Which Baitcaster????

[LipRip]

I've thrown quantum code baitcasters since they came out, and an older quantum before that. I like the code, but they dont seem to hold up to more than a year or year and a half of tourny fishing! I realize that the code isn't quantums high end model, but are the high end quantums worth the extra money? I'm willing to put my Quantum love aside and try out some new reels, but i really dont know whats the best one at a reasonable price (under 150). I've read some reviews, but i would rather hear what u guys have to say.

[Durand Dan]

Personally, I hate Quantum Bait casters. I've had a PT and a Tour edition and never was able to get comfortable settings dialed in consistently. One cast would be great the next a backlash. They are overpriced as far as I'm concerned. I've had good luck with Pfuger and the Johnny Morris reels at Bass Pro. They have the JM ones on sale all the time.

[TCook]

I am not a fan of quantum, I had the same experience as durand dan with a tour edition and hated it. Save yourself the headaches and go with shimano. The Citica is in your price range and a great real for the price. Of course if you order some go through one of the glb sponsers.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0060365123661a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=shimano+citica&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=9&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Go.x=14&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

[Skulley]

I am using a couple Quantums right now in my equipment.  The one dependable Quantum I have ever owned has been the 1310MG.  Another I have is a 4.1 to 1 reel that is low profile and I use it for cranking deep crankbaits.  I think it has something to do with KVD....I just can't remember    which model.  They have been stellar performers.  Now I have never been happy with some of the old Shimanos however it has been a while since I used one.  I have been thinking of buying a Citica to try.  But then there is a Daiwa which I would try first in the same price range.

BD           

[motocross269]

I have been trying out a couple of Ardent reels..(American made)..They are a little more 150.00..They seem OK...

I have used Shimanos since the early 80s...I have had very few dissappointments...In your price range I would go with the Citica or watch for sales and you can catch the Curado for around 150 bucks...I just bought a Curado E5 for 155 dolllars...

I have friends that swear by the Johnny Morris reels at BPS so that may be an option but I can't reccommend them from personal experience...

[Hooksetter]

All my casting reels are Shimano except for one. My wife bought me a Johnny Morris on sale a few years ago that I have on one of my cranking rods. I have not had any problems with it, however it does backlash far easier than my Chronarch's. I use it to throw heavier cranks only. I can't get it dialed in to throw lighter baits, especially against the wind.

I am going to replace it with a Shimano before next spring. I will give the JM reel to my son-in-law.

Willie

[fiker]

I have the old green Curados and one JM.  I much prefer the Curados.  When Shimano moved the Curado up in price a few years ago, the rep for them told me that if I liked the Bantams, then I'd like the Citica also. 
I have not tried one however. 

The JM is ok, but it's just ok. 

[MIBassKid]

I use the Citica and like it. I have a quantum as well and barely throw it because of the backlashes.  The settings just don't match up consistently like Dan had said.

[Dan]

I have five old green curados and the Reelman who definitely knows his stuff told me that they will literally go forever with upkeep. I send my reels to him every year and they work great. I plan on using them  a long time.

[Bender]

Wow, I thought everybody was goo goo over the Revos! I had one and didn't like it but it was an SX HS, I've heard better things about the S.

But my vote is for Shimano, the Curados are very nice if you can find them for $150. I have a couple Citica Ds (new ones are E) and I like them, I did swap out spool bearings to Boca Bearings on one and it now casts a mile. I wouldn't hesitate to get a Citica or look for old green Curado Bantam SF reels if you want to look at used. 

[McCarter]

I like revos but have had a few problems with one or two of them.  I would recommend shimanos.  Go with the Citicas for the price.  I was hearing too many good things about the revos to not try them.  once i bought one, i needed another.  i love the revos dont get me wrong, but i am starting to notice that a couple dont perform like they should for only being a season or two old.  I never had this problem with shimanos.  I had some of the original green curados that were 8 seasons old that still worked like the day i bought them.  A couple got stolen and i traded one to Bender for a new Revo SX.  Seemed like a good idea at the time.  Miss those original greens now.  But i still like my revos.

McCarter himself

[Waterfoul]

I have half a dozen of the older green Shimano Curado's.  A couple of them have never been opened to be greased (shame on me) and they still work like the day I bought them.  Bullet proof in my opinion.  I also have one Citica and it is also a very good reel.  I do have a Quantum Energy PT (the one with the funky paint job that changes in the sunlight) and it will literally throw a spinnerbait out of hook setting range using P-Line extra strong mono.  Never backlashes.  I love the reel.  BUT, I don't throw a spinnerbait all that often so the reel hasn't been "worked" like the Shimanos have.

[Lightningboy]

Buy Shimanos & don't look back.  The Curado in all its forms is the Chevy truck of reels.  Don't be afraid to buy used as far back as the old green CU's.  In fact, I think the 200 series are probably the best cranking reels I've ever used; they can certainly take the mileage.

The Japanese version is the scorpion.  Makes a great pitching reel for a good price.  Has external brake adj also.

Last is the Calcuttas.  Even the old B model is a workhorse that's hard to kill.  250's are great moving bait reels.  I've got one from 1997 thats still going strong other than the boat rash.

Keep them clean & lubed, you'll have a hard time wearing them out.

[BryanP]

The Curado in all its forms is the Chevy truck of reels.

That's reason enough not to buy one!

All kidding aside, you really can't go wrong with the mid-range on up Daiwa, Shimano, or Revo's.  I used to be a die hard Shimano  baitcaster guy, but now about all I use from Shimano are the Chronarch 50mg which is now discontinued.  I really like the Revo's, and they seem to be holding up for me, specifically the Premiers and Winch.  The Team Daiwa Zillion is a good one too.  I'm probably in the minority but I just don't care for the Curado E.  That, and just about everything Shimano makes now in low profile is 7:1 retrieve.  

[denewcomb]

I have all Diawa zillion and love them. But they are ourside you stated price range. Super comfortable and small. The Diawa Fuego is just as good maybe better and [REMOVED - see No Links Policy List] has a closeout 139....I think normal price on these is about 279.

[macbass]

well I am going to voice an opnion from the old school....I am not a fan of low profile reels at all....I am an old round reel finatic...ambassador 5500 and 5600 seem to last longer than about anything on the market clean them oil them and use them and about every ten years put a new worm gear and pall in them and use them some more....there is a reason they have been on the market as long as they have been they work and are dependable and reasonablly priced...

[Durand Dan]

well I am going to voice an opnion from the old school....I am not a fan of low profile reels at all....I am an old round reel finatic...ambassador 5500 and 5600 seem to last longer than about anything on the market clean them oil them and use them and about every ten years put a new worm gear and pall in them and use them some more....there is a reason they have been on the market as long as they have been they work and are dependable and reasonablly priced...

The 5500 model was my first baitcaster. I still have it and use it.

[dartag]

I have 3 curados i bought on e-bay.  had to replace the bearings in a couple.   i oil them in the spring and that is about it. 

[REEL_MAN]

Many years ago I was a reel designer for Zebco/Quantum. In the bait casters t that time  Shimano was the benchmark and in my opinion they still are. I work on all theajor brands a Shimano has been the most reliable brand on the market. If you look in my rod locker you will only find Shimano. Stick with the best Shimano.

Reelman
<))))>{

[LipRip]

Thanks for the advise fellas! It looks like I'm gonna match up a citica with my st.criox, I'll let you know how I like it against my quantums!

Has anyone used a shimano core? I have always shyd away from shimanos because i figured that if i was to spend that much on a reel, they could at least put enough into it to make it look good! The core is the only purrrrty one they make! I realize that its also $350, but hey, i might hit the lottery!!!! It could happen!