What Do You Use And Why Do You Like It

[fishermanof93]

Looking at getting some new reels and was wandering what spinning or baitcast reels do you use but even more than that what about them sets them apart for you? what do you like and dislike about them? I see a lot on here Shimano or Abu or whatever all the way but no real explanation as to why you like that the best.

[Ozark_Basser]

Weight comes into play, along with casting distance and quality control among other things. Every reel I own kind of has its place though, and they have their pros and cons. If you want a reel that's perfect you're gonna be spending some bucks.

[5fishlimit]

I tried Lew's (Speed Spool & Tournament), Abu (Revo & SX), and Shimano (Citica & my buddy's Metanium) and there was always that just wasn't comfortable about them in my hands.  I had not complaints about any of their quality whatsoever, but there was something that kept me from finding a comfortable way to palm the reel.  Then I got a Daiwa Zillion and never looked back.  I have sold/traded my other reels and have a lineup of Alphas, Zillions, Fuegos, and a PXL-R.  They are worry free, and easy to use with the Magforce braking system.  

 

By no means am I saying they are perfect either - I'm not crazy about the knobs on the Zillions, but I fixed that with Reel Grips.  The drags could be better on the Alphas (Ito AI & SS models), but I have also never lost a fish because of it either. In my hands the pros outweigh the cons. 

 

This is the great thing about fishing gear though.  What makes my motor purr in one brand of reels might make somebody else think it's total rubbish. 

 

Now in regards to rods...I am all over the place with them, and have no rhyme or reason when buying them as far as brands are concerned.  I am strictly looking at the rods action for the specific presentation I am looking to do with it.

[thehooligan]

I use shimanos, I learned on a curado 201e. Tried abu, lews, and daiwa/megabass.

Always go back to my 50 size shimanos. Light, smooth, palm great, tons of spool options, and super easy to use.

[RB 77]

For baitcasting I use Curados and Calcuttas because I feel these reels maximize the ROI at their price point.

[robster80]

started out with basspro reels which never let me down. tried Lews. wasnt impressed at all. now i have all Shimano and one Daiwa. they feel great in the hands and the quality is there. the daiwa isnt the lightest reel but that doesnt bother me. i bought my first 50 siZe shimano not long ago and will probably get a couple more soon

[webertime]

    I look at fishing gear as tools.  Now does Stanley make a good tape measure?  Sure they do...  But their hammer isn't that great, but an Eastwing is a great hammer.  Snap On Wrenches are great, but the one from the Dollar Store will work for the amount that I would use it... 

 

    So I don't have any brand loyalty as far as ALL Shimano or ALL Ardent (snicker, snicker).  I pick the best tool for me from a good company (good customer service, not a "here today gone tomorrow" set up). 

Of my 14 combos I have 6 Daiwa reels (Zillions to Lexa), 6 Shimano (Love me some Citica E's), 1 Quantum, 1 Abu (round for swimbaits).  I just found through use and ownership that I liked Daiwa and Shimano reels so I tend to lean towards them first when I am looking at new reels.

 

    Rod-wise I own Dobyns, Phenix, St. Croix, Daiwa, Abu, Lamiglas, Powell, Cabelas, BPS, and Fenwick.  All have good reputations/CS and broad lines to choose the right tool for me and my preferences or style. 

 

    If it works for YOU that is what is important.  

 

    If someone is going to say a 7' Dobyns is going to cast further than say a 7' Lightning Rod (with the same reel/line) they are nuts, or over emphasizing the negligible difference in distance.  

 

    I have had JDM Alphas on Phenix Recons (a super sexy set up) and still find my 3 generation old BPS Extreme Spinning Rod with a Shimano Sahara that feels like a coffee grinder to be my favorite set up.  I paid $90 for it...   Don't get caught up in big money being way better.

 

   Unsolicitated advice, and not to turn this into brand bashing...  Look at companies that make their own stuff, not farming it out to OEM factories.  I have found in all of my recreational pursuits that those companies that make their own things tend to last longer and have better support.  There are always exceptions, but I have never been let down by a company that does it all themsleves.   (I know almost all my rods are from OEM's I know...)

[fishermanof93]

All good thoughts guys I appreciate all the information. i am not trying to get personal about it im just trying to really educate myself on the features that are out there and what of them actually mean anything to the people who have been using them. so keep on dumping the information this is all good.

[Choporoz]

You can only tell so much from what we say here.  Until you get different ones in YOUR hands, this is largely blather.  If you narrow down a price range, planned usage, etc, you might get a little better info....maybe.

 

If you haven't....go into a shop with selection and try out a few.   And/or check out TW's reel test-drive program.  Good luck

[Steveo-1969]

I've used spinning reels my whole life but never paid attention to brand or quality until a few years ago.  It was always "buy the cheapest combo".  I bought an Abu Orra S about 3 years ago that has been a workhorse for me.  It's grindy and looks like h3ll, but the drag is still smooth and it works great for me. 2 years ago I bought a Pflueger President after reading great reviews about this $60 reel and the bail stopped working after 3 months.  Never again.  Last year I bought a Shimano Stradic CI4+ and couldn't be happier.  It's had 500+ hours of fishing and still feels brand new.

 

For casting my first reel 3 years ago was an Abu Revo S and still works fine today.  2 years ago I bought a BPS Carbonlite (black) and while I don't have any real complaints it's not my favorite.  2 months ago I started using a Shimano Curado I and so far this is my favorite BC reel.  Smooth casts, smooth retrieve, smooth drag and with 2 brakes on I'm having a hard time backlashing it. YAY!!

 

You didn't ask about rods so I'm not discussing them.