Help In Picking My New Reel(S)

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I get 800 out of my tax return to use on a new reel or two. Problem is there is so much new stuff at least to me. Since I last went reel shopping. Ive been looking at some of the JDM Daiwa reels and some Mega Bass reels. Im just not sure I want to drop that much on a reel. As awesome as they are. The other reels on my radar are, some of the new Okumas, Lews (never fished one but I hear good things), a Daiwa Pixy I reallly want one of these and WILL have one soon, most the other higherend offerings from daiwa too. I know the decision ultimately rests with me. Im just curious as to what yall think about some of my choices.

[slonezp]

I think you should get a real job and become a pipefitter

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I think you should get a real job and become a pipefitter

Not enough risk in pipe fighting. Knuckle Dragging and Electricial are bit more my speed. Id rather be walking the steel, pulling cables, or burning rods. Plus fitters do it with precision. Electricians do it with more frequency. I got some others I will PM you later.

[slonezp]

Love to help you on the reel search but I'm a ABU and Ardent guy.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Love to help you on the reel search but I'm a ABU and Ardent guy.

Ive never fished any of the ABU reels other than their round baitcasters. Which I might add I am a HUGE fan of.

[kickerfish1]

Would be interested in knowing what rods you plan on pairing some of these higher end rod with and what type of techniques you have in mind. There are many great reels out there from $150-$500 which seems to be in "your range". Too maximize your $ you could look for a well taken care used JDM reel. Alphas and TDZs can be had for well under $250.

A core 50mg7 or revo mgx may be a better "all around" reel than the pixy if finding a super light weight reel is your ultimate goal but for true finesse the pixy is the tickett.

It all depends upon what you are looking for. Some will be better at casting lighter baits and some will be better at heavier baits.

If you want a rundown of JDM reels take a look a japantackle. They have both current and discontinued models listed as well as some limited production reels. They may only have a modest selection of reels for sale but at least it may help a bit with ideas.

[slonezp]

Ive never fished any of the ABU reels other than their round baitcasters. Which I might add I am a HUGE fan of.

I was still throwing a C3 5500 a few years back. I still use it now for the A Rig and salmon fishing. I'm not impressed with Diawas going back to way back when, and have never used the others you have mentioned. I can say my father is not a fan of Okuma's trolling reels, if that means anything.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Would be interested in knowing what rods you plan on pairing some of these higher end rod with and what type of techniques you have in mind. There are many great reels out there from $150-$500 which seems to be in "your range". Too maximize your $ you could look for a well taken care used JDM reel. Alphas and TDZs can be had for well under $250.

A core 50mg7 or revo mgx may be a better "all around" reel than the pixy if finding a super light weight reel is your ultimate goal but for true finesse the pixy is the tickett.

It all depends upon what you are looking for. Some will be better at casting lighter baits and some will be better at heavier baits.

If you want a rundown of JDM reels take a look a japantackle. They have both current and discontinued models listed as well as some limited production reels. They may only have a modest selection of reels for sale but at least it may help a bit with ideas.

The pixy will be replacing my lone spinning reel.

The others will be used primarily for cranking. Maybe a few T-rigs. Also for some jigs. I need me a new jig reel. However they will mostly get used for my cranks.

The gear ratio is really not important to me. I fish cranks amazingly with most any gear ratio.

I have been looking on japantackle and really like the Zonda reel. Again though I just got to come to terms with dropping that kind of cash on a reel. Im almost tempted to buy a 200 to 250 dollar reel and super tuning it. Then tricking it out.

[Teal]

Its no JdM or High end exotic but i challenge you try a Lews Tourney Pro. Its a great reel at a humble price. I have one Zillion that is better built and is a beast, but i have several Lews TPs that i got for half the price and preform pretty dang good.

Look on e bay and see what you can find...save money dont buy retail.

I am a "lews man" but ive been searching trying to find a pixy or a Td Sol for cheap..i had a Sol before and i got on hard times and hard to part with it. It will cast a weightless finesse worm or a tiny jerkbait a mile!! They are good reels.

I dont know if you are in need a Spinning reel, but there are used Stellas up there for 275. And new Stradics for 135.00. (a i bought a stradic off there last month)

[A-Jay]

Perhaps if you Demo a couple from TW - that could help you decide.

 

Nothing like try before you buy.

 

A-Jay

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Perhaps if you Demo a couple from TW - that could help you decide.

 

Nothing like try before you buy.

 

A-Jay

Never even thought about doing that. That is a dang good idea. Thank ya sir.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Its no JdM or High end exotic but i challenge you try a Lews Tourney Pro. Its a great reel at a humble price. I have one Zillion that is better built and is a beast, but i have several Lews TPs that i got for half the price and preform pretty dang good.

Look on e bay and see what you can find...save money dont buy retail.

I am a "lews man" but ive been searching trying to find a pixy or a Td Sol for cheap..i had a Sol before and i got on hard times and hard to part with it. It will cast a weightless finesse worm or a tiny jerkbait a mile!! They are good reels.

I dont know if you are in need a Spinning reel, but there are used Stellas up there for 275. And new Stradics for 135.00. (a i bought a stradic off there last month)

You would be suprised how exotic I can make a domestic reel. I had a pimped out Pinnacle PLS150 that exploded when I caught a 26lb Stripper this past summer. I had been using that reel for 4 years. I will be looking at the Lews reels though.

[slonezp]

A 26lb stripper? DAYUM! I could fit her in my pocket...

[Teal]

Haha, once i get settled in with my new job and a few things going on right now, i was thinking of getting my TPs super tuned and possibly tricked out with Carbon/hawg handles...idk, something ive never really done to a reel other than stripping it and replacing bearings or cleaning it. Im def gonna go Hawg tech on it, those handles and cork grips are sexy.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

A 26lb stripper? DAYUM! I could fit her in my pocket...

Yup that was spelled wrong.

[roadwarrior]

Well, if you care about "bang for your buck" this is my best suggestion based on the reels I own:

 

Curado 50E supertuned by DVT

 

If you like round reels, CTE200GT

 

I have a Calais, but not the DC. Those that own this reel claim there is NOTHING like it!

You may be able to find a deal, but retail is $650.

 

 

[Fishes in trees]

I have a few of the Shimano Calcutta 200 TEGT reels.  I got them the second year they came out.  2003 or 2004?  Anyway, 11 ball bearings and  I think that they cast better now than they did when they were new, being fully broke in and all.  If you like round reels, I think that these are the best round reels available.

[bassinbrian]

Well it's hard to beat the Steez and you can find the older model for a great price new and really good if you find a used one, check the forsale forums here and on TT. I have the PX Type R and the JDM counterpart the PX68 both are fantastic and couldn't go wrong. Though for heavier jigs I use a Zillion Type R, which I'm a big fan of the zillions and there's some JDM ones I'm waiting patiently on to find.

There's just a ton of options and not a bad one in my opinion once you get in the upper end. As for Megabass reels, new there over my comfort level but I check all the time to snag a good used one, lol. The zonda is a megabass tuned PX68.

If you have any questions on the USDM high end Daiwas or TT is a good place to get info on higher end gear, a lot of tackle heads over there compared to here.

[Maico1]

The pixy will be replacing my lone spinning reel.

The others will be used primarily for cranking. Maybe a few T-rigs. Also for some jigs. I need me a new jig reel. However they will mostly get used for my cranks.

The gear ratio is really not important to me. I fish cranks amazingly with most any gear ratio.

I have been looking on japantackle and really like the Zonda reel. Again though I just got to come to terms with dropping that kind of cash on a reel. Im almost tempted to buy a 200 to 250 dollar reel and super tuning it. Then tricking it out.

While looking for a new jig reel you may want to look at a Conquest 50 or Conquest 50 DC. Both are built like little tanks and will last you the rest of your life and then some.

If gear ratio is not a problem for you then take a look at the Antares HG or the Calais DC both are very smooth reels. I would give the nod to the DC since I have not had a to much time on the water with the HG yet. Then there is the new Metanium due out in March which has some of the technology rolled over from the HG.

Last but not least you could also look at the Calcutta 200 DC which is geared more to cranking.....

[Maico1]

I have a few of the Shimano Calcutta 200 TEGT reels.  I got them the second year they came out.  2003 or 2004?  Anyway, 11 ball bearings and  I think that they cast better now than they did when they were new, being fully broke in and all.  If you like round reels, I think that these are the best round reels available.

Without a doubt they are just incredible casting machines but you just can not rule out anything Conquest or Conquest DC when it come to round reels.   

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I have a few of the Shimano Calcutta 200 TEGT reels.  I got them the second year they came out.  2003 or 2004?  Anyway, 11 ball bearings and  I think that they cast better now than they did when they were new, being fully broke in and all.  If you like round reels, I think that these are the best round reels available.

I have 6 Calcuttas now. Including a DC. I never paid over 130 for any of them except for the DC which I found at a pawn shop for either 150 or 200. I honestly cant remember. They are some of my favorite reels ever.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Well, if you care about "bang for your buck" this is my best suggestion based on the reels I own:

 

Curado 50E supertuned by DVT

 

If you like round reels, CTE200GT

 

I have a Calais, but not the DC. Those that own this reel claim there is NOTHING like it!

You may be able to find a deal, but retail is $650.

 

 

I was seriously considering doing this a few hours ago while driving home.