Reel Pairing

[JLING1605]

Hi Everyone,

 

First time, long time.  

 

I am sure this has been covered but I cannot find it.

 

I am getting back into fishing after many years away.  I have recently had an opportunity to pick up a 7' MH/L St. Croix Legend Elite.  Up to this point my cap was $200 and my tool box is mostly made up of Johnny Morris Platinum rod and reels.  I have a couple of Quantum cranking rods one of which is paired with a Lew's Super Duty Wide Speed Spool in 5.1:1 for deep cranking.  I only mention this as a base line.  I am really interested in the experts opinions on reel pairing with the St. Croix.  I will primarily be using for T-rigs and smaller jigs so will want something with a faster retrieve.  I have been thinking about a Met XG or HG just to see what the fuss is about but I am very open to suggestions.  I am primarily looking for a reel that will balance perfectly and will be ideal for throwing 1/8-1/4 oz. T-Rigs and up to 1/2 oz. jigs.

 

Thanks in advance.

[jbsoonerfan]

Well, as you will soon see this thread will be just like every other thread when asked about what reel would be the best. You are going to get a bunch of different suggestions. Let's see, you will get Shimano Bantam, Met, Chronarch MGL, Aldebaran...Daiwa Tatula (all different models) Steez.....Abu Revo MGX.......Lews 27 position 6 pin deal......maybe you get the idea.

 

So, I will start with suggestion #1 The new 2020 Shimano Met or the current one for about $300 

 

Good luck!

[jimmyjoe]

   What is "MH/L" ?       jj

[jbsoonerfan]

20 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   What is "MH/L" ?       jj

LOL, that was my first question, but since the thread was about the reel I figured I would just leave it alone.

[Michigander]

 

6 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

LOL, that was my first question, but since the thread was about the reel I figured I would just leave it alone.

 

28 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   What is "MH/L" ?       jj

A JDM rod, clearly.  Lolz 

[rtwvumtneer6]

6 minutes ago, Michigander said:

 

A JDM rod, clearly.  Lolz 

 

Maybe it's "Limber" like, "The rod has good backbone but the tip is nice and limber."

 

But seriously... I'm very biased to Shimano so chose what fits your budget in their line up and that's what gets my vote.  

[JLING1605]

Sorry for the confusion I meant MH/F.  I should probably read my text before I post.  I am not interested in rehashing the Shimano/Daiwa/Abu/Lews debate.  I am more interested in this specific rod and what will balance well with it weight-wise etc.  No local store carries anything high end so I cannot comparison shop.  I have heard it said that the St. Croix rods are tip heavy and wasn't sure if an extra ounce on the back end will balance it out better.  

[Michigander]

7 minutes ago, JLING1605 said:

Sorry for the confusion I meant MH/F.  I should probably read my text before I post.  I am not interested in rehashing the Shimano/Daiwa/Abu/Lews debate.  I am more interested in this specific rod and what will balance well with it weight-wise etc.  No local store carries anything high end so I cannot comparison shop.  I have heard it said that the St. Croix rods are tip heavy and wasn't sure if an extra ounce on the back end will balance it out better.  

You can always add a weight to the butt of the rod to perfect the balance.

[JLING1605]

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

You can always add a weight to the butt of the rod to perfect the balance.

Did not know that.  That could be very helpful.

[Michigander]

Yes, a few 1" metal washers encased in a black rubber stool leg cap works great for me. Or they have actual kits.

 

[Ski213]

Can’t help you with that specific rod as I don’t have one. Even if I did, what I like balance wise might be different than what you’re looking for. I don’t know what is local to you but if you’re primarily interested in the weight/balance could you maybe try some cheaper reels on till you get the balance you’re looking for and then find something higher end that is equal weight?  No substitute for actually putting the reels you’re interested in on the exact rod but sometimes that’s not feasible. The weights on the rod butt are also a good option though. 

[JLING1605]

1 minute ago, Ski213 said:

Can’t help you with that specific rod as I don’t have one. Even if I did, what I like balance wise might be different than what you’re looking for. I don’t know what is local to you but if you’re primarily interested in the weight/balance could you maybe try some cheaper reels on till you get the balance you’re looking for and then find something higher end that is equal weight?  No substitute for actually putting the reels you’re interested in on the exact rod but sometimes that’s not feasible. The weights on the rod butt are also a good option though. 

Very good suggestions.  It is true that balance is subjective so I will have to go through the experimentation.  It is not as if I wont find a use for a high end reel if it doesn't work for this specific rod.  

[jimmyjoe]

   Balance problems are more obvious on one-handed casts than they are on two-handed casts. Not only that, but cross-body casts from the strong side are the most obvious because your strong arm's thumb is doing the majority of the pushing, but from a disadvantageous angle.

   I know this because I have arthritis. Some things I've learned the hard way.

   I have the 7'-01" Mojo Bass MH/F casting rod, which is a SC3 blank. I've handled the Legend rods, but they didn't impress me, for one reason or another. I'm not cutting them down, it's just that for me they show little improvement over the Mojo, and cost much, much more.

   FWIW, I always cast the 7'-01" two-handed, even casting from the weak side. The 6'-08" MH/F is no different. The only MH/F rod they have that feels good one-handing is the 6' Premier.

   The flip side of this is kinda optomistic; with two-handed casting, ALL the rods up to 7'-08" that I've used from St. Croix feel okay .... to me, that is.

   So ..... which is more important to YOU, one-handed or two-handed casting?  If it's two-handed, then as @jbsoonerfan said, almost any decent reel will be fine.  But if it's one-handed, then I'd recommend a lighter reel that you can choke your hold up on so that you have a stronger grip. Things like the Lew's Tournament Pro, the Shimano Chronarch, possibly the new Shimano Bantam and the Okuma Helios. I would recommend a Daiwa reel, but I have no idea which one.     jj

[JLING1605]

4 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Balance problems are more obvious on one-handed casts than they are on two-handed casts. Not only that, but cross-body casts from the strong side are the most obvious because your strong arm's thumb is doing the majority of the pushing, but from a disadvantageous angle.

   I know this because I have arthritis. Some things I've learned the hard way.

   I have the 7'-01" Mojo Bass MH/F casting rod, which is a SC3 blank. I've handled the Legend rods, but they didn't impress me, for one reason or another. I'm not cutting them down, it's just that for me they show little improvement over the Mojo, and cost much, much more.

   FWIW, I always cast the 7'-01" two-handed, even casting from the weak side. The 6'-08" MH/F is no different. The only MH/F rod they have that feels good one-handing is the 6' Premier.

   The flip side of this is kinda optomistic; with two-handed casting, ALL the rods up to 7'-08" that I've used from St. Croix feel okay .... to me, that is.

   So ..... which is more important to YOU, one-handed or two-handed casting?  If it's two-handed, then as @jbsoonerfan said, almost any decent reel will be fine.  But if it's one-handed, then I'd recommend a lighter reel that you can choke your hold up on so that you have a stronger grip. Things like the Lew's Tournament Pro, the Shimano Chronarch, possibly the new Shimano Bantam and the Okuma Helios. I would recommend a Daiwa reel, but I have no idea which one.     jj

You have me sitting at my desk going through casting motions lol.  From my office I feel like I am mostly 2 handed. Maybe 70/30 2H/1H, but then again I will get out on the water and it will end up being the opposite now that I am actively thinking about it.   

[FishTank]

I have this rod and it makes for a great all purpose rod.  I have paired it with a Shimano Bantam MGL.  It has been great for jigs, jerkbaits, and T-Rigged soft plastic.  I debated between the Bantam and the Metanium.  I am glad I got the Bantam.  It balances well with this rod and casts a mile. 

[JLING1605]

Thanks Fishtank!

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, JLING1605 said:

Thanks Fishtank!

You asked about a balancing point.  Here you go.....

 

Just in case, this reel is heavy compared to some but not by much and it does balance well.  It feels like a tank and also has the impression of a round reel.  

 

I would not say that this set up is great at casting anything under a total weight of 1/4 oz but I have not tried.  Anything bigger than that, its awesome. 

 

 

[JLING1605]

Looks like you nailed it.