Abu Garcia Vs Shimano Baitcasters

[JWOA]

 Which is the better of the 2? I like shimano but also Like Abu Garcia.

 

 What do you think???

[ww2farmer]

Both are good, but imho with Abu you get a little more bang for the buck, especially in the sub $100 range.

[flyfisher]

this is like asking which is better a blonde or a brunette.  Everyone has an opinion then someone will chime in that they like red heads more.....they are all decent but i have had good luck with my shimanos so that is what I choose to use.  My buddy likes Abu and that is pretty much all he uses and neither of us have any complaints.

[buzzed bait]

I can say that my Abu Revo and my Abu Orra are VERY NICE reels.....  I don't really have any Shimano to compare them to, but compared to my other baitcasters they are butter

[*Hootie]

This is a topic that usually lasts a few pages, and winds up in a big ol' argument...lol

Hootie

[Got1Fishing]

Maybe he is asking about the engineering behind the BCs? I will say this though, I have a 3 y/o Revo SX and a brand new Chronarch 201e6 and it's interesting how they perform against each other with the same baits and rod lengths. I recently had the Revo completely cleaned and some parts (bearings) even replaced, all stock. And I feel as though the Revo's free spool feels better than my Chronarch (yes with the same drag settings on both), and i have a hard time admitting that because I love Shimano. Maybe this is because I haven't broken in the Chronarch in yet? Any thoughts guys?

[5dollarsplash]

They are both great!  I could limit myself to either brand and be happy, but why would I?!?!? I can have the best of both! 

 

I will say (same as WW2 stated) I've been more impressed with the sub $100 Abu reels though.  For the budget concious or as a loaner I'd lean that way.

[deaknh03]

oh boy

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I like Garcia...both are great though all in what you want

[DirtyDeuceGoose]

Entirely personal opinion here, I use both!

[roadwarrior]

Maybe he is asking about the engineering behind the BCs? I will say this though, I have a 3 y/o Revo SX and a brand new Chronarch 201e6 and it's interesting how they perform against each other with the same baits and rod lengths. I recently had the Revo completely cleaned and some parts (bearings) even replaced, all stock. And I feel as though the Revo's free spool feels better than my Chronarch (yes with the same drag settings on both), and i have a hard time admitting that because I love Shimano. Maybe this is because I haven't broken in the Chronarch in yet? Any thoughts guys?

 

I think you will find the Chronarch will perform better over time, but more importantly,

I like to have most new reels serviced before using them. The difference is sometimes  

dramatic.

[Cgrinder]

I'm iffy on both. I have a Chronarch 51e that's starting to have problems. I'm avoiding gen 3 Revo's. Too much bad press. I am moving towards either JDM Shimano or high end Daiwa. I have high hopes for the Tatula as it would save me some serious money.

[Quillback]

I like my Gen 3 Revo SX.  I've got a 1/2 dozen Premiers, a few Zillions and a couple of green Curados.  The Curados don't get fished much compared to the other reels. 

[.RM.]

I also use both....

Each is dedicated to a technique, or strain.......

 

 

Tight Lines!

[tomustang]

Shimano has smaller profiles available (line size) . Abu has more options for standard sizes. Really depends what you want to use

[SudburyBasser]

I'm a Shimano guy myself but one of my set-ups is graced with an Abu baitcaster. After using it a while I still prefer Shimano but if someone told me I could only use Abu Garcias the rest of my days I wouldn't complain too strenuously.

 

Long answer, short: They're both fine reels.

[5fishlimit]

This is the most civilized I've seen a thread like this go!

[Cgrinder]

This is the most civilized I've seen a thread like this go!

 

Don't worry. It'll be a mess by page 3.

[tholmes]

I prefer Abu...especially if they're made in Sweden and they're round. 

 

Honestly, both companies make some great reels, along with Daiwa, Lew's, etc. It comes down to what works for YOU.

 

Tom

[BassinLou]

Wait for it......

[lmbfisherman]

Both are good, but imho with Abu you get a little more bang for the buck, especially in the sub $100 range.

I'd agree both are good, and would agree you get a little more bang for your buck when you go down to that level.  I'd pick a Shimano if you went closer to 200 every time though.  Which is all I am buying now a days. 

[J Francho]

Either will work fine.  I spend my money on Shimano and Daiwa.

[basshole8190]

Surprised the gloves haven't came off yet. lol

i own both more abus than shimano but i wouldn't discount either of them they're both great reel companies

[Raul]

My older reels are Abu, my newer ones are Shimano and Daiwa. I´m still in love with my old Abu 521 XLT Plus baitcasters and Cardinal Ultracast 63 spinning reels from the 80´s, I still own a bunch of Shimanos from the 90´s and Daiwas and Shimano´s from the 2000´s , so which do I think is best ? well, you be the judge, if they weren´t good I would not own any.

[Arv]

I've used both. Both are good. For the most part, and I feel pretty confident in saying this for most things (even outside of fishing), you get what you pay for. Are there exceptions, yes. But for the most part, if you buy a more expensive reel it will usually perform better than a less expensive reel.