Shimano Aldebaran For 1/4 oz Jig Fishing?

[shimmy]

K, so I have reviewed several threads on this topic, but am looking for some additional feedback. I will be upgrading my jig rod and reel combo soon (jig rod to an NRX 893c JWR) and will be pairing either the Shimano Metanium mgl 151 XG 8.5:1 or Aldebaran 51 MGL 7.4:1. Both will require different line and a different approach. I am a bit of a fish out of water jig fishing with a reel with a smaller spool. I love all of the reviews for both reels and they are both enticing. Nevertheless, I fear that getting the Aldebaran will affect my style of fishing. I jig fish with long casts and fish northern pike infested waters with some vegetation and stumps. I wonder if I used a 15# tatsu or 16#/18# sunline super fc sniper line, it may unspool. However with it unspooled, how bad is the gear ratio and is it that big of a deal if the spool is not that narrow? Have no idea...Need help!

 

The other approach is to fish braided line or braid with a fluoro trailer to manage the Aldebaran. If this is the case, what braid have people enjoyed? I know I can't go wrong with a Metanium, but just wanna make sure that if the Aldebaran is a magical unicorn, then I want to see how this has worked for others and how I could make it work. Thanks

 

Shimmy

[A-Jay]

@shimmy ~

Good to see you're still kicking and Happy New Year.

I do not have either reel so I can't offer any first hand experience based opinion.

However, perhaps you could utilize TW's Demo program - seems they have both reels.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/demosbyvendor.html?ccode=SHIMANO

Could help you answer you're own questions.

I've used it while doing 'research' on the Calcutta D's.  

Ended up buying 4. 

 

Finally, when presenting jigs like you do (I've seen your video's) I fish Power Pro Maxcuatro Spectra Braided Line in Moss Green and Sufix 832 Braided Line in Lo-Vis Green.

Both are thin for their tests & I use them in 50 or 65 lb -

Seaguar Flippin Braided Line (haven't tried it yet) gets good reviews as well.

Good Luck my friend.

A-Jay

[Bandersnatch]

12 hours ago, shimmy said:

K, so I have reviewed several threads on this topic, but am looking for some additional feedback. I will be upgrading my jig rod and reel combo soon (jig rod to an NRX 893c JWR) and will be pairing either the Shimano Metanium mgl 151 XG 8.5:1 or Aldebaran 51 MGL 7.4:1. Both will require different line and a different approach. I am a bit of a fish out of water jig fishing with a reel with a smaller spool. I love all of the reviews for both reels and they are both enticing. Nevertheless, I fear that getting the Aldebaran will affect my style of fishing. I jig fish with long casts and fish northern pike infested waters with some vegetation and stumps. I wonder if I used a 15# tatsu or 16#/18# sunline super fc sniper line, it may unspool. However with it unspooled, how bad is the gear ratio and is it that big of a deal if the spool is not that narrow? Have no idea...Need help!

 

The other approach is to fish braided line or braid with a fluoro trailer to manage the Aldebaran. If this is the case, what braid have people enjoyed? I know I can't go wrong with a Metanium, but just wanna make sure that if the Aldebaran is a magical unicorn, then I want to see how this has worked for others and how I could make it work. Thanks

 

Shimmy

I have the two aldebaran mgls, a chronarch mgl, metanium mgl, curado DC, curado K and a few bantam mgls. I also have the 893. I wanted to like my aldebarans on it but in the end it just didn't work. My aldebarans have been switched to ultra light rods for me not because of their capabilities but the weight. I also fish braid and braid to leader. My aldebarans pair beautifully with my one ten special and my kistler h3 7'1 MH. When you put it on the 893 to me it's very obvious the setup is out of balance. Trust me when I say I want the lightest combo in my hand but if it doesn't balance it truly doesn't seem light. I even ended up not using my metanium due to imo the 893 being heavy towards the tip. It balances for me best with my bantams, sure the metanium would be great but I wouldn't aldebaran. As for braid, smackdown is great but I've found anything under 40lb is fragile due to its thickness and smoothness imo. I've since switched to power pro max quarto in 40-65lb tests. I like the low carrier count in the power pro, especially for grass. I use either straight braid or whatever leader I'd like. I personally see a tad struggle with "long casts" with a 1/4 jig on an 893. Something like 3/8 gets you a little more distance. Hope this helps 

[fishwizzard]

Right now have a non-MGL Aldebaran 50 loaded with 12lb YZH, which is as thick as most 14-15lb fluoros.  On a 6’6” rod I have plenty of line for a 1/4oz swimjig w/ 3.8” FI trailer.  At the end of a long cast I am down to maybe 1/3 or 1/4 spool capacity.  
 

 

[NHBull]

@Chief250 is 100% correct

I have them all and my MET MGL'S get called for that purpose.

[Dwight Hottle]

10 hours ago, Chief250 said:

I have the two aldebaran mgls, a chronarch mgl, metanium mgl, curado DC, curado K and a few bantam mgls. I also have the 893. I wanted to like my aldebarans on it but in the end it just didn't work. My aldebarans have been switched to ultra light rods for me not because of their capabilities but the weight. I also fish braid and braid to leader. My aldebarans pair beautifully with my ont ten special and my kistler h3 7'1 MH. When you put it on the 893 to me it's very obvious the setup is out of balance. Trust me when I saw I want the lightest combo in my hand but if it doesn't balance it truly doesn't seem light. I even ended up not using my metanium due to imo the 893 being heavy towards the tip. It balances for me best with my bantams, sure the metanium would be great but I wouldn't aldebaran. As for braid, smackdown is great but I've found anything under 40lb is fragile due to its thickness and smoothness imo. I've since switched to power pro max quarto in 40-65lb tests. I like the low carrier count in the power pro, especially for grass. I use either straight braid or whatever leader I'd like. I personally see a tad struggle with "long casts" with a 1/4 jig on an 893. Something like 3/8 gets you a little more distance. Hope this helps 

 

Shimmy Chief250 brought up a good point. The rod you want will balance better with a Bantam. I have the 50 Aldebaran and always paired it up with a lightweight rod that balanced well with it. The current non BFS Aldebaran MGL 18 31HG is size 31 not 51, smaller line capacity yet. If you find a regular Aldebaran 51 HG or XG it holds 100 meters of 12lb mono. If you have your heart set on the NRX893 get a Bantam. Or you could wait a couple of months & try the NEW metanium coming out. I sold all my mets for replacing them with bantams. I still have a like new alde but it is a right hand model. 

[shimmy]

4 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

Shimmy Chief250 brought up a good point. The rod you want will balance better with a Bantam. I have the 50 Aldebaran and always paired it up with a lightweight rod that balanced well with it. The current non BFS Aldebaran MGL 18 31HG is size 31 not 51, smaller line capacity yet. If you find a regular Aldebaran 51 HG or XG it holds 100 meters of 12lb mono. If you have your heart set on the NRX893 get a Bantam. Or you could wait a couple of months & try the NEW metanium coming out. I sold all my mets for replacing them with bantams. I still have a like new alde but it is a right hand model. 

 

 

I appreciate the feedback everyone. Do you think that the reel would be better balanced for a 853? Sounds like people are liking the heavier reels.

 

Second of all, what is the new metanium coming out? 

[Dwight Hottle]

15 minutes ago, shimmy said:

 

 

I appreciate the feedback everyone. Do you think that the reel would be better balanced for a 853? Sounds like people are liking the heavier reels.

 

Second of all, what is the new metanium coming out? 

The shorter rod will balance out better. The 893C has been mentioned numerous times as being more tip heavy than any other NRX models. My advice is to pick the rod you want first then try the reel on it before you buy the reel if you have a large enough reel retailer near you. 

The new met is supposed to be out in a few months. It probably will only be available only in Japan initially. You can read about here. The video & discussion starts on the 2nd page of this thread. 

 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have the Aldebaran 50 and the Met Mgl. The Aldebaran is on a 6'10 ML Zodias with 10lb Sufix Fluoro that I use for finesse presentations (Mostly 1/8 oz - 3/16) I just put the Met on a 6'11 M+ Poison Adrena with 15lb Tatsu that I plan to throw 1/4 oz T-Rigs or 1/4 oz jigs. I have yet to use it so the jury is out, but it feels AMAZING.

[Bandersnatch]

Don't let the fact that the 893 is tip heavy deter you. It's a magical rod, just fishs better with a reel that balances it imo

[shimmy]

So, it sounds like for the 893, the shimano bantam is the best balance. If I go 853, I could go Aldebaran. Anyone have the 853 paired with a bantam or does that not take advantage of the potential to be an extremely light setup with the Aldebaran...