Comparing Reels By Decade

[jtesch]

How do you all think the higher end casting reels of a decade ago compare to today's reels? I'm talking $200-$400 range, not ultra high end. My feeling is they haven't really improved that much until just this year with a flood of new Daiwa's and Shimano's coming out with better break systems ( Shimano) and better spools (Daiwa). The Zillion has been a great reel but I think I'd take a Z over it and I'm sure I'd take a Fuego over a Tatula type R. As for Shimano's of last decade I'm not going to comment because I didn't use them so let me know what you all think

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Ive got a few reels 70 yrs old still catchin fish smooth indeed casting aint much but they are light and palmable

[LMB KING]

Reels from now a reels from 20+ haven't change much, although i believe that the older reels are better quality part like more metal and are more reliable, Reels today tend to be lighter but with more plastic meanwhile prices go up. 

[Jrob78]

I think reels of a decade ago were already pretty well advanced.  I think you would have to go back closer to 20 years to find vast improvement.  Today's reels are better than they were 10 years ago but the improvements are smaller and equal more refinement more so than huge performance upgrades.

[Dwight Hottle]

I just picked up a jdm shimano conquest 2014 model for $406.68. Slightly beyond your range but less than $10. It is a tremendous improvement upon previous models. I already own a 50 & a 100 conquest from the previous generation & yes the new model is a heck of an improvement in my opinion. The new 2014 model will last an other decade in my opinion.

[CJV]

I just picked up a jdm shimano conquest 2014 model for $406.68. Slightly beyond your range but less than $10. It is a tremendous improvement upon previous models. I already own a 50 & a 100 conquest from the previous generation & yes the new model is a heck of an improvement in my opinion. The new 2014 model will last an other decade in my opinion.

The JDM DC conquest is my favorite reel of all time next to the steez and JDM metanium.

[thehooligan]

I just picked up a jdm shimano conquest 2014 model for $406.68. Slightly beyond your range but less than $10. It is a tremendous improvement upon previous models. I already own a 50 & a 100 conquest from the previous generation & yes the new model is a heck of an improvement in my opinion. The new 2014 model will last an other decade in my opinion.

 

Cant wait for next year, the new 50 series comes out. Ill be on waiting list 

[Deleted account]

I fish 10-15 year old reels, because they do everything I need them to do, and the way I palm LP reels (and aging hands) don't feel comfortable on the newer smaller reels. Also, We fish a lot of saltwater tackle, so 9 or 10 oz reels don't seem "heavy". And the concept of aluminum gears (no matter what you call them) just doesn't seem right to me. Now get off my lawn you brats!!!...Oh no!, I'm old!!!...

[new2BC4bass]

I've only been fishing with baitcast reels since 2009 so I don't have decades of experience with the reels produced decades ago.  I think my oldest low profile is a TD-S.  I have a couple of the T3 1016 reels and enjoy the T-wing and its braking system.  However, they are a long way from replacing the Zillion and Alphas format in my heart.

[Raul]

Shimano did make some improvements:

 

1.- Starting at the D series the incorporation of HEG in all their reels, prior the only reel with HEG was the Calais 100A ( have to point out that the 100 size reels of that series didn´t have HEG )

 

2.- Super free system in all the line up.

 

3.- Progressive reduction of the reel size and weight.

 

In Daiwa the improvements come in the form of spools however those improvements did not reach the lesser priced reels, and in certain versions ( Type R editions ) the "improvement" is questionable. The braking systems are the same: Magforce, Magforce V and Magforce Z, those have been around for over a decade.