Surprise Catch First Outing Chronarch MGL

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I bought a Chronarch MGL yesterday and went out with it today for a few hours. I put SniperFC 16 pound test on and it held right at 300' of the line, NO conditioner. This was more than I was expecting but wasnt going to bother taking some off and that hassle I just wanted to get fishing. I was throwing 1/4oz trokar boxer jighead with 3.8" Keitech fat paddletail on a Quantum Smoke 7' M/F rod. This reel really impressed me right at the first cast. I set the tension loose if drop lure from just 6" big overrun but no wobble side to side its free flowing. I started at full braking 4 on inside and 6 on the dial even this the distance was very good the line control perfect. Went to 3 brakes for a few casts then down to 4 on dial then 2 on dial and distance improved even more yet the line control was still there no fluffing of line at all. So went to 2 brakes and 6 on dial still no overrun to speak of and distance just kept improving. I made my way down to 2 on the dial before there was a start of line overrun but still very controllable and the distance was outstanding. I then went to 1 brake and 6 on the dial but didnt notice much gain over 2&2 Id say about equal. I then went to 3 on the dial and this got rather tricky. The spool just too fast not controlled with this size FC line so back to 2 brake inside and 2 on dial for most of the day and basically effortless, as far as thumbing is concerned, casting. 

My biggest out of 8 for the day with the CHMGL was a 2-1/2 pound bass so no real workout. Then came the surprise catch of the day a nice 14" Crappie. The hit definitely felt different but I set the hook as if it was a bass and the fight was basically nill it just came in. So thinking it was a weak bass until about 3' from shore I realized it was a Crappie and the excitement hit. 

All in all the Chronarch MGL initial excursion gets 

 

[lmbfisherman]

Sounds like CH MGL is getting great reviews, I've seen a few stating the same thing.  Great catches btw!

[kschultz76]

Congrats on the new reel and the catches. I'm getting out on the water tomorrow for the first time this season. And the first time out with my Chronarch MGL mounted on my new Megabass 2017 Destroyer FMJ. 

[new2BC4bass]

Very nice.  Love the papermouth (what my dad sometimes called a crappie).  Yeah, that is one of the reels I wouldn't mind having, but I am finding it hard to justify any more reels.  Now I have to live vicariously through these pages.    Thanks for the read.

[lmbfisherman]

You guys are making me rethink instead of getting another JDM Met MGL, I should try a Ch MGL....I hear the Curado is going to be replaced at ICast....MGL?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

8 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

You guys are making me rethink instead of getting another JDM Met MGL, I should try a Ch MGL....I hear the Curado is going to be replaced at ICast....MGL?

Im the opposite now Im thinking what might I be missing out on with the JDMMETMGL. I got my ChMGL 20% off so that helped with the decision. Im really wanting to put braid on for a try. With the added line management that braid gives over FC Im thinking it will really launch lure at low brake settings. If braid does work better I have ZPI sic bearings on the shelf that can swap in see if any more benefit with those.  With only a few hours use though I feel there is still more to gain.  Like a few squirts of some L&L might help the FC at the lower setting. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Well the honeymoon is over. Im having an issue with the thumb bar like I did on an Okuma Helios. When I depress the thumb bar then turn the handle something is not releasing and there is a click click click click click sound as I reel in. It happens randomly sometimes once an hour sometimes 2-3 times in a row then gone for the rest of the day and next day. So beings Im still in the return period looks like its going back. Its unlikely Ill exchange it cause Ill be worried the next one might do the same at some point so dont need that hanging over a $230 purchase. My 70 actually hangs with the MGL distance wise so might get money back and get another 70 I see them on sale for $150.