What's Your Preferred Brand Of Baitcaster?

[CiMo]

What's your most trusted brand of baitcasters? If its not listed feel free to comment and I may add it to the poll if I'm allowed.

[deaknh03]

oh boy

[Ima Bass Ninja]

This kinda of topic usually turns out not so well. But maybe this one will be different. I voted bps and Pflueger. Both pretty much the same reel internally and construction wise. Maybe you could

Change the bps, pflueger, Abu parts to just pure fishing and then it would be a more accurate poll. just a suggestion. I do have a shimano scorpion 1000 and it's a good little Reel although I don't see any noticeable difference from my other reels at this point . I need to put in more time with it though to give an accurate comparison.

[Dwight Hottle]

Never met a shimano I didn't like. Just like some more than others.

[rockchalk06]

In my best Michael Buffer voice "Letsssssss Get Ready to Rumbllllllllllllle"

Shimano here. I have tried 3 other brands and ended up being plagued with problems. So far, Shimano has held up and treated me pretty good

[Fishwhittler]

This kinda of topic usually turns out not so well. But maybe this one will be different. I voted bps and Pflueger. Both pretty much the same reel internally and construction wise. Maybe you could

Change the bps, pflueger, Abu parts to just pure fishing and then it would be a more accurate poll. just a suggestion. I do have a shimano scorpion 1000 and it's a good little Reel although I don't see any noticeable difference from my other reels at this point . I need to put in more time with it though to give an accurate comparison.

 

Better add Lew's to the "Pure Fishing" trio—they've got the same insides.  Though only Abu Garcia and Pflueger are actually owned by Pure Fishing.

 

I like Daiwa, sort of—the H2O Xpress reels are built by Daiwa, and those are my current favorites.  Shimano's my #2.

[Hooked_On_Bass]

Shimano and Daiwa.

[CiMo]

Suprised so far not even a single quantum vote.

[dodgeguy]

used to be a pflueger patriarch.i have since purchased an abugarcia mgx and love it.the patriarch does have a better finish but the mgx is so light it's unreal.

[Bass Junkie]

Suprised so far not even a single quantum vote.

Buy one (keep the receipt) and use it for a couple trips. You'll understand

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I have abus 50 yrs old still rollin..enough said

[coak]

Suprised so far not even a single quantum vote.

I use primarily Quantum gear. However I will say that if you fish Quantum, you need to be willing to wait on killer deals or splurge for the upper echelon equipment.  I'm just saying their top notch gear is wonderful in my humble opinion and Quantum doesn't get nearly enough respect.  Not trying to start anything, just stating that Quantum gear as I see it is underrated by far.

[thehooligan]

Shimano and daiwa has me covered.

[JunkYard814]

I use primarily Quantum gear. However I will say that if you fish Quantum, you need to be willing to wait on killer deals or splurge for the upper echelon equipment.  I'm just saying their top notch gear is wonderful in my humble opinion and Quantum doesn't get nearly enough respect.  Not trying to start anything, just stating that Quantum gear as I see it is underrated by far.

 

Looking at getting the Smoke. Hopefully they drop the price on it when they come out with their newer models, like they do every year. 

[Goose52]

My favorite baitcaster is the one with a 14lb 9oz bass on the end of the line...

[Silas]

I like the Shimanos:  have a Curado 100D, Scorpion 1000, Curado 200E5, Curado 50E, Calcutta GTB, Calcutta 200, Stradic 1000,  2 Sustains, and 2 Twinpowers.

 

They have never failed me and are always reliable and enjoyable.  Sort of fantastic "workhorses" with a little flair.  Not much fiddling with them either.  They will work well even if not set quite correctly.

 

BUT......

 

I LOVE the Daiwas:  started with the Daiwa Sol, and also a Sol 2000 spinning reel, 2 Pixies, 2 Alphas, 3 TDZ's , and 2 Steez.

 

While the Shimanos are workhorses, the Daiwas are the Lamborghini's of reels for me.  Ultra refined and smooth, and effortless.  However......one DOES have to "fiddle" with them, but they are will worth the adjustments that make them so precise

[kickerfish1]

I have a few dozen casting reels from all manufacturers. The Daiwa and Shimano reels see the most use followed by the BPS reels and Lews reels.

From my own findings...

Daiwa reels look the best, are built well, and are highly upgradeable.

Shimano reels are great performers, are reliable, and last quite awhile.

BPS and Lews give good performance at a good price. Very smooth retrieves. For a bang for your buck reel these help fill the void for several techniques.

Abu Garcia reels are very good but the ones I have are the canister style reels for big baits. Great reels with superb drag systems.

Okuma is like Lews and BPS in that they give great performance for the price and also have decent looks. A pretty under appreciated reel. Waiting to see how they hold up over years of use.

Quantum is a comapny where most of the products have been hit or miss. The only downfall seems to be longevity. Their newer offerings seem to be better.

Good products can be found from all manufacturers. It is just a matter of finding the right fit for a price that is doable.

[Bass Junkie]

Abu Garcia reels are very good but the ones I have are the canister style reels for big baits. Great reels with superb drag systems.

You, sir, need to treat yourself to a Revo!

[kickerfish1]

You, sir, need to treat yourself to a Revo!

Perhaps at some point I will obtain one but most of the reels in my regular rotation range from $100 - $500. To expect the Revo to be a treat, would be a pretty small chance. However, I am not writing one off after fishing a friends a few times. Could potentially be swayed by a MGX or the new Winch or possibly a Gen 2 premier in good shape.

[Bass Junkie]

Perhaps at some point I will obtain one but most of the reels in my regular rotation range from $100 - $500. To expect the Revo to be a treat, would be a pretty small chance. However, I am not writing one off after fishing a friends a few times. Could potentially be swayed by a MGX or the new Winch or possibly a Gen 2 premier in good shape.

Out of the ones you've mentioned, by all means pick up a Gen. 2 Premier while you have the opportunity. While its not a Steez, it is a tremendous reel.

[Teal]

Lews Casting, Shimano spinning, and Daiwa/Daiwa JDM is my eye candy.

I voted Lews and Daiwa. But that does not mean that i dont own or wouldnt fish others. Shimano and Abu make fine reels. I really like the Chronarch and the Revo line up and would be prouud to own them. Not a Quantum fan tho.

I feel i get the most bang for MY buck from Lews casting reels. But if i had a money tree in the back yard, Im sure I would have some JDM Daiwa candy...lol. love my zillion and would love more but daiwa just seems too overpriced (for me)

[Basseditor]

I have so many reels that I have every major and some minor brands covered. Believe it or not, while I use some higher priced reels for specific purposes (for example cranking or finesse), I use Academy Mettles more than any other reel for all my mid range casting needs. Some Mettles have braid, but most have 20# flouro. I bought 10 Mettles during Black Friday sale for $25 each. Only drawback is line capacity if I use 65# braid; I can cast the Mettles right down to the knot on the spool with baits like spooks.

That's why I got some Revo 3s. They hold a little more line.

[MrSwimJig]

I have tried lots of reels and always come back to Abu Garcia.

[Jrob78]

I own reels from many of the major brands, I like variety. I have more Daiwas and Shimanos than anything else though. I really like the Pflueger Patriarch and the XT is an awesome reel. I'm not a big fan of Revos but I do have a couple. All that said, Daiwa is by far my favorite with Shimano coming in 2nd.

[loodkop]

I'm happy with my Shimano's. To be fair I have not tried top end gear from other manufacturers but have been disappointed every time I thought a 10+ bearing reel must be better than my 5 bearing Shimano. Now that I can afford to buy an occasional from dad to dad treat I would rather spend my monet where I know what I'm getting. Think I'm gun/reel shy.