Sweet to the “Core,” Shimano’s new premium magnesium baitcaster
 

Total Score: 9.08 + EDITORS CHOICE AWARD!

Introduction: Shimano fans have been begging for it, a premium based magnesium baitcaster capable of going head to head with the ultralight Daiwa offerings. Shimano has responded with the introduction of the Core. The Core is the US equivalent to the import Metanium Mg, and slots in above the Chronarch and below the flagship Calais series. We travel to Mexico and back in a four month field test to see just how good the Core really is.

The Core is the new high end magnesium based reel from Shimano

Impressions: For domestic anglers, the Core is the US version of the Japanese Metanium Mg. As soon as the left hand version of the Metanium MG was available in Japan, we placed orders for both the standard and high speed retrieve versions, and after receiving the reels, opening up each package to check each one out, holding them in our hands to get a feel for their size and weight, one thought struck us immediately. They obviously didn’t share the same profile as the current generation Metanium reels and they sure didn’t feel like any of the previous generation Metanium reels.

The reel features a similar escape hatch design, making it comfortable to palm, and still easy to access the VBS system

Instead they seemed to have a slight resemblance to the older models, but they’re smaller and a bit more compact. Our next thought was which reel in the Shimano lineup best matches the size and profile of the previous generation Metaniums but in a smaller package? The Antares AR (or Calais 100A for US Anglers.)

A look at the top of the Core

When compared with the Antares AR side-by-side with a set of calipers the similarities continued to emerge. While not a dead on dimension for dimension match they sure were awfully close. One thing is clear, the new generation Metanium MG and Core reels from Shimano represent the lightweight, high performance reels for which we’ve been longing.

Jeremy Sweet Shimano US Reel Product Manager inspects the prototype Core reels at El Salto

We were first introduced to the Core reels a month before their official debut at ICAST by Shimano’s Reel Product Manager Jeremy Sweet at legendary Lake El Salto, Mexico. The Core would represent the highest end magnesium reel in the US Shimano lineup and weighs in at 6.1 ounces for the Core 100MG and 6.7 ounces for the flipping version Core 100 MGFV. This is made possible with a combination of magnesium in the construction of the frame and sideplate, plus the use of the thin walled Magnumlite aluminum spool.

Though the Metanium Mg is in the Met series it actually bears a lot of similarities to the Antares

“While our use of magnesium provides the overall ultra light weight of the Core reels, “Sweet said, “we lessen the weight further with a drilled handle shank made from cold-forged aluminum and a Reduced Mass Variable Brake System (VBS) Hub. It all comes together in a compact design to provide a comfortable, lightweight and maneuverable fishing experience.”