoneyGrip]

I love my 51Mg7! But, the Curado 51 isn't far behind it. Plus, you could almost by two Chronarchs' for the price of the Core. If I had it to do over, thats probably what I'd do.

[*Hootie]

The Curado i is a great reel for the money. I am debating on whether to get 2 more, or another Core.

Hootie

[B-Dozer]

get the one that says Abu Garcia Record 40 on it

[IAY]

If you want to spend that much money, you mind as well get a Metanium.

[Cgrinder]

If it's your first Shimano, I'd recommend starting at the Chronarch E. VBS is user-friendly; the 200 series bombs lures and the 50 series is a great all-around choice.

 

If this isn't your first Shimano and you're experienced in higher-end reels, get a Metanium. 

[aavery2]

I guess I am the other guy, I owned the Core 100mg, it was not that great of a reel in my mind.  The internal quality of the reel was good, but not anything special for a 350 dollar reel.   The Core 100 was what I would consider heavy for a magnesium reel even the aluminum gears did not save much weight in this reel, the handle was short had no bearings and could not be upgraded to use bearings.  The spool tension cap did not click, which is small but something that I would like to have on a reel of its price.  While the reviews I read said it had a good amount of drag, in the field I did not see it, the dartanium drag seemed old and outdated and was replaced with carbontex.    The reel was an excellent caster, both in distance and smoothness, and the VBS braking worked well.   

 

I think at one time the Core100mg was a great reel, among the top in it's class, but like most things others caught up and surpassed it in terms of what you get for your money.     If I was looking for a new Shimano I would be looking at the newer stuff, I think they have made some nice improvements and you get a lot more for the money. 

[John G]

Metanium HG

[Tywithay]

Metanium, Core 50, or Exsence DC; depending on application.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Chronarch 50e, Chronarch CI4+, Core feels very nice as well, haven't used it though.

[Arv]

The Aldebaran is a sweet reel too. The bfs is a great finesse reel

[dam0007]

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say 2 Chronarch Es

[ColdSVT]

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say 2 Chronarch Es

I like how you think!

Or a core, or chronarch ci4 lol

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Gander code LABORDAY14 gives $50 off $250 spent

 

Chronarch CI4+ for $220 after $50 off $270

 

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Shimano-Chronarch-CI4-Low-Profile-Baitcasting-Reel-CH150CI4HG&i=757812

[F14A-B]

^ That's a good deal...

[JWOA]

Well guys I'm not use to anything that doesn't have magnetc brakes. Those pin breaks are gard for me to ser

[FishTank]

Well guys I'm not use to anything that doesn't have magnetc brakes. Those pin breaks are gard for me to ser

 

Pin breaks are easy.  You can just set two breaks with most Shimanos and be done with it, especially the Core.  I never been sold on magnetic breaks as a fool proof system.  This does not mean that they don't work well.  I just think centrifugal brakes do it better (this, of course, is just an opinion).