Metanium MGL vs Aluminium Daiwa Steez vs Conquest 100

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, DubyaDee said:

Sweet! What rod are you pairing it up with? Japan Lure Shop had a good price when I got mine a few years ago.

I am not sure yet. I ordered a couple of rods from TW to get a feel with the reel.

Candidates are:
 

Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa     0 G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR

 

 

Any thoughts on these? Use would be: be a good all around rod, with focus on Spinnerbaits, Jigs and small swimbaits

[offsidewing]

I'm actually "platooning" a Metanium MGL and a Steez A right now.  Its only been a couple weeks and I fish only freshwater.  So far, I prefer the steez A for moving baits and the metanium MGL for bottom contact weightless plastics.  While both have aluminum main gears, The Metanium feels a little smoother.  

[freelancer27]

29 minutes ago, offsidewing said:

I'm actually "platooning" a Metanium MGL and a Steez A right now.  Its only been a couple weeks and I fish only freshwater.  So far, I prefer the steez A for moving baits and the metanium MGL for bottom contact weightless plastics.  While both have aluminum main gears, The Metanium feels a little smoother.  

They are both nice reels. Though I think that the Conquest might be the better long term investment. It seems just more sturdy!

 

[flechero]

I believe there is a correlation in the lines...  I have been disappointed in all my high end Daiwa reels over the last 15 years... (none of them have casted as well as my Shimanos) and I have been pleasantly surprised by the Shimano reels, even the mid range reels, like Curados.  I know that doesn't directly answer your question but if I had the same decision to make- it would be Shimano. 

 

I'm sure I'm missing something as I know many people that I respect- who extol the greatness of high end Daiwa reels...  but I just haven't experienced it.  I want to love them but just haven't.

[freelancer27]

So, I received the order today. 

The Metanium is definetely out. Just not loving it, also it is too close in look and feel to my Antares. 

Now the surprising part: I am really digging the Steez. Finish is great and it palms sooo much better than the Conquest. I was also a bit disappointed on just how little line I could get onto the conquest, it almost felt like half the line capacity of the Steez.


I am strongly tending towards the Steez at this point.  I will throw a 2-3 times with the reels in my backyard to see if there is a significant difference between the two reels that would make me change my mind.


Rod wise I narrowed it down to: 

St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy (the Extremes just did not feel that comfortable and customer service of St.Croix said that the guides of the Elite are a bit more robust than the Extreme's)

+ I love the tip (just what I am looking for)
+ Handle has a good feel to it 
+ Hook keeper design is great
+ 50 USD cheaper than the G.Loomis
- I wish the handle was a bit longer
- Micro guides not as robust

- reel seat not as nice as the one on the G.Loomis

G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR

+ Reel seat feels and looks very nice
+ has a broughter lure weight spectrum (1/4oz - 1oz vs 3/8 - 1 on the St.Croix)
+ 'Regular' Guides (I think they are more robust which is important to me as a bank fisherman)
- Hook keeper design not as robust as on the St.Croix

--> My mind tends to the G.Loomis (seems more robust and more versatile, though the tip is not fast enough for my taste). My heart though tends a bit more towards the St.Croix.

Any thoughts on my thinking process? 

[lmbfisherman]

Regarding the Steez vs Conquest, interesting most people have the opposite opinion.  That being said, it sounds like you like low pro more than round.  If that's it keep the Steez.   As for the rod, get the one that makes you happy.  If it were me the Loomis would take the nod, the MBR series is supposed to be great all around.  It sounds like you are used to St Croix's "Fast" so I'd say get the St Croix.

[j bab]

I personally wouldn't get anything under 7' for your application, but maybe that's because I'm 6'4"

[robster80]

Get the Steez and the GLX

[offsidewing]

My favorite all round rods are the casting 7'0" slash 7'1" Medium Heavy St Croix's with a Fast Action.  I have them in Avid X, LTB, and the new Elite series.  If I throw anything under the 3/8oz (baits smaller than a 5" Senko or Fat Ika) I moved down to a Med Fast casting rod or spinning gear.

 

The Avid X 70MHF rod is probably the "one" I'd choose if I had to choose one casting rod for Bass.

 

 

[DubyaDee]

18 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

I am not sure yet. I ordered a couple of rods from TW to get a feel with the reel.

Candidates are:
 

Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'1" FMJ
Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 6'8" Med Hvy St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa     0 G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR

 

 

Any thoughts on these? Use would be: be a good all around rod, with focus on Spinnerbaits, Jigs and small swimbaits

 

 

I'd get the Daemos in a heartbeat. I don't have it, but I feel like it would match up well with that reel. I like a longer rod for those techniques.

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, DubyaDee said:

 

 

I'd get the Daemos in a heartbeat. I don't have it, but I feel like it would match up well with that reel. I like a longer rod for those techniques.

The Demos is a sweet luckily reel. The tip is not soft enough tough.

 

3 hours ago, j bab said:

I personally wouldn't get anything under 7' for your application, but maybe that's because I'm 6'4"

I am 6'3 myself, but I like the feeling of a shorter rod for applications where I want to be precise with my casts. 

 

Couldn't sleep because they choices kept me awake. Lol

 

I think I am also bringing the Daiwa Steel ST into the equation. I looked at it more and I like it actually a lot. I was just not able to get some quality reviews on the rod. Anyone with experience on the rod Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy

 

Thanks all!

[freelancer27]

So, I went into my backyard and tested the the Steez and the Conquest and compared them against my Antares and my Lew's Inshore BB2. 

All but the Antares where spooled with 15pound mono.
 

Here is the essence of my testing:

1. The Steez felt solid during retrieves, not much (if at all) play in the handle. Casting distance was good. Same distance as my Lew's. Though I felt that the line capacity was not sufficient. On long casts I had maybe 15% line left. Since I was planning to use the reel also for inshore fishing, that turned out to be a deal braker.

2. Conquest 101. Super solid feel on retrieve. Ability to palm was ok, but not outstanding. I casted a 1oz lure and I had maybe 5 turns of line left. Great cast ability but the line capacity is just not sufficient. 

Result:

I am sending the reels back. I am keeping the Daiwa Steez ST rod, which I am gonna pair with my 2016 Antares DC. I am gonna keep using the Lew's as my crank/topwater reel (which I wanted to use as a back up reel and rod combo that I would leave always in my car). It casts as well as the Steez, is almost as sturdy and just the added weight is not too bad. 

Saved a couple of bucks (that I can use at some other point in time)!

[papagravey]

On 4/19/2017 at 6:20 PM, offsidewing said:

I'm actually "platooning" a Metanium MGL and a Steez A right now.  Its only been a couple weeks and I fish only freshwater.  So far, I prefer the steez A for moving baits and the metanium MGL for bottom contact weightless plastics.  While both have aluminum main gears, The Metanium feels a little smoother.  

Which one of these cast farther?  I'm looking at picking up one of the two

 

[freelancer27]

On 6/3/2017 at 6:53 PM, papagravey said:

Which one of these cast farther?  I'm looking at picking up one of the two

 

I have used the Steez A for a couple of outings and with the right line it casts almost as far as my Antares DC.