Classic Quality Shimano Baitcast Reels ? 2025
ChrisD46 reply :
Many have stated that current Shimano baitcast reel quality in the under $299 category are NOT what they used to be - thus Shimano has lost a good ammount of market share to : Lew's Daiwa , Abu Garcia , etc. Being somewhat new to baitcast reels , I wanted to hear your opinion as to what you feel are the "best buy" Shimano baitcast reels still available new or used ?
IAY reply :
Uh...Have you seen the Curado I lately? I don't own one my self, but extremely positive feedback from many websites and communities. Chronach Ci4+ is also regarded as top quality for under 300 dollar range. If you want something under 300 dollars from Shimano, I would check those out.
thehooligan reply :
Quality Shimanos that you can usually scoop up on the forums for cheap money is the chronarch 50mg, any e series curado, and curado d series. All solid workhorse reels that will last a lifetime...
Alonerankin2 reply :
Yep...^^^^^ this! Plus Calcuttas, TE's , plus, the I is really a great reel at almost any price.... Can't speak with a a lot on spinning reels or rods... But these reels will please you I believe!
Cgrinder reply :
Chronarch 100D. They'd probably still run you $299. 
JGBassinAL reply :
I have a couple E series Curados that are three years old and with a good cleaning each year they perform as good as new. I expect them to perform this way for another 5 or 6 years. Annnndd the new Curado I is awesome.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
Well Gander once again just had their Core 50mg7 for $280 sold out now that would have been a great buy. Chro CI4 has been an excellent reel for me so far. The 50E reels are very good. Ive bought 5 brands of reels the last 3 years Shimano BPS Okuma Daiwa Lews only kept Shimano reels and one Daiwa reel others had quality durability issues that caused me to return them.
Logan S reply :
I think what you're hearing relates to the older B series Curado an Chronarch. They were workhorse reels and many are still in use.
The newer reels are an improvement I'm sure, but those reels had such a huge following I think anyone that used them will always have a soft spot for them. I still have some and I still use a Curado 100B regularly.
If you are looking for something similar today, in my opinion the Revo SX/STX/Premier reels are a great value and built to last. Most of my casting reels are STX's and I'd recommend them to anyone. I know you wanted Shimano, but I don't have much experience with their newer offerings...I moved away from them during the Shim-bind-o spinning reel era 
, lots of positive reviews though.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
Calcutta TE series is worth a mention.
thehooligan reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 4:17 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Yep...^^^^^ this! Plus Calcuttas, TE's , plus, the I is really a great reel at almost any price.... Can't speak with a a lot on spinning reels or rods... But these reels will please you I believe!
How did I forget the Calcutta.... lol
Tywithay reply :
The Chronarch CI4+ and Curado I are the two best sub-$300 Shimano's I've used to this point.
Alonerankin2 reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 6:18 AM, thehooligan said:How did I forget the Calcutta.... lol
Just so many great shimano reels! Hard to remember all,..... All the time!
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
E series reels are great. I series is also great. I wouldn't go any older than E series though as I find the D series curados to have a very disconnected feeling which I can't stand. Also, most d series curados have lots of handle backplay. They are bulletproof though, and will not break on you. The e series won't either
ChrisD46 reply :
Yes , I believe the D series may get the tag of not being as good as other Shimano baitcast offerings in fit / quality / feel ... While I would certainly consider other reels (Lew's , Abu Garcia , Daiwa) - I wanted to try and learn about the favorites / best buys of the Shimano baitcast reels first .
SJex reply :
The D series (both Curado and Chronarch) are some of the best Shimano has ever offered. Excellent build quality.
Jrob78 reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 8:09 AM, SJex said:The D series (both Curado and Chronarch) are some of the best Shimano has ever offered. Excellent build quality.
I have to agree with you. The D's were great reels and built like tanks The Curado's retailed at $199, the highest of any Curado. Some people thought the 200's were too heavy but they were great reels. The G series is the only one I know of to really take a beating from the public and that wasn't really because of how the reel performed.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
All you need to know
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/10418967@N05/13245022255/
greentrout reply :
I remember the old days when you could buy a Curado for 120.00 dollars that would last you a lifetime. Shimano seems
to have said goodbye to the average joe who could swing 120.00 but not today's price...Old school basser...
masterbass reply :
What do you guys think about the curado 101d as a finesse reel? How does it compare to the 51e?
Alonerankin2 reply :
Aluminum main gerar, taller profile, main gear replacements may be hard to find... But a great real, truly....51 is newer, better in all ways in my opinion, lighter spool I believe, I like mine quite well super easy to palm! Cast great, pitches great as well, brass main gear, easy bearing change out(spool) I think it's better, but the 101 d is sweet... Just a bit older... Chronarch 50 / 51 is just a tad improved, larger handle grips, a bit tighter anti reverse bearing, diffrent color, pretty much the same!
Crappiebasser reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 9:42 AM, greentrout said:I remember the old days when you could buy a Curado for 120.00 dollars that would last you a lifetime. Shimano seems
to have said goodbye to the average joe who could swing 120.00 but not today's price...Old school basser...
When you figure inflation Curados cost less today than they did in the 90s.
bootytrain reply :
What are you talking about? They still have an affordable aluminum framed reel in the citica that will do anything you ask of it. Only 129$.On 7/21/2014 at 9:42 AM, greentrout said:I remember the old days when you could buy a Curado for 120.00 dollars that would last you a lifetime. Shimano seems
to have said goodbye to the average joe who could swing 120.00 but not today's price...Old school basser...
new2BC4bass reply :
I've heard good things about the D series....especially the 100D. Built like tanks but a little heavy. Never have used a D series. Haven't used any of the reels newer than the E series. Love my Curado 51E. My other Shimano reels are a Chronarch 101A and 100B. Both nice reels. Have had the 100B for 2-3 years. Finally spooled it and mounted it on a rod about 2 weeks ago. Very impressive. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
Lots of Shimano fans here with tons more experience with them than I have. They can give you a much more thorough understanding of the various models than I can. Especially with the new ones. My only new reels have been the T3 1016 reels.
fishballer06 reply :
I was unaware that Shimano made anything low quality...
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 12:03 PM, fishballer06 said:I was unaware that Shimano made anything low quality...
You've been on this forum too long, and are now completely brainwashed. 
Kidding aside, I think it would be hard to find a bad model of Shimano baitcast reels.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
try a coroilis or a chromica talk about junkOn 7/21/2014 at 12:36 PM, new2BC4bass said:You've been on this forum too long, and are now completely brainwashed.
Kidding aside, I think it would be hard to find a bad model of Shimano baitcast reels.
fishballer06 reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 12:36 PM, new2BC4bass said:You've been on this forum too long, and are now completely brainwashed.
Kidding aside, I think it would be hard to find a bad model of Shimano baitcast reels.
No brain washing needed. The proof is in the pudding for me.
I bought my first Curado in the early 2000's, and I still use that reel to this day without issues. That reel has caught numerous 4 lb+ bass, many 32"+ pike, and many 5 lb+ walleye. I've also got got two of the new Chronarch Ci4's and one of the new Curado I series. Both are which are amazing reels and I really enjoy all the new technology in them. Now I understand that these reels are all less than a year old, but I see no reason why they shouldn't easily last me 10 years.
roadwarrior reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 9:42 AM, greentrout said:I remember the old days when you could buy a Curado for 120.00 dollars that would last you a lifetime. Shimano seems
to have said goodbye to the average joe who could swing 120.00 but not today's price...Old school basser...
When the E seriess was closed out Curados were available from a number of retailers for $125. NIB or
gently used pop up on our Flea Market quite often.
ChrisD46 reply :
After updated research in the under $200 price range - The Abu Garcia REVO STX , Daiwa Tatula R and the Lew's Tournament Pro Speed would appear to offer more value in that price segment .
Raul reply :
Most venerable, B series Curados, best built D series, fyi, I do own E and G series for comparison and they are not up par with the other two imho.
ChrisD46 reply :
I'd say fishing for the monster bass of Mexico - you might have an idea of which series Curado would perhaps have the best quality / hold up the best !On 7/21/2014 at 8:58 PM, Raul said:Most venerable, B series Curados, best built D series, fyi, I do own E and G series for comparison and they are not up par with the other two imho.
Raul reply :
I caught my PB with my Curado 200B and many less than 13.86 lbers with it, I´ve caught many big fish with my D series Curados and Citicas. The B series are really very nice and durable reels, the only s*y part part of them are the graphite composite drag star and cheap plastic tension knob cap ( a metalic cap from a Castaic solves the problem, not needed in the BSF versión that does come with the metallic cap ).
D series Curados and Citicas are a much better animal than the previous generation, they are better built and have much better features, the only "problem" is the weight, at almost 10 ounces they are "heavy" ( I bet most of the spinach eater young guns can handle the weight, I can and I´m a 50 year old fart )
If you want a great reel for not a whole lotta money then the D series is what will work.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Yea , D is such a solid reel, no doubt, but it's older and parts maybe harder to find (101D) resale seems to hold high on the D ... My Shimano 300 E is nearly the same build as the D's were, but with some improvements , still has a gear side aluminum plate( not junk) very powerful gear set, 15 pd drag, metal drag star w/ click... cast as good as my Curado I model and can crank in line at 29" per crank it's a brute of a reel.. Use it for cranks, a- rigs, swimbaits, or salt use, weighs 10.2 oz... But it's bad to the bone! And way better than a Lexa, it's not even close IMO.
Japan made, mine are... Just sayin it's a nice reel to have in you're inventory at at fair cost.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/21/2014 at 12:43 PM, Maxximus Redneckus said:try a coroilis or a chromica talk about junk
Probably why I've never heard of them. 
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Chronarch ci4 is great. Smooth and light.
singlecoil reply :
I just picked up a curado 201B5 and to be honest, I forgot what a great reel the B's are. 20 minutes with it and my first thought was "dam, this reel feels good!". I have a curado101D and its a great reel also. I think if a guy who has a tight budget and wants a great reliable baitcaster thats trouble free and you can cast all day without backlashes, grab a curado in the B or D series used, they are well worth it. I would much rather have an older curado than a new black max or silver max for the same money. Its a no brainer for me.
gailt reply :
I have a couple of old chronarch 200's that still amaze me with their smoothness,and casting abilility .I bought them in the early 90's still use them.model CH200 bantam
.ghoti. reply :
I'm a Daiwa guy myself, but I work on a lot of reels. In my opinion, the best bang for the buck reel shimano ever made was the E series Curado. In today's line-up, anything from the Citica on up will do you just fine, if it's a shimano you're after.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Everyone has there favorites, but any of the name brand reels $125> are god quality and separated only by features and preference IF you compare apples to apples. Shimano has made some model name reassignments and changes in the last couple of years but the overall quality has always been there.
JeziHogg reply :
I personally feel that the MET13's are the best low pro baitcaster Shimano has released, and yes you can get them sub $300 NIB.
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