Help! In Need Of A New Baitcaster

[3bd4]

My birthday is rolling around in a week and I am in need of another baitcaster. Looking to spend somewhere around $150 or so. The most important thing to me is longevity and durability! What reel do you all recommend in this price range?

[rockchalk06]

I will jump in before LMG and give the Abu the first dibs lol

I use and prefer Abu Garcia reels. I have four and love them all.

For the 150 dollar range you can get the new Revo S for 129.99 from most retailers. Some have found it cheaper though. For longevity on this model, its only been out a few months so I cant say its going to last for 6 months or 10 years as we havent gotten that far with it yet But I would venture to say its going to last a long time. The previous Revo S's lasted quite awhile.

I also have 3 Gen 2 STX's that have been out for some time. Mine get used alot and have held up very well.

I also have a Bass Pro, Pro Qualifer too. Its a tank and has lasted a long time. They can be had for around 100 and under new and used.

I'll let the other guys throw out the other brands, I honestly can say that I have not used any other brands other than some cheap Shakespeare's in the past.

[roadwarrior]

Curado 50E

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast10reelsshimanofreshwater.html

[LgMouthGambler]

Man, rockchalk got here first. Oh well, I recommend if going brand new at a store, the Curado G. If not worried about brand new, take roadworriors advice. Either way, if your wanting longevity, you better get a Shimano product.

[senile1]

For longevity on this model, its only been out a few months so I cant say its going to last for 6 months or 10 years as we havent gotten that far with it yet But I would venture to say its going to last a long time. The previous Revo S's lasted quite awhile.

Revo's are awesome reels and known for their quality. Having said that, the first Revo baitcasters were introduced in 2006 so it would be difficult to ascertain how the reels will perform after 10 - 15 years. I suspect, like any good reel if taken care of, they will last forever as long as parts are available.

I would also be looking at a Shimano Curado in that price range.

[CPBassFishing]

+1 on Abu Garcia reels. I had my silver maxx for 3 years, fishing 3 times a week and with no maintenance. I had to retire it when the drag gear eventually stripped. The only minus on the reel was that I could have fixed it if I could open it haha. There's no way to open it.

[kickerfish1]

I would second a shimano either the curado or citica to keep the price under $150. Although it has been out for a short time and not many people have tried them I would also recommend looking at Okuma Komodo. Retail is $200 but I paid $147 shipped for a brand new one. The only small complaint is that accessing the braking system is kind of a pain but other than that I am really impressed by the look, feel, and performance of the reel.

[roadwarrior]

+1 on Abu Garcia reels. I had my silver maxx for 3 years, fishing 3 times a week and with no maintenance. I had to retire it when the drag gear eventually stripped. The only minus on the reel was that I could have fixed it if I could open it haha. There's no way to open it.

The OP is specifically looking for "longevity and durability". The Silver Max doesn't meet these requirements.

It might be fine at the pricing point ($60), but I would consider it a "disposable" reel.

[McAlpine]

Unfortunatly the Curado's are not what they used to be. I would not buy a new one. The Citca is nice but if you bump your price a bit for the same money you can get an Abu Revo STX and in my opinion preferable to the new Citca.

Good luck.

[McAlpine]

The OP is specifically looking for "longevity and durability". The Silver Max doesn't meet these requirements.

It might be fine at the pricing point ($60), but I would consider it a "disposable" reel.

Agree on the silvermax. I was given one as a gift and have used it for 2 years on a squarebill rod. This year is the year it goes in the trash. It really was a fine reel but the gears just flat wore out and it feels very tight now. To be fair, for a couple times a year guy one of these would be great for the money and out of the box it was a good little reel. If you are fishing tournaments 1-2 times a month on top of any other time you can get out on the water, it will wear out fast. Honestly, I should have retired it in the middle of this year.

[bassh8er]

The OP is specifically looking for "longevity and durability". The Silver Max doesn't meet these requirements.

It might be fine at the pricing point ($60), but I would consider it a "disposable" reel.

RW,

Can you clarify what you mean by disposable? I've heard you say that a couple of times, and am curious what you mean by it?

Thanks.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I'm actually gonna chime in on this and throw a pflueger president in the mix! Yea I said it a pflueger..... It has been an outstanding reel for me and I would not hesitate to buy another one. I currently have 4 pflueger reels (1 president and 3 asaro) and they have performed well above my expectations.

[roadwarrior]

RW,

Can you clarify what you mean by disposable? I've heard you say that a couple of times, and am curious what you mean by it?

Thanks.

The cost of repair and/or availability of parts does not justify the cost of repair vs replacement.

In addition to some specific problem, components may be compromised due to wear or stress.

This class of reel, in general, but not specifically, is built to perform as described when new. An

analogy might be a BIC pen. They work well when they are new, but are not designed for cartridge

replacement. They simply wear out with use.

[sarcazmo]

I was just @ cabelas today. Considering I just bought 3 reels yesterday I really didnt need another one... But they had Okuma Helios for $149.99! This reel retails for $220!

I already had one and absolutely loved it so I had to buy one. For $149 there isn't a reel out there that can even tough it IMO.

[bassh8er]

The cost of repair and/or availability of parts does not justify the cost of repair vs replacement.

In addition to some specific problem, components may be compromised due to wear or stress.

This class of reel, in general, but not specifically, is built to perform as described when new. An

analogy might be a BIC pen. They work well when they are new, but are not designed for cartridge

replacement. They simply wear out with use.

Makes sense, thanks for clarifying RW.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Shimano without a doubt.... You can still buy a brand new Citica 200E, Curado 200E or a Curado 50E. Nothing at all wrong with the new G series either, so don't listen to the uneducated.

[LgMouthGambler]

Unfortunatly the Curado's are not what they used to be. I would not buy a new one. The Citca is nice but if you bump your price a bit for the same money you can get an Abu Revo STX and in my opinion preferable to the new Citca.

Good luck.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? OK, some have been spoiled with the E series, but come on! The G series is still a great reel, and will still beat anything in the close perspective that Pure Fishing can try to throw at them as "competition". Lets just face it, there is nothing Pure Fishing can produce that beats the durability of a Shimano product. There I let the beast out.

[Darren.]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? OK, some have been spoiled with the E series, but come on! The G series is still a great reel, and will still beat anything in the close perspective that Pure Fishing can try to throw at them as "competition". Lets just face it, there is nothing Pure Fishing can produce that beats the durability of a Shimano product. There I let the beast out.

Pop some popcorn, pour a nice drink, sit back and enjoy the fireworks!

[LgMouthGambler]

Pop some popcorn, pour a nice drink, sit back and enjoy the fireworks!

Get-R-Done!

[Brian Needham]

Lews TP.

[McAlpine]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? OK, some have been spoiled with the E series, but come on! The G series is still a great reel, and will still beat anything in the close perspective that Pure Fishing can try to throw at them as "competition". Lets just face it, there is nothing Pure Fishing can produce that beats the durability of a Shimano product. There I let the beast out.

Ok, actually I take it back. That was a dumb statement and not actually the way I meant it. I recently needed a new reel and spent a lot of time at my local BPS trying them all out. The new currado's are not built as well as the old ones. Period. Also the Revo-S is a better reel. The Citca to me was a better reel than the Revo-S but then the Revo-STX is a smoother, better feeling reel than the new Citca..

This is my opinion so you don't have to agree but go try them all side by side then come tell me I'm wrong.

;-)

What I really meant is that for the price, the new currado's just aren't the go to reel any more. It's like any technology. Competitors normally leap-frog one another. At this time, for the price point, Abu is in the lead.

I'm not sold on any single brand ever and I buy what works best for the price. I bought an STX due to flat honest comparison.

If price didn't matter I would have bought an MGX. However; as nice as this reel is, it's not $100 better than the STX.

[McAlpine]

Oops. MGX is not $150 better than the STX I mean. Doh.

However if anyone wants to send me an MGX feel free to do so. :-P

[TNBassin']

For $129 u can't beat the Revo S. It's easily as smooth as my gen 2 sx was and casts a mile.

[sarcazmo]

For $129 u can't beat the Revo S. It's easily as smooth as my gen 2 sx was and casts a mile.

Sure you can, spend the extra $20 and get a helios from cabelas. Provided they have any...

[3bd4]

Thanks for all your suggestions so far everyone. I think as of right now I am leaning towards a a shimano curado e or citica e? Is there a large difference between the two, and where can I get a good deal on a new one? Thanks again for the help!