Curado K vs Metanium vs Chronarch for workhorse setup

[newyorktoiowa57]

Looking to invest in a higher end combo all purpose combo, mainly for jigs and texas rigs.  Ideally I would like the rod to handle senkos to 3/8 jigs with trailers, and maybe some smaller swimbaits.  For the rods, I am considering

-Zodias 72mh

-Expride 72mh

-Sierra 734

-Champion 734

 

For the reel, I am considering curado, metanium, or chronarch.  I already have two K's but would like to try something different, especially because the K doesn't handle light weights all that well. 

I had a fury 734 which I sold, but it was the best weightless plastic rod of all medium heavy sticks I have ever used and I regret it.  Because I want the combo to handle senkos, I am leaning toward one of the dobyns, but I'm not sure if the champion is worth the extra coin.  For the reel, I am leading towards the chronarch because of the brass gears and MGL spool.  Anyone have any thoughts?  Would the shimano 72mh handle a senko well?

 

[The Bassman]

Met and Chronarch will both do what you want great. Just a matter of budget. Zodias is a very fast rod. 72MH is a bit heavy for stick worms, especially shorter ones if you're fishing weightless. Others may disagree. Can't speak for the Dobyns.

[fishballer06]

Step up to the Chronarch MGL. It's such an amazing reel. I had two Met MGL's, and then I bought two of the Chronarchs once they were released. I sold the Metaniums and bought two more Chronarchs. 

 

As for the rods, I absolutely love my Expride 7'2" H, so I would certainly recommend the MH one for you if you can swing the coin. If not, I would say go with the Champion 734 or the Zodias. The Champion is a nice step up from the Sierra series. 

 

One thing to note, the Expride and Zodias do not have hook keepers on them. If that bothers you, go with the Champion. 

[tim_kovar]

The jump to the Chronarch is so worth it.  I love my Metanium's, but for a true workhorse the Chronarch is very tough to beat as far as performance, especially if you can find a nice used one.  I would probably side more so with the Champion 734 for rods and then my next choice would probably be the Expride.

[newyorktoiowa57]

2 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

Step up to the Chronarch MGL. It's such an amazing reel. I had two Met MGL's, and then I bought two of the Chronarchs once they were released. I sold the Metaniums and bought two more Chronarchs. 

 

As for the rods, I absolutely love my Expride 7'2" H, so I would certainly recommend the MH one for you if you can swing the coin. If not, I would say go with the Champion 734 or the Zodias. The Champion is a nice step up from the Sierra series. 

 

One thing to note, the Expride and Zodias do not have hook keepers on them. If that bothers you, go with the Champion. 

I think I will go Chronarch.  What do you think is better about the champion specifically over the sierra? 

[scbassin]

I have both the Champion XP 734 FH & the Sierra 684. For the weightless plastic stick baits I would lean toward the longer rod to get better distance & control (ex:Senkos). The rig I use for those baits is the Champion XP FH 733 with a Scorpion (Japanese Curado)  71XG. I find that I like it much better. I use the 734 for Texas rigged baits.  American Legacy has 20% off on all Dobyns Rods For Black Friday & I think it started today. I do use the Sierra 683 & 684 with the same type baits  When I am in & around Cypress Trees as I like to roll cast with a shorter rod, when I don't need the distance.

[fishballer06]

9 hours ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

What do you think is better about the champion specifically over the sierra? 

Every aspect. Blank, cork, weight, balance, action, guides. 

[Yumeya]

Metanium all the way.

[OnthePotomac]

I have Chronarch C14's and Chronarch MGL and the MGL is one sweet puppy.

[22RangerZ520R]

On 11/22/2018 at 5:44 PM, Yumeya said:

Metanium all the way.

+1 

 

Just sold my Aldebaran 50's and got 10 Metanium MGL XG's, love 'em....

 

[newyorktoiowa57]

2 hours ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

+1 

 

Just sold my Aldebaran 50's and got 10 Metanium MGL XG's, love 'em....

 

What do you prefer about the met over the chronarch?

[burrows]

12 hours ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

+1 

 

Just sold my Aldebaran 50's and got 10 Metanium MGL XG's, love 'em....

 

you sir are a bad a$$!!! 

[22RangerZ520R]

15 hours ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

What do you prefer about the met over the chronarch?

Never fished with the new Chronarch.  The last Chronarch I owned was the pearl colored ones back in the early 2000's.  Since then I've only owned the high end Shimano reels like the Calais, etc.  

 

For me it was between the Antaras and the Metanium MGL.  There's a reason why the Metanium is $140 more than the Chronarch....  I'm sure the new Chronarch is a good reel, not "bashing" it.  I just wanted the best I could afford.  I'm very happy with the Metanium MGL.

4 hours ago, Burrows said:

you sir are a bad a$$!!! 

[newyorktoiowa57]

Update: ended up going with the sierra 734.  At the TW price of $108 they are going at now its too good of a deal to pass up.

[RB 77]

On 11/25/2018 at 12:07 PM, 18RangerZ520L said:

+1 

 

Just sold my Aldebaran 50's and got 10 Metanium MGL XG's, love 'em....

 

 

 

Good gravy that is a nice reel collection! I love those CT D's. One of my favorite reels I fish. EXTREMELY underrated reel IMHO...

[22RangerZ520R]

1 hour ago, RB 77 said:

 

 

Good gravy that is a nice reel collection! I love those CT D's. One of my favorite reels I fish. EXTREMELY underrated reel IMHO...

 

Thanks.  I'm set for a while...

 

(10) Metanium MGL XG's

(4) Calcutta 400D's

(4) Stella 3000 FJ's

[Matt_3479]

Congrats on the new rod. I have a Sierra 734c and love the rod. I also have a curado k and the reel is amazing for the money but I stepped up to the chronarch mgl and now own 3 of them. My favorite reel by far! A light weight, work horse for sure! I have one of my finesse casting rod, one of my main jig rod and one on my frog rod! I am interested in the metanium and bantam and they will be this season I think. Looking at moving the chronarch off one of the rods and throwing the bantam on and putting the chronarch on something else to try. And picking up a new stick with a metanium to try. But for now those chronarchs are sick!!!

[Stephen B]

14 hours ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

 

Thanks.  I'm set for a while...

 

(10) Metanium MGL XG's

(4) Calcutta 400D's

(4) Stella 3000 FJ's

Great setups but why would you buy 10 of the same gear ratio Metanium MGL? What do you crank with? The lack of 6 or 7 gear ratio reels would drive me nuts haha. 

 

 

 

 

[22RangerZ520R]

6 hours ago, Stephen B said:

Great setups but why would you buy 10 of the same gear ratio Metanium MGL? What do you crank with? The lack of 6 or 7 gear ratio reels would drive me nuts haha. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

I don't crank a ton.  I didn't have an issue cranking with my Aldebaran 50's.  I haven't cranked with the Metaniums yet, but I'm sure it'll be the same as my Aldebarans, just have to slow down myself.  I use bigger crankbaits most of the time anyway (10XD, etc) and for those I use my Calcutta 400D's which are 5.1:1.  I never had an issue with the small/medium crankbaits "wearing me out" with the high gear ratios.  Also, I'm 6'4" / 255lb and have big hands, the XG is the only model with the larger handle, which I wanted.

[johnD.]

Metanium all day everyday. I bought a Chronarch MGL , fished it everyday after work for 2 months , it didn't stay butter smooth long. Just not a fan of graphite framed reels , I don't care what their marketing claims.

Check out Digitaka , you can pick up a Metanium MGL for under $300.

[onenutinthewater]

Chronarch MGL was super smooth for maybe a month now it feels geary to me and has a definite whining sound when retrieving. Sent in for maintenance and was told it is fine. Not fine by my standards any longer when i have 5 year old Tatulas that are still butter smooth.