FishTank

This might be helpful... and a good reel.

I have both and like both. With your budget you can get a Curado > great all purpose reel. Easy to use and set up Or.... Daiwa Tatula SV TWS or maybe a Tatula Elite. My choice would be the Tatula even though I love my Curado. You really can't go wrong with either one.

What rod was it exactly? What kind of line? Was the rod held straight up and the line pulled down? More than likely, like stated above, the rod was probably cracked/compromised prior to your test.

I got the 60 6.2:1 and it's big but pretty smooth.

I had the Mach Crush and returned it to Dicks. I didn't even fish more than one day. It checked all the boxes when it came to bad things I dislike about reels. I do however have the cheaper Carbon Fire and for what it is, it's not bad. No complaints so far. It does what I ask of it but it doesn't cast far, the brakes are hit and miss, and it's not too smooth under load but these things are minor when you compare it to the price I paid. In the price range you are looking at though the Shimano SLX is best choice I have seen so far but I have worked on a buddy's BB1 Pro and it too is a nice reel.

I have been using the Calcutta 251 for years and last year I picked up the Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast. It's is oddly amazing for a big reel and it makes the Calcutta look like a toy in comparison. It's more of a musky reel but I have used it for bass and its almost laughable.

It's not bad. Some of the boat ramps we go to, go from shallow to deep quick and the ramp gets slimy during the summer. They do a better job than most but are not perfect. I think it's the vibram soles. I tried the Keens (Newports and Rialtos) as well and returned two pairs before I bought these. Luckily I bought them at REI and they are pretty forgiving on the returns. One pair pinched my pinky toe and the others were like ice skates when wet. I liked the Chaco's I had years ago but they were a pain to get all the straps done properly and when they got wet the straps would slip loose. Also, I didn't like how dangly the straps were but they were comfortable. One downside to the Tevas, my wife makes fun of the tan lines I get.

With the Strata Sandals.... think super comfortable, lots of arch support that you can customize, stable for a day standing and a sole that feels like it should be a hiking boot. I have worn these in a kayak as well and have gotten them wet multiple times.

For fishing shoes/sandals on the boat.... I have tried several over the years... Sperry, Keen, Chaco, NRS, Birkenstock, OluKai, Teva, Merrell, etc.... Here is what I have settled on..... Cold wet weather> Muck winter boots Not so cold> Asolo TPS Hiking Boots. Almost warm> Vasque Breeze Hiking Boots > best overall boot, not to hot not to cold and breathes well Hot Summers>Teva Strata. I have tried and liked a few Chacos but these are the best I have found. Comfortable and some what slip resistant.

I have the Curado K and it will be just fine for a medium rod not sure about a ML or L though. I would prefer a lighter, more finesse type reel for that type of fishing.

I don't know if the line will help with smoothness but it's worth a shot. I have tried Sniper in the past and it's not bad. I never noticed it effecting the smoothness of a reel though. As far as the reel that is second from the left, it's an Antares 19 70A Left. I ordered it from a store on eBay in Japan. I paid $360 minus a $50 coupon I got for signing up for PayPal Credit so $310. It is, so far, beyond belief. I have never fished anything like it before. It's so smooth, it feels invisible.

I like both Daiwa and Shimano. It's kind of hard to help choose one for you. What are you intending to use it for? What rod are planning on putting on? If you are going high end, the Daiwa Steez SV TWS or the Shimano Metanium.

I picked my second one up from the same guy on eBay. I definitely got a good deal. I have paired it with a St. Croix Legend Glass and use it for crankbaits. I also put 13lb Sunline Defier on it and this line is amazing. Best cranking line I have ever used. I wish I would have found it sooner. Also, nice collection you got of Shimanos. If you ever want to branch out, the Daiwa Steez SV TWS is an amazing reel. In someways, I like it better than the Antares (any of them). The Antares has the amazing look and buttery smoothness but the Steez has a better feel for functionality.

Love it so far. I have fished about 6 times since I got it. It did need a lot of work though. I have replaced the brake ring, 4 bearings, the drag washers, the main gear and the pinion. It did look perfectly new on the outside but the guy that owned it before me probably fished this as his only reel. The insides were toast. Yesterday I was out on the water for about 8 hours and fished it for about 3 of those hours. I only caught one fish though. My only complaint is that it maybe too solid and too smooth. It's so effortless that I sort of loose some of that connection I like to have with the reel but it casts a mile and smoothness is off the charts. I will be probably be using this as a topwater/jerkbait reel.

How about the Shimano Curado K? You can find it sometimes on Amazon for $160 and I think Academy will match their price. Its a great reel, pretty basic but well built and it would be great for someone new to baitcasters. Also, I would start out with some cheap mono for line. Trilene XL or Stren 10lb would work out great just in case you have a monster backlash.

Was the gear whine on the cast? If so, did you oil the brake ring after each use. Not all it seems but a few the Shimano reels I have purchased will easily develop this sound after a few trips and all it needs is one drop of oil on a q tip rubbed around the brake ring. I think there is a yellow warning sheet in the instructions that has the info on how to do it.... But since it's gone. I have both the Curado DC and the K. Both are great reels. I tend to like the DC better but if you don't like the sound of the DC, then the K is also great. For me the DC is smoother, casts further, and it will also casting into the wind when properly set up.

Through the bass back that you catch. To me they don't taste the best and besides, it really is cheaper to buy fish at the store than it is to fish for them as a source of food when you add up the equipment, baits, etc. Just fish for fun, unless it's perch or crappie.... As far as a backpack goes, my personal preference is Osprey. They have several that would fit the bill.

The Abu and Lew's reels mentioned are in a way to similar to compare. I would suggest again the idea of the Shimano SLX combo.

Today's line up and it was killer. I just got everything in that was ordered, one fixed and (what I hope) set up to the correct rods..... Daiwa Steez SV TWS/St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' M Fast Shimano Antares 19 70a Left/G. Loomis NRX 853C Shimano Antares 12/St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M Mod Shimano Antares 12 HG/G. Loomis GLX 783C Got some thoughts I will post later on which reel I like better>Daiwa Steez SV TWS vs. Shimano Antares 19 70a.... but I think I need to fish them some more first.

I went to the Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show and picked up an NRX for, I think it was around, $300-$350 and they also had the Conquest for around $400. It was just a show special. They were the regular rods, not a demo, or rep. rod. They have the full manufactures warranty.

They weren't producing, one of the eyes were missing on each bait, the hooks were bad, and the paint would flake off in my hand and in the bait box. I think I paid about $3-$4 each for these. Not worth the trouble to repair when I have or can get better quality baits.

My vote the Shimano Sahara or for something almost indestructible.... The Daiwa BG.

50lb Power Pro or Smackdown. Both are great. I did not care for Spider Wire.

St.Croix Legend Tournament? I do not own this rod but I was looking it over to purchase myself last year. I had it in my hands ready to buy at this years Boat, Sport and Travel Show but changed my mind and ended up getting an NRX instead (for a totally different purpose). The reason I changed my my mind was that I already have a 7' Heavy G. Loomis IMX that I use for frogs and heavy jigs. The St. Croix LT 7'4'' is a stout rod, almost too much power for what I would use it for, and it seemed tip heavy. With that said, I think it would be an excellent rod for punching and frogs paired with the right reel. Also, I can't say for sure but the tip of the rod seemed a little soft which is great for frogs and maybe punching but I tend to like a stiffer tip for jigs.

Sometimes.... The realistic action of the bait is what brings them in. Just as a juxtaposition..... These two baits can catch a ton of fish, both are kind of pricey but look, to me, totally different. One is sort of plain and uninviting and the other is a work of art.