BigBendFishing.Net

Had to weigh in on this one after laughing at some of the posts (funny, not critical).

Fished Abu Garcia BCers for several seasons (although not the Revo) and none held up more than a year. And I'm very anal about cleaning my tackle.

Switched to Shimano Chronarch spooled with 10# braid and have not had any issues whatsoever. As mentioned earlier, even with the lighter braid the key is dialing in the brake and "educating" your thumb for the particular lure in use. Although I'm a righty who casts a LH reel, so maybe that makes a difference. I'm not sure if that qualifies for peckerhead status or not.

I also have a discontinued Daiwa Millionaire LH baitcaster as one of my travel reels and it has performed flawlessly for 5+ years.

Always try to buy American whenever possible. Pains me to say as a Navy man, but I'm now sold on Shimano.

I started using the Chronarchs last year or so, and switched to the Curado 200 and 300 last year, and upgraded to the new Curado 200 a month ago. They are great, and light. Hold lots of line and handle big Reds with no problems. The casting is vastly improved as evidenced when Liam was cooing about how well they cast in the last Trout tournament last month into the wind. Great little reels and the price dropped from 199 ot 179 too. They feel like toys and I'll being mine to the meeting Thursday if anyone wants a look. I think they have a ceramic Roller Bearing too. It looks ceramic.

silverking wrote: I'm not sure if that qualifies for peckerhead status or not.

Dave, we can bestow upon you the honorary title of "Peckerhead"

Used my new Shimano E7 (from South Georgia Outdoors) this weekend. Love the size of the reel - compared to the old Curado 200. It's actually smaller than the 100. So far great reel casts well and easily handled several reds and trout this weekend.

Only thing you should watch is a second day of fishing. I set the drag on day one....and it was fine all day. The next day it was really stiff out the gate. Just check it - I think when mine has been used a little more the drag will be fine or once I take it apart and grease the drag it will be fine.

I plan on buying two more - may sell my Chronarch's and replace them too.

Chalk wrote:Used my new Shimano E7 (from South Georgia Outdoors) this weekend. Love the size of the reel - compared to the old Curado 200. It's actually smaller than the 100. So far great reel casts well and easily handled several reds and trout this weekend.

Only thing you should watch is a second day of fishing. I set the drag on day one....and it was fine all day. The next day it was really stiff out the gate. Just check it - I think when mine has been used a little more the drag will be fine or once I take it apart and grease the drag it will be fine.

I plan on buying two more - may sell my Chronarch's and replace them too.

What kind of rod setups are you guys using?

If anyone is interested. PM me and I will tell you where one can be ordered for $159 free shipping.

KyTrkyHntr wrote:

Chalk wrote:Used my new Shimano E7 (from South Georgia Outdoors) this weekend. Love the size of the reel - compared to the old Curado 200. It's actually smaller than the 100. So far great reel casts well and easily handled several reds and trout this weekend.

Only thing you should watch is a second day of fishing. I set the drag on day one....and it was fine all day. The next day it was really stiff out the gate. Just check it - I think when mine has been used a little more the drag will be fine or once I take it apart and grease the drag it will be fine.

I plan on buying two more - may sell my Chronarch's and replace them too.

What kind of rod setups are you guys using?

Challenger rods (TGX series, Axis series), mostly 7' med. - med./hvy

birddog wrote:Challenger rods (TGX series, Axis series), mostly 7' med. - med./hvy

10-4... Thanks again for the braid tip as well!