Best Shimano reel for jerk baits?

[Rodney Smith]

I watched Matt Allen doing a jerk bait video today raving about the Aldebaran. I have an Expride 6'10 M and I'm considering getting an Aldebaran to pair with it. I mainly throw Vision 110's, etc. Would that be a better choice than the Metanium MGL? Would be light weight and fun to fish for sure. Thoughts?

[roadwarrior]

My dedicated jerkbait rig is a custom Rainshadow Eternity/ Aldebaran/ Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo #11.

I throw 110s almost exclusively.

 

[FrankN209]

25 minutes ago, Rodney Smith said:

I watched Matt Allen doing a jerk bait video today raving about the Aldebaran. I have an Expride 6'10 M and I'm considering getting an Aldebaran to pair with it. I mainly throw Vision 110's, etc. Would that be a better choice than the Metanium MGL? Would be light weight and fun to fish for sure. Thoughts?

I watched the same video yesterday. They're basically the same price on japanlure. The Alderbaran does have a smaller spool. But I'd still go with the newer reel. 

[Fishingmickey]

The 20 Metanium is a heck of a reel in my book.  Side plate is similiar to the Bantam. If feels very soilid like the Bantam too.  I have two 20 Met's and love them both.

FM

[jbsoonerfan]

I have a Aldebaran 50 HG for sale if interested. Basically brand new, couldn't tell it was used if you didn't know any better. I can send pics if interested. PM me if interested

 

BTW, it was my dedicated jerkbait reel until I had some things go south so it needs to go. It is great, you can throw a jb all day with it.

[NorcalBassin]

+1 with the Aldebaran. I have a couple on fairly similar rods (NRX 852, GLX 842) and love those setups. My 6'10" Expride has an old Chronarch 50e that works really well together, but the Alde would be perfect on that rod. 

[Rodney Smith]

Do you have the Aldebaran MGL or previous version? Is there a big difference?

[tkunk]

With a 50-sized reel, it's easy to cast out the entire spool with a jerkbait. If you hook into any kind of big, non-bassy fish, you can say goodbye to all of your line and your bait.

 

Even with a 150, you can cast out enough line that you'll notice the difference in inches per turn at the start and ends of your cast.

[jbsoonerfan]

2 hours ago, portiabrat said:

With a 50-sized reel, it's easy to cast out the entire spool with a jerkbait. If you hook into any kind of big, non-bassy fish, you can say goodbye to all of your line and your bait.

 

Even with a 150, you can cast out enough line that you'll notice the difference in inches per turn at the start and ends of your cast.

You won't cast it all off if you are using 10 lb or small dia line. I can cast a jb as far as the reel will cast it and still have a lot of line left, but that is with 10 lb Sniper. I guess you would have that problem with 18 lb mono and a tail wind.

 

I must admit though, I am not a resident long cast champion like most guys on here. LOL

[Rodney Smith]

I would be using 20 lb braid. I don’t think I’m good enough to empty the spool...

[jbsoonerfan]

Just a quick check and the Aldebaran 50 HG will hold about 100 yards of 10 lb Sniper. Nobody is casting all that off, sorry, I don't care what anyone says.

[FrankN209]

6 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Just a quick check and the Aldebaran 50 HG will hold about 100 yards of 10 lb Sniper. Nobody is casting all that off, sorry, I don't care what anyone says.

The MGL 50 holds only 75 yards. But still, that's a lot of line. 

[Crackintubes]

New metanium MGL is no joke. Love it

 

Used to use a curado 51e as well. 

 

 

 

 

[tkunk]

19 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Just a quick check and the Aldebaran 50 HG will hold about 100 yards of 10 lb Sniper. Nobody is casting all that off, sorry, I don't care what anyone says.

How are you guys using 20 lb braid or lower on bait casters without having your line dig in? I tried 30 a few times with PP, and I had a ton of issues.

[jbsoonerfan]

4 minutes ago, portiabrat said:

How are you guys using 20 lb braid or lower on bait casters without having your line dig in? I tried 30 a few times with PP, and I had a ton of issues.

I'm not, I use 10 or 12 lb Sniper on my jbs, cranks, lipless, etc.

 

Thinking about bumping up to 14 or maybe 15 tatsu on some of them. I fish some pretty nasty cover so I need the biggest I can get away with and still perform well.

[Rodney Smith]

It can be tough. Just takes practice and the tension on the brakes a little tighter than normal.

[Gazz]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Just a quick check and the Aldebaran 50 HG will hold about 100 yards of 10 lb Sniper. Nobody is casting all that off, sorry, I don't care what anyone says.

Not true. I like to maximize my casts by casting off the rear of my boat then opening the brakes and driving the boat about 150 yards while leaving the bait out there. Then I retrieve. You ever jerk 200 yards worth of line at once? It’s exhilarating.

[J Francho]

I’ve used anything from a 5:1 reel to a 9:1 reel and after about five minutes, I adjust to the retrieve speed and forget what reel I’m using. Most of my jerkbaits don’t require any special reel to get decent casting distance, so I’ve used $80 reels on up to $500 JDM stuff. I’m way more into using a specific rod and and line than the reel. If it casts well, palms comfortably, and has a smooth drag, I’m good. 

[NHBull]

Rodney, like you know,,,,,The times of the year I throw JB the most is Spring and Fall which are the windy times of my season.  I had an extra Met DC and tossed it on.  It really shines in these conditions.  The new Antares also really shined

[FishTank]

I have tried several reels and rod combos but I found the rod is the essential part.  My current reel of choice is a 2016 Antares 7.x:1.   I have an Antares 70A 6.x:1 that palms better and casts further but I like the spool capacity and the speed of the 16.  I have paired it with G. Loomis 783 GLX.  

[Emiliano]

Hi to all of you guys, I'm just getting more specific in my jerkbait technique thanks to bassresource videos, and I recently purchase a St Croix Mojo 6'8 Medium power Extra fast tip, I know it is not the lighter one but I'm really happy with it and, cast very well and the better is how it's reactive in working the baits. I usually throw LC flash pointer 100, staysee 90, MB oneten original, R+1 to R+3, I'm from Spain and here in Europe we can get the R+3 really do not know if it is the same you labelled as +2.

 

Anyway I think the most important aspect it's to have not the lighter combo but the right  balance, IMO.

Here bass don't grow as in US, so the biggest one can reach at most 9 pounds, so I use very thin braid line in  8 to 10 lbs test and that  allows me to avoid  leader and I sed the drag accordingly.

 

About the right reel it depends on personal fishing style, I prefer HG to XG gear ratio (7.1 to 8.1) in order to reel  slack fast during the twitch.

For example I use Chronarch MGL HG to balance my St Croix.

 

A Tatula elite is another good option in the Daiwa brand but I really think the best It is probably Aldebaran HG MGL 50 size spool. MGL spool has almost no start up inertia and helps casting light lures very well.

Aldebaran is an expensive choice but if you can afford it, just go!

[Boomstick]

On 9/30/2020 at 1:59 PM, J Francho said:

I’ve used anything from a 5:1 reel to a 9:1 reel and after about five minutes, I adjust to the retrieve speed and forget what reel I’m using. Most of my jerkbaits don’t require any special reel to get decent casting distance, so I’ve used $80 reels on up to $500 JDM stuff. I’m way more into using a specific rod and and line than the reel. If it casts well, palms comfortably, and has a smooth drag, I’m good. 

Yup. I like a faster reel, but will adjust if I have a slower reel.

[J Francho]

For years, I used an Alphas ITO AI (5.8:1, 24 IPT) because I liked the way it balanced and palmed.

[A-Jay]

So many options & personal preferences,

hard to call anything - the best.

When I do use casting gear, a Scorpion DC is gets it done for me. 

 

A-Jay

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

For years, I used an Alphas ITO AI (5.8:1, 24 IPT) because I liked the way it balanced and palmed.

I think I am using that EXACT reel!

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdiawaalphas.html

 

Back on topic:

The Aldebaran weighs 4.8 oz and is the reel you are looking for!

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-ALDEBARAN_MGL.html