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shin_deep · Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 10:20 pm Post subject: Bait casters

Picked up a new Waterloo rod for Christmas. Need a new bait caster to go with it. I've been a loyal shimano customer for years. Looking for suggestions. What's the best reel out there - price/performance/durability?[/list]
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BigSaltsFishing · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:28 am Post subject:

IMO you can't go wrong with Penn. That's all I use and they perform flawlessly time and time again. Suitable for surf, pier and boat. An all around reel that won't break the bank. A 209 or 309 will set you back around $50-$65. Cheaper if you can find one used. These are conventional reels so they may not be what you're looking for.
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MakoJJ · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:43 am Post subject:

My shimano curado (newer model) died after 2 trips. My favorite cheap baitcaster is the H20 express Mettle. I have 3 of them and have landed large trout and even a 40" redfish. Drag system is SOLID and the reel cranks smooth. Easy to clean/oil too.

I can literally buy 3 of these things for less than a curado...can't beat that.
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AcousTennis · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 1319

Personally I'm a big lews fan. I don't care for the larger bearings and breaking system on the newer Shimanos. Lews has the same setup as the old greenies and cast a mile right out the box.
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rockhopper · Finger Mullet Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 17

pinsfish · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 8:47 pm Post subject:

I like and use Lews pro. Great reel but a little expensive.
my other is a Curado great as well.
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Fishing bum · Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 9 Location: Odem TX

I to have been a loyal shimano user,but ever since I got a quantum exo pt seems like I can't put it down. My core and chronarch mg don't even get used. Just my 2 centsv
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david weber · Bear Mullet Joined: 29 Nov 2012 Posts: 118

Akios 656

Kingz · Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:13 pm Post subject:

lifeaquatic · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:27 pm Post subject:

I've been fishing Shimano almost exclusively in the bay and so do all my buddies. Then one day an H2O Mettle came onboard and my buddy said he felt it cast just as good as his "Old Goldies". He was referring to the Chronarch 100SF reels that he has had since new. Fishing side by side he matched distance with my tuned Shimanos. I got one on sale for $29.99 and have never done anything to it other than rinse it off and it keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny. So for the price, it maybe the "best" reel out there.

I picked up a Laguna "production custom" rod at a fishing show. I call it a production custom because it is really a standard rod and Laguna lets you pick out a few details but it falls short of being a truly custom made rod for the customer. I picked mine off the rack and it's black on black with no bling simplicity. I wouldn't want to put that Academy brand reel on it because the reel weighs so much the outfit would be out of balance. Once you get into the lighter weight blanks and components I suggest that you look at the lighter reels. They are a sweet extravagance to own.

JustNreds · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:03 pm Post subject:

I have been trying different brands of reels for years (reel junkie) and keep coming back to Shimano's. I would recommend chronarch or higher reel.

justletmein · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:14 am Post subject:

Might be too late, but Cabela's had the Daiwa Exceler on sale for $45. I've owned one for the last 6-7 years and it's always been great so I picked up another. The kids all use Mettles from Academy sales and they're all still kicking, some rougher than others but they're doing well.
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RedSniper · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:41 am Post subject:

I absolutely love the older garcias....I hunt pawn shops for 25 to 30 dollar range....Open them up and clean them from head to toe. The 3000 to 5000 models are very easy to open up and clean. I've never sent them out for service other then my own cleaning and I'm running on 10 years on a 15 dollar one I got at the pawn. I also have a $35 dollar 5 star series going on 8 years....keep them well oiled and they should last you years.

I guess we all have out favorites....but know this......YouTube can teach you the in and outs of maintaining popular name brand reels.

justletmein · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:53 am Post subject:

Bay Grinder · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:28 am Post subject:

I'm a fan of the Shimano Curado, however last year they changed the line up and the new equivalent would be a Chronarch. I have a new (one year old) Chronarch that needs little to no maitenance and works great. Works great with light soft plastics (1/16th oz jig heads) to fat boys plugging with no issues. One of them would run you about $200, which would be a great pair to a Waterloo. If I were to buy Shimano wouldn't buy anything cheaper, I've tried out the current currado and citica and just prefer the Chronarch, its much smoother and casts the best in my opinion.