I'm buying a new reel with my Christmas bonus. I have a lews tournament MG and a Abu garcia black max and it to it feels like the black max out preforms the Lews. It feels so sturdy in your hand where the lews feels like it could break any moment. I was wondering opinions on what company has the most sturdy reels. Low profile only no round reels.
There is no "sturdy reel company," but there are sturdy models. Pick a price range, and you'll get better answers, otherwise you'll just get fanboy responses. The sturdiest lopro reel I own is either a Zillion or a Pinnacle Optimus hand tuned. Internally, I'll give the Pinnacle the nod, due to the strong parts. Feel, the Zillion wins. There's just not a more solid feeling reel.
On 12/9/2014 at 10:55 PM, J Francho said:There is no "sturdy reel company," but there are sturdy models. Pick a price range, and you'll get better answers, otherwise you'll just get fanboy responses. The sturdiest lopro reel I own is either a Zillion or a Pinnacle Optimus hand tuned. Internally, I'll give the Pinnacle the nod, due to the strong parts. Feel, the Zillion wins. There's just not a more solid feeling reel.
Thanks for the advice
$100-250
I know my curado i, chronarch ci4+, lews TP and Abu revo stx gen 2 are all ROCK solid imo
Are you looking for alum, CF or magnesium frame?
I have heard the Lexa's feel pretty sturdy. I think that my Lew's feel sturdier than the Abu reels, but that is my opinions. My original speed spool feels really "sturdy" for its price point. But a Daiwa Lexa or Tatula may be worth a look. The tat gets my vote over the lexa just because of looks.
The zillion, grab one on closeout at TW...
On 12/9/2014 at 11:31 PM, thehooligan said:The zillion, grab one on closeout at TW...
Boom!
But but guys it weighs 8 ounces.
Zillion +1
Or the tatula and buy 2.
On 12/9/2014 at 10:59 PM, BassThumbAddict said:Thanks for the advice
$100-250
That's an enormous window.
On 12/9/2014 at 11:56 PM, Choporoz said:That's an enormous window.
I like to keep my options open.
On 12/9/2014 at 11:53 PM, rippin-lips said:But but guys it weighs 8 ounces.
They come with this.
At any rate, both reels you mention are graphite framed.. Get a aluminum frame for a more solid feel.. Daiwa, Shimano are two company's that offer very good products. Choose a price or choose your reel. Seems your budget allows for a higher end product.
On 12/9/2014 at 11:31 PM, thehooligan said:The zillion, grab one on closeout at TW...
Can't argue with this logic.
Shimanos of course. Citicas and above. Friend of mine has a couple of Bantam Curados that probably have never been cleaned or lubed and he leaves them out on the deck all the time (when not fishing). Not how I like to treat my gear, but those reels of his still fish.
If you want a solid feeling reel, buy a D series Curado.
Shimano's are always a rock solid performer. But as mentioned above, my Zillion feels like it could be run over by a truck and still keep ticking.
The Calais would qualify for the "Built Like A Tank" category.
I don't know how you can get more sturdy than a zebco omega pro
On 12/9/2014 at 11:53 PM, rippin-lips said:But but guys it weighs 8 ounces.
I wouldn't let that stop me. Heck, I can bench press 36 ounces.
Hootie
You pay $$ for light weight reels with state of the art components, light weight doesn't always mean it' isn't durable.
The Daiwa Tatula series reels are bullet proof, cast as good as any reel on the market, smooth gearing, good drag, hard to beat for the money and heads and shoulders better then a Black Max.
Shimano Curado 1 is another option within your budget, weighs a little less then the Tatula R series, about 7.6 oz vs 7.8
Tom
Zillion....doesnt get much sturdier. For the close out price, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't get one. They are probably gonna get discounted more at some point during the 25 days of Christmas sale so if you said a few days you will get a steal
You want a reel that "Is" sturdy not just "Feels" sturdy I assume. As mentioned, physical weight is not necessarily an indicator of quality or reliability either positive or negative. If you've got $150> to spend you can't go too far wrong with the major brands. You've got all good suggestions so far. The Zillion is hard to argue with from a pure durability and solid feel standpoint.
On 12/10/2014 at 12:59 AM, *Hootie said:I wouldn't let that stop me. Heck, I can bench press 36 ounces.
Hootie
Actually, a heavier reel will probably feel 'sturdier' than a lighter model. A light model just wont feel like its as 'solid' so to speak.
Another sturdy reel that I haven't seen mentioned is the Abu Ambassadeur
On 12/10/2014 at 1:38 AM, fishballer06 said:Another sturdy reel that I haven't seen mentioned is the Abu Ambassadeur
The old ones are sturdy. I still have one. The new ones I've seen feel nice as well. You couldn't go wrong w/a Shimano Round reel either. There is another thread about those... But I still use my old Shimano Corsair. They are good reels.
On 12/10/2014 at 1:38 AM, fishballer06 said:Another sturdy reel that I haven't seen mentioned is the Abu Ambassadeur
He wants a lo-pro...but you are correct!
If you think the black max is sturdy wait till you use a real reel made with actual metal. Someone gave me a black max over the summer. I put it on a rod and used it a few times for kicks. It gave me the feeling while using it that it wouldn't be able to hold up to hevy fishing.
shimano
I don't think any one company is going to take the crown for most durable. Most if not all of the major reel companies have produced reels that have proved themselves to stand the test of time and use. You have already had suggestions for many reels that are very good. Pick the one that has the set of features you are interested in and best meets the needs of your fishing and you will have your winner.
I believe the Zillion is on sale at $238, where can you buy them new for $150?On 12/10/2014 at 1:31 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:You want a reel that "Is" sturdy not just "Feels" sturdy I assume. As mentioned, physical weight is not necessarily an indicator of quality or reliability either positive or negative. If you've got $150 to spend you can't go too far wrong with the major brands. You've got all good suggestions so far. The Zillion is hard to argue with from a pure durability and solid feel standpoint.
Tom
^^ This.On 12/10/2014 at 2:21 AM, aavery2 said:I don't think any one company is going to take the crown for most durable. Most if not all of the major reel companies have produced reels that have proved themselves to stand the test of time and use. You have already had suggestions for many reels that are very good. Pick the one that has the set of features you are interested in and best meets the needs of your fishing and you will have your winner.
I was just saying that $150 is a good budget for a quality reel, plus you don't necessarily have to but new. I should have said $150>. If I knew where Zillions could be had for $150 new I'd buy the lot and sell them for $199. lol
That's not what he was saying. He's saying with a budget of $150 it's hard not to buy a good reel. The Op stated he'll spend up to $250.
Always typing at the same time haha
On 12/10/2014 at 12:59 AM, *Hootie said:I wouldn't let that stop me. Heck, I can bench press 36 ounces.
Hootie
The zillion is how every baitcaster should feel in your hands. Some feel like toys compared to the zillion
Well I took all the advice and am leaning no where near it lol. I'm leaning towards two ***'s from ***. I've come to realize I need two middle class reel worse than I need a high class reel. (Classes depend on occupation and or pay rate) I fall under the working full time, and school full time category.
On 12/10/2014 at 5:28 AM, BassThumbAddict said:Well I took all the advice and am leaning no where near it lol. I'm leaning towards two ***'s from ***. I've come to realize I need two middle class reel worse than I need a high class reel. (Classes depend on occupation and or pay rate) I fall under the working full time, and school full time category.
Heard good things about them.
On 12/10/2014 at 5:43 AM, DFrench97 said:Heard good things about them.
Who, working class people or college students...lol. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Hootie
I've heard raves about both the Shimano Curado and Cronarch for the upper price range of your limit. I highly disagree with your opinion about the Tournament mg, but I'll remain civil lol
Chronarch 50E from Shimano
Shimano Chronarch 200e is quite the "sturdy" reel
Lews all the way, their small, low profile, light wight an and just feel naturally good in your hand with a great handle that the most comfortably shaped handles of any other reel company.
That last bit is pretty subjective, because I can't stand the flat paddles. I ended up putting Abu knobs on my Lews.On 12/10/2014 at 2:21 PM, chris55552 said:Lews all the way, their small, low profile, light wight an and just feel naturally good in your hand with a great handle that the most comfortably shaped handles of any other reel company.
The problem I have with Concept 13 is who are they,? I don't like doing business with a phantom company.
Tom
It's ***. The people who offer the *** and *** rods. But yes I understand what you are saying.
Me too, I'm skeptical all the way down to the marrow of my bones, I do accept that even the most reliable companies like Shimano or Daiwa or Abu sometimes screw it up, ( Shimano Corsair, Daiwa Computerized reel, Abu Torno and Eon ) let's say one thing in favor of those mistakes, not only they belong to the Hall of Shame, but man the memory and bad taste last decades !On 12/11/2014 at 4:22 AM, WRB said:The problem I have with Concept 13 is who are they,? I don't like doing business with a phantom company.
Tom