2015 Aldebaran 51Hg (Lefty)

[masterbass]

My hg came in nice and early in the morning. Had plenty of time to look it over and give it a quick clean. Threw some hedgehog airs in, and put a zpi carbon handle on. Actually got this thing down to 128grams/4.5oz, lol. Ridiculously light... 

 

Ive been using 6-8lb hybrid lately, but i ended up spooling it with 20lb power pro. Mounted it on my 6'5L expride and threw pop-xs, flickshakes, 1/4oz spinnerbaits, and a few other smaller topwaters.

 

First off, its palms awesome, just as good or better then the core 50/bfs xg. Very smooth due to the x-ship, love the knobs. Probally the most comfortable factory knob ive used so far. I honestly think it feels like a smaller metanium without the micro gears. I was getting major distance with 1/4oz hardbaits. Wasnt getting great distance with finesse baits though, but im so used to using finesse spools in core/alde mg7's.

 

I kept it at 2 brakes on, and the exterior dial off or it seems to look like its at 1 when off. Definitely starts to cut some serious distance off your cast even it setting 2 on the dial. I honestly dont like exterior brake dials. Im a minimalist, i like setting 2 brakes on the spool and using my cast control knob. Thats why ive always liked the shimano 50 series platform, set 2 brakes and forget it.

 

Positives - 

 

1. Love the silver parts, dragstar, factory handle nut can be reused with aftermarket handles.

2. Very smooth

3. Super light

4. Palms awesome

5. Love the knobs

 

Negatives -

 

1. I honestly think the silent tune thing is a gimmick, theres absolutely no need for a spring behind the bearings, especially the spool mounted bearing. I'm probally going to remove the spool spring when i get a chance.

2. Id prefer a regular sideplate like the core 50 with no exterior brake dial. I dont need the extra braking.

3. I noticed when taking off the cast control knob that theres no aluminum threaded insert like the core 50/alde mg/mg7/bfs xg. Its actually the frame material (ci4+?) Just doesnt seem as smooth when adjusting the cast control, but i suppose thats weight savings...

 

Either way, i think the reel is great. Ill be using it for 1/8oz and heavier plastics and 3/8-1/2oz moving baits. Really hoping yumeya makes a finesse spool for it. 

 

Do you like it more than the older aldebaran? 

[thehooligan]

That's a tough call, I've only had it out for two short trips to the pond. I've been using Aldebaran mg7's & core 51's for almost 5 years now, lol

I need more time on the water but I will say its smoother due to the xship, and it's definitely a better looking reel.

Theres little things that I prefer on the older Aldebaran. Call me crazy, but I like an attached side plate. I've almost lost the side plate to my bfs xg and it sucks.

After using the yumeya shallow spool in the alde & core, I sometimes think to myself that I have it all figured out and I'm never buying another reel again, haha.

[DelcoSol]

I agree with Matt. I had one for two weeks and sold it. It feels cheap to me and there wasn't anything special besides the weight and even with that it didn't balance on anything. It didn't feel like a high end reel. To me it feels like a small curado. If it were like $200 it would be nice. The core 50 to me is the best low profile shimano reel I have used. With a shallow spool its not even a comparison. The core kills it. 

[bootytrain]

I love this reel! I took it out again today and it was super windy. I only had one backlash casting directly into it. Then I adjusted the dial to in between 2-3 and threw it into the wind again.. No backlash. Was easily getting 100+ ft on a 3/16 oz jerk bait. The only negative and its probably just mine, is my external dial is stiff and hard to turn.

[dwong]

My external dial is also pretty stiff, but I think I prefer it that way. Also, I noticed that the external brake settings actually do make a difference whereas on the Curado I can barely tell the difference. So far I'm loving this reel.

[offsidewing]

I agree with Matt. I had one for two weeks and sold it. It feels cheap to me and there wasn't anything special besides the weight and even with that it didn't balance on anything. It didn't feel like a high end reel. To me it feels like a small curado. If it were like $200 it would be nice. The core 50 to me is the best low profile shimano reel I have used. With a shallow spool its not even a comparison. The core kills it.

I kinda feel the same way about mine. I have all Shimano spinning gear and a JDM 2015 Aldebaran 50HG was my first Shimano Bait caster. Out of the box my Lews reels felt better and casted better. It just feels "off." I sent mine off to DVT hoping all it needs is a good cleaning. I may have to jump on a full retail priced Core 50 before they are gone forever.

[BasserJim]

For those that are saying they sold theirs because it felt cheap, what are you comparing it to?????

 

And I know of a Tackle store that has both gear ratio 51s in stock - $336 shipped.

[offsidewing]

For those that are saying they sold theirs because it felt cheap, what are you comparing it to?????

 

 

 

Basser - I can't put my finger on it.  Yes, it has less heft than any of my Lews Reels (Tourney and BB1 Pro) but that's not what feels cheap.  No matter where the spool tension knob is set, there is resistance on the cast and retrieve.  I've turned off all the brakes, set the external to brake setting to it's lowest setting.  Spinning the spool it gets less than 2 seconds "free spool" time and when I flip the handle it won't make two rotations on it's own.  The best way to describe it is like this - Have you ever taken apart a spin cast reel, then not screwed the front cover on correctly?  When you reel it in, the bail rubs against the front cover and there is a grindy resistance.  That's exactly what my Aldebaran feels like and it has that plastic on plastic grinding "woosh" on the retrieve.  Something is going on.  I've taken off the side plate, removed the excess grease off the gears and added some bantam oil.  No improvement.  I've sent it off for a proper cleaning down to the frame, so hopefully that solves the issue.

 

The reel palms easily and feels great in your hand. I love the look of it too.

 

I was going to buy a Core for jig work, then heard rumors of this reel and waited for it.  I've only ever owned Lews and Abu Garcia baitcasters - this is my first shimano and first Magnesium framed reel.  I can't imagine the feeling I've described is typical of lightweight baitcasters.  The next closest by comparison that I've tried is the Quantum Tour Mg 100 - and (prepare for butt hurt) it mechanically felt better.

 

Maybe the silent tune feature on mine is putting too much pressure on the spool or something is up with the spool tension knob area.   

[BasserJim]

I haven't felt this at all. I was surprised at the lack of "free spool", but what does that equate to? - NOTHING. A spool can turn for a month but if the reel fishes crappy what does it achieve?

[bootytrain]

To me it feels solid and smooth despite its weight. After fishing both generations of Aldebarans the new one is definitely an improvement. These things will balance best with rods under 6'10 and in the 3 oz range.

[offsidewing]

I haven't felt this at all. I was surprised at the lack of "free spool", but what does that equate to? - NOTHING. A spool can turn for a month but if the reel fishes crappy what does it achieve?

 

Didn't mean to hijack the OPs thread...

 

The free spool description was to illustrate the amount of friction obviously present in the mechanical function of the reel.  Something is wrong with my reel, not the entire Aldebaran production run.  I subsequently sent it off for a professional disassembly and cleaning - hopefully that's all it takes.  I'm not Shimano bashing as I've fished Shimano spinning reels exclusively for 20 years.  It would seem perhaps I got a bad reel and, as a JDM purchase, no warranty support.  Thems the breaks with grey market items.

 

I've strapped this thing on a 7'1" MHXF and a 7'1" MM throwing 3/8 oz and it struggles to cast 45 feet with no wind.  I've put it on a 6'6" MHF throwing 3/4 oz and same results.  The "nylon rubbing on nylon' feel (and sound) during retrieve indicates something is amiss. It's not the 'smooth and consistent' retrieve so many others have noted in forum posts.  I'm thinking something was over tightened on the reel in assembly.  Or it could be something with the centrifugal braking system causing constant friction on the spool.  I'm optimistic that stripping it to the frame, giving it a good cleaning, and proper reassembly will fix the issue.

[thehooligan]

Little update:

 

Im used to having 2 brakes set with all my other shimanos. I was throwing a pop-x lastnight and realizing i wasnt getting nearly as far as my core 51 with the new aldebaran.

 

Decided to go down to 1 brake and now the reel is performing like it should. Maybe 2 brakes on the svs system is a little stonger then 2 on the vbs system...

[DelcoSol]

Basser - I can't put my finger on it.  Yes, it has less heft than any of my Lews Reels (Tourney and BB1 Pro) but that's not what feels cheap.  No matter where the spool tension knob is set, there is resistance on the cast and retrieve.  I've turned off all the brakes, set the external to brake setting to it's lowest setting.  Spinning the spool it gets less than 2 seconds "free spool" time and when I flip the handle it won't make two rotations on it's own.  The best way to describe it is like this - Have you ever taken apart a spin cast reel, then not screwed the front cover on correctly?  When you reel it in, the bail rubs against the front cover and there is a grindy resistance.  That's exactly what my Aldebaran feels like and it has that plastic on plastic grinding "woosh" on the retrieve.  Something is going on.  I've taken off the side plate, removed the excess grease off the gears and added some bantam oil.  No improvement.  I've sent it off for a proper cleaning down to the frame, so hopefully that solves the issue.

 

The reel palms easily and feels great in your hand. I love the look of it too.

 

I was going to buy a Core for jig work, then heard rumors of this reel and waited for it.  I've only ever owned Lews and Abu Garcia baitcasters - this is my first shimano and first Magnesium framed reel.  I can't imagine the feeling I've described is typical of lightweight baitcasters.  The next closest by comparison that I've tried is the Quantum Tour Mg 100 - and (prepare for butt hurt) it mechanically felt better.

 

Maybe the silent tune feature on mine is putting too much pressure on the spool or something is up with the spool tension knob area.   

Buy yourself a Core. That and the Conquest are the two Shimanos that have the wow factor to me. I ended up replacing my Aldebaran HG with a Steez. Much smoother and further casting. 

[Diggy]

Japan Lure shop got them back in stock yesterday, the HG sold out though.