Reviews: Baitcaster

[kgr624]

I appriciate every member on this site and I want to see what baitcaster are your favorites. Last year I was in the hunt to buy a couple new ones and I choose to go with some Quantum energy and Quantume Tour. With all the technology and inovations I want to see what the guys and gales on this site think is the best baitcaster out their.

thanks Ken

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

Team Daiwa-X 103's... HVA's and HSDF's... Thats the old standby...

The new Daiwa line's are extremely impressive... the Sol, Fuego, Viento, and the Zillion are superb reels... and at the top of Daiwa's line is the new Steez...

I love my Daiwa's...

[huston]

I have changed over the years form the slower speeds to the 6:3:1 gear ratio, I have two Quantum accurist 501's. I'm changing two 401's  because of the lower gear ratio. They serve the purpose. Quantum's have an external weight adjustment mechanism which is cool and a flipping switch. I've got a Lew's speed spool which is so so. My favorite is a Pflueger President. 10 ball bearings, feels good in your hand and works excellent. I hope to sell, trade those two Quantum 401's and pick up another President. I keep surfing EBay and I might get lucky. I use all left hand baitcasters also.

[MaizeNBlue]

Shimano Chronarch MG, a tad on the pricy side, and worth every penny. Looking forward to the BPS Spring classic, so I can pick up another, my 3rd.

[fiker]

I have an older Curado 201b.  I love it.  Had it for years and no problems.
last year I got a Johnny Morris and I like that a lot also.

[Skip Johnson]

bass pro shops reels are great I think mine are the pqx10 7 ball bearing magnetic control for $99, and I ran into a deal($45) on some bps royal expresses 8 ball bearing magnetic control I love them I only bought 7 I figured they had to suck for that cheap but they have worked great wish I would have bought another 7, Ive got a few quantums and a couple pinnicles too and theyre not bad.

[Dan]

Hey Ken,
How are you? Still out west? Nick is still in Tahoe and his band is tearing it up out there. I have been using Curados and have liked them. They were casting a mile which when fishing smallies I think is very important. Now I don't seem to be getting the distance out ov them. Got to get up to my cabin to strip my reels off the rods and send them to the reel man, but this weather has me holed up a bit.

[Revtro]

Huge Pflueger fan.  Never had one break.  I especially like the Purist LP for the way it fits my hand.  I got to use a couple of Chronarch MG's this summer though and if I had the cash, I buy them for sure.  WOW!

[Cheetam]

So many reels...so many choices...I love my curados (old style not the new, more expensive model).  Built like a tank, easy to tear apart and clean.  It's easy to find replacement parts if needed and upgrades galore...That said, I have heard a lot of positive feedback on the new Citica, especially the 100dsv which, rumor has it, is nearly identical to the old style curado 100b, but with a better drag...

[McCarter]

I have never had a problem with Shimano.  I will agree with Maize about the Chronarch Mg 50.  It is the lightest baitcast reel on the market at 5.9 oz.  It is also incredibly smooth.  The Curados are also sweet reels.  I havent played with any of the new ones, but the old style curados are tough as nails.  The only thing is, if you buy a smaller profile newer reel and switch back and forth between say a Chronarch Mg to an old school Curado, you notice the difference in size and weight pretty quick.  I still love em tho.  

The reel that is getting the most buzz right now is the Abu Garcia Revo series.  They have 3 different models that range from $99.95 - $199.95.  The models all have a few options for reels including a high speed 7.1:1 gear ratios.  They  are very low profile and pretty light compared to some other baitcasting reels on the market.  I am hoping one of my friends will buy one so i can play with it.  

Pflueger makes some sweet reels, too.  I fell in love with the Summit first time i seen it.  I had the guy behind the counter take it out and then i had my way with it several times.  It seems like a tough little reel.  This one also has a high speed retrieve and is lighter than most on the market.  It was priced right at $129.95.  I think this will be my first non shimano purchase in 8 years.  Plus, i have never heard any bad things about Pflueger products from anyone that has them.  

Diawa is obviously a leader in the fishing rod and reel dept.  I have never owned any of there products, nor have i ever had the desire to.  I have always tried to compare them to Shimanos and for my money, the Shimanos always come out on top.  Garza likes em, but what does he know.  Just kidding Garz.  He has never had any problems with them as far as i know.  And i dont know many people who put as much time in on the water as he does.

I know Quantum makes a good product.  They have a solid reputation.  But a lot of there stuff is priced at or near the same as Shimano, so i stick with Shimano.

McCarter himself

[bshaner]

Last season I had all Quantums.  To be quite frank, I wasnt happy with them.  McCarter was kind enough to let me use his 50mg.  Wow.  MaizenBlue let me use one of his also.  Wow.  I'll be making the transition to shimano's.  Unfortunatley I cant quote any other life's experience for you than that.

B

[Skip Johnson]

forgot to mention I won that ardent baitcaster at ABA nationals and
I DO NOT LIKE IT!!!!!!!
feel like a rookie with that thing if Im not throwing a heavy bait I blow it up constantly, throwing a light wood crank bait with it like a shad rap is impossible.

[Hooksetter]

I like Shimano reels. The Chronarch 100sf to be specific. Super smooth, casts a mile, lightweight and dependable.

I have a few older Quantum E600 Energy reels and they still work great but are a little heavier than the Shimanos. I do like the magnetic drags on them.

Willie

[BryanP]

Daiwa all the way! Well.....almost.....  I have a few of the Shimano 50mg's that have been going strong for 3 years now, and am in the process of replacing the dozen or so old white Chronarch 100's I had accumulated over the years with some of the new Curado 100DSV's (deep spool version).  Other than that, it's all Fuego's and Zillions.

Spinning is 100% Daiwa for me--The TDS's, Fuego's and Sol's are awesome.

[Langer]

Last season I had all Quantums.  To be quite frank, I wasnt happy with them.  McCarter was kind enough to let me use his 50mg.  Wow.  MaizenBlue let me use one of his also.  Wow.  I'll be making the transition to shimano's.  Unfortunatley I cant quote any other life's experience for you than that.

B

Just send those quantums my way B.

[Cheetam]

I will agree with Maize about the Chronarch Mg 50.  It is the lightest baitcast reel on the market at 5.9 oz.  

Not any more...Daiwa upped the ante with the Steez...it will set you back 5 bills though...

[Mark Modrak]

Shimano Chronarch Ch100B's are the best that I have found over the years and trust me I've had them all.The Diawa TX series are nice but I had a problem of ripping the reel handles off on hooksets.
The nut that holds the handle on is very thin and made of Brass. The Curado's when they were less than $100 were the best deal but now I think just get the Chronarch.
Just so you know I have no sponsorship with Shimano and pay retail like most.

[motocross269]

I have some shimano speedmaster magnumlites that still work like new...They have to be at least 15 years old..They haven't seen alot of use lately, but they definetly have some hours on them..Whomever I draw this year is going to look at those antiques and laugh his but off..I bought 7 of them at an auction 15-20 years ago.  I bought a new Curado to throw in the mix so it won't look like I am to far behind..I have fished all shimano spinning and baitcasters for along time...Haven't had any major problems...I would be afraid to try anything else

[gbaade]

Mccarter.....You can give that Revo a test drive if we hit the water this spring. I bought 2 of them and like them. Comfy in the palm and light.I went to the high school football field and gave it a whirl. Cast like a dream. Price seemed right too. Of course I learned to use a baitcaster on Abu's so I might be sentimentally bias.


Gary

[McCarter]

I will agree with Maize about the Chronarch Mg 50.  It is the lightest baitcast reel on the market at 5.9 oz.  

Not any more...Daiwa upped the ante with the Steez...it will set you back 5 bills though...

OOPS, i stand corrected.  The Chronarch Mg has been bumped down to 2nd lightest.

McCarter himself