Thoughts on the Shimano Core 100MG

Fluke · Jan 13, 2012

I have been eyeing the Shimano Core for awhile now and I plan on pulling the trigger on one (6.2 gear ratio for a cranking setup). What are your guys thoughts on the performance/$$$ ratio for this reel...is it worth the 350 sticker price or should I just get a new chronarch instead and save myself 150 bucks?

Fluke

Fishthoughts · Jan 13, 2012

I got the 50mg Core and have not been too pleased. I've had it serviced by Corens and it still doesn't quite cast as smooth as it should. For the price, I'd rather get two Curados.

Fluke · Jan 13, 2012

I was actually looking at the core 100mgfv as my flipping reel but ended up getting a quantum accurist instead. I like the core because it was modeled after the older chronarch D and everyone raves about it. Light weight isn't a critical factor at all for me because I could go several other routes for less money if that was the case. I did have a shimano curado 200e5 for cranking...it was awesome on the retrieve, but during the fight I found myself outmatched and unable to reel in quick enough sometimes. That's why the core is also appealing because of its 6.2 ratio, just a happy medium that I prefer to have.

I'll definitely check to see if I can get the chronarch D instead...it is a really nice reel! What other reels would you suggest for cranking reels...I'm open for more input! Thanks!

Fluke

1080tommy · Jan 13, 2012

I have a core 50mg7 and the thing is perfect. The casting is effortless and I can say small stuff is no problem either. I think the reel is sweet and have had no problems with it. I beat the hell out it last year and fished a lot. Minimal maintenance and the drag is smooth. Great stuff but it is pricey for sure. Good luck with whatever you wind up with.

Fluke · Jan 14, 2012

@cranked: where can I get a deal for a 70$ shimano crucial? Thats a helluva deal and that has been my rod of choice this past year. I fished with a friends revo supreme last year and it was pretty sick!

I have also looked at daiwa too but they may be a bit out of the ballpark since id rather buy new...the zillion could be an option though...very nice reels!

ClancyWiggum · Jan 14, 2012

I have the 100MGFV and love it. I bought it on eBay for quite a bit less than the normal retail price. Of all my baitcasting reels it is my favorite one. Have yet to have any issues with it.

Fluke · Jan 14, 2012

Very true cranked...im heading to bass pro today, but I may buy the reel off ebay since I can get them for almost 100 bucks cheaper.

Fluke · Jan 14, 2012

There you go bigrick! Its amazing what some new bearing oil will do to the performance of a reel, not to mention polishing the spool shafts and pinion gear

ClancyWiggum · Jan 15, 2012

I totally replaced the bearings in mine which might be why it is smoother than the "straight out of the box" ones.

Juicebox20002 · Jan 15, 2012

Fluke you can demo the core through tacklewarehouse.com read about it, click on demo this reel right under it's picture, that's what I plan on doing for that Daiwa zillion crazy Cranker before I drop 270 on a reel, I really want something slow for reeling in my crank baits and its hard to come across left handed reels in slower gear ratios.

Bassin' Ted · Jan 15, 2012

Fluke said:
I was actually looking at the core 100mgfv as my flipping reel but ended up getting a quantum accurist instead.
Fluke

Just curious- Why are you using the Accurist as your flipping reel? I use my best reel (Zillion) as my #1 pitching reel and I use one of my "lesser" reels (10-year old Daiwa TDS) for crankbaits. My other pitching reels are Daiwa TDXs which are in the range of the Chronarch SF. Granted, I spend a lot of time pitching plastics and jigs and less time as a power fisherman so my arsenal is geared that way. But I think that for pitching baits you want to use your highest performing reel with maximum free spool. And when I throw cranks, topwater, rattlebaits, and chatterbaits, I use my lesser reels since those are all relatively heavily baits and easy to cast. I do have a Chronarch 50 MG that I use for the light stuff. Anyways, just random thoughts.

Fluke · Jan 17, 2012

@ Bassin' Ted: I am slowly phasing in flipping/pitching since there wasn't much of a reason for me to try it earlier since I mostly fish from the shore. I agree the Quantum Accurist isn't a top of the line reel...but I paid only 80 bucks for it brand new and it was one of the better reels that accomodates a flipping switch. It was alot easier on the wallet than 370 bucks for the core mgfv. I spent some time changing the bearings and polishing the spool bearing so the free spool on it is pretty descent. So we will see how it works out for the time being and if I need to upgrade down the road then that will be first on my list. I have the accurist paired up with a Shimano Compre 7' 7" MH xtra fast action.

The rest of my reels are 4 Lew's Tournament Pro Speed spools in both 6.4 and 7.1 gear ratios, and as of this weekend one Abu Garcia Premier 6.4 gear ratio (Thanks for the nudge Cranked!). My two spinning reels are shimano saros 2500F.

Thoughts on the Shimano Core 100MG

Fluke

Fishthoughts

Fluke

1080tommy

Fluke

ClancyWiggum

Fluke

Fluke

ClancyWiggum

Juicebox20002

Bassin' Ted

Fluke

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