Sweet to the “Core,” Shimano’s new
premium magnesium baitcaster (continued)
The
main reason for the weight difference between the 100MG and the MGFV are that
the 100Mg utilizes aluminum gears, while the MGFV makes use of heavy-duty brass
alloy gears for more power and durability in power fishing situations.
Jeremy went on to state
“with its strong brass alloy gears and oversized
grips, the Core 100MGFV is perfect for moving big fish out of heavy cover and
the 7.0:1 gear ratio will allow anglers to gain line on these fish quickly when
they feel the strike, and allow them to set the hook before the fish can turn
and bury them into the cover.”
Side by side, a look at the
Metanium and Antares head on
In terms of
positioning the Core slots in right above the Chronarch and below the Calais
series. This is in contrast to the Japanese domestic product in which the
Metanium Mg is simply the magnesium version in the existing Met series.
In our tests we compared the Core
with the Metanium Mg
The Core
actually looks like the more enthusiast offering as it features a darker,
stealthier finish, and is completed with a red spool. The Metanium follows the
more traditional silver and gold reel scheme. The reels while similar are not
completely the same, and the Core MgFV is the only one of the four reels to
feature a flipping switch. We put all versions through the test to see just how
they stack up to one another and to the competition.
Profiles of the reel are
identical, but the finishes are quite different
Real World Test:
The test for the Core took us from Lake El Salto in Mexico to Clear Lake, and
back to our home water on the California Delta. We tested both the Core Mg and
MgFV as well as both the Japanese Metanium Mg and Mg7 for comparison. We only
targeted largemouth bass in this series of field tests but fished a variety of
lines from mono, to hybrid, and even straight braid. We also fished baits from a
multitude of categories including plastics, wires, hardbaits, spoons, and even
mid sized swimbaits.
The Core has a darker appearance,
and the red spool is a very enthusiast touch
Casting:
Both versions of the Core and Metanium Mg share that buttery smooth pitching and
casting performance of the Antares AR. The operation of this sideplate is the
same as the previously reviewed Metanium XT only the escape hatch sideplate
holds much more securely on this reel. It is quick and easy to make adjustments
to the VBS cast control. This is a good thing because when you first get this
reel you might want to add one extra brake over what you are used to. Why?
Because the Core casts better than the Chronarch, and yes it can even beat the
Calais (non DC).
The Core balances out perfectly
with our Cumara test rod
What’s the secret? The
Core’s Magnumlite spool moves the mass of the spool outward, requiring less
braking force than with the standard reduced mass spools, allowing anglers to
cast further and more accurately. Combine the Magnumlite spool with the tapered
titanium levelwind insert found on the Calais DC and line angles and friction
are even reduced with each cast.
The rear button on the Core is not
dressed up as much as the Metanium Mg, no chrome here
Next Section: Casting continues