Bait Caster Reel Help! 2024

DBL000006 reply :

I'm buying a new Bait Caster for the upcoming season. I really don't need to spend a ton of money. I have 2 Bait Casters in mind. One is Shimano Caius 200 Series and the 2nd is Abu garcia Pro max. I', also pairing one of these reels on a Shimano Stellas Crankbait Rod 7"0 Med heavy. I just need your thoughts

Long Mike reply :

You may want to take a look at the Pinnacle Tournament Class reels. They offer a lot of bang for the buck.

jsc4324 reply :

If for crankbaits only I would go with the shimano from those two options simply because the Promax is a 7:1 ratio which I personaly think is to fast for crankbaits. I don't have either reel but personal preference is to have an aluminum frame for crankbaits. There are reels in that price range with aluminum frames.

DBL000006 reply :

I mainly want to fish everything with it. I don't like weak Rods. I like Rods that have backbone to them. I fish a lot of jigs. I use 1/4 to 3/8 oz weights mainly. So i need a rod that can handle the weight. That Shimano Stellus Crankbait rod has good enough back bone. I should have added that. I want a bait caster that i can fish manily everything. I'm only in between certain brands. I do want a Shimano bait caster. Just don't know how the Shimano Ciaus is in reviews. Any help would be great

bflp3 reply :

In that price range, I'd wait until the BPS spring classic and pick up a Pro Qualifier when they are on sale. At least that has an aluminum frame for that price point.

mjseverson24 reply :

you are probabily not going to want a crankbait rod to fish jigs with JMO,I would get a 7' M/F or MH/F. for the money look on some sites for like a quantum kinetic pt for around 60.00 decent reel for 120.00 great reel for 60.00.

Mitch

DBL000006 reply :

On 2/10/2014 at 2:33 AM, mjseverson24 said:

you are probabily not going to want a crankbait rod to fish jigs with JMO,I would get a 7' M/F or MH/F. for the money look on some sites for like a quantum kinetic pt for around 60.00 decent reel for 120.00 great reel for 60.00.

Mitch

After searching the Shimano Rods. I've decided to get this Rod.. Shimano Convergence Casting Rod 7'2 Med Hvy. It's for Jigs and Worm fishing. I'm not ordering, till the end of next week. Still reviewing reels to fit this Rod. Thanks for your advance.

smalljaw67 reply :

I'd recommend saving your money and get something in the $100 dollar range like a Lews Speed Spool, or add a few dollars more for an Abu Garcia Revo S. You could wait until the sprig classic at BPS and grab a pro qualifier but the reels you are looking at aren't going to last very long if you use them hard. I always look for a reel that has an aluminum frame, graphite side plates are ok but the frame needs to be aluminum.

DBL000006 reply :

I believe both the reels, i mentioned are aluminum frame. I really don't throw my reels around and rough them up. I actually clean my reels every 4 to 6 months or less. My reels are always in the house. They are never outside in the cold or in the heat. I just take care of my stuff . I really don't have the money for a high end Revo. Plus i don't need a Revo. Bass pros has sales, but you pay for shipping and getting a deal really isn't a good deal anyway

bflp3 reply :

On 2/10/2014 at 4:00 AM, DBL000006 said:
I believe both the reels, i mentioned are aluminum frame. I really don't throw my reels around and rough them up. I actually clean my reels every 4 to 6 months or less. My reels are always in the house. They are never outside in the cold or in the heat. I just take care of my stuff . I really don't have the money for a high end Revo. Plus i don't need a Revo. Bass pros has sales, but you pay for shipping and getting a deal really isn't a good deal anyway

I believe both the Pro Max and Caius have graphite frames. Its not necessarily mistreatment, but just general flex of graphite under load that will lead to failure sooner than a metal frame. If you don't have a BPS near you, then it's not quite as good of a deal, but if BPS has any shipping deals going on during the classic sale, $79 for a Pro Qualifier is a great deal. It looks like Academy has their Mettle reel on sale right now. I've never used it, but have read it is a great reel for such a low price.

Personally, I'd start my searching with whatever you can find in your price range with an aluminum frame.

DBL000006 reply :

I see what you guys are saying about the Frame. I have other rod reels. i won't be using this setup all the time.. How about the, Shimano Caenan 100 Series. That has the aluminum frame.. The Shimano Caius 200 Series, is the same as the Caenan.. I guess the Caius doesn't have the aluminum frame. I really like to stick with a few brands. Your thoughts are very much needed and thank you for them. Keep them cooming

Tywithay reply :

Daiwa Exceler EXC, they've been recently discontinued for the E model. You can basically get a $90 for around $50. They're great reels for the money. The new Exceler is nice too and can be had around $75 from the auction site.

camovan reply :

You can pick up a used citica for around $60-$70. New option would be a lexa, I saw valley sports had a deal going on those the other day. Or wait for the PQ to go on sale at the end of the month. Those are probably the best options for the $70 range unless you expand the used search a little.

DBL000006 reply :

I'm not a fan of buying used stuff. The Citica from Shimano is a great reel. I'm looking for a good reel in the 60 to 80 price range (brand New) I'm really not looking to spend 200 on a reel. I'm looking for a reel to pair up with this rod, Shimano Convergence Casting Rod 7'2 Med Hvy.. Waiting for Bass pros, for the Classic sale is a great idea. Though i'd still need to pay for shipping, plus the rod shipping costs. My nearest Bass pros is 3 Hrs away. I'll save money by ordering online. Again any help.. Just keep the Bait Casters in that price range. I fish a good amount of times. I just don't need a high end reel

smalljaw67 reply :

The lowest Shimano would be a Citica, everything below that has a graphite frame, and I know you have an aversion to paying $200 for a reel but it actually is cheap in the long run because a reel in that range will outlast several cheaper reels. I think you should look for a sale but try to get something that was in the $100 to $150 range, these reels will last and with a little maintenance you could use the same reel for 10 years, most entry level reels give you about a season or two at the most unless you only use it once a month. That said, if you check out a lot of places it is possible to find a deal on a good real that will be within your price range but get the best you can afford, it will perform better and last longer.

camovan reply :

In that range new, Academy H2O Mettle constantly gets good reviews for budget reel, as does pro max or pro qualifier (if it goes on sale). The lexa was about $100 with a $25 prepaid visa card I think as well. All of these reels are going to be better than the Caius. If your just set on getting a Shimano your going to have to settle for used or an inferior product IMHO.

camovan reply :

here is the lexa deal http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130738-30-off-daiwa-lexa100-series-plus-a-25-prepaid-credit-card/

DBL000006 reply :

Not a bad deal.. I have budget money put away just for a rod and reel. I do this almost every spring. I have a Silver max reel. I love it. It's a great reel for 60 bucks. Dicks had a sale so i picked it up. Plus i serviced it a little about 3 weeks ago. I really want a Shimano Reel.. I'm just not spending 120 + on a reel.. I have no need to spend that much. I take care of my stuff. I'm sure some of you guys are pretty rough on your reels.. I'm still searching.. Like i said i want a Shimano Reel.. Graphite spool frame whatever.. If i was fishing Tournaments then i'd get a Curodo or ( 3 of them)

DBL000006 reply :

SenkoGuru reply :

Please do not buy that Shimano reel, It has a graphite frame and the gears WILL flex under a heavy load. If you hook into a Bass over 4 pounds that reel will not handle it very well. I would only buy a metal framed reel and for the price range you have listed the best will be the Academy H2o Mettle ($49.99) or the BPS PQ when they have a sale on those you can buy it for around ($80.00). The H2o Mettle is not a bad little reel for the price.

iabass8 reply :

hooligan is selling a curado G6 for 85$ in the market place. jump on that if you want a shimano.

jsc4324 reply :

I had the same mindset you have about the reels. I take care if my stuff like its worth a million bucks. Then like mentioned above the cheap reels broke and became Un-repairable because the replacement parts were way to expensive in comparison. In the trash they went Started buying quality reels and will never look back. Buy them once and be done. Don't just buy something because you can afford it now. Buy quality when you can afford it. It will be worth the wait. The pq reels are way underpriced for what you get. I have a few of those and they are smooth and perform like the more expensive reels. You are set on shimano so I would suggest save a bit longer and get a reel that will last you many years.

camovan reply :

On 2/10/2014 at 8:33 AM, DBL000006 said:
Not a bad deal.. I have budget money put away just for a rod and reel. I do this almost every spring. I have a Silver max reel. I love it. It's a great reel for 60 bucks. Dicks had a sale so i picked it up. Plus i serviced it a little about 3 weeks ago. I really want a Shimano Reel.. I'm just not spending 120 + on a reel.. I have no need to spend that much. I take care of my stuff. I'm sure some of you guys are pretty rough on your reels.. I'm still searching.. Like i said i want a Shimano Reel.. Graphite spool frame whatever.. If i was fishing Tournaments then i'd get a Curodo or ( 3 of them)

So $80 for reel and $70 on the rod? $150 combo. Why are you set on the Convergence rod? You can get a new Citica for $100 and there is not a whole lot of difference between a $70 Convergence and a $45 Sellus, I have used both and IMHO you are just paying for a better warranty with the Convergence. There are actually a few options in the $50 rod division that are not junk. The conventional wisdom is to spend less on a reel in order to get a better rod, but I think in this case the opposite applies.

DBL000006 reply :

On 2/10/2014 at 9:24 AM, camovan said:
So $80 for reel and $70 on the rod? $150 combo. Why are you set on the Convergence rod? You can get a new Citica for $100 and there is not a whole lot of difference between a $70 Convergence and a $45 Sellus, I have used both and IMHO you are just paying for a better warranty with the Convergence. There are actually a few options in the $50 rod division that are not junk. The conventional wisdom is to spend less on a reel in order to get a better rod, but I think in this case the opposite applies.

I gave your opinion some serious thought, Camovan. You are very right. I may get the Sellus rod and get a Abu Garcia Orra Reel. I can actually get that at Dicks. Plus i have a 10 off Coupon to go with it. So i think i made up, for what i'm doing now.

DBL000006 reply :

Abu Garcia Orra sx Reel.. What's everyones thoughts on this reel. I can buy it at Dicks. Plus, i have a 10 off coupon

lmbfisherman reply :

I still think you should take the advice and get either Academy reel or BPS reel. BPS PQ is an awesome reel and definitely at retail the best bang for your buck, but at 80 on sale it is a steal. I personally would never go below a PQ level.

As for Orra SX I have no experience.

Alonerankin2 reply :

I used a graphite framed baitcaster by quantum in about 1988.... Hard use ,big fish and saltwater fishing.... Never a problem... I have been upgrading ever since.... Buy what you can afford.... Yes... But today's cheap reels will not live long..the advice the guys are giving is sound. They don't review the cheap reels... Just buy the reels and use them.. Maybe later on you can upgrade if you want

I stayed within my budget but I wanted better stuff always.. Because I fish a lot.... Always have

So good luck with you're reels and as always enjoy fishing!

Spence

DBL000006 reply :

Yesterday in the mail.. Dicks send me a bunch of coupons. So now, i'm getting close to, 30-35 bucks off my purchase now. I may go with the Abu Garcia Orra SX, or the Shimano Citrcia if they sell it there. My rod a Worm & Jig rod from Shimano (STELLUS) My line, will be Fluro from Seagear or High Seas (Can't go wrong with Bill Dance) What do you all think about that setup

jsc4324 reply :

You have to be happy about the setup your using. Other people may love or hate what works for you. Go put the reel on the rod and see if you like the combo. I have never used the orra sx however have an orra winch and it's very smooth. Pure fishing (abu garcia) has excellent customer service should you need it. It sounds like you are on a strict budget and dicks is helping that with the coupons. The orra sx will hold up fine for normal use if maintained.

black94gt50 reply :

As others said, the mettle is the best cheap reel you can get. I've heard about them for years and just went up to academy the other day and picked one up. They are on sale right now for 39 bucks.

First thing I did when I got home was tear it apart to see how it was built. It has a 6 pin braking system a lot like the shimano citica curado etc. The actual brake in the side plate is held on the side plate by three small screws, which is different from most reels I've had with that type of braking system. Most have been molded into the side plate from what I remember.

The handles had two bearings in each grip instead of bushings that most reels in the 100$ range has. The handle itself is very plain jane. There was a bearing sitting on top of the anti reverse bearing in the reel. The inside race of the anti reverse bearing was plastic, somethig I haven't seen before. But with the extra bearing stacked on top of the anti reverse bearing, I don't believe flex would be a issue.

The drag is nothing special, it has one washer on top of main gear and one underneath. Idk how well it will wear, but replacement carbon washers are cheap as heck and easy to replace. I will say that when I cranked down on the drag that it felt pretty sturdy.

It had a bearing in the side plate, one on the inner spool shaft and one on the reels hand side side plate, where the cast adjustment is.

I haven't had it on the lake yet, but I throw some old flouro on the reel and a 1/2 ounce jig and put it on my 7'6 flipping rod and played with it for a hour or so in back yard pitching and making some casts with it. It cast good and done very good flipping at targets.

Now it doesn't feel as sturdy as my pro qualifier, lews speed spool and bb1, or citica, but for 40$ it's worth a shot. Academy will pretty much exchange it out with a brand new one if something goes wrong with it. Even though it doesn't have a big badass drag system on it, I'm gonna put it to the test and flip and pitch with it for a while.

I've had and do have some nice reels, bought this one to see what's up with the h20 reels. Sometimes 150 or even 100$ isn't in the budget. My outlook on the reels priced in the 40-75 dollar range is as is: first always, always look for metal frame, then go to stores and put a hand on the items you are interested in, and don't be afraid to take the side plate off and check out construction of that part of the reel. I love my citica and lews but if I was going the cheaper route, there's no way that I would even mess with them. They have graphite frame which WILL flex and put all the strain on the gears. The way I see it, is that your paying a extra 20-30 bucks for the shimano name for their cheaper reels.

This is just my opinion. Good luck with your search, and I hope your happy with the reel you end up with sir. Most important thing is, go get the reel of your choice and get out on water and have some fun.

4486

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