Super User tcbass Posted March 9, 2015 Super User Posted March 9, 2015 So my friend is looking for his second baitcasting reel. He got a new one last year from Bass Pro (one of their cheaper ones) and it appeared broken from the start. He's looking for the best one under $250. What would you get? And where is the cheapest place to get it (online or in-store)? Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted March 9, 2015 Super User Posted March 9, 2015 You have a huge market in that price point. Go in, handle lots of them, see which one you find the best or feels the best to you. Have lots of choices under $250. Myself, I would probably pice up a 13 *** or C. Quote
The Next KVD Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Like said before, huge price market in that range. I would say a Chronarch ci4 which can be had on a certain site for under $250. 1 Quote
robster80 Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 id maybe try a ***. or save a few extra bucks and just buy 2 Curado I's Quote
fisherrw Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 A shimano metaniim ( I know I did not spell that right! ) can be found at Japan lure shop for 270 Id get that super good deal. Saving to get one now. Quote
Cgrinder Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Get a Tatula or Curado I from Amazon. No sense in jumping from cheapo to enthusiast level so quickly. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 That's a good point. Working your way up step by step gives you a clear picture of what you get for your money and where the point of diminishing returns is. 1 Quote
BigBassLoveSenkos Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Like said before, huge price market in that range. I would say a Chronarch ci4 which can be had on a certain site for under $250. x2 Also worth looking at is the Team Lews Pro Speed Spool, which can be found online within your price range... Quote
Super User tcbass Posted March 9, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 9, 2015 Get a Tatula or Curado I from Amazon. No sense in jumping from cheapo to enthusiast level so quickly. He's more then an enthusiast. He's pretty experienced. He just hasn't had his own nice one. Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming. Quote
jtesch Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 should be able to get a Tatula and a Tatula rod with a little hunting for $250. pretty nice set up for that price Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I love my Alphas, Zillion, Tatula, Curado, Chronarch, Lews, Pflueger, but why not try something different where he would probably be the only one on the lake using one. The Pinnacle Primmus lists for $250, but can be had for just under $157 shipped. This is a factory hand-tuned reel. 6.3:1 ratio, 6-pin centrifugal braking system, precision click spool tension, carbon drag washers, X-bone metal frame and right side cover, Duralumin spool and components, quick release side cover, Titanium coated line guide and weighing in at a whopping 5.9 oz. No chance to use it yet, but I have to say that it appears to be extremely smooth while playing with it. There is a fair amount of bling with it because the red anodize parts (except for the star drag) have been drilled or spotted and left in the white color. Two other choices that I personally hope to have this year are the Helios Air and a ***. Not much on here about the Helios Air, but guys that have tried the *** reels are impressed by them. TT gave the *** an Editor's Choice award. bassresource reviewer was also impressed by the Helios Air. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/helios-air-review.html . Quote
chelboed Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 I love my Alphas, Zillion, Tatula, Curado, Chronarch, Lews, Pflueger, but why not try something different where he would probably be the only one on the lake using one. The Pinnacle Primmus lists for $250, but can be had for just under $157 shipped. This is a factory hand-tuned reel. 6.3:1 ratio, 6-pin centrifugal braking system, precision click spool tension, carbon drag washers, X-bone metal frame and right side cover, Duralumin spool and components, quick release side cover, Titanium coated line guide and weighing in at a whopping 5.9 oz. No chance to use it yet, but I have to say that it appears to be extremely smooth while playing with it. There is a fair amount of bling with it because the red anodize parts (except for the star drag) have been drilled or spotted and left in the white color. Two other choices that I personally hope to have this year are the Helios Air and a ***. Not much on here about the Helios Air, but guys that have tried the *** reels are impressed by them. TT gave the *** an Editor's Choice award. bassresource reviewer was also impressed by the Helios Air. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/helios-air-review.html . The man's first reel was a crapped out dud. His second reel should be something that's tried and true with a history of success. Your first suggestion...recommending a reel that you have never used nor has anyone you know...seems like a Crap-shoot when it needs to be a sure thing at this point. Maybe when he actually becomes an enthusiast and can think for himself when it comes to buying reels, a Pinnacle might be cool. Quote
Trenton Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Revo...Abu garcia for life. Nuff said. But not gonna lie one of the smoothest reels I have ever owned was a pflueger haven't fished it yet as I just bought it but it's like silk but I love my revos Quote
Super User Angry John Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I would grab any variant of alphas. There great out of the box and have some spools and dress up parts available. There a reel that I only own 4 of but the newest version is available for preorder at Japantackle for 250. I have not used the newest version yet but that's only because there not available. The sv spool gets great reviews. The newest is a small risk but the best option if nib is the only option. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 Lews bb1 or tp for 150 ^^This^^ !! ... I would certainly give serious consideration to the two Lews reels mentioned here as you may find you don't have to spend $250 to get all the reel you will ever need ! Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 The man's first reel was a crapped out dud. His second reel should be something that's tried and true with a history of success. Your first suggestion...recommending a reel that you have never used nor has anyone you know...seems like a Crap-shoot when it needs to be a sure thing at this point. Maybe when he actually becomes an enthusiast and can think for himself when it comes to buying reels, a Pinnacle might be cool. I admit to not always following the crowd. We all have to start somewhere. All my reels were bought based on the opinions and reviews of others and without ever being able to handle one first. So far I haven't regretted it. This isn't much of a review of the Primmus, but is by one of our own members. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-tournament-class-review.html Obviously I can't comment on the reels longevity, but it sure feels nice in hand. Looks nice, too. OP. Have your friend pick up an older model Zillion or green Curado. They are time proven. As is the Alphas. A TD-Z is another great option. I don't think the new Shimanos, Daiwas, Lews, Abus, etc. have been out long enough to prove their reliability. You can't always go by past history. Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 For me, $250 is where I draw the line at, the amount of smoothness you gain or performance isn't worth the extra money, at least to me. Even though I draw the line at $250 I rather enjoy the $150 to $200 range a lot more and I'll explain why. I got a great deal on the 2 Smoke reels I have and the Tournament Pro I got before the price hike and all of them are less than my 2 generation Revo Premier and to be honest, I enjoy them all equally. I got Pflueger Supreme XT casting reel, it has got to be one of the nicest $150 reels I've used, now it isn't as refined as a Shimano Metanium or even the Core but it is light, and the performance isn't much different than a reel costing twice that price. Some will get mad at that statement but I've owned high end gear and what I've noticed is that the added performance difference between a good, solid $150 work horse reel and a high end $300+ doesn't amount to double, in fact the performance gains are rather small. The difference is in the build, the refinement, the attention to detail, and while the performance isn't night and day noticeable, the refinement is, if you can say a work horse is a smooth as a high end reel, not even close, I could not believe how smooth the Steez was when I picked it up. The tolerances are good on a work horse reel but when you grab that high end reel it just has a feel to it that once you get use to it, anything less feels like crap and that right there is why I draw the line at $250, because once I go high, I can't really justify the price but it is very, very hard to go back down the line because the feel of a high end reel is something you just can't get in a work horse type reel. Quote
Super User tcbass Posted March 10, 2015 Author Super User Posted March 10, 2015 I would grab any variant of alphas. There great out of the box and have some spools and dress up parts available. There a reel that I only own 4 of but the newest version is available for preorder at Japantackle for 250. I have not used the newest version yet but that's only because there not available. The sv spool gets great reviews. The newest is a small risk but the best option if nib is the only option. Who makes the Alphas? Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 10, 2015 Super User Posted March 10, 2015 Who makes the Alphas? Daiwa. Quote
sully420 Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I just purchased a Abu Garcia revo sx Gen 3 for 160 love it Quote
Jsinkic Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 check out Lew's. Great reels and with that price range you can pick up some of the higher end gear. Quote
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