Talk to me about the chronarch mgl 150

[Shane Y]

Looking to get my first (yea that's right) baitcaster.  I had a cheaper one in the past planning to learn them and threw a 5 year old tantrum after 3,586,294 bird nest style backlashes and long story short my wife got the best laugh she's ever had, I said more cuss words in 20 seconds than I have in 31 years of being on this earth and that one piece rod and reel combo is now a 2 piece at the bottom of the middle fork broad river......so....what are you guys thoughts other than dont send this one to the unknown depths of the broad river? 

[Jig Man]

I have the older model.  It is the best caster that I own.  It is also the most sensitive on settings. 

[Shane Y]

Thanks jig man! 

[lmbfisherman]

24 minutes ago, Shane Y said:

Looking to get my first (yea that's right) baitcaster.  I had a cheaper one in the past planning to learn them and threw a 5 year old tantrum after 3,586,294 bird nest style backlashes and long story short my wife got the best laugh she's ever had, I said more cuss words in 20 seconds than I have in 31 years of being on this earth and that one piece rod and reel combo is now a 2 piece at the bottom of the middle fork broad river......so....what are you guys thoughts other than dont send this one to the unknown depths of the broad river? 

First off, please don't litter.  ?

 

Learning on the Chonarch MGL would be million times better and your experience will be more satisfying.  However, you still need to take care when first learning how to use a bc and even seasoned veterans will get backlashes once in awhile.  I suggest learning by using mono, get some Trilene Big Game 10 or 12lb test.  Mono is cheaper and won't feel that much pain when you do backlash.  I also think learning to cast with mono is more beneficial than learning with braid.  As it prepares you on how to cast with all the different lines.  I find braid is better to cast with and rarely ever do I backlash because it is so soft, so if you learn from braid you may have a bigger learning curve when casting mono/floro/hybrid lines.   I'd also have the brakes turned all up at least.  Once you make a few casts at a consistent distance, I would cast again.  Re-engage the reel, then peel off about 6-10 ft more and put tape on the line on the spool (across).  So that when you cast it won't backlash past the tape.  Also remember do not try to heave with everything you got when casting, your casting distance doesn't increase all that much.  At least the risk of backlash vs the distance gained for me isn't worth it!  Also try and cast something like a 1/4 oz or 3/8 oz weight at first and use the proper rod accordingly.  

[Shane Y]

43 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

First off, please don't litter.  ?

 

Believe it or not I'm a guy that's strictly against it....I kayak fish and take a grocery bag with me every time for spent plastics and drink bottles. I used to live on a major lake here in Ga and I'd walk the shores fishing from the bank. I'd take a trash bag with me and if it wasnt real heavy or would tear my bag up any trash I saw went home with me. But that day with the baitcaster.....well let's just say that wasnt my best look at me moment. Maybe I'll change my screen name to " litter bug, the beer can sinker man with an anger problem" 

[Log Catcher]

If you know someone that uses bait casters a lot you might see if they will work with you on how to adjust the settings and how to cast without getting a lot of backlashes.

[kschultz76]

Lots of threads on this forum discussing this reel if you do a search to get good general info on it. 

 

A better quality reel with a better braking system will always be easier to learn on in my opinion, so it should help there. That said it’s an expensive reel to just jump right in with, and there are less expensive places to start with similar braking systems like the Citica I, Curado 70, Curado K. 

 

Personally I found my older Chronarch CI4s easier to dial in the the Chronarch MGL. After using and experiencing a lot of baitcasters for a good place to start and learn I’d recommend a Tatula SV over the Chronarch MGL, it provides better control and will be easier to dial in to get started learning. 

 

Another recommendation - start with 40 or 50 pound braid for your line, and walk about 1.5-2 good casts worth of line off the reel tied to a fence post, put some good electrical tape across the line on the spool, then spool that line back on.  This contains the blast radius of professional overruns. 

[CaptPete]

devil's advocate here. My girlfriend who has zero patience and bad form can cast a SV reel with braid(I'd say start with 30lb+)... It's an excellent way to build up some confidence.

 

nothing against shimano's, but the Daiwa SV system is pretty darn beginner friendly.

 

Same price range could get you a zillion SV TW, a tatula SV would probably suit you just fine though.

[LonnieP]

Ive had a Chronarch CI4 since they first came out and I bought a new Chronarch MGL a few weeks ago.  I really like it, but it is harder to dial in than my Tatulas.  I would also recommend a Diawa as a first baitcaster. It is pretty much set it up and leave it alone, unlike the Shimanos where you have to readjust for different lure weights.

[Shane Y]

Thank yall for the comments. I know it's an expensive model to start out with. I have to say that I'm a fan of good equipment and I'm a big shimano guy. I've got some ci4+ spinning reels that I'm just in love with. That being said I'm definitely not blind about it. I've also got an ugly stick that I use a good bit.. 

[OnthePotomac]

Chronarch MGL is a very smooth reel with the micro gears.  Mine are set with two brakes on and the outside dial on 2, or 3 depending on the lure weight.  It is spooled with 15 lb Invizx as are some of my other reels.  The key to smoothness is a heavy grease on the micro gears and Shimano recommends their ACT2 drag grease for this.  Cal's is the same thing. I fish mostly heavy plastics with mine.  

[Catt]

The Shimano Curado 70 is a far better buy than any mention above.

[Shane Y]

Can you guys give me the rundown of the letters and what not. Like 150, 150xg, 151 and so on.....what's the difference in them

[GReb]

8 minutes ago, Shane Y said:

Can you guys give me the rundown of the letters and what not. Like 150, 150xg, 151 and so on.....what's the difference in them

150 is RH. 151 LH. Letters indicate gear ratio

[JustJames]

I’m sorry, if you can’t learn how to use baitcaster from the cheap one, you won’t be able to learn how to cast any better on expensive ones neither. A lot of mentioned good reel to start Daiwa SV is one of them, Shimano DC, maybe?

[Largies4Life]

Not too many people utilize this underrated program but TW offers a Demo Program where you can try out these higher end Shimano reels for $20 (shipping charges) unless the reel does end up in the bottom of the broad river again.  If you are having serious doubts on some reels I would give this a shot, or find a local store that carries the Chronarch MGL or other reels you are eyeing up and go test them out for yourself. I personally just bought a Chronarch MGL and it just feels buttery smooth, but I will have to wait a couple months until the ice goes out up here in the north woods to put it to the true test. The 150 reels will be your right-handed reels, the 151 will be your left-handed reels. The HG stands for the 7:1:1 gear ratio and the XG stands for the 8:1:1 gear ratio. 

[Dwight Hottle]

HG stands for high gear 7.1:1

XG stands for extra gear 8.1:1

PG stands for low gear 5.5:1

no letters given is 6.2:1

[Shane Y]

What would be a good versatile rod for this reel? Planning to use for a lot of cranking applications but like to have multiple options available whenever possible 

[OnthePotomac]

Each has a favorite and my MGL 8.1:1 is on a 7' MH, fast tip BPS Carbonlite 2.0 for plastics fishing and mostly worms..