New Johnny Morris Gold Series Baitcasting Reel???

[bobdogg17]

Right now I have the BPS Johnny Signature Series Baitcaster which is about $179. I have been in the store a few times recently and I was looking at/considering the new new Johnny Morris Gold Series Baitcaster which is on sale from $279 to $229. 11 bearing, 6:4.1, new handles, etc...Just wondering if anyone has or has used this new reel and if so what they thought of it. Do you think there'd be a noticeable difference between the two reels??

I do 95% of my fishing from the bank, so casting distance is very a very important factor to me. Do you think a Daiwa, Abu Garcia, etc would cast better/further? Any info is appreciated!

[BMoore]

I took a look at this reel also but I had a couple of people that I trust tell me that they would not last like a shimano. I think as far as casting goes it would be fime but long term I would put my money in a shimano. The chronarch 100b can be had for that kind of money and the e series curados are cheaper. Another reel I've heard nothing but positives about is the Skeet Reese edition revo. They go on ebay for 220-230 as well. The gold series is a sweet looking reel.

[cart7t]

I have some Sig series JM reels and like them very much.  But, even on sale at $229, I can't see spending that kind of money on a reel that big or heavy.  It's a modified sig series reel they've trimmed the weight on but not the size.  

You can get a Pflueger Patriarch on Ebay for around $150-160 that does everything the Gold series does, is lighter and has a smaller footprint on the rod.  

[dodgeguy]

I have some Sig series JM reels and like them very much. But, even on sale at $229, I can't see spending that kind of money on a reel that big or heavy. It's a modified sig series reel they've trimmed the weight on but not the size.

You can get a Pflueger Patriarch on Ebay for around $150-160 that does everything the Gold series does, is lighter and has a smaller footprint on the rod.

agree %100!!!

[adclem]

They are nice reels but they are on the big side and tend to be a little heavy.  There are better reels out there that are also a lot cheaper then the JM Gold Series reel.

Shimano Curado

Abu Garcia SX or STX

Pflueger Patriarch

and I am sure there are more,

Later,

[Sfritr]

The BPS in Detroit has these on sale for $99.  They have about 15 left.

[MarauderYak]

The BPS in Detroit has these on sale for $99. They have about 15 left.

Not the same reel.  That $99 reel is a limited run of the older version of the "regular" JM signature series reel done in a special color.

As to the original question...  I've played around with one of the JM Sig Gold reels, but never fished with one.  I know they cast very well.  They're made at the same factory as the Revo & the Patriarch.

[Big Tom]

It just seems like waaaay too much money for a BPS reel.  BPS is all about having decent gear at awesome prices (when on sale).

I think there are infinite better choices out there for this kind of coin.  

[KYntucky Warmouth]

It just seems like waaaay too much money for a BPS reel. BPS is all about having decent gear at awesome prices (when on sale).

I think there are infinite better choices out there for this kind of coin.

Agreed

[bass wrangler569]

It just seems like waaaay too much money for a BPS reel. BPS is all about having decent gear at awesome prices (when on sale).

I think there are infinite better choices out there for this kind of coin.

Agreed

X3

[MarauderYak]

For everyone saying there are so many better choices...   Have any of you actually fished with the JM sig gold or is this just an assumption?

Seems like most everybody has a brand ranking in their own head (so do I to an extent), but if you actually had the opportunity to fish with every reel in a given category I'm sure you'd find quite a few reels that either under perform or out perform you expectations.

[Big Tom]

Just an assumption based on Bass Pro products in general.

[bobdogg17]

I appreciate all the helpful info/advice. I'll still continue to shop around and see what people think. I did see where the JM Gold Series reel was named an award winner and a Great Buy in the 2009 "Outdoor Life" Magazine. Not that that means there aren't better ones, but just something to take into consideration

[dodgeguy]

i had a rick clunn which is the same size as the j. morris and is the same frame.i own a patriarch also.the advantage imho is the patriarch is smaller and is .3 ounces lighter in the narrow spool version than the j.morris gold reel.it is also less $.they probably are similar in casting ability but for the $ the patriarch is a far better buy imho.now another person may not mind the the j. morris is slightly larger in which case the comparison changes slightly.

[cart7t]

For everyone saying there are so many better choices... Have any of you actually fished with the JM sig gold or is this just an assumption?

Seems like most everybody has a brand ranking in their own head (so do I to an extent), but if you actually had the opportunity to fish with every reel in a given category I'm sure you'd find quite a few reels that either under perform or out perform you expectations.

I own 4 JM sig reels.  The gold reels is basically a sig reel with an extra bearing and has been lightened by changing to a duraluminum main gear and some slots and vents cut into the frame.  They also use a different handle.  

I like my sig reels but they are on the big side and heavy.  For the money you'd spend on sale for the Gold reel, there are other reels out there that will perform just as good as it but for less money.  

[adclem]

For everyone saying there are so many better choices... Have any of you actually fished with the JM sig gold or is this just an assumption?

Seems like most everybody has a brand ranking in their own head (so do I to an extent), but if you actually had the opportunity to fish with every reel in a given category I'm sure you'd find quite a few reels that either under perform or out perform you expectations.

I have used the Signature and the Elite, have not used the Gold.  I do believe for the money for a Gold on-sale and even not on sale that there are a lot of better reel choices.  The majority of them will be smaller and lighter and probably cast just as well if not better then the JM reels.

I know my Curaods, 51MG and my STX all out perform the JM sereis reels I have owned.

Later,

[MarauderYak]

Thanks for the responses I got.  When someone is asking for opinions like this I really like to know what those opionions are based on.

The JM sig Gold is $270, but on sale quite often for $230 or so?  So what else is right at it's price?  Ardent XS1000; US Reel Supercaster Pro; Daiwa Fuego, Sol, Zillion; Revo Premier.  Of course you could move up or down further in price, but those are all right there with it.  I haven't actually fished any of these exact reels, but I've cast all of them.  I have fished a regular JM signature reel, a Daiwa Advantage, and a Revo S quite a bit.  Based on my all that, I would NOT go with the Ardent or the US Reel.  Of the Daiwa reels I'd chose the Fuego, but I think it would come in third.  I think I'd end up with the JM Gold as my second choice & the Premier as my pick.

All that said...  I tend to prefer spending $100 to $150 on a baitcaster because I've found reels in that range that make me perfectly happy with their performance.

[bobdogg17]

Well after a month of researching, I ended up getting a Shimano Chronarch 100D7 and a Shimano Cumara 6'8" casting rod. Spent a little more than I was planning, but hopefully it'll pay off! Haven't used it yet, but will this week!

[Hammer 4]

I don't think you'll be disapointed.

Well after a month of researching, I ended up getting a Shimano Chronarch 100D7 and a Shimano Cumara 6'8" casting rod. Spent a little more than I was planning, but hopefully it'll pay off! Haven't used it yet, but will this week!

[bobdogg17]

Well I took my new setup to a pond down the street today just to see how it casted, felt, etc...I have 50lb PowerPro braided line on it. I'd say in 20 total casts, I had at least 5-7 birds' nests!   In the past I've only used braided line on spinning reels and stuck with mono on my casting reels. Does anyone else find it a lot harder to cast braided line vs. mono on a casting reel? I'll try it out one more time but if it continues, then I'll probably have it re-strung with mono... :-/

[adclem]

Braid can be a little difficult on a BC.  When I first started out with Braid on my BC I set my brakes 3 on 3 off(Shimano Curado 201D) and set the cast control knob a little tighter then normal.  Once I started getting the hang of it I began to loosen it up and really let her zing.

But lately I have switched over to Yo-Zuri Hybrid line and just have not even thought about braid.

Later,

[JellyMan]

I have the JM Sig series and I love it. I have also owned the Rick Clunn and loved it as well. It is a tad heavy but I like that. It makes me feel more confident in my hand and about my fishing.

It is expensive but Ide say worth it. I do like the Diawa Veinto with the twitchin bar also. Sweet reel.

[dodgeguy]

Well I took my new setup to a pond down the street today just to see how it casted, felt, etc...I have 50lb PowerPro braided line on it. I'd say in 20 total casts, I had at least 5-7 birds' nests! In the past I've only used braided line on spinning reels and stuck with mono on my casting reels. Does anyone else find it a lot harder to cast braided line vs. mono on a casting reel? I'll try it out one more time but if it continues, then I'll probably have it re-strung with mono... :-/

braid should be easier to cast on any reel.try setting your brakes properly.

[roadwarrior]

try setting your brakes properly.

Hmm...

You might be on to something there.

:

[bigfish88]

i love the johnny morris baitcasting reel. nough said.