Your favorite baitcaster between $200-300 2024
ctg0311 reply :
I am looking in the 200-300 range for a new baitcaster. Strongly considering grabbing the new Lews Custom Lite SLP but wanted to hear other opinions in that range of your favorite. Already got a few Tatula SV's, Tatula Elite, Curado K's, Mach Crush, and Alderbaren BFS XG's, so, something different than those!
Stephen B reply :
You have some nice reels already, but I would recommend trying the Curado DC, Chronarch MGL, Daiwa Tatula Elite, or the Daiwa Costal TWS. It all depends on which application and weight to balance whichever rod you want it paired with. That's my thoughts. Goodluck.
ctg0311 reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 10:24 PM, Stephen B said:You have some nice reels already, but I would recommend trying the Curado DC, Chronarch MGL, Daiwa Tatula Elite, or the Daiwa Costal TWS. It all depends on which application and weight to balance whichever rod you want it paired with. That's my thoughts. Goodluck.
Thanks Stephen! You like your Curado DC or Chronarch MGL better?
fishballer06 reply :
Chronarch MGL, hands down. This reel is an absolute gem in the Shimano lineup.
ctg0311 reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 10:33 PM, fishballer06 said:Chronarch MGL, hands down. This reel is an absolute gem in the Shimano lineup.
Got me strongly considering that now...does it handle lighter lures well?
fishballer06 reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 10:39 PM, ctg0311 said:Got me strongly considering that now...does it handle lighter lures well?
I can bomb a Manns Baby 1- with it using 12lb fluoro. That's a 1/4oz bait.
primetime reply :
The models that are a year or two older and get marked down into the $100-$150 range...You can find some good deals on the Daiwa baitcasters at certain times of year. Shimmano reels seem to always hold their price but they are worth the money as I still have an Old Green Bantam Curado that has to be 25 years old and is still fantastic...Not sure I have ever done much more than clean it and grease and lube...
Hard to go wrong with any Shimano. If you want to sell it in a few years to upgrade, it will still get you a good return on Ebay, guys pay good money for them used or not...
ctg0311 reply :
Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Much appreciated.
FishTank reply :
So far I love my Curado DC. It's smooth and casts a mile.
dodgeguy reply :
Buy the Lews at Sportsmans Outfitters. You'll live it and sell all your others.Its lk like 179 there.
Jason.Domingo reply :
Love my Lew’s HyperMag..very smooth, casts far, handles light lures no problem. Although I feel like all the high end Lew’s are the same at least as far as internals are concerned. They’re just made out of different materials, the body that is lol.
Shimano_1 reply :
I've been wanting to try the lews team pro ti. Sexy and super smooth. I love my tournament pro lfs reels so I'd imagine that one would be even better. American legacy has em on sale for 249
newyorktoiowa57 reply :
I'd go Chronarch MGL for bottom baits or Curado DC for reaction. The Metanium MGL would be around 300 from Digitaka, but it does have a 70 sized spool and no U.S. warranty.
MickD reply :
Get a reel different than those you already have. In that price range they all are good, but most likely a little different. Then you'll be an expert on all those reels.
FrankN209 reply :
Bantam MGL is another good choice. Or the Daiwa SV103.
Matt_3479 reply :
My two favourites are chronarch mgl and bantam mgl! The bantam might be just above or top of the range. The chronarch is probably my all around favourite reel! Have 3-4 of them and got them on anything from finesse to frog, t-rigs/jigs!!
Junger reply :
I think mine would be the Daiwa SV105.
LegendaryBassin reply :
Definitely go with a Shimano or Daiwa. No comparison as they are the best
Raul reply :
Crrrrrrraaaaap !!!
Do I have to choose ?
So many options ....
Bluebasser86 reply :
Zillion SV TWS
Once I fished one I sold all my Shimanos and made the switch to Daiwa.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 10/2/2019 at 11:00 AM, Raul said:Crrrrrrraaaaap !!!
Do I have to choose ?
So many options ....
Nope. Just keep buying another one every couple months. Problem solved. 
NHBull reply :
It’s hard to beat the Chronarch MGL and they can be had in your price range.
waymont reply :
You have some Tatula SV TW already. Not many reels outperform the SV TW.
Raul reply :
On 10/2/2019 at 7:09 PM, new2BC4bass said:Nope. Just keep buying another one every couple months. Problem solved.
Been doing that for years, just to be sure I ain't missin anything !
bwjay reply :
Stretch and get a Bantam. You won't regret it. Most solid and smooth baitcaster I've used, and most people seem to have the same impression.
LonnieP reply :
My next reel in that price range will be the Daiwa Coastal SV
DomQ reply :
Loved my chronarch ci4+ reels, wish I could have kept them but just sold them couple weeks ago to help pay for an engagement ring, but keep that a secret. 
Big Rick reply :
On 10/3/2019 at 9:18 AM, DomQ said:Loved my chronarch ci4+ reels, wish I could have kept them but just sold them couple weeks ago to help pay for an engagement ring, but keep that a secret.
Congrats! Just remember, Happy wife, happy LIFE.... Seems you've already bought into that idea since you sold your favorite reels. Man, that had to sting a bit...
DomQ reply :
On 10/3/2019 at 9:20 AM, Big Rick said:Congrats! Just remember, Happy wife, happy LIFE.... Seems you've already bought into that idea since you sold your favorite reels. Man, that had to sting a bit...
Worth it buddy but yes it did
WPCfishing reply :
Any Shimano MGL reel, Look at specs, choose the best fit and pull the trigger,
Rip_lipz reply :
My tatulas have been my favorite reel purchase. If you between reels go to tackle warehouse and do the rental program. You can try any reel they have available.
Catt reply :
Shimano Curado 70 $179.97 ????
OnthePotomac reply :
Another Chronarch MGL fan here. A really sweeeet reel.
WPCfishing reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 10:39 PM, ctg0311 said:Got me strongly considering that now...does it handle lighter lures well?
You bet! Have another one arriving tomorrow.. want more MLG reels.
Im even considering the SLX MGL.
Has to be great for small baits of of types.
Will compare it to my earlier Team Lews and Lews Mag.
im not positive the SLX MLG will blow them away but I’ll tell ya.. I’d put bet money on the MLG right now!
KP Duty reply :
Zillion sv tw. Lots of quality reels that palm well available, but Daiwa's braking systems give them the nod for me.
Chowderhead reply :
On 10/7/2019 at 1:27 AM, KP Duty said:Zillion sv tw. Lots of quality reels that palm well available, but Daiwa's braking systems give them the nod for me.
Same here, love my Zillion SV TWS — looking to buy more.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 10/3/2019 at 7:32 AM, Raul said:Been doing that for years, just to be sure I ain't missin anything !
In that case I am sure you own many more reels than I do because you have been doing it for a longer period of time. I am up around ?? now with several not having made it on a rod yet. 
OP: My favorite reels below $300 are used Steez and Exsence. Latest is a Steez SV103H for less than $200. Think I will spool it with 8# AN40 and mount it on a Villain 2.0 ML.
Chief250 reply :
Shimano metanium mgl for just under $300 on ebay (JDM) model. Or get it from the Japanese sites for around the same price. I have all the shimanos up there and the chronarch is nice. It's just not metanium nice. The metanium is something really special.
Dwight Hottle reply :
Bantam mgl available for $274 JDM sites with free shipping. It's my absolute favorite in the $250-300 price range.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
At this price point you’d have to actually try to go wrong. Just a matter of personal preference regarding features. Unfortunately that’s not much help unless you try them all. Go with your gut and pull the trigger.
ctg0311 reply :
Thanks everyone!!! Lots of great advice on here. Went with The Chronarch MGL and am loving it so far.
Dens228 reply :
Lew's Tournament Pro.
FryDog62 reply :
I see one of the reels you’re considering is the Lew’s Lite. I can’t speak to the current model but had the former. Like a lot of Lew’s reels they start out great but start to screech a lot even with frequent lubrication.
If you want a smaller, compact reel in your price range - that still has the SV spool - I would suggest the JDM Daiwa Alpha. It does not have a T-Wing, but I actually prefer it to my Zillion in terms of comfort, palmability, weight. Can pick them up on Digitaka or Amazon for approx $250 ish.
Fishin Dad reply :
On 10/15/2019 at 10:03 PM, FryDog62 said:I see one of the reels you’re considering is the Lew’s Lite. I can’t speak to the current model but had the former. Like a lot of Lew’s reels they start out great but start to screech a lot even with frequent lubrication.
If you want a smaller, compact reel in your price range - that still has the SV spool - I would suggest the JDM Daiwa Alpha. It does not have a T-Wing, but I actually prefer it to my Zillion in terms of comfort, palmability, weight. Can pick them up on Digitaka or Amazon for approx $250 ish.
Hey Frydog,
How do you compare the performance of the Alpha SV to the Zillion SV? I have both the Tatula SV and the Zillion SV. Just wondering compared to those what you like.
FryDog62 reply :
On 10/15/2019 at 11:13 PM, Fishin Dad said:Hey Frydog,
How do you compare the performance of the Alpha SV to the Zillion SV? I have both the Tatula SV and the Zillion SV. Just wondering compared to those what you like.
I find it the lightest and easiest to palm. Best of those 3 reels for finesse applications, second only to my Steez SV TW in that regard. Skips light plastics very well even without the T-Wing. I have 2 Alphas and use one for Ned/Neko and the other drop-shot.
The Lew’s Lite was also small/light but good luck skipping lures consistently...
HKBasser reply :
If you can find it, definitely look out for the Abu Garcia LV7 (7.3:1) or Abu Garcia LC6 (6.3:1), they're between 200-300 and you can get them on eBay, they were released sometime in 2017. Mid-priced Japanese market reel but it is very light, fits 80 meters of 16lb fluorocarbon and weighs 5.7 oz.
WPCfishing reply :
Shimano Chronarch MGL
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