My MGL Scorpion Experience

[Capt. BassinLou]

LMG recently posted a thread on his Scorpion MGL, which very quickly became my Scorpion MGL reel. What can I say, LMG let me use the reel when we fished together last weekend, and the rest is history. 

I rarely do a reel review because we have great reel enthusiasts here on UB that do a much better job than me at breaking down and reviewing reels.  So here is my review from the perspective of an average joe reel enthusiast.    To preface this review, I'm no stranger to Scorpions, I have owned a couple for quite sometime. 

This reel is basically the Japanese counter part to the U.S. Curado K, but with a few differences. The obvious external differences are its color, style, and spool. The notable internal difference to me, were the bearings. The Japanese bearings, from what I feel, are different bearings than their U.S. counterparts. Please don't misunderstand me, the U.S. bearings are good quality bearings, but the Japanese bearings quality are bit better imho. As far as the other internal mechanisms of this reel, my knowledge is extremely limited and I do not dabble or mess with the those mechanisms... that's LMG's passion/job . (So ask him.  )

I acquired this MGL to be part of my frogging arsenal.  I have used countless reels over the years for this specific application. Abu's Lew's, Daiwa's, and Shimano's. All these reels have served me well, but the family of reels that I gravitate the most to for "my" frogging applications are Shimano's.

This MGL is the cats meow for my frogging needs. Fortunately, I have experience with these newer Scorpions and I'm familiar with how sensitive these reels can be to brake adjustments. One has to pay very close attention when adjusting the brakes on this reel in order to control it properly. If not, you can have line disaster on your hands in just one cast and/or spool your reel on the very next cast. (Yes... its that's sensitive.  )These reels are not for rookies imho.

Once the reel was adjusted properly, its was an absolute blast to fish with. The reel casts very smoothly and feels very tight and controlled. Meaning, once I had my casting target picked out, the reel delivered my frog precisely where I wanted it.

Retrieves were buttery smooth, and when it was time to get down and dirty and battle a bass, this reel did not back down from the fight. With drag cinched tight, the spool never slipped when setting the hook on bass holding deep inside pad clusters.



I managed to test the drag system on 2 separate occasions when the bass decided to surge deep under my boat. With quick adjustments on the star dial, the drag system delivered a constant steady pressure allowing me to confidently fight and handle the bass.

Things to watch out for: The MGL palms nicely in my hand, when compared to previous Curado models but this MGL is a little bit smaller. Adjusting to this size difference, my index finger sat a little differently on the reel causing abrasions on my finger tip. I will definitely have to make some adjustments next time out to prevent this from happening again.

Possible modifications? I normally modify my reels right away as soon as I purchase them with upgraded bearings and carbon fiber reel handles with bigger knobs, but I will hold off on that with this MGL. The bearings definitely don't need to be upgraded and I'm still on the fence with upgrading the reel handle to a 90mm CF handle compared to its current stock handle of 84mm. The good news however is, if/when, I decide to change the handle, I can simply swap it out from one of my other Scorpion reels. So its a win win... 

Hopefully this review helps out someone who is considering on purchasing the new MGL Scorpion. I seriously doubt you will be disappointed if you do.

Thanks for reading. 

[LgMouthGambler]

Well done. I hope this thread keeps getting updated here and then with the use you are going to give it. I'm just glad someone can give the micro module gearing hell. This will be a true testimated to what the reel is capable of.

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[gtrpickr]

Nice write up Lou, looks like an awesome reel

[Capt. BassinLou]

Well done. I hope this thread keeps getting updated here and then with the use you are going to give it. I'm just glad someone can give the micro module gearing hell. This will be a true testimated to what the reel is capable of.

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Thanks, and yes the gearing is definitely going to be put through its paces, it was yesterday that's for sure. I will update this thread from time to time. 

[Mike Cork]

Great write up, thank you for putting it together.