Smaller casting reels? 2024
flechero reply :
Looking for a new reel for my son... he's only 8 so physical size is an issue. He's currently using 50 MG's and an old curado but can't hold them comfortably. Was thinking about a Pixy- IIRC they are smaller in hand. I haven't looked at new reels in 4-5 years so not familiar with any of the new crop available. Without a trip to the "big city" i don't have access to a decent retail selection.... Help!
As for budget... not sure but could stretch it to $300 ish, if needed.
What reels should I be researching?
Thanks!!
1234567 reply :
Abu Garcia Revo Alx is the smallest reel I've used. The lightest and almost as small at 4.7 ounces is the aldebaran but it sounds like you have those already
kickerfish1 reply :
The Daiwa Alphas SV can be found around $200ish from Japan. Small frame and user friendly breaking profile. Can cast down to 1/8 or 1/4 oz just fine and then cast heavier stuff as well. Great combination of palming and ease of casting. Price would be within your budget. The frame should be nearly identical to the pixy.
Angry John reply :
the pixy and alphas are the same size so there are a ton of them that will work. Currently getting a used alphas will run you around 150 shipped from japan and a brand new alphas sv will be around 220 shipped. I have herd dirty rumors that pixy's are being sold at the 100 dollar mark but have not seen it. The ease of the sv spool will help your son prevent backlashes and for the price difference a new one might be the better choice. The sol is the American version of the reel and will run around a hundred dollars. I love the orange color so its one of my favorite. Parts are everywhere so you can just pick the color you want and get that one. The original purple seems to keep its value the best so that may cost you more than a brand new one. The core 50 is supposed to be very small as well so that my be worth a look but I don't fish shimano so I cant help there.
byram bassturd reply :
your son is one lucky kid. $300 reels at 8 years old! 
Catt reply :
I had the same problem with my 8 yr old grandson & to solve it I purchased a Mr. Crappie® Slab Daddy® Baitcast Reel.
While some here my laugh at a Crappie reel for bass fishing I can assure you it is more than up to the task. I've caught several 5-6# bass in moderate to heavy cover with no problems.
This reel features a fully adjustable, anodized-aluminum star drag system that allows up to 8.8 lb. of drag and a 6.3:1 gear ratio for fast retrieves. The 1-piece graphite frame and removable side plate provide strength, and the anodized-aluminum handle with SoftTouch knobs offers a comfortable grip. Magnetic Cast Control System (MCS). 175 yards/10 lb. 7.7 oz.
Features and Benefits
6.3:1 gear ratio for fast retrieves
1-piece graphite frame and removable side plate provide strength
3 stainless-steel bearings and a Zero-Reverse antireverse bearing
Fully adjustable, anodized-aluminum star drag system allows up to 8.8 lb. of max drag
Machine-forged, anodized-aluminum drilled spool
Anodized-aluminum handle with SoftTouch knobs offer a comfortable grip
MCS is externally adjustable
Ceramic line guide
All for $39.99 from Academy 
flechero reply :
Lots of options in varied prices! Anyone have a size comparison on the curado 70? I've also been looking at the JDM models... they seem to have a bunch of smaller reels.
No doubt he benefits from my taste in equipment... but the reality is that I get it as a nice finesse reel when he's not in the boat!
Catt- does the mr. crappie have a consistent cast control? He likes throwing smaller lighter crankbaits so a reel designed for casting light stuff is essential. And he doesn't feather with his thumb much because he can't easily reach the spool.
cottny27 reply :
On 3/17/2017 at 9:47 PM, byram bassturd said:your son is one lucky kid. $300 reels at 8 years old!
I thought the same exact thing! My 8yr old uses a Zebco "under" cast. Less line problems I have to deal with.
TH-Outdoors reply :
Using baitcasters and acquiring all that knowledge at 8 means he'll be slamming them in his teenage years 
Catt reply :
On 3/17/2017 at 11:04 PM, flechero said:Catt- does the mr. crappie have a consistent cast control? He likes throwing smaller lighter crankbaits so a reel designed for casting light stuff is essential. And he doesn't feather with his thumb much because he can't easily reach the spool.
Yes sir it's designed for throwing small crappie lures.
I know there's big crappie on Toledo Bend but 8.8 lbs of drag!
Spider reply :
I own a small reel, a Lew's LFS. It casts a long way and is very smooth. The best part is they are only $99.00.
Regards'
DaveT63 reply :
If you look on the bay, and aren't real picky about appearance, you can find pixys for under $150. Helluva a deal on an awesome smaller reel. You can use if for finesse, but it can do so much more with it! It is definitely smaller in the hand than a Curado 70, and maybe a bit smaller than the 50's.
RoLo reply :
First of all, how's it going Flechero, I haven't seen you on the boards in a looong time
Frankly, I'd go with something like a Shimano Curado 70,
which he'll grow right into in 1 or 2 fleeting years.
Roger
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Would you like to adopt another Asian son?.
Back to topic, I believe 50mg was the same body as curado 100d then curado 70 is smaller, but to me curado 50e is even smaller and fit my Asian hand better.
Daiwa pixy if the same as alphas 105, then on the side is about the same as 50e but wider.
To me I pick 50e any day, then alphas sv105.
JDNKC reply :
I love the curado 70, but that is the only "small" reel I have experience with.
flechero reply :
On 3/18/2017 at 7:19 AM, RoLo said:
First of all, how's it going Flechero, I haven't seen you on the boards in a looong time
Frankly, I'd go with something like a Shimano Curado 70,
which he'll grow right into in 1 or 2 fleeting years.
Roger
Yes, it's been quite a while. Doing fine, thanks for asking. I haven't fished much in the past few years- just got busy with life. I'm getting back on the water more frequently now that Jack is into it. We actually snuck out this afternoon and got into some LM and spots at Belton!
JustJames- I haven't ever seen a curado 50! I've been out of this just long enough to lose touch with the equipment! (which is really frustrating for a tackle junkie!) Saw one on ebay- looks like a possibility as well.
Been looking on ebay- lots of pixy's... is the newer (PX68?) model worth the jump in price?
Also found a core 50 on ebay...
RoLo reply :
On 3/18/2017 at 10:37 AM, flechero said:Yes, it's been quite a while. Doing fine, thanks for asking. I haven't fished much in the past few years- just got busy with life. I'm getting back on the water more frequently now that Jack is into it. We actually snuck out this afternoon and got into some LM and spots at Belton!
Also found a core 50 on ebay...
I've had "3" one-year hiatuses during my 11-yr stint on the BR forum,
so I know exactly what you mean by: "Busy with your life".
Did I hear "Core"?
That's my overall favorite casting reel!
Roger
Angry John reply :
is the px 68 worth the price i say no and this is why. The pixy and the alphas share all the same parts except the spool, and a few other minor parts. If you get an older one you would want to install the new 7.2 gears from an alphas sv. You mentioned that your son loves tiny crank baits, they made a special pixy for this called the spr. If he is big into cranks that might be the ticket but it is very specialized.
flechero reply :
Are the Curado 50 and the Core 50 the same size? They look different but I can't find similar pics to compare with anything for reference. And are they appreciably smaller than the Curado 70?
I found several nice Daiwa options, but truthfully, I like all my shimano reels better than my Daiwa counterparts.
Thanks again!
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Shimano curado 50e, Chonarch 50e and Core 50, I think they are all using the same body just a little material, bearing inside. Curado was for US market, Chonarch was also US market but in a higher price category, the core would be JDM(Japan domestic market).
WRB reply :
On 3/17/2017 at 10:00 PM, Catt said:I had the same problem with my 8 yr old grandson & to solve it I purchased a Mr. Crappie® Slab Daddy® Baitcast Reel.
While some here my laugh at a Crappie reel for bass fishing I can assure you it is more than up to the task. I've caught several 5-6# bass in moderate to heavy cover with no problems.
This reel features a fully adjustable, anodized-aluminum star drag system that allows up to 8.8 lb. of drag and a 6.3:1 gear ratio for fast retrieves. The 1-piece graphite frame and removable side plate provide strength, and the anodized-aluminum handle with SoftTouch knobs offers a comfortable grip. Magnetic Cast Control System (MCS). 175 yards/10 lb. 7.7 oz.
Features and Benefits
6.3:1 gear ratio for fast retrieves
1-piece graphite frame and removable side plate provide strength
3 stainless-steel bearings and a Zero-Reverse antireverse bearing
Fully adjustable, anodized-aluminum star drag system allows up to 8.8 lb. of max drag
Machine-forged, anodized-aluminum drilled spool
Anodized-aluminum handle with SoftTouch knobs offer a comfortable grip
MCS is externally adjustable
Ceramic line guide
All for $39.99 from Academy
^^^^this^^^^
Perfect small reel for a youth entry level bass reel.
Tom
LuckyHandsINC. reply :
On 3/18/2017 at 11:58 PM, JustJames said:Shimano curado 50e, Chonarch 50e and Core 50, I think they are all using the same body just a little material, bearing inside. Curado was for US market, Chonarch was also US market but in a higher price category, the core would be JDM(Japan domestic market).
All 3 reels are USDM. The chronarch 50e and curado 50e are nearly identical. The core 50e is the same exact size and shape as the other 2 but the frame is magnesium as opposed to aluminum. The scorpion 1000xt is the JDM counterpart for the curator/chronarch and the Aldebaran mg7 is the JDM counterpart for the core. All of them are very nice reels and would be a good option.
bigfruits reply :
the 2015 Aldebaran is the smallest (and lightest) ive fished. a great real but its $300 JDM. overkill for sure but maybe you could use it too?
smaller than the Shimano 50s and the new 70 Curado. the 50s and 70s are actually a little easier to palm for me as the Aldebaran HG is almost too small.
have not fished with a pixy so i cannot compare.
kickerfish1 reply :
On 3/19/2017 at 7:53 AM, LuckyHandsINC. said:All 3 reels are USDM. The chronarch 50e and curado 50e are nearly identical. The core 50e is the same exact size and shape as the other 2 but the frame is magnesium as opposed to aluminum. The scorpion 1000xt is the JDM counterpart for the curator/chronarch and the Aldebaran mg7 is the JDM counterpart for the core. All of them are very nice reels and would be a good option.
The 50s are great as well and have lots of tuning options.
nameiztaken reply :
On 3/17/2017 at 11:04 PM, flechero said:
Lots of options in varied prices! Anyone have a size comparison on the curado 70? I've also been looking at the JDM models... they seem to have a bunch of smaller reels.
No doubt he benefits from my taste in equipment... but the reality is that I get it as a nice finesse reel when he's not in the boat!
Catt- does the mr. crappie have a consistent cast control? He likes throwing smaller lighter crankbaits so a reel designed for casting light stuff is essential. And he doesn't feather with his thumb much because he can't easily reach the spool.
found this online, curado 70 looks like it would work perfect. (I have a 200i, which feels very small to me)
Rbm18 reply :
If you're looking to spend that kind of money, there are a couple core 50mg's on eBay. That's probably my favorite overall reel.
flechero reply :
On 3/19/2017 at 3:02 PM, nameiztaken said:found this online, curado 70 looks like it would work perfect. (I have a 200i, which feels very small to me)
Wow, pic is really worth a thousand words. That's a big difference! It's also the way I'm leaning right now.
Jeff H reply :
On 3/19/2017 at 12:59 PM, kickerfish1 said:
The 50s are great as well and have lots of tuning options.
Can I get in your will? That's a Shimano collection even I'd be proud to use!
nameiztaken reply :
Also you may want to check this out http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/demoprogram.html
You might be able to demo the Curado 70 to see if it would work.
kickerfish1 reply :
On 3/20/2017 at 7:05 AM, Jeff H said:
That photo still leaves out a Alde 50mg and another modded Scorpion 1000xt. I would put you in the will but I would probably crawl out of my grave to the thought of you stripping all the bling off to make them "old fashioned" for ya to pair with those St Croixs!
nameiztaken reply :
On 3/20/2017 at 11:54 AM, kickerfish1 said:That photo still leaves out a Alde 50mg and another modded Scorpion 1000xt. I would put you in the will but I would probably crawl out of my grave to the thought of you stripping all the bling off to make them "old fashioned" for ya to pair with those St Croixs!
Danggg! Thats quite the 50 collection you have there!
mrpao reply :
Don't forget about the 12 Aldebaran BFS and 15 aldebaran BFS limited.
Both have a flatter palm side which is easier for small hands to grasp.
Not to mention, both are very nice reels.
Jeff H reply :
On 3/20/2017 at 11:54 AM, kickerfish1 said:That photo still leaves out a Alde 50mg and another modded Scorpion 1000xt. I would put you in the will but I would probably crawl out of my grave to the thought of you stripping all the bling off to make them "old fashioned" for ya to pair with those St Croixs!
Well, just hold on a minute here! I promise I won't de-bling the reels if you will the rods along with them. In your honor they would never set on a St. Croix rod! I've more respect for you than that!?
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