What is your favorite baitcast reel? 2024
NEBasser101 reply :
I'm looking to buy a new reel for skipping and all around jig fishing. I've tried several companies, but I can't find a reel (and company) that I can completely trust. The closest company to my trust is Shimano. Even them, I've had or have had friends that has had problems with shimano. I work my gear hard, and most of the reels I get cannot hold up. What's your most reliable and favorite baitcast reel?
Can't Catch Bass reply :
I've recently gotten back into fishing, so I honestly can not testify to durability. I have 3 Shimano curado 70 series that I adore though. They cast a mile and are smooth as silk.
What kind of fishing are you doing and what baits are you throwing that is beating your gear to death?
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
If "work hard" includes neglect, you won't be satisfied with any modern reel. If cared for, any of the major brands models at the $100 and up price points should give years of reliable performance. Features for particular applications are pretty much personal preference.
Raul reply :
TDZ 103H, Shimano Chronarch 50 Mg. Those are my ”favorite” reels.
Dtrombly reply :
I typically stay in the $130-150 range and the Lews Tournament MB is probably my favorite reel to date. It very compact and super smooth.
BaitFinesse reply :
My favorite is the Daiwa Alphas. Look at the Daiwa SV103. Its an old proven tough, butter smooth platform with an 103SV spool in it. If you want skipping and tough, then that reel is it.
new2BC4bass reply :
No idea which reel of mine would hold up the best for your use. Maybe you should look into getting some older Swedish made Ambassadeurs. I hear they are tanks and easy to repair if necessary. Personally it is doubtful I would ever wear out one of my reels. Don't get to fish that much. 
Plus I try to rotate them so most see some use.....occasionally.
All my reels are reliable. None see excessive use or abuse. My favorites list just keeps getting longer. One of my "first" favorites is a Zillion 50th Anniversary. Recently got a new SV103 and new-2-me Exsence DC and expect both to make that list. In the meantime I am rather fond of my Alphas, Primmus, Helios Air, Curado 201E7, TD-Z 105H, Gen 1 STX and Chronarch 100B reels to name a few. 
FryDog62 reply :
The only baitcasting reel I’ve ever been able to consistently use for skipping is a Daiwa SV spool. I’ve had every other brand and they all backlash on me fairly regularly...
WRB reply :
Both Daiwa and Shimano offer excellent bass reels in both spinning and bait casting models. Totally agree with DVT on this topic, no mfr can overcome neglect.
Tom
Alan Reed reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 11:30 AM, Dtrombly said:I typically stay in the $130-150 range and the Lews Tournament MB is probably my favorite reel to date. It very compact and super smooth.
I also use mostly the Lews Tournament MB. Haven’t had any issues with any of mine.
Bluebasser86 reply :
2 favorites right now would be my Zillion TWS SV or Okuma Helios TCS. My old green Curados and white Chronarch all hold special places with me too though.
Catt reply :
Calcutta: solid as an anvil, versatile as a pair of Channellocks®, & dependable as a 30/30!
35+ years & still kicking bass ????
MichaelCopeland reply :
I have only ever used one baitcast reel a Lew's American Hero Laser AH1SHG Speed Spool with a 7.1:1 gear ratio. However, I love it and would definitely get another of these or any Lew's baitcasting reel.
roadwarrior reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 7:13 PM, Catt said:Calcutta: solid as an anvil, versatile as a pair of Channellocks®, & dependable as a 30/30!
35+ years & still kicking bass ????
I have the CTE100GT (10+ years) and a CTE200GT (15+). Both reels have been serviced over the years and
are MUCH better today than the day they came out of the box! I would rate them a dead solid 10.
BassWhole! reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 11:00 AM, NEBasser101 said:I'm looking to buy a new reel for skipping and all around jig fishing. I've tried several companies, but I can't find a reel (and company) that I can completely trust. The closest company to my trust is Shimano. Even them, I've had or have had friends that has had problems with shimano. I work my gear hard, and most of the reels I get cannot hold up. What's your most reliable and favorite baitcast reel?
"Quantas, Quantas never crashed..."
If you aren't going to fish reels from manufacturers that someone had a problem with, you're going to end up with a hand line. Oh and real (and reel) trust comes from first hand experience, so jump in there and start chucking and winding (what are you fishing with now?) "Tis better to have reeled and prematurely worn a pawl than never to have reeled at all.."
Chance_Taker4 reply :
My "Favorite" reels are the Abu Garcia Revo STX (not the gen 3 though) and the Okuma Helios LP. I think for skipping and flipping jigs I would go with another honorable mention the Pinnacle Optimus LTE.
NEBasser101 reply :
Thanks for the responses. What I mean by saying I work my gear hard is that I fish 5-7 days a week every week except for the winter. Right now I am mostly fishing Daiwa and shimano. I have a phlueger too but I don’t really like it. Quick question, can you skip with an open faced reel? I’ve never used one before.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 10:04 PM, NEBasser101 said:Quick question, can you skip with an open faced reel? I’ve never used one before.
What do you mean by open faced? Spinning and baitcasting reels can both be skipped with very well.
NEBasser101 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 10:07 PM, Bluebasser86 said:
What do you mean by open faced? Spinning and baitcasting reels can both be skipped with very well.
Open faced baitcaster, like the Calcutta
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 10:12 PM, NEBasser101 said:Open faced baitcaster, like the Calcutta
Yes, you can skip with a Calcutta, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
.ghoti. reply :
Never heard a baitcaster referred to as open face. Back in the day we called zebcos as closed face, spinning reels as open face.
As for baitcasters, we referred to them with whatever profane expletives seemed appropriate at the time.
drew4779 reply :
Although there's been many advances since then, my favorite is still the E-Series Chronarchs. I'm really starting to enjoy the Daiwa SV's as well.
Turtle135 reply :
Lew's SuperDuty. What I have found is that these are pretty bullet proof. Designed for deep diving crankbaits and A-Rigs they stay tight and solid with normal presentations.
OnthePotomac reply :
Problems with Shimanos? I admit I am a Shimano junkie with 100B's 11 years old and subsequent Curados and Chronarchs to date, except the Curado "G" and wish I could hear what the problems are. My 100B's have hundreds of hours on them and still fish like the day I took them out of the box and nothing has needed to be replaced on them, as is the case with the rest of my inventory. I do maintain my own reels. With regard to skipping a baitcaster, I hope you realize that it requires resetting your brakes and cast control cap and hours of practice. Even then the pros confess that it is a backlash high risk technique with a baitcaster.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 11:09 PM, OnthePotomac said:Problems with Shimanos? I admit I am a Shimano junkie with 100B's 11 years old and subsequent Curados and Chronarchs to date, except the Curado "G" and wish I could hear what the problems are. My 100B's have hundreds of hours on them and still fish like the day I took them out of the box and nothing has needed to be replaced on them, as is the case with the rest of my inventory. I do maintain my own reels. With regard to skipping a baitcaster, I hope you realize that it requires resetting your brakes and cast control cap and hours of practice. Even then the pros confess that it is a backlash high risk technique with a baitcaster.
The I series had issues with constantly needing to have a small amount of oil added or they'd become very noisy and lose casting distance. This was part of the reason I got rid of all mine. I was a Shimano guy for years, but their new stuff recently has not been impressive and it's gotten to where I feel like a lot of what I was paying for was the Shimano name. I don't think I'd ever get rid of my old B Curados, Chronarchs, or Calcuttas though.
NEBasser101 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 11:45 PM, Bluebasser86 said:The I series had issues with constantly needing to have a small amount of oil added or they'd become very noisy and lose casting distance. This was part of the reason I got rid of all mine. I was a Shimano guy for years, but their new stuff recently has not been impressive and it's gotten to where I feel like a lot of what I was paying for was the Shimano name. I don't think I'd ever get rid of my old B Curados, Chronarchs, or Calcuttas though.
What do you mostly run with now?
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 11:58 PM, NEBasser101 said:What do you mostly run with now?
Pflueger and Okuma, namely the Supreme XT and Helios TCS, but I also have several Presidents, a Supreme, and a Cerros. I really like my Zillion TWS SV though and will be getting more in the future.
crypt reply :
Abu pro max or black max 1600's. 4600 c4's are also on my favorite list.those little Ambassadeur's are the toughest reels I've ever used.rock solid, easy to cast dependable as all get out.
Catt reply :
My all time favorite because I bought it with my first tournament winnings!
islandbass reply :
I was taught an open face reel is synonymous with a spinning reel.
You can can certainly skip with anspinning reel with 0% chance of getting a back lash.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 11/19/2017 at 1:59 AM, crypt said:Abu pro max or black max 1600's. 4600 c4's are also on my favorite list.those little Ambassadeur's are the toughest reels I've ever used.rock solid, easy to cast dependable as all get out.
Wanting to try a small round reel, I picked up a package deal containing 3 Black Max 1600 reels. Not very refined but definitely easy to cast. Only used one so far....as it came to me....and was surprised at how well it handles a fairly light bait in high wind. Could cast a small fluke with 3/0 hook directly into a wind strong enough to cause whitecaps...and I am definitely not a pro with a baitcast reel. Wouldn't mind trying a couple other sizes (1500, 3600, 4600) but already have too many reels.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 10:04 PM, NEBasser101 said:Thanks for the responses. What I mean by saying I work my gear hard is that I fish 5-7 days a week every week except for the winter. Right now I am mostly fishing Daiwa and shimano. I have a phlueger too but I don’t really like it. Quick question, can you skip with an open faced reel? I’ve never used one before.
If you fish that much of course any reels would need some maintenance, a little oil on bearings and lube on worm gear. I would do oil/lube every month and grease the gear may be every 3 months. If shimano cannot stand those type of abuse I don't think any other reel would neither.
With that said my fav reel for everything would be shimano 50e skip pitch and cast like a dream.
can you skip with "open faced reel"?
WRB reply :
You need less coffee....slow down!
Tom
kschultz76 reply :
On 11/18/2017 at 11:45 PM, Bluebasser86 said:The I series had issues with constantly needing to have a small amount of oil added or they'd become very noisy and lose casting distance. This was part of the reason I got rid of all mine. I was a Shimano guy for years, but their new stuff recently has not been impressive and it's gotten to where I feel like a lot of what I was paying for was the Shimano name. I don't think I'd ever get rid of my old B Curados, Chronarchs, or Calcuttas though.
I wouldn’t characterize that as “issues”. It was documented as required maintenance in the instructions, and is just part of maintaining any reel made by Shimano with that generation of SVS. Some folks see it as an inconvenience and that’s fair. Certainly it’s extra maintenance when compared to VBS equipped reels or any of Daiwas Magforce variants.
I have a stable full of Shimanos, and one Tatula SV TW. That Tatula really impresses and has me thinking of getting another. But I won’t replace all my Shimanos because there are advantages and disadvantages to the Tatula and my Shimanos. Adding the Tatula has added some versatility and capability to my arsenal.
For what the OP is looking for I think a Tatula SV TW is worth strong consideration or a Daiwa SV 103 if you want a bullet proof tank.
Columbia Craw reply :
The one that started it all. I have five of em'. 
Mike L reply :
In my uneducated simple mind my favorite reels are the Curado E, 100sf and Chronarch Ci4.
Mike
OnthePotomac reply :
Yep, the new SVS braking system requires oiling the brass brake cylinder periodically to keep the noise at bay. Shimano will also tell you frequent oil on the drum keeps the brake shoes from wearing. If they squeak I oil and no squeak no oil. Not a big deal to do, Pop the cover and a wipe around the brass cylinder with an oiled QTip and good to go.
BaitFinesse reply :
If skipping is a priority then strongly consider a reel with an SV spool. The light weight of the spool and strong braking profile keep the spool in check allowing you to easily skip with little to no spool tension. Skipping with my SV reels is night and day better than with my SVS reels. I can skip light weight baits almost thumb free with rhe SV reels and the SVS are so bad at it I'll never try it again with them. The reel might be what skips across the water if I try that again.
Poolshark reply :
most modern casting reels are engineered to tighter tolerances than the reels of old. Therefore, they need to be maintained more often. I've liked shimanos since the b series curados and calcuttas and never had a problem with any of them.
The newer ones, the I and g series have been good as well but I can't skip maintainence with these without them squealing or getting rough much faster than the older ones did. This doesn't make the new reels more problematic, just need to serviced...
the only thing I'm wary of is on the newer shimanos are the seemingly flimsy hardware to open and close the side plates...only time will tell there. If you don't like that, then just get calcuttas or ambassaduers and they should last you a very long time.
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