New baitcaster

[tubechucker]

Update to an old thread I know but.  Had a reel crap out on me and need a new baitcaster.  Any suggestions for a reel in the $100 to $150 range.  Looking a some different options.

I know there are usually a few sales this time of year. 

[Waterfoul]

There are a lot of good reels in that price range.  Always been a Shimano fan myself.  That price would put you in a Citica.  I've got a couple and have never had an issue with them.  The Abu Revo series are also great reels.  That said, the Revo SX would be a good choice too.

[Slipkey]

I used to be a big Shimano fan and own several Curados and Chronarchs.I also know many anglers who love their Abu Garcia REVO's, but I, personally, don't think you can find a better reel for the money than the Pflueger President.  The magnetic brake system is designed almost identical to the old Chronarchs and Curados and the internal components are really, really good quality. They are the smoothest casting reels I own right now.  Cabelas has a really nice sale on them right now ($79, down from $149).  

[Crankinsmallies]

One word LEW'S, I have used them all and a Lew's will keep you on the water day in and day out.  The Tournament Pro is my favorite but anyone over $100 will be very reliable.  My second choice would be the Abu Garcia Revo STX.

[YpsiBass]

I'd suggest a Shimano Citica.  I'm picking up my third this spring for a new rod which will make three total that I own.

[eetz]

There are going to be a lot of shimano bait caster's on clearance soon (some stores are already starting). 

The new curado will be released at the bass master classic at the end of the month and has a lot of upgrades over the previous models.  There are supposed to be other shimano announcements as well.  The new curado seems to have more features than the current chronarch (black and white one) and has an msrp at $20 cheaper, so maybe both older models will be clearance out. 

Anyhow, this is a good time to be in the market for a new reel.

[MSURoss]

Was a revo guy until I gave Lews a try. Once you go Lews you never go back. Read the reviews if you don't believe me!

[Manxfishing]

I'm a Shimano guy

The current Curado "G" model are being sold at a good discount right now
Should be able to pick one up in the 100-120 buck range

The New Curado with be a Alum version of the Ch150 Ci4 which is the new frame for Shimano
There going to be 179 MSPR.

The other option would be
The used reel market.

Or come to the swap meet in March.


 

[zman5]

I bought a Lew's speed spool last year after reading all the good about them and everyone was right - loved it, so I bought a couple more and never touched my other reels since cause' they don't feel right anymore. This is coming from a diehard Shimano guy! 80-90 bucks all over the internet

[huston]

Pflueger President

[bob o]

most of my baitcasters are Pfluger's and Lews. Both are great reels even thier spinning reels are great

[TimH]

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier.  Best reel, especially for the money in my opinion.  Plus during the spring classic you can get one for around $65 after the sale and reel trade in offer.

[detroit1]

For Christmas last year my wife (bless her heart) let a bps salesman convince her that the new carbonlite was a great reel for the price. It looked like a sweet little reel, but it was so light it felt cheap. I loved it. It was my workhorse last year for just about everything except deep cranking. I may buy another one. I do not know who makes it....

[Mike S.]

I am partial to the Abu Garcia reels. I have several Revo reels. 

[Manxfishing]

Found this

"other than shimano and daiwa, none of the other reel companies make their own reels...they all use contract manufacturers. BPS uses a number of different contract manufacturers to produce reels to their own design and specs but they mostly buy reels designed and made by contract manufacturers, specify slight changes to the color, materials or exterior shape and, of course, put their own name badge on it. you can mostly tell by looking up who the actual patent holder is for some of the common features. it would appear that the BPS PQ and the gold-colored carbonlite as well as revos and some lews are all from a doyo engineering company (http://www.doyofishing.co.kr) design and manufacture. the johnny morris carbonlite, however, is a dawon (http://www.xn--c20bq6o5sh.kr) product, as well previous versions of the prolite finesse, brownings and some pfluegers. many of BPS's other reels look like they're from other companies altogether, mainly in china."

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=47902&start=0

[tubechucker]

It looks like the pflueger president deal for $80 from cabelas is too good to pass up after readin g several reviews.

What size reel do you guys suggest?  The 2lp model take 100/12lb and the 2wlp takes 130/14lb.  Does a bigger reel help in casting like a larger spool on a spinning reel?  All the baitcasters I have so far have been the smaller versions holding around 100.  I don't see weight making much of a difference with the bigger reel weighing less than a half ounce more.


What are the pros and cons of a bigger reel?

[bob o]

hand size and the way you hold the reel, some like a smaller reel, and some like a larger reel. that's about it really. the people that like to palm there reel will get the smaller one every time while the folks that hold on the the rod handle can if they wish opt for the larger capacity reels. my self just think the reels with large capacity spools are used for trolling or some other reason as my casts don't require that much line on the spool.

[justinhahn88]

I would also recommend looking into a Lews. I bought the $100 speed spool last season and I like it almost as much as my smoke. Great reels for the price.

[Slipkey]

What size reel do you guys suggest?  The 2lp model take 100/12lb and the 2wlp takes 130/14lb.  Does a bigger reel help in casting like a larger spool on a spinning reel?
What are the pros and cons of a bigger reel?

Not much anymore, really.  I find larger spool diameters seem to be a little less prone to backlash but magnetic breaking can even that out.  I tend to go with the 100 size reels, myself as bigger spools seem to waste a lot of line.  I use mostly braid in heavy line tests so actual line diameter rarely ever exceeds 12 lb mono.

[jjjmpv22]

I have been really happy with the Lew's reels that I have(laser MG speed spool, speed spool, and tournament MG speed spool)and plan on getting more soon probably the tournament MG speed spool. My silver max's have been good over the years they were my first baitcaster and have been working good for 3 years