Decision made! Which baitcaster? 2025
MUSLENUTZ reply :
Made the decision to go with my first bait caster. Putting it on an Avid X 7 MHF. Looking to spend $150-$200. Shimano, Dawai, Abu or Lew’s?
MrFrost reply :
In that price range, my only experience is with Dawai, but in that respect, in that price range I think all four brands offerings are probably very good.
PAbasser927 reply :
If I plan to throw light baits, I pair my rods with a Tatula SV. If not, I save myself a considerable amount of money and go with a Fuego CT. Both fantastic reels and can be had discounted on eBay. Even cheaper right now with a 15% discount using promo code “POPULAR”. My brother just picked up a Fuego for less than $60 using the promo this morning.
fishballer06 reply :
Curado K. In my opinion (and probably quite a few others here), it's the best reel in that sub $200 price range.
OnthePotomac reply :
Another Curado K fan here (2 now). Absolutely beautiful reel in design and performance. Mine are 8.5:1. It a nice size being 10% smaller than the Curado I.
TylerT123 reply :
My only baitcaster is a Curado K, I like it. If you plan to throw heavy baits with it, you’ll absolutely love it.
MUSLENUTZ reply :
I plan on using this for senkos, jigs, cranks, everything. So I want it versatile.
Hulkster reply :
another vote for the curado. I own the curado 200i, which was the generation prior to the K and love it, and by all accounts the K is even better. Which makes it a no brainer IMO
Choporoz reply :
On 8/14/2018 at 12:15 AM, MrFrost said:In that price range, my only experience is with Dawai,
Do those come from the same factory as the Shishamo '47 bearing' reels?
kschultz76 reply :
For a beginner and for the control it offers I’d go Tatula SV in that price range. Get the bearings flushed and properly lubed, get the reel tuned, add a couple extra knob bearings and it’s a killer reel.
Ive not used the Curado K, but it looks like a solid offering and I’m also happy with all the Shimanos in my stable including my Curado Is. The learning curve maybe a bit steeper but you’ll train your thumb faster.
MrFrost reply :
On 8/14/2018 at 2:02 AM, Choporoz said:Do those come from the same factory as the Shishamo '47 bearing' reels?
I don't understand your post?
Lasher reply :
Isn't the Avid X the spinning rod series? If so I would want a spinning reel.
Choporoz reply :
On 8/14/2018 at 3:36 AM, MrFrost said:I don't understand your post?
MUSLENUTZ reply :
Casting or spinning
TylerT123 reply :
On 8/14/2018 at 3:41 AM, Lasher said:Isn't the Avid X the spinning rod series? If so I would want a spinning reel.
The Avid X is a spinning and casting series, he’s talking about the casting model.
GReb reply :
Lews has some nice reels in that price range too. My only advice is to get as many in your hands as possible before buying. They all “fit” differently and everyone has their favorite feels. Go with a versatile gear ratio of 6.3 - 7.1
MUSLENUTZ reply :
Curado DC, very cool
Beetlebz reply :
My choice lately without fail has been the daiwa fuego ct, the tatula ct if you want a little more refinement. The SV model is great for unusual presentations that require extra braking.
I personally feel that the learning curve is a little steeper with shimano SVS brakes but they're fine reels too.
In the price range the AbuGarcia makes a fantastic reel, but imho you gotta spend a ton of money (over $150) to get a reel with serviceable brakes, but they're well built. Below that price point they all have pretty anemic magnetic brakes.
FishTank reply :
After trying one out for the first, I am also going with the Curado K. But if you are planning on going big and slow, I like the new Revo Winch.
LonnieP reply :
Tatula CT or SV
MUSLENUTZ reply :
Google curado dc, I never knew digital existed. Pretty wild. Coming soon.
AirborneNautilus reply :
Tatula CT can be had on ebay for $88 with a coupon code POPULAR right now. At that price, you can get a CT and a tatula SV TW for just slightly over your maximum budget
OnthePotomac reply :
With regard to throwing Senkos, or Senko type worms, I have both of my K's on 7' MH Carbonlites with 15lb Invizx and use both for weightless worms and other plastics.
MUSLENUTZ reply :
Decided to go with Mojo Bass MHF 7.1 with a Curado DC. I couldn’t feel too much of a difference between the avid x and felt the micro guided might be an issue. If I was going spinnning I would definitely get the avid x. Looking forward to the delivery.
r83srock reply :
I have a lot of avids and legends, my friend has avid x’s. I like my mojo 7’1mhf the best. It’s just the deal for me.
Chris at Tech reply :
Go to a local store with the rod and find the reels in your price range from the well-known brands -- Daiwa, Shimano, Abu, Lews. Try the reels on the rod to see how they palm, how the whole rig balances. It's good to get advice like above, but you don't fish with just a reel. You fish with the rod and the reel together, so find a pair that feel good together.
As far as I'm concerned, the written specs on bearings, braking, etc are meaningless to those who are new to baitcasters.
When you make your choice, spool it up with line. Then pull 40-50 yards of line off and put a small piece of electrical tape on the spool, and crank the line back on. As you learn the reel, the tape will help to keep backlashes to a minimum, and make any you get easy to pick out.
Bigmommachaser79 reply :
On 8/14/2018 at 12:06 AM, MUSLENUTZ said:Made the decision to go with my first bait caster. Putting it on an Avid X 7 MHF. Looking to spend $150-$200. Shimano, Dawai, Abu or Lew’s?
I would go with the lews hyper mag or the lews custom pro speed spool. You can get either on eBay right now for 200.00 brand new
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