Baitcasters: Hellcat Or Supreme

[Lewi]

Just saw the Quantum Hellcat baitcasting reel and thought hmmmm....... Now, I haven't been a fan of Quantum baitcasting reels but figured i'd toss it out there.  My other thought is the Pflueger Supreme which I have heard some good things about.

 

For me, these will not be overly used reels...not a tourney guy and usually get out once a week and 1 or 2 days on the weekend...kids sports dictate when I get out.  So with that said toss me some thoughts on the 2 if you have any and if your going to toss out something else which I'm sure some will keep me under $100.

 

-Lewi

[smalljaw67]

The Supreme is the hands on winner. Anything Quantum under the Accurist I'd stay away from, the Pflueger Supreme is a work horse, in fact they may be the best bang for your buck reel, and they are positioned right in the middle of the Pflueger line up, not near the lower end like the Hellcat.

[BaitMonkey1984]

Have had one quantum bait caster (escalade) and after several different lines, lb lines, and different lures I have simply given up on this reel. It is a backlash machine play and simple. 

[bassinOUT89]

Have had one quantum bait caster (escalade) and after several different lines, lb lines, and different lures I have simply given up on this reel. It is a backlash machine play and simple.

. i have a quantum octane. I just can't get it right myself. I do like the rod that came with the combo. For 80 bucks I couldn't go wrong though.

[BaitMonkey1984]

. i have a quantum octane. I just can't get it right myself. I do like the rod that came with the combo. For 80 bucks I couldn't go wrong though.

I actually got that combo for my first bait caster. It was a poor choice as it is simply cheap and not in good working order.  I however have been able to dial in the octane after spending some time with it. The Octane is actually better than my Escalade. Pretty Sad. 

[gulfcaptain]

I am a Quantum fan, but stay away from anything under the Accurist.  If you wanted to shop Ebay you could probably find an older Smoke 100 model, or find an Accurist or Kinetic for under or around a $100.  I have fished both the Accurist and Kinetic for over 2 seasons without any issues and both are still smooth and perform excellent as well as upgrading and having quite a few Smoke 150's, EXO, and the newer 100MG. The less expensive models look good, but be careful.

[Lewi]

Thanks for the replies. I will steer clear of the cheaper model Quantum reels.

[gulfcaptain]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quantum-PT-Kinectic-8BB-6-3-1-Bait-Casting-Reel-KT100SPTA-/321680064877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae5a0416d 

 

There's a good deal on a Quantum Reel.

[Choporoz]

Good call, GC.  Here's another: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quantum-Smoke-SL100HPT-Reel-/141591820542?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f787b8fe

 

I watched a bunch of auctions on Smokes close in the 85-95 dollar range a few weeks ago.  I dare say I'd take it over any $99 retail reel.

[Lewi]

I see that I am getting a lot of quantum suggestions.  Now, I have 3 Quantum spinning reels and they have been fantastic over the years but haven't ever owned a baitcaster.  I have a friend that fishes a lot and says that they don't last as long as he'd like and he would suggest that I steer clear and go another direction...........?  

[Choporoz]

Welcome to Bass Resource Reel and Rod Recommendations. 

 

I had a couple of pretty cheap Quantum spinning reels years ago and thought that I'd never buy another Quantum.  Now my absolute favorite reel is a Quantum.  But......it's a $200MSRP reel....vice those old $35 combos I had way back.

 

It is VERY hard to generalize about any brand.  Get your hands on some different ones and try them out.  It is hard to imagine that any reel that feels good to you and retails for well over $100 is going to suck too bad.

[Lewi]

 

 It is hard to imagine that any reel that feels good to you and retails for well over $100 is going to suck too bad.

 

I do agree with your statement here 100%.

[gulfcaptain]

I'm in agreement with Choporoz, but I have fished mine hard for several years.  Keep them cleaned, a drop of oil once a month or when needed, and proper maint. Everyone has their own preferences, and cheaper models don't save you money when you have to replace them with something more.  Most reels in the $100-200 range are going to perform well and meet most needs.  Quantum got a bad rap from older, cheaper models.  You keep it in the "PT" models, they will perform.  Accurist's I believe are the base level PT reels from Quantum.  The Kinetic's retailed for $159 new not to long ago and you can find them on sale for 50% or more off depending on where you look.  The older Smoke's are great reels retailing for $200, now available if you look for under a $100 or right around that.  Yes they are the older models, but they are exceptional reels and for someone that is looking for a good baitcaster you will get more bang for your buck and way over what you were looking for with a Hellcat. I fish 3 brands, Quantum, ***, and BPS Extreme's and Carbonlites (older versions). 

[smalljaw67]

I have 2 Smoke reels, these have been really good to me and I have a Catalyst and it performs great, but those store models like the Escalade and Octane that you can't even find on Quantums website aren't made for someone who is going to use them on a regular basis. They are made for the casual angler who will use it a handful of times a season, but the Accurist on up are OK. You don't have to pay a lot if you shop smart, the ICAST show happens every July, pay attention to new rods and reels coming out because you know that Tackle Warehouse and other vendors are going to discount the old, discontinued items and because they are discontinued doesn't mean they are bad. Look around at a bunch of different sites and you can get a good reel for less, just be patient.

[Lewi]

*****UPDATE*****

 

So, I have purchased a reel and I went a completely different direction.  I had decided that neither the Hellcat or the Supreme was what I wanted with touching and what you all provided to me.  I had thought hard about the Abu Orra SX  before and after those options since I am a Abu fan but went a totally different direction.  I ended up going with the Ardent Apex Tournament reel.  Love the feel of the reel and really cant wait to get it out and flip some in the yard. 

[fisherrw]

I'd get a lews speed spool or shimano citica for that price

[Lewi]

I'd get a lews speed spool or shimano citica for that price

Care to elaborate why?

[Jon keltner]

On March 2, 2015 at 3:45 PM, BaitMonkey1984 said:

I actually got that combo for my first bait caster. It was a poor choice as it is simply cheap and not in good working order.  I however have been able to dial in the octane after spending some time with it. The Octane is actually better than my Escalade. Pretty Sad. 

On March 2, 2015 at 0:30 PM, BaitMonkey1984 said:

Have had one quantum bait caster (escalade) and after several different lines, lb lines, and different lures I have simply given up on this reel. It is a backlash machine play and simple. 

theres three brakes on them one under the left side plate.

[Wbeadlescomb]

On Saturday, March 07, 2015 at 10:31 PM, Lewi said:

Care to elaborate why?

Because they aren't heavy clunky junk

[Dan_the_fisher]

I think for $100 the best two reels are the pro qualifier and lews speed spool. But look around and you can find curado i's or tournament pros for very little more money and it is well spent.

[smalljaw67]

7 hours ago, Wbeadlescomb said:

Because they aren't heavy clunky junk

The reel he got is lighter than the Lews of the same price and the Citica, in fact it is a full ounce lighter than the Citica, how do you explain that???

[Wbeadlescomb]

6 minutes ago, smalljaw67 said:

The reel he got is lighter than the Lews of the same price and the Citica, in fact it is a full ounce lighter than the Citica, how do you explain that???

I retract the heavy statement then but I've never seen a good product that ardent made. The local stores quit carrying them

[fisherrw]

On March 7, 2015 at 8:31 PM, Lewi said:

Care to elaborate why?

The Citica in my opinion is the best reel out there in that price range. But the Citca D is the best model. Shimano is a solid reel company and has been for many years. Like I said though I think the D is the best model because you can actually tune the brakes yourself.! I dislike these new reels that you don't have to change pins. Just my take...

[new2BC4bass]

OP, we can recommend all day, but in the end it has to be what you like.  If it floats your boat, get it.  If it eventually winds up not being as good as you thought, at least you know from first hand experience, and won't be regretting somewhere down the road that you didn't get the reel you wanted.

Although I have 7 brands of reels, I have never handled an Ardent or Quantum.  Ardent seldom gets mentioned here.  Please do a review after spending some time with it.

I have never handled a reel before buying.  I rely on the input from fellow members.  Pinnacle is another company that rarely gets mentioned.  However, there are a few reviews here in the Fishing Tackle Forum on their rods and reels and all were good.  Based on that I bought a Primmus.    I've got a few reels that either cost me $100 or list for $100.  Technically the Primmus just misses that line as my last two cost $104.10 (lists for $250).  I consider them the best $100 reels I own.  Better than my Curado 51Es and Tatulas.

If manventureoutpost ever gets more in...and keeps the $104.10 price...I highly recommend you get one.  Heck, I got my first one for around $155 and don't regret for a second paying that much.  Seriously doubt you would regret it.

[Oklahoma Mike]

Looks like cabelas has the exo PT on sale for $99 right now.