Hi guys,

I have several shimano reels. I have the Bantun and a Curado DC. I was wondering if the Aldebaran is worth the money in y’all’s opinions? I would pair it with a Poison rod which is super light. Also looking at the Metanium MGL 150 or considering saving some money and getting another DC.

Awesome reel, light and will cast anything. Look at Digitaka or Japan lure shop, you can get them for $300 or so. All my reels I’ve been ordering from Japan have been getting here in 2-3 days. You might also look at the Tackle Tour forum for more information, lots of gear junkies over there...

I have one I received as a present from my wife. It is nothing special. I would go another route if I were you. Get a curado DC or a nice Lews and use the remaining $150 to buy baits.

I agree that the reel is awesome. I have two, one on a Conquest 842 and the total setup weighs less than some reels. Palms great, casts great, awesome setup.. I would also add that when I got my first one, it almost felt like a toy but I have put it through it’s paces.

Good info right here! Thanks for providing.

I have one the MGL paired with a Expride 6'10 Medium for Jerkbaits. it's Money !

really great weightless plastic reel and for finesse stuff.

No.. Can get reels that are just as good if not better for half the price

Curado or chronarch and put the $$ in the rod.

I wanted to really like the aldebaran but I ended up selling them off. I personally would go up a level to a Metanium MGL or Down to a version of the chronarch (maybe MGL as well). To me the Aldeabaran wore down to quickly and I wasnt getting the finesse thrower I thought I was. I have some Core 50's that were much better than the aldebaran but they are tough to find these days. I dont know what you are planning to throw with it, but if you are just looking for weightless plastics similar to senkos then I would go with a Chronarch mgl. if you are going more neko rig then I would bump up to the Metanium MGL, or maybe even the Met DC which I havent tried yet, or a 13 Metanium if you can find one - http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1112581 . If you arent tied down to Shimano, you may also look into a Diawa Steez CT which is ridiculously priced, but here is a used one available at a metanium price - http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1112382

For reels at the upper end of Shimano and Diawa, the aldebaran and the zillion have the most disappointing reels I have owned.

I have three or four Core 50s I'll trade you for Alderberans

I thought Aldebaran was destroyed by the Death Star...

I have fished with both and honestly prefer the Metanium. It's smooth, handles my weightless plastics well. It and my Core 51 are my go to reels on either Dobyns rods or Falcon rods.

Those are great reels. The $400 range is a lonesome market. Seems like a lot of choices at the $300 level
And then again at the $500+ level.

At the $400 range, the Aldebaran is the best choice. I’ve only used one once. It is feather light and very smooth. Don’t know how they’d hold up over time...I assume they’d be fine.