In The Market For A New Reel 2025
eirwin reply :
Hey guys, I am in the market to add another baitcaster reel to my arsenal. At the moment I have a few bps, abu garcias, and shimanos. I am leaning towards the BPS Johnny Morris signature series because I love my pro qualifiers and the quality that BPS seems to bring. I really like the fact that the JM's have the duraluminum gears. However, I am open to suggestions. I want to stay in the $100-180ish range. I will also be pairing this with a duckett ghost rod. Thanks and I look forward to hearing y'alls input.
robster80 reply :
hands down Curado I
eirwin reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 5:44 AM, robster80 said:hands down Curado I
I've seen this reel and have also seen a lot of people recommend it as well. I've got a caenen that I picked up brand new at a liquidation store for 20 bucks, but I haven't used it much (mainly because I haven't had much time to pick up another rod for it). Thanks for the recommendation. I will add it to the list to check out at the store to see how it feels in the hand.
new2BC4bass reply :
Can't comment on the JM Signature or the new Shimanos. I love the Shimanos I have, tho. Would never hesitate to buy another if I had the money (and actually have a used Scorpion 1001 4x4 SVS on the way). BTW, if you use LH reels, there is one more left and it is in your price range. My only BPS reels are the older gold colored Carbonlites. Amazing reels for the money.
On the low end of your range the standard Tatula is nice. I prefer the looks of the Tatula Type R in the mid-range. I am finding I like the high speed model. Recently received a Pinnacle Primmus. Got flamed the last time I mentioned this reel, but it feels super nice playing with it. Looks good too! It was also less than your limit. TW has them for $225. I got mine for about $157 shipped.
Lews Tournament is very nice and can be found new in your budget. I'm sure other Lews are very nice as well, but have no experience with them. People on here love them.
A reel on my wish list is the *** or A. Every store seems to be asking the same price, so no bargains to be found....by me anyway. Been reading good things about them from the guys on here who have one. Personally I feel Pflueger baitcast reels don't get the love they deserve. Look at the Patriarch. Some used Patriarch XTs have recently been sold towards the bottom of your limit. I have two. Not only an excellent looking reel, but light, casts well and has a tough finish, A fine reel.
a1712 reply :
What's wrong with another PQ at $80 on sale. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Brian.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 8:21 AM, a1712 said:What's wrong with another PQ at $80 on sale. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Brian.
Absolutely nothing. Some of us like trying different reels. Some find a brand they like and buy nothing else. Nothing wrong with either choice.
Penguino reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 8:21 AM, a1712 said:What's wrong with another PQ at $80 on sale. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Brian.
The sale just ended for the PQ.
yakingfisherman reply :
I like my lews tournament pro better than my curado E and I. I'd pick up another one if I was in the market for a reel within your bugdet.
sprint61 reply :
Lews tournament mg on eBay for $89 and free shipping.
Alpha Male reply :
In that price range I would go with a less tournament pro, revo stx, or the tatula type r. All can be had for 150 or less
LunkerFisher reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 9:52 PM, sprint61 said:Lews tournament mg on eBay for $89 and free shipping.
Tournament MG is on sale at Cabelas for $80. If you're close by to one just ship it to the store for free.
fishangdood reply :
If you do your own servicing, go for a used one and stretch that bill. Someone out there is always willing to part with their diamond for a pearl. That being said, look at some Lew's. Also the older JM signature series (clean handle look) are built like tanks and have little flex on their frame. I serviced a pair this past winter, and was thoroughly impressed by the build and I own a handful of reels in the three century mark.
eirwin reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 8:21 AM, a1712 said:What's wrong with another PQ at $80 on sale. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Brian.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the PQ. In fact it is my favorite reel. However, the 80 dollar sale has ended. I kept putting off ordering one (since I cant go to the store and buy one, we have one going up about 5 min from my house under construction). So now I figure if I am going to spend the extra money on it that I might as well test the waters.
eirwin reply :
On 3/16/2015 at 4:40 AM, fishangdood said:If you do your own servicing, go for a used one and stretch that bill. Someone out there is always willing to part with their diamond for a pearl. That being said, look at some Lew's. Also the older JM signature series (clean handle look) are built like tanks and have little flex on their frame. I serviced a pair this past winter, and was thoroughly impressed by the build and I own a handful of reels in the three century mark.
I do service my own. I usually tear them down to the frame every year and clean them with ardent reel cleaner. However, I've always hated buying used. I'm not saying that there aren't good reels out there that are used, but I just hate the idea of potentially getting someone else's problem.
eirwin reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 10:20 PM, LunkerFisher said:Tournament MG is on sale at Cabelas for $80. If you're close by to one just ship it to the store for free.
As I stated with the Bass Pro going up, we have a cabelas going up as well. They are both still under construction. I believe we are fortunate to get both stores in the area at the same time though. Even though I will probably go broke when they open haha. Thanks for the suggestion. I am just trying to get an idea of what people's personal preferences are so that I can go to the store and see which I like best.
Darren. reply :
I've played with quite a few bait casting reels
in-store, funny thing is (esp for me) is that I
bought my Daiwa Lexa 100 sight unseen, and
my two Shimano Chronarch 50e reels the same
way. Though I did handle the 200 size Chronarchs.
Both are very good reels, but in terms of quality
and smoothness, the Chronarch 50e's are the
best reels I own. They can be found online for
near the higher end of your range.
I know the Tatulas are getting a strong following,
and Lew's has one, too.
So "best reel" is clearly subjective. 
Crank Bait Nut reply :
All My Bait Casters Are Shimano , , But Lew's For The Money Are Nice Reels.
Mike
Cody21w reply :
Lews.
DocNsanE reply :
On 3/15/2015 at 9:57 PM, Alpha Male said:In that price range I would go with a less tournament pro, revo stx, or the tatula type r. All can be had for 150 or less
I agree with this selection, however I wouldn't grab the type-R unless you need the 8.1:1 ratio. The regular Tatula comes in a 7.3:1 and according to most there is very little performance benefit between the regular and the Type R so you're mostly paying for cosmetics.
Buddha reply :
I have a BPS Pro Qualifier in the swap shop lefty and 6:4:1 if interested.
Only want 50 bucks and only used less than 5 times and in just about new condition.
fisherrw reply :
love my chronarch!!
WRB reply :
You do know that BPS doesn't mfr reels or Cabelas. The reels go out to bid to other mfr's seasonally and this makes for difficulty trying to get replacement parts when needed, unless you know who made the reel you bought. Brand names keep replacement part inventory available, all you need is a model number.
Tom
black94gt50 reply :
I have a lews tournament mg, a couple pro qualifiers, and a couple Diawa lexas, as well as a tatula. My favorite out of all of them is the tatula. It's just got a great braking system and is built tough as hell for the price.
eirwin reply :
Well, I ended up purchasing the Revo SX and the JM sig series. I went to look at lews, but to me it seemed that the Revo felt nicer in my hand was a tad bit smoother feeling. I ended up getting a JM sig series as well because they went on sale when I put my order in (no one in town had the Revo 7:1 in a lefty model in stock). Thank you all for the input. I will definitely keep my eye on the lews once they open the Bass Pro and Cabelas in my town. I wish they had more of a selection so I could get a better feel for them now.
eirwin reply :
I love the PQ. In my opinion they are great which is what led me to buy the JM. I ended up getting the Revo because for some reason I like the abu's a little more than my shimanos. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with my shimanos and it is probably all in my head but for some reason I am just more comfortable with the abu's. When it comes to spinning reels all I have is shimanos though. I think all the major companies have good reels and it really just comes down to what do you like more.
Brandon Moss reply :
I have to put a vote in for the Johnny Morris Carbonlite. I've just used for the last few weeks. She hauls in 4 and 5 lber's out of grass with absolutely ZERO issues!!!
WIGuide reply :
You'll be happy with your JM signature series. I've got 4 of them from over the years. The oldest is 9 years old and still functions perfectly and I fish them pretty hard. They only negative I can think to say about them is that they aren't the lightest thing on the market, but they aren't like a lead weight either. They have a very solid feeling in the hand. They've treated me well and I'm sure they'll do the same for you!
eirwin reply :
That is good to hear. I am also very meticulous when it comes to cleaning and what not. I tear them down to the frame and clean all the parts really well so that they last me a long while and perform well. I am pretty anxious to get these in and get them spooled so I can try them out.
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