Bait Caster Reel Help!

[DBL000006]

I'm buying a new Bait Caster for the upcoming season. I really don't need to spend a ton of money. I have 2 Bait Casters in mind. One is Shimano Caius 200 Series and the 2nd is Abu garcia Pro max. I', also pairing one of these reels on a Shimano Stellas Crankbait Rod 7"0 Med heavy. I just need your thoughts

[Long Mike]

You may want to take a look at the Pinnacle Tournament Class reels.  They offer a lot of bang for the buck.

[jsc4324]

If for crankbaits only I would go with the shimano from those two options simply because the Promax is a 7:1 ratio which I personaly think is to fast for crankbaits. I don't have either reel but personal preference is to have an aluminum frame for crankbaits. There are reels in that price range with aluminum frames.

[DBL000006]

I mainly want to fish everything with it. I don't like weak Rods. I like Rods that have backbone to them. I fish a lot of jigs. I use 1/4 to 3/8 oz weights mainly. So i need a rod that can handle the weight. That Shimano Stellus Crankbait rod has good enough back bone. I should have added that. I want a bait caster that i can fish manily everything. I'm only in between certain brands. I do want a Shimano bait caster. Just don't know how the Shimano Ciaus is in reviews. Any help would be great

[bflp3]

In that price range, I'd wait until the BPS spring classic and pick up a Pro Qualifier when they are on sale. At least that has an aluminum frame for that price point.

[mjseverson24]

you are probabily not going to want a crankbait rod to fish jigs with JMO,I would get a 7' M/F or MH/F. for the money look on some sites for like a quantum kinetic pt for around 60.00 decent reel for 120.00 great reel for 60.00.

 

Mitch

[DBL000006]

you are probabily not going to want a crankbait rod to fish jigs with JMO,I would get a 7' M/F or MH/F. for the money look on some sites for like a quantum kinetic pt for around 60.00 decent reel for 120.00 great reel for 60.00.

 

Mitch

After searching the Shimano Rods. I've decided to get this Rod..  Shimano Convergence Casting Rod 7'2 Med Hvy. It's for Jigs and Worm fishing. I'm not ordering, till the end of next week. Still reviewing reels to fit this Rod. Thanks for your advance.

[smalljaw67]

I'd recommend saving your money and get something in the $100 dollar range like a Lews Speed Spool, or add a few dollars more for an Abu Garcia Revo S. You could wait until the sprig classic at BPS and grab a pro qualifier but the reels you are looking at aren't going to last very long if you use them hard. I always look for a reel that has an aluminum frame, graphite side plates are ok but the frame needs to be aluminum.

[DBL000006]

I believe both the reels, i mentioned are aluminum frame. I really don't throw my reels around and rough them up. I actually clean my reels every 4 to 6 months or less. My reels are always in the house. They are never outside in the cold or in the heat.  I just take care of my stuff . I really don't have the money for a high end Revo. Plus i don't need a Revo. Bass pros has sales, but you pay for shipping and getting a deal really isn't a good deal anyway

[bflp3]

I believe both the reels, i mentioned are aluminum frame. I really don't throw my reels around and rough them up. I actually clean my reels every 4 to 6 months or less. My reels are always in the house. They are never outside in the cold or in the heat.  I just take care of my stuff . I really don't have the money for a high end Revo. Plus i don't need a Revo. Bass pros has sales, but you pay for shipping and getting a deal really isn't a good deal anyway

I believe both the Pro Max and Caius have graphite frames. Its not necessarily mistreatment, but just general flex of graphite under load that will lead to failure sooner than a metal frame. If you don't have a BPS near you, then it's not quite as good of a deal, but if BPS has any shipping deals going on during the classic sale, $79 for a Pro Qualifier is a great deal. It looks like Academy has their Mettle reel on sale right now. I've never used it, but have read it is a great reel for such a low price. 

 

Personally, I'd start my searching with whatever you can find in your price range with an aluminum frame. 

[DBL000006]

I see what you guys are saying about the Frame. I have other rod reels. i won't be using this setup all the time.. How about the, Shimano Caenan 100 Series. That has the aluminum frame..  The Shimano Caius 200 Series, is the same as the Caenan.. I guess the Caius doesn't have the aluminum frame. I really like to stick with a few brands. Your thoughts are very much needed and thank you for them. Keep them cooming

 

 

[Tywithay]

Daiwa Exceler EXC, they've been recently discontinued for the E model. You can basically get a $90 for around $50. They're great reels for the money. The new Exceler is nice too and can be had around $75 from the auction site.

[camovan]

You can pick up a used citica for around $60-$70.  New option would be a lexa, I saw valley sports had a deal going on those the other day.  Or wait for the PQ to go on sale at the end of the month.  Those are probably the best options for the $70 range unless you expand the used search a little.

[DBL000006]

I'm not a fan of buying used stuff. The Citica from Shimano is a great reel. I'm looking for a good reel in the 60 to 80 price range (brand New) I'm really not looking to spend 200 on a reel. I'm looking for a reel to pair up with this rod, Shimano Convergence Casting Rod 7'2 Med Hvy.. Waiting for Bass pros, for the Classic sale is a great idea. Though i'd still need to pay for shipping, plus the rod shipping costs. My nearest Bass pros is 3 Hrs away. I'll save money by ordering online. Again any help.. Just keep the Bait Casters in that price range. I fish a good amount of times. I just don't need a high end reel

[smalljaw67]

The lowest Shimano would be a Citica, everything below that has a graphite frame, and I know you have an aversion to paying $200 for a reel but it actually is cheap in the long run because a reel in that range will outlast several cheaper reels. I think you should look for a sale but try to get something that was in the $100 to $150 range, these reels will last and with a little maintenance you could use the same reel for 10 years, most entry level reels give you about a season or two at the most unless you only use it once a month. That said, if you check out a lot of places it is possible to find a deal on a good real that will be within your price range but get the best you can afford, it will perform better and last longer.

[camovan]

In that range new, Academy H2O Mettle constantly gets good reviews for budget reel, as does pro max or pro qualifier (if it goes on sale).  The lexa was about $100 with a $25 prepaid visa card I think as well.  All of these reels are going to be better than the Caius.  If your just set on getting a Shimano your going to have to settle for used or an inferior product IMHO.

[camovan]

here is the lexa deal http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130738-30-off-daiwa-lexa100-series-plus-a-25-prepaid-credit-card/

[DBL000006]

Not a bad deal.. I have budget money put away just for a rod and reel. I do this almost every spring. I have a Silver max reel. I love it. It's a great reel for 60 bucks. Dicks had a sale so i picked it up. Plus i serviced it a little about 3 weeks ago. I really want a Shimano Reel.. I'm just not spending 120 + on a reel.. I have no need to spend that much. I take care of my stuff. I'm sure some of you guys are pretty rough on your reels.. I'm still searching.. Like i said i want a Shimano Reel.. Graphite spool frame whatever.. If i was fishing Tournaments then i'd get a Curodo or ( 3 of them) 

[DBL000006]

Not a bad deal.. I have budget money put away just for a rod and reel. I do this almost every spring. I have a Silver max reel. I love it. It's a great reel for 60 bucks. Dicks had a sale so i picked it up. Plus i serviced it a little about 3 weeks ago. I really want a Shimano Reel.. I'm just not spending 120 + on a reel.. I have no need to spend that much. I take care of my stuff. I'm sure some of you guys are pretty rough on your reels.. I'm still searching.. Like i said i want a Shimano Reel.. Graphite spool frame whatever.. If i was fishing Tournaments then i'd get a Curodo or ( 3 of them) 

[SenkoGuru]

 Please do not buy that Shimano reel, It has a graphite frame and the gears WILL flex under a heavy load. If you hook into a Bass over 4 pounds that reel will not handle it very well. I would only buy a metal framed reel and for the price range you have listed the best will be the Academy H2o Mettle ($49.99) or the BPS PQ when they have a sale on those you can buy it for around ($80.00). The H2o Mettle is not a bad little reel for the price.

[iabass8]

hooligan is selling a curado G6 for 85$ in the market place. jump on that if you want a shimano.

[jsc4324]

I had the same mindset you have about the reels. I take care if my stuff like its worth a million bucks. Then like mentioned above the cheap reels broke and became Un-repairable because the replacement parts were way to expensive in comparison. In the trash they went Started buying quality reels and will never look back. Buy them once and be done. Don't just buy something because you can afford it now. Buy quality when you can afford it. It will be worth the wait. The pq reels are way underpriced for what you get. I have a few of those and they are smooth and perform like the more expensive reels. You are set on shimano so I would suggest save a bit longer and get a reel that will last you many years.

[camovan]

Not a bad deal.. I have budget money put away just for a rod and reel. I do this almost every spring. I have a Silver max reel. I love it. It's a great reel for 60 bucks. Dicks had a sale so i picked it up. Plus i serviced it a little about 3 weeks ago. I really want a Shimano Reel.. I'm just not spending 120 + on a reel.. I have no need to spend that much. I take care of my stuff. I'm sure some of you guys are pretty rough on your reels.. I'm still searching.. Like i said i want a Shimano Reel.. Graphite spool frame whatever.. If i was fishing Tournaments then i'd get a Curodo or ( 3 of them) 

 

So $80 for reel and $70 on the rod?  $150 combo.  Why are you set on the Convergence rod?  You can get a new Citica for $100 and there is not a whole lot of difference between a $70 Convergence and a $45 Sellus, I have used both and IMHO you are just paying for a better warranty with the Convergence.   There are actually a few options in the $50 rod division that are not junk.  The conventional wisdom is to spend less on a reel in order to get a better rod, but I think in this case the opposite applies.

[DBL000006]

So $80 for reel and $70 on the rod?  $150 combo.  Why are you set on the Convergence rod?  You can get a new Citica for $100 and there is not a whole lot of difference between a $70 Convergence and a $45 Sellus, I have used both and IMHO you are just paying for a better warranty with the Convergence.   There are actually a few options in the $50 rod division that are not junk.  The conventional wisdom is to spend less on a reel in order to get a better rod, but I think in this case the opposite applies.

I gave your opinion some serious thought, Camovan. You are very right. I may get the Sellus rod and get a Abu Garcia Orra Reel. I can actually get that at Dicks. Plus i have a 10 off Coupon to go with it. So i think i made up, for what i'm doing now.

[DBL000006]

Abu Garcia Orra sx Reel.. What's everyones thoughts on this reel. I can buy it at Dicks. Plus, i have a 10 off coupon