Out of these three reels, which one is best and will handle lighter line well? I am looking to use these to cast lightweight baits and will probably put 6 or 8 lb fluorocarbon on it.
I am looking for a lightweight setup and from searching it seems that these three are recommended the most for these purposes.
Thank you!
Skel
15# PPS8S=4# mono has been working just fine on my 50E. No fish over 18" though so not getting much in the way of hard pulling/fights.
Sol for sure!
Just a few comments...
The curado 50e or chronarach 50e are pretty much the same. Only minor differences here or there. They will cast light weight baits about the same. You can probably find a curado 50e for less money on closeout or used. I really like this reel in its stock form.
The Daiwa Sol or alpha would be a good choice. There is a spool upgrade you can do for it to help with lighter baits. It is pretty spendy though. In its stock form they are great reels although your only option would be buying one used unless you find one new but expect to pay a premium.
I haven't fished the Lews but they are very good reels from all the accounts I have read and folks I have talked to that use them.
Frankily I would stick to 8lb line over 6 unless you are fishing deep on clear water lakes.
Upgraded spool bearing will help with start up speed for lighter lures. The sol/alpha reel would benefit from a carbontex drag upgrade as stock they have the fewest lbs of drag of the reels you mentioned. Lastly you can purchase finesse spools for the shimano or Daiwa reels but I don't know about the Lews. A lighter spool will generally speaking cast a lighter lure further.
They are good reels that can be had for $200 or less. Also they are fairly light weight...under 7 ounces and palm well!
50E, you can fish that thing any way you want to. Also, it will last you forever. Whether you get the Curado or the Chronarch, they are both a good choice, but the Chronarch has a better drag system. I use a Curado 50E as my all around setup on a Vendetta rod and 12# YoZuri, and have no problems casting all types of baits.
The Sol is much better than the other two for light line/lure applications. I have all three.
I haven't tried the Lew's, but the Sol is more suited to this out of the box than the 50e, though with minimal effort, you can get a 50e spinning just as well.
On 9/6/2012 at 9:32 PM, J Francho said:I haven't tried the Lew's, but the Sol is more suited to this out of the box than the 50e, though with minimal effort, you can get a 50e spinning just as well.
So it sounds like the Sol is the best for these type of applications, but what would I have to do to a Curado 50e to get it spinning just as well?
i've had all three (actually, still have the 50e and the TPSS). in terms of light lure casting performance, i'd rank them sol first, 50e second (even with orange seals), and the lew's third. i have no idea why i sold the sol and kick myself for doing so.
On 9/6/2012 at 11:16 PM, skeletor6 said:So it sounds like the Sol is the best for these type of applications, but what would I have to do to a Curado 50e to get it spinning just as well?
Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle supertuned mine: cleaning, lube, ceramic bearings and carbontex brake pads.
I was in the same dilemma. What to get for a finesse reel?
So, in the past month I have purchased several reels: Curado 200E5, Curado 100D, Brand New Daiwa SOL, and an ebay pickup of a used Team Daiwa-X 105HV. The 2 Daiwas came in a couple of days ago and I just spooled some line on them.
Trying to decide which rod for which reel.....but since there is water all around my house at the moment, and a line of Asplundh and electric trucks on the road, restoring electricity and cutting down trees that are on power lines......I haven't been really able to complete the project.
Just playing around with the free spool mechanisms I find that the Daiwa SOL spins free est and longest and smoothest. Next would be the Curado 100D. Then the Team Daiwa X and finally the Curado 200E5. ALL of them spin very freely and I am satisfied with all.
But from initial inspection and examining, I think I prefer the SOL!
I looked around for awhile and found a place in White, Georgia that had 2 brand new ones for sale.....there is a "sale" price on the last one at the moment for $212. I know.....big bucks, but I wanted a brand new one....and I got it and am well pleased. I don't see how it could be made faster, but I suppose it could by putting ceramic bearings in it. Maybe a future fun project..
Sorry I can't give a casting report just now, but will get back in about a week with one.
On 9/6/2012 at 11:16 PM, skeletor6 said:So it sounds like the Sol is the best for these type of applications, but what would I have to do to a Curado 50e to get it spinning just as well?
Flush the spool bearings, and use a quality light oil, like Bantam Oil and you'll get close.
Only downfall for the Sol is the Mag brakes. Personally I prefer the Centrif brakes, as they are easier to adjust and tune. Plus the whole "free floating spool" thing, which has made me return a Daiwa reel because it was not good for me. But these are my personnal opinions.
sol but id rather the rado
Magnetic brakes are not a downfall for the SOL, I actually prefer them to basic cent. brakes.
The free floating spool is just that the spool and shaft are not connected, its just supported by bearing, and it does equate to better spool performance, but takes a bit of time to get used too coming from a SHIMANO, or ABU/LEWS
I really appreciate everyone's responses and learned a lot more about these specific reels. It seems like it would be hard to wrong with either the Curado 50e or the Daiwa Sol.
I am really interested in the free floating spool in the Daiwa. What kind of differences would there be when I am actually casting and using this reel? I am new to this whole concept.
Thanks everyone!
Mike
Mike, I can tell you that the Curado will be easier to cast than the Sol if you are not use to mag only reels. Can't give any other information, tho.
I have all 3 reels, but haven't used any of them enough to make any statements that would be worth a darn. I learned on mostly Daiwa reels. Even my STX is the mag only one. I love using baitcasting reels and wanted to have one for finesse fishing. However I would have to say that my casting ability falls rather short of reaching that goal. Light lures on a B/C reel requires above average skill with one...at least it seems that way to me.
Besides these 3 reels I also have an Alphas ito which is suppose to be fair at throwing light lures. Nor for me...yet. Believe it or not, but one other reel I have shows promise of doing a decent job with light lures....and that is an older Abu Black Max 1600c. I have thrown a 1/4 oz. crankbait with ease and an unweighted fluke straight into a stiff breeze, and have a feeling that I will be able to go lighter, but how much is unknown at the moment.
For me the 51E and 1600C are easiest to throw light lures. Right now I am of the opinion that if you can throw light lures on a Dawia, then you will be able to cast any reel with confidence. Another thing I can tell you is not to make a snap cast with a Diawa...especially if using light lures. Smooth is vital.
IMHO, I use a Core50 and LOVE it!
The Lew's does NOT do well with the way I cast light
baits. Maby it's just me but I don't like them for the light stuff.
I haven't tried the SOL
On 9/7/2012 at 10:59 PM, new2BC4bass said:Mike, I can tell you that the Curado will be easier to cast than the Sol if you are not use to mag only reels. Can't give any other information, tho.
I have all 3 reels, but haven't used any of them enough to make any statements that would be worth a darn. I learned on mostly Daiwa reels. Even my STX is the mag only one. I love using baitcasting reels and wanted to have one for finesse fishing. However I would have to say that my casting ability falls rather short of reaching that goal. Light lures on a B/C reel requires above average skill with one...at least it seems that way to me.
Besides these 3 reels I also have an Alphas ito which is suppose to be fair at throwing light lures. Nor for me...yet. Believe it or not, but one other reel I have shows promise of doing a decent job with light lures....and that is an older Abu Black Max 1600c. I have thrown a 1/4 oz. crankbait with ease and an unweighted fluke straight into a stiff breeze, and have a feeling that I will be able to go lighter, but how much is unknown at the moment.
For me the 51E and 1600C are easiest to throw light lures. Right now I am of the opinion that if you can throw light lures on a Dawia, then you will be able to cast any reel with confidence. Another thing I can tell you is not to make a snap cast with a Diawa...especially if using light lures. Smooth is vital.
Thank you, I watched Gene's video on casting light lures and he mentioned a long smooth cast as vital. I will be throwing baits as light as 1/8oz with this reel.
On 9/7/2012 at 11:56 PM, Hi Salenity said:IMHO, I use a Core50 and LOVE it!
The Lew's does NOT do well with the way I cast light
baits. Maby it's just me but I don't like them for the light stuff.
I haven't tried the SOL
I am sure you're core 50 casts very well. Unfortunately, that is out of my price range.
Can anyone explain how a Daiwa Sol would cast different from a Curado 50e? I understand the concept of the free floating spool, but ergonomically what type of casting differences will there be trying to cast out a Sol?
The Sol has faster spool start up nad since the magnetic break is centrifugally activated, it doesn't shorten the cast by slowing the spool down as much as centrifugal brakes do. It does need to be adjusted more frequently, whereas the Shimano is set it and forget it, but it's a simple dial on the side. Ergonomically casting difference? I have no idea what you mean by that. Ergonomically speaking, the Sol is smaller.
I just got a Lews TP and I can zing a 1/4 to 3/8 oz lure pretty darn far. Far enough at least that I don't feel hindered or at a disadvantage fishing from shore and having to reach difficult spots. It has dual braking and is very light. My one complaint was frequent backlashes, at least until I got it dialed in just right. Little practice and all better. I highly recommend the TP.
I have the Sol and the 50e. I love both reels but the shimano is much more smooth and refined.
Or you could just get a spinning reel
Even with the lighter baits? I thought the Sol was better for this
On 9/9/2012 at 8:59 AM, skeletor6 said:Even with the lighter baits? I thought the Sol was better for this
The big difference will be line weight and rod action. I have my Sol mounted on my lightest rod. I am currently using Suffix 832 20lb braid. To be totally honest I bought the Sol for it's looks. I think it's the coolest looking reel that I have. I use it for very small crank baits and in weighted senkos. As long as there is no wind I can cast those baits a mile. I think it's mainly due to the line and rod action. The absolute best casting reels that I own for small baits are my two Core mg50's. They are like refined silk.
First off I don't own a SOL and haven't ever used one but the 50E should do what you want it to do at a great price. If a 50 won't throw it (it will also depend a LOT on your rod) you may want to get a spinning reel.
Well I went ahead and purchased a Sol. Split decisions it seems between the three. I have a lews tournament speed spool and love it and have no complaints. I'm sure the tp is even sweeter with it being much lighter
The SOL I got for $168 about the same as the other two mentioned, but used. I will see how it works. I most likely will be putting it on a St. Croix. Tournament bass or Xtreme MF or MLXF and using 6 or 8 lb diameter line.
I will let you know what I think of it. Im working on being able to free spool and cast controlling the cast and presentation with my thumb and cast. It seems the Sol would be good to practice that on.
Thanks for everyones help. In the future I will definitely purchase a TP or 50e as they seem to be great multiversatile reels.
Skeletor, glad to see you got the SOL! I saw one on the bay that went for $168. I almost bid on it for an extra one, I like the one I just got so much. The Ebay one looked hardly used and a good buy.
I'd like to know how you do with the 6 or 8 lb diameter line. I'm very pleased with the Fireline Tracer Braid 20# with 6 lb diameter.
You will also love it on the St. Croix Tournament rod. I just switched rods on mine yesterday from the St. Croix and put in on the Dobyns 7ft Champion Extreme Finesse Drop shot rod and found it may even be better than the St. Croix for my light wacky worming.....weightless 3-4" Dingers and Senkos. Pitched a few 1/8 oz Megastrike Shakey Heads with Baby Rage Claw with great results too.