Best High Performance, Top Tier Reel?

[KyleW2015]

Thanks to recommendations from the forum I got a couple of great combos this week that were really my first legitimate mid line reels. Of course now, hardly ever being satisfied, I'm looking to save up for a top notch bait casting reel (300$ + range). It'll probably be months before I pull the trigger, and based on searching the forums I can mostly gather that the higher priced Shimanos would probably get the nod. I'm a pretty firm believer in the belief of you get what you pay for

 

Thanks, and sorry if this has been done to death. 

[masterbass]

So many great options.  I'd go jdm shimano or daiwa.  You can find used steez variants.  New I'd look at the aldebaran or metanium.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Megabass

[a1712]

I love my Aldebarans and Metaniums. Don't overlook the Scorpion 1000XT, I have 2 in my lineup and they don't give much ground to the others, they even outdistance them. If some skipping is in your future, you might want to lean towards magnets.  Brian.

[Cgrinder]

Conquest, Metanium, Steez SV, Ryoga, Zillion Type R or J Dream, PX Type R, Team Daiwa Z R+ or Ito.

[FishTank]

The Shimano Antares would be the one I would chose, if cash was not a worry.    Just make sure it feels right to you in the hand and on the rod you are going to choose.  Also, IMHO, I would choose a top notch rod before I would choose a top notch reel. 

[bootytrain]

What are you looking for? The longest caster? The lightest weight?

[KyleW2015]

The Shimano Antares would be the one I would chose, if cash was not a worry. Just make sure it feels right to you in the hand and on the rod you are going to choose. Also, IMHO, I would choose a top notch rod before I would choose a top notch reel.

Who carries these kinds of reels in store? Nobody around me has the higher performance reels. Bass pro, academy, ducks..... Nobody

For the rod I was thinking about going to St Croix Avid X

[KyleW2015]

What are you looking for? The longest caster? The lightest weight?[/quote

Not necessarily the lightest weight, but less than 6.5 oz probably. Also, low profile

[FishTank]

Who carries these kinds of reels in store? Nobody around me has the higher performance reels. Bass pro, academy, ducks..... Nobody

For the rod I was thinking about going to St Croix Avid X

 

 

How about letting us know what you want to spend on this combo and then we could get a better picture.  What do you fish currently? What do you  intend to use it for?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There's hardly a best they're all so good. It comes down to features and personal preference.

[KyleW2015]

How about letting us know what you want to spend on this combo and then we could get a better picture. What do you fish currently? What do you intend to use it for?

I guess around 600 total for the combo. Mainly use worms, lizards, etc but Ill probably use a bit of everything

[Master Bait'r]

Knowing nothing about you I'd say anything with the Shimano 4x8 DC would be a solid bet for "best high performance top tier" reel.    

[KyleW2015]

Any thoughts on Abu Garci MGX Extreme?

[Arv]

I haven't used a ton of higher end reels, but my metanium xg is my favorite reel I've ever used now.

[onetime]

I'm also looking at putting a couple high end combos together. I'm going with the Shimano Aldebaran and a couple G. Loomis NRX rods.

[PitchinJigz]

I love my Aldebarans and Metaniums. Don't overlook the Scorpion 1000XT, I have 2 in my lineup and they don't give much ground to the others, they even outdistance them. If some skipping is in your future, you might want to lean towards magnets. Brian.

May I ask why magnetic systems are better than centrifugal for skipping? I'd actually really like to know because I'll have to buy a reel for this eventually.

[a1712]

I feel, along with others, that it helps more with spool control(over runs) while skipping baits. Brian.

[KyleW2015]

Main difference between Aldebaron and Metanium is spool capacity correct? (and weight)

[Arv]

Main difference between Aldebaron and Metanium is spool capacity correct? (and weight)

which aldebaran and which metanium?

[KyleW2015]

which aldebaran and which metanium?

 

Met 100 and ALD 50

[FishTank]

This is would be my recommendation.....  This will keep you under $600 and you will have an awesome set up.

 

G. Loomis MBR 783 GLX and a Shimano Chronarch 50e.  You can use this set up for just about anything.  The reel is smooth and powerful but it is not as top shelf as some of the others mentioned.  It's a workhorse of a reel. It's light and casts a mile.  The rod is super sensitive. It has a fast taper with a soft tip,  so you can use it for soft plastic, spinner baits, some cranks, top water, and jerk baits.

[John G]

This is would be my recommendation..... This will keep you under $600 and you will have an awesome set up.

G. Loomis MBR 783 GLX and a Shimano Chronarch 50e. You can use this set up for just about anything. The reel is smooth and powerful but it is not as top shelf as some of the others mentioned. It's a workhorse of a reel. It's light and casts a mile. The rod is super sensitive. It has a fast taper with a soft tip, so you can use it for soft plastic, spinner baits, some cranks, top water, and jerk baits.

FishTank gave you a great recommendation but I would get a NIB Shimano Aldebaran MG7 as my reel. You can even buy the rod used in excellent condition and save over $100.00.

[bootytrain]

Main difference between Aldebaron and Metanium is spool capacity correct? (and weight)

Theres much more to it than spool capacity. The Aldebaran 50 is TINY compared to the Metanium and noticeably lighter. Its so small I can fish jerkbaits with 1 hand. And handles lighter baits better than the Metanium(which handles light baits very well). The Metanium has micro gears and may cast 1/2 oz ad up lures farther. If you are going for an all around set up I would go for the Metanium because its could be the best all around reel on the market right now. There is nothing it does not do well.

The main advantage to magnetic brakes used to be that you could adjust the brakes from the outside, now with the new centrifugal systems with external adjustments that advantage is gone.

[Arv]

Theres much more to it than spool capacity. The Aldebaran 50 is TINY compared to the Metanium and noticeably lighter. Its so small I can fish jerkbaits with 1 hand. And handles lighter baits better than the Metanium(which handles light baits very well). The Metanium has micro gears and may cast 1/2 oz ad up lures farther. If you are going for an all around set up I would go for the Metanium because its could be the best all around reel on the market right now. There is nothing it does not do well.

The main advantage to magnetic brakes used to be that you could adjust the brakes from the outside, now with the new centrifugal systems with external adjustments that advantage is gone.

This.

Plus there is the bfs model of the Aldebaran which is specifically for lightweight lures if you're interested in going that route. It's even smaller than the standard aldebaran with the side plate being mostly flat. It can do more than just bfs stuff to.

I have the Aldebaran bfs and the metanium xg. Between the two, I'd pick the met just because of how well rounded it is, how smooth and connected it feels, and the longer handle is a nice feature as well.