Which Reel For The 200 Pricepoint?

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Which reel?

[Cgrinder]

I recently got a Smoke 100 and I really like it. I don't think it's possible to go wrong with the four choices you've listed. 

[james_oxley]

Unless you are Actually matching it to the quantum smoke rod, I would not recommend the smoke.

[Robert Oakden]

Revo stx. They can be purchased on eBay for 159 or less

[Paul Peixoto]

Tournament pro. eBay under 150$ new

[Cgrinder]

Unless you are Actually matching it to the quantum smoke rod, I would not recommend the smoke.

 

But why?

[james_oxley]

But why?

In my opinion, it the shape of it makes it hard to work well with other rod. Like I said, just my opinion from trying to match I with other rods. This doesn't have anything to do with the smoke rod but I have had some problems with the smoke reel like the drag and then the handle being all messed up, so I wouldn't recommend it in general, but if someone was hell bent on getting the smoke reel. I would recommend to pair it with the rod.

[james_oxley]

Sorry about the grammar, I'm on my phone

[Cgrinder]

That's certainly strange. I haven't had issues with it on a Skeet Reese crankbait rod or a 6'8" Cumara. Feels very good in the hand.

[Khong]

If you are planning to just fish normally and not punching through deep weeds.  Go with the Shimano chronarch e.   

 

If you are planning to punch through deep weeds or fish larger fishes, I would go with a Revo Stx.  There drag system is 20lb compare to a shimano which is only 10lb.  

[Kevin22]

Right here. $259.99 retail 

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Quantum-EXO-Bait-Cast-Reel/20470530

[kickerfish1]

Chronarch E followed by the Tournament Pro.

[smalljaw67]

Any of those reels are fine, I have 2 Smoke casting reels, the 100 and 150 both are the HPT high speed. I can tell you two things, first one is the Smoke is the best reel Quantum ever made, the other is that I have the 150 on a Smoke rod, excellent set up but I also had it on a Fenwick as well as a Loomis and there wasn't any problem. I will admit that there may be a problem depending on the rod but you would have it with most of those reels you listed and that problem would be balance. You see, all the reels are light weight so if you have a rod that balances well with a reel that is 8 ounces and throw one of those reels on, well you will more than likely have a tip heavy set up but that isn't all bad if it is for a crankbait or spinnerbait application. If you are concerned then find a reel with more weight but in all honesty I doubt you will have any problem with any of theose reels including the Smoke.

[ColdSVT]

chronarch or tourney pro...both rock!

 

I sent two gen 3 STXs back within a month, got the tourney pro as a replacement...love it

my gen 2 STX is great...but it is nothing like the tourney pro or the chronarch imo

[indianabasshunter]

In my experience the Smoke doesn't stand up to heavy use such as burning big spinnerbaits or hauling fish out of the slop. The magnetic braking leaves a lot to be desired also. There isn't much adjustment for it and I can't find the sweet spot on that reel. I do use it for Trigs and thats about the only technique that I have found it to be ok for. I don't own the Chronarch or the Abu STX but i do own other Abu Garcia and Shimano reels. They both make good reels in general but I have fallen in love with the Lews Tournament Pro. I purchased the Tourney Pro after owning Quantum, Shimano, and Abu Garcia reels. The Lews TP is by far the best reel I've owned and I have purchased 2 Lews reels since. Doubt I will ever purchase another manufacture's reel. The last TP i purchased was bought new for under $140.

[J Francho]

I own several of the Chronarchs, and seviced the others, save the Lew's, so can't comment there, though I've casted them, and they work great. The Chronarch, Revo, and Lew's are all decent reels.  Pick what you like in your hands.  The Smokes....hmmm, not impressed, both by construction and performance.  Neither the 100 or 200 series performed well for me, even after tuning.

[THE BASS WHISPERER]

the SMOKE is no Joke! ive never had a problem! my son has the lews. it Groovy as well

[rockchalk06]

At 200 dollars I would only recommend the Chronarch from Shimano. After my 2 year battle with everything Abu, I wouldn't buy them for batting practice.

[Capt.Bob]

The Chronarch is a great reel, but sold mine for the Lew's, and for the 200 bucks I would choose the Team Gold as they can be had for less than that and much better than the Tournament Pro, which has an actual street value closer to the Curado, but hands down my choice of the reels you have on your list is the Lew's.

[lmbfisherman]

Chronarch all the way here..all though I'm sure getting any of the others would be fine, just as long as you like fishing with them. 

[roadwarrior]

ICAST 2013 Best Of Show

 

http://tackletour.com/reviewicast2013shimanochronarch.html

[trupp30]

I have both the Shimano and the Lew's and I can tell you I like the Lew's more. Both are good, but the Lew;s feel, cast's and reel's better than the Shimano.

[indianabasshunter]

The Chronarch is a great reel, but sold mine for the Lew's, and for the 200 bucks I would choose the Team Gold as they can be had for less than that and much better than the Tournament Pro, which has an actual street value closer to the Curado, but hands down my choice of the reels you have on your list is the Lew's.

Can you expand on "much better than the Tournament Pro"? I haven't used a Team Gold but own a couple Tournament Pros. Never had a problem with the TP's but aren't against using a better reel either.

 

Thanks.

[kyduck]

I've heard some good stuff about the Daiwa tatula as well.  Would really like to hear how this stacks up to the chronarch and lews

[dodgeguy]

pflueger patriarch