Fishing Forum

[font "Arial Black"][red][size 3] I am thinking about getting a new Casting Reel , so I am looking for suggestions.I am hoping to hook up with someone later this year for a little Bass fishing 101 this year. [/size][/red][/font]
[font "Arial Black"][#ff0000][size 3] The smallies seem to be very popular so this will be the target. Reasonable price, don't want to spent tournament prices. Less than $ 150.00, So tell me my friends what would you reccommend?[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
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[font "Arial Black"][#ff0000][size 3]AFDan52[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
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Shimano Curado CU100B....


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If you can find one get a Curado 200 or 201 (lefty). Shimano just replaced the old Curado 200's with a new version and jacked the price up by $60 - 70. There are still some old ones out there and I'd highly recommend them. I haven't tried the new ones but I'm sure they'd work great.
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[cool][#0000ff]I scored a good deal on a lefty model 200 last year on eBay. Love it.[/#0000ff]
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Another reel that might be nice is the Shimano Cruxis $99 6.2:1.
I've not seen one in person but my BPS catalog has them and they look comparable to the old Curado.
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All I can say is try not to go cheap. I spent a little extra on a TD fuego and it pretty much does all the work for me and much more comfortable from my first bc reel. My buddy bought a cheap Shimano (nothing against Shimano, I have 2) because he didn't want to spend alot of money because he didn't know how to use a bc reel. He would have been better off spending that money on gas for my boat but anyways, the Shimano reels recommended are VERY good with good bearings, like liquid casting I'll tell ya.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#ff4040]I was at Sportsman's earlier today (3/14) looking at some casting reels. They had the Shimano Curado for $99.99, I think it said that the reg. price was $119.99. Just a little FYI if that is the reel that everyone has been suggesting.[/#ff4040][/font]
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I would recommend the diawa pr100-H or pr100-HL(lefty) run you about 59 to 69 bucks excellent reel for the money. I have used all major brands and I recommend spending as much as you can but this is a good one to start with.
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[center][/center][center][/center][center][url "http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTarget=search&hvarTextId=51677&hvarAID=froogle&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Fishing_Reels_Baitcast-_--1-_-Quantum%20Energy%20PT-X%20Metal%20Baitcast%20Reel%20-20or%20861"][black][size 4]Quantum® Energy® PT-X Metal Baitcast Reel[/size][/black][/url] [/center] [center][/center] [left][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]These reels are on sale at BassPro Shops for $139.99. [#ff0000]Regular $199.99! [/#ff0000][#000000]These are last year's model and are being replaced by this year's new models. These[/#000000] reels cast like a dream and are built tough to last. I've used my Energy PT casting light stuff for bass and have hauled in macks during the spawn. I can't recommend the Quantums high enough. [/size][/black][/font][/left] [center][/center]
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[cool][#0000ff]I just got a couple of lightweight Quantum Mantra lefty models from Hooked, during the closeout. List was $79...minus the closeout discount. Have only used one of them, for ice fishing, so far, but I like the feel. Now I need to get it some REEL exercise.[/#0000ff]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#ff4040]I just bought a cheapo yesterday. Diawa one, well I guess it will serve its purpose. I have never used on before so I got a cheap one to learn with. Knowing me I didn't want to dump a ton of cash on it, get frustrated trying to learn how to use it, and "accidently" drop it on some rocks.[][/#ff4040][/font]
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Hey dan, what is it you are interested in?
What is important to you when you buy a reel?

You asked for opinions and you got them.

But in choosing a reel, rod or any other tackle purchase, you ought to consider what it is you want to get out of the product and then compare products and choose the product that features what you were looking for.

Diawa, shimano, quantum, pfleuger, abu garcia, okuma, all of them make products that are used extensivley through out the world.
From the occasional angler all the way up to the professional and guide levels.

What you have here is a bunch of guys who like what they have, but you dont know why they like it, or if it will do what you want it to do better than the others.

So, ask yourself, what is it you want to do with, or get out of your reel?

Is quality of construction and materials most important to you?
Maybee its application specific, you want to troll with it, or you want the reel thats going to cast ultra light weight lures the most effectivley. Certain reels work better for crank baits and spinnerbaits. I tell you this much, if you want to toss 2 inch hollow tubes on 1/16 ounce weights, not all bait casters are created equal.
Is the most important feature warranty or maintenance and repair availability?
Maybee you want to get the most extra features for the least money.

I will tell you this much, any reel you buy will work. But if you will take the time to figure out what how you want to use the reel, and what is most important to you, then take the time to compare all the reels available in your price range, you will be more likley to get the best product for your needs.

I would take that approach rather than ask for a popular vote on what other guys have.

Quality is in the details.

And most importantly, when you go to the store get a guy who knows the products and all the products to help you. Find a employee who can tear apart all the brands and show you thier features and explain what are the advantages and higher quality features of each reel.

The best decision is a well planned decision. Very rarely a popular decision.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Now, after that big disertation, Predator, tell him what your rod lockers are filled with.....[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Quantums! LOL![/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]You have to remember, Predator worked at Sportsman's for a pretty good duration. He had a chance to tear down all the different reels and looked over the inner working parts. He practices what he preaches. He's also fished A LOT of reels for that very reason. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to get that involved with their research when trying to decide on which reels to buy.[/size][/font]
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Predator, what can you tell me about these light tackle bc reels? Brand names and models and such.
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The biggest thing you want to consider when trying to throw ultra light stuff on a bait caster is runout and the friction knob set up.

Whats run out? Well, its a term used to define how well two objects will rotate together. At least it will be for our purposes here.
In any casting reel you have parts to a spool. The spool being the roatating part of the reel.

The actual groove that the line sits in, the shaft that the spool spins on, and the locking feature that when engaged turns the spool while cranking.

The more closely "in tune" or true to center with each other these parts are, the easier it is to toss ultra light tackle with.

The other portion of the run out is how the bearings that the spool runs through are held into place and how many there are.
computer numerical control machined features will always be tighter toleranced and more controlled than cast or molded features. Castings and molds are fine when they have been machined afterwards to bring them into true.

Not all reels are built the same. Some support thier spools with less bearings and the positioning of the bearing pockets is poor so the spool shaft touches the front of one bearing the back of another, and doesnt ride at all on another.

The number of pieces used to put the spool configuaration together always attributes to less accuracy. A one piece set up will always have less margin of error than one that has a seperate spool that the shaft has been glued to, then a pin has been pushed through a hole in the shaft and a cast control system has been screwed to the ohter side. See what I mean? You cant get totally away from a multi piece spool, but you can get less pieces on some reels.

Anyways, that all attributes to how the reel will spin a light weight lure and lets face it, with casters its all about controlling the spin.

Now, lets get to the other aspect of light weight casting reels.
The fricton knob. The friction knob presses against the end of the spool shaft and creates friction on the end of the spool to slow the spool. Tightening the cap will bring the cap tighter on the end of the spool creating more friction, loosening it will create less.

How does it effect light weight casting?
Ever try to spin a top on a soft surface? Doesnt work too well.
plastic caps on the friction knob arent as solid as aluminum ones. having a good hard surface to snug up allows you to have much more of a fine adjustment and get that light weight lure set with the right ammount of friction to keep it flying as far as a spinning reel but keep you from backlashing.
Plastic caps have give in the threads, and in the end that make fine tuning less accurate.
Some manufacturers use brass inserts on the end of the cap to give ultra smooth yet hard surfaces for the spool end to ride on, others just use the inside of the cap.
the other thing is since you will be applying pressure to the spool here, you want a good bearing located here. Some use plastic inserts or washers wich arent as effective.

Other than that, having the right tip rod and a good line are all thats needed to throw real light stuff on a caster.
I throw almost exclusivley 1/16 oz weights and in most all cases out distance the guy in my boat fishing the same set up on a spinning reel.

I wont tell you what brands have what since I feel you have the info you need to check them all out for yourself and make an eduacted decision. Plus if you take the time to dissect these reels you will feel much more comfortable with your purchase having seen how the different companies build thier products for yourself.

if you want, I would be glad to meet you at the riverdale sportsmans and tear every reel under the counter apart and show you each one and thier features but you are still going to have to choose what one will suit your purposes best for yourself.
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