DocNsanE Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Lews Speed Spool LFS @ $100Pro Qualifier @ $80Daiwa Lexa High Capacity 100 @ $70 Daiway Tatula @ $100-105 (amazon)USED 2014 Revo SX @ $80Other?I am looking for my first baitcaster. Planning on mostly pitching t-rigs with this. These four options are available to me and I have no clue which I should go for. Any other I should consider? If you think it's worth it I don't mind spending above the $100 mark.Thanks for your valuable insight! Edit: added Tatula to the list per recommendations in this thread in case someone else comes here for some ideas. I am currently leaning heavily towards the Tatula. Thanks again to everyone for the feedback. Quote
yakingfisherman Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 If I were going to spend $100 on a casting reel. This would be my choice. On sale right now. I'd jump on it. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lews174-Speed-Spool-Tournament-Baitcasting-Reel/1159081.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dlews%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=lews&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products Quote
chelboed Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 That one does have the dual braking...good call. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/Pinnacle-Producer-LTE-review.html Quote
DocNsanE Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 If I were going to spend $100 on a casting reel. This would be my choice. On sale right now. I'd jump on it. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lews174-Speed-Spool-Tournament-Baitcasting-Reel/1159081.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dlews%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=lews&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products d**n that's a great suggestion! Only problem is I forgot to mention that I am looking for a LH retrieve and unless I am mistaken the reel you linked to is only being sold in a RH. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 d**n that's a great suggestion! Only problem is I forgot to mention that I am looking for a LH retrieve and unless I am mistaken the reel you linked to is only being sold in a RH. Get the Lew's Laser Pro off Cabela's. It's on sale for $70, comes in a 7.1:1 gear ratio, and also has a left hand model. Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 I'd probably go LFS. They can be found right now for <$90 on fleabay too btw. The Lew's system braking on those reels is super easy and works great. Twist and go. Super simple and no fiddling. It may not be as dialed as the shimano peg system but it's simpler and each setting seems to give a little more leeway either direction in weight. It might not be the best for super tiny finessey stuff but it'll be a good all around reel for sure. I do also appreciate that they put in details like a super low profile (even smaller than its predecessor the regular speed spool) and a swept handle. It just gives it a more complete look and feel. Definitely a solid buy even at full retail. Even the old SSH reels were smooth, simple and solid and the LFS is definitely a step up. Happy shopping tho Doc! Hard to make a bad call though, lots of great reels around a hundo these days for sure. Quote
ChrisWi Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I'd probably go LFS. They can be found right now for <$90 on fleabay too btw. The Lew's system braking on those reels is super easy and works great. Twist and go. Super simple and no fiddling. It may not be as dialed as the shimano peg system but it's simpler and each setting seems to give a little more leeway either direction in weight. It might not be the best for super tiny finessey stuff but it'll be a good all around reel for sure. I do also appreciate that they put in details like a super low profile (even smaller than its predecessor the regular speed spool) and a swept handle. It just gives it a more complete look and feel. Definitely a solid buy even at full retail. Even the old SSH reels were smooth, simple and solid and the LFS is definitely a step up. Happy shopping tho Doc! Hard to make a bad call though, lots of great reels around a hundo these days for sure. I can cast an 1/8 pretty good on My Lfs. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 Best bang for the buck is gone. It was the PQ @ 49.99. Hootie 1 Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 You could entertain a Daiwa Tatula as well. Easy enough to find @100.. Also, keep a eye on the "Flea Market" here, lots of great deals come along. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Ya, too bad that boat's sailed. The list in the OP are all decent reels and I'd add the Tatula to list. They can be found at ridiculous low prices online. Quote
punch Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Amazon has Tatula's for 100 bucks (where I got my last one) and Cabela's has that Lews Tourny for 99... man that's a hard decision. Both kickass reels for $100. Only solution.. buy one of each! Quote
robster80 Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 ^ thats what im talkin about take advantage of the sales Quote
Sir Real Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I picked up one of these, and they have a left hand model. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home/Cabelas-Offer/Rods-and-Reels-Offer%7C/pc/105625080/c/576325980/sc/576329580/Lews174-Tournament-MG-Casting-Reel/1303680.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Frods-and-reels-offer%2F_%2FN-1115585%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_576329580%3FWTz_l%3Dundefined%253Bcat576325980&WTz_l=undefined%3Bcat576325980%3Bcat576329580 Quote
punch Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 What's the difference between the regular Tournament (non pro) and the MG Tournament? Lew's product line confuses me. MG has the bigger spool? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 Get the most reel you can afford up to around $250. Quote
DocNsanE Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 I picked up one of these, and they have a left hand model. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home/Cabelas-Offer/Rods-and-Reels-Offer%7C/pc/105625080/c/576325980/sc/576329580/Lews174-Tournament-MG-Casting-Reel/1303680.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Frods-and-reels-offer%2F_%2FN-1115585%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_576329580%3FWTz_l%3Dundefined%253Bcat576325980&WTz_l=undefined%3Bcat576325980%3Bcat576329580 d**n that's another sweet deal, but the LH model is a 5.4:1 gear ratio and since I'm planning on using this for pitching t-rigs I'd like something a little faster. The Tatula from Amazon is looking pretty sweet. I'm curious how much that TWS really helps but a lot of the comments say it makes a difference, especially with pitching. Another plus. Thanks everyone for all of the recommendations!! Quote
Fisher-O-men Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I am being tempted by the T-wing on the Tatula. The concept is sound, but it adds another moving part. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 If you are ok going over a hundred dollars for a bait caster, go $180 or so for a new Shimano Curado or Chronarch. If you insist on a round reel go Calcutta. Whatever you do, buy quality. No matter what brand, a couple of steps up the line is generally considerably better than the "starter" reel. Quote
BaitMonkey1984 Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Abu Garcia Orras sx2 is a great reel for the beginner. It was my second bait caster and was very user friendly (read not a terrible amount of backlash). Stay away from the Quantum Escalade HD which looks great, is in the same price point, however is impossible to dial in and will backlash time and again. Quote
raoka Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 i believe the biggest difference between the mg and the tournament is the braking single vs. dual on the tournament Quote
eirwin Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I am a lefty as well so I know the struggle when it comes to trying to find deals and what not or just the fact that some reels do not come in a lefty model. The BPS Pro Qualifier is one of my favorites. I find myself buying them up after I bought my first one. Quote
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