Three Outfits, Pick The Best, Smoothest Caster.

[Deadeye-1]

Ok it's not everyday you get to play with different set up outfits to see how they do, but that is what I have had the opportunity to do lately. When they started sending in some better rated equipment into our department we set up a few and took them outside to throw.

Here are three. To keep it fair all were set up with Original Stren 12 lb Mono, with a 3/8 oz crankbait (with the hooks removed).

#1

Skeet Reese Signature Series. Reel by Victory (79.99), 7 ft Spinnerbait-Worm Rod (89.99) by Wright & McGill. Total cost $170

#2

KVD Signature Series. Reel (99,99) and 7 ft Medium Action Rod(139.00) by Quantium. Total cost $240

#3

Shimano Curado Reel (199.00) Falcon Bucco 7 ft Medium Action Rod (129.00). Total cost $$330

All three were adjusted for a smooth easy steady drop, with the braking system set to not allow backlash.

So in your opinon, Which of the three had the Best Distance and the Smoothest Casting, with the least amount of Effort?

I'll be back later to see your responces and reveal the answer!

[BrianinMD]

Easily #3

[LgMouthGambler]

Im gonna guess the Curado.

[Fontana Finesse Man]

My guess would be the skeet reese combo

[roadwarrior]

Well, this is a fun question, but most reels seem great right out of the box. "Time" is a better measure.

Regardless of the brand, a routine cleaning will generally make "new" better. Over time, design, engineering

and components take center stage. We all have our favorites, mine are Shimano.

[Stasher1]

I'm going to guess #1, but that's strictly due to the 'glass content of the rod and its inherent "whippy-ness".

[J Francho]

If you are testing the reels, then you should use the same rod. If you are testing the rods, then use the same reel. Or at least swap up the different permutations.

[LgMouthGambler]

If you are testing the reels, then you should use the same rod. If you are testing the rods, then use the same reel. Or at least swap up the different permutations.

Hes asking about the whole rig, not just the individual parts.

[J Francho]

Yes, and you'll get different results with different combinations. That's why you need to put the Skeet on every rod and test it before you can declare any distance winners.

[Mike__D]

I am going for number one, due to the parabolic bend of the rods.

Mike

[eyedabassman]

I too will vote number 1

[tmier]

Yes, and you'll get different results with different combinations. That's why you need to put the Skeet on every rod and test it before you can declare any distance winners.

He's right. You need a control variable to make a good decision on the best combo. Each rod loads the bait differently on the cast, and each reel will release/retrieve it differently.

[MaineBassFishin]

#3 also don't pay over $140 for the curado you can easily get them for that..

[Deadeye-1]

First I'd like to state that I am in no way promoting any Company, their prices or any Brand. Different dealers can and do charge different prices on the same equipment. One may charge $90 for reel X, while another charges $110 or $75 for the same reel. The only reason prices were included were to give total costs of the outfits used in this experiment at the location it was done.

Second, I agree that you do not have to have like branded reel & rod combos to acheive the best results. I have many combos that are made up of different manufactures, because they work the best that way for me.

The reason we paired the Signature Series Reel & Rods was that in both cases Skeet Reese and KVD not only put their name on it, but use it themselves. Not sure about KVD, but Skeet helped to design the ones that bear his name. So it was sort of a Signature Playoff, with the Shimano Curado (known and respected quality reel) and the Falcon (known and respected quality rod) thrown in for good measure.

Hey this was OUR Experiment, if you want to do one and ask what people think about it, by all means go ahead

Anyway, I'll let a few more weigh in their choice then I'll reveal what we found in ours.

[Packard]

#2 is my guess

[ChiCityBasser]

Gonna go with #2

[outdoorsman110]

#2 I have that rod and it casts like a cannon shoots a cannon ball.

[NorcalBassin]

3

[J Francho]

I'm tempted to say #2 as well. The fact that's a Quantum aside, it's a quality matched rig, and brand new should feel pretty spiffy.

[stkbassn]

#3 also don't pay over $140 for the curado you can easily get them for that..

Yep, Curado on Ebay $124-129 shipped and the Chronarch for $169 shipped all day every day...reliable sellers too....

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Goin with número UNO for the win!

[Senkoman12]

i hate skeet reese rods and reels and do not find them smooth at all so im gonna say #3

[Deadeye-1]

Ok, now the results!!

Hard to say that there was a "loser" when your dealing with combos of this quality, here is how I ranked them starting with the worse:

#2, KVD Series. Right off the start I noticed that the balance feel was different, not bad just different. The distance was not bad, just not nearly what the other two had. We even upgraded the crankbait from 3/8 to 1/2 oz and it did improve but never reached the same range.

The #1 & #3 combos were surprizing very simular. I was able to reach 3-5 yrds further with the Curado/Falcon combo IF I put more effort into the cast, not much more now mind you but still more effort than the Skeet Reese combo.

The first time I threw the Skeet Reese combo I was shocked at how well and easily the line flew off the spool. A merely flick of the wrist and the lure was sailing down across the parking lot. Everyone that threw said it was extremely smooth and commented on how far it went with so little effort.

The same could be said for the Curado/Falcon combo. Extremely smooth and fluid with the delivery. Actually there were some that refused to throw it because of the price and they were afraid that if they threw it they would want it.

So which one won between the two? Well there were things that we could not test like:

Time, how long would each last and perform at that level. Most believe that based it the Shamano history the combo should last for many years. The Skeet Reese units still fairly new to the market and I have heard both good and bad reports on the Victory reel.

Fishability, we were throwing these in a parking lot and no Asphalt Bass were caught that day so how would each do in a real world situation? How would the bite feel, the hook-set work, and the fight? There is no way that we could accurately measure that.

In the end one might just look at cost. At a difference (at that location) of $160.00 it was cause for consideration. That would relate to being able to buy two Skeet Reese outfits for the price of one Shamano/Falcon.

So which would I choose? If price were not an issue and I could get either one for free, I would place the Curado/Falcon rod in 1st Place. If money was factured in, there was so little real difference in the end result between the two, with the Skeet Reese rod performing with what felt like less effort, I would have to give it the go ahead nod.

One other thing to mention is that the Curado Reel used was a model still built in Japan. Shamano has now coverted their manufacturing of ALL their reels to Maylasia, with what has been reported by some to a lower standard of quality. So a new model curado may not perform the same results.

All these things considered I would have to say that the winner was: #1 Combo Skeet Reese!!!!

[outdoorsman110]

Ew..

I went thru 3 Skeet Reese Reels in 4 months.. The drag got shot, the reel wouldn't stop making noise after countless times of cleaning it and the wormshaft got worn from being fished. All 3 of them.

[LgMouthGambler]

BOOOOOOO! Haha