Noob looking for Casting Reel advice $225 Max

[spbk84]

Good Afternoon, All - 

I am reaching out for assistance with setting myself up for this season. I started fishing last summer and purchased a Bass pro shop Bait Caster & Rod. Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 and Bionic Blade Jig Rod. I didn't research anything thing and purchased it because they were on sale. From reading it looks like i want a 7.1:1 for Jigs and not a 6.4:1.. 

I was browsing the forums in hopes of finding a deal on a Rod for $100 or less and St croix had rage rods 2 for $100, they arrived yesterday. I prefer to use a left handed which  has limited my choices. Please let me know what you think. I will be bank fishing the mucky water of NJ

1. BPS Bionic Blade Rod - 7' Heavy Fast - Jig & Frogs 
$130 or less (less preferred)
7.1:1 Left hand 
Lew's Laser® Pro Speed $79.99 on sale 
Lew's Mach I Speed Spool $120
Daiwa Tatula CT  7.3:1 - $129.99

2. St Croix Rage Rod - 7'1 Medium Fast - Plastics and Misc. This will be my main set up so I am spending a little more on the reel 
$225 Max. I prefer not to spend as much if not required to get a smooth and light set up. 
DAIWA ZILLION WITH TWS 6.3:1 - $180 on sale 
Thirteen(13) fishing  Casting A  6.6:1 $175
LEW'S PRO SPEED TLP1HZL - 6.4:1 $200 on sale 
Daiwa Tatula 100   6.3:1    $149.99

Will i see a difference going a litle more expensive then the Tatula? I know i am little all over the place but these are the feels i have found with a good reviews in my price range. 

3. St Croix Rage Rod - 7'2 Medium Medium - Crank Baits 
   Bass Pro Shop Pro Qualifier 6.4:1  ( I know i should be using a lower gear ratio but it will have to do for now)

Thanks, 

Ricky 
 

[EllisJuan]

The Curado I is the best sub $200 real I have ever used.  You can pick one up for ~$165 and you will not be disappointed.  If you want a little more performance spend another $40 on carbon brakes and bearings.

[MemphisFF]

3 minutes ago, EllisJuan said:

The Curado I is the best sub $200 real I have ever used.  You can pick one up for ~$165 and you will not be disappointed.  If you want a little more performance spend another $40 on carbon brakes and bearings.

Or look here on the flea market and scoop one up for less than that... Great deals here sometimes..

[EllisJuan]

2 minutes ago, MemphisFF said:

Or look here on the flea market and scoop one up for less than that... Great deals here sometimes..

Yep.  I have sold some like new reels for good prices here.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There's no need to replace a 6.4 with a 7.1:1. The difference isn't night and day. Your price point is more than sufficient for a quality reel from any of the major players. Pick the features you desire at the best price you can find. 

[Jrob78]

I think I would be looking at the Curado 70, (actually the Scorpion 70) or the Tatula CT Type R.   Those are the 2 reels that interest me in that price range.

[Poolshark]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

There's no need to replace a 6.4 with a 7.1:1. The difference isn't night and day. Your price point is more than sufficient for a quality reel from any of the major players. Pick the features you desire at the best price you can find. 

I agree with this. 6:4 would be a fine gear ratio for your needs. There is no need to upgrade for that application alone. There are also so many good choices in that price range that it really is going to boil down to personal preference. 

[spbk84]

4 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

The Curado I is the best sub $200 real I have ever used.  You can pick one up for ~$165 and you will not be disappointed.  If you want a little more performance spend another $40 on carbon brakes and bearings.

Thanks. It seems like a nice reel.  i guess I am going to keep my 6.4 and get another 6.3 or 6.4 and something a little slower for the Crank baits.

4 hours ago, MemphisFF said:

Or look here on the flea market and scoop one up for less than that... Great deals here sometimes..

Thanks.I considered it but i haven't found anything that i have liked in a left hand set up. Most reels I find are only 30-40 less then a new reel and the good deals seem to be picked up before I even see the post lol

[GoRavens]

I just picked up a lefty tatula reel off eBay for 94$ brand new. I forgot the seller but it's not hard to find. 

[new2BC4bass]

I suggest giving an Okuma Helios Air a try.  Last one cost me about $165 with shipping.  My first one impressed me from the very first cast.  Might be a bit fast at 7.3:1.  Casts like a champ.  Fairly light at 5.7 oz.  Can't comment on the new Shimanos, but imagine quality is still there.  I'm also a fan of the Tatula Type R.  Many like Lews, but mine is an older TP so I can't comment on the new models.  They get a lot of love here.  Lots of excellent choices in your price range.

[sarcazmo]

I wouldn't get too caught up in gear ratios.  What you have will be fine.

I've always been a fan of Shimano and Daiwa.  They just seemed to be engineered better in my experience. They're also quite inexpensive.  The new curados and tatulas will be workhouse reels for people for a long time to come.  I've got a CT type R on order.  Can't wait to try it.

[WdyCrankbait]

yeah, you might want to demo a reel, or some through TW first to give you an opinon of what you like and dont like. 

I like Lew's reels, not in love with them, but for the $$ they are very solid.  Meaning, if I was looking at Diawa, Shimano, Lew's, I would definitely go with Lew's (I usually refer to them as the "Toyota Camry, or Honda Accord" of reels, well the $200 and below ones).  Look at the Tournament Pro G Lews, that would be my suggestion. 

[Bass Turd]

If you like Shimano look on ebay for a Chronarch in left handed (if that's what you want) 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-CHRONARCH-151-Ci4-CH151CI4-151Ci4-Left-Handed-Baitcasting-Reel-6-2-1-/182045040355?hash=item2a62badee3:g:xksAAOSwMmBVxFs3

I've bought two from this seller and they have been fantastic! He is easily recognizable by the red felt background on all his photos.  A Chronarch for the retail price of a Curado... Can't beat that.

[Draethe84]

Look for some Daiwa T3 reels on special or go for the tatula and tatula ct reels because the tatula 100: $90 + the ct: $130 = $220 so $5 change for plastics... use the ct on the medium rage rod because the CT is a smaler lighter reel so it should cast lighter platics further

[WRB]

Wouldn't bother with 7:1 go to 8:1. With 100 or 200 size reels.

Daiwa Talula CT type R are available, excellent reels for under $200.

Tom

[BrianSnat]

I have a Curado and like it a lot, but I have several Lew's reels and think they are a better bang for the buck.  I think the Lews Tournament (I paid $115 for mine) is a really super reel and every bit as good as the Curado, which I spent $40 more for.

[tbone1993]

Just picked up a new quantum smoke and that thing is a rocket. I haven't used it enough to give it my 100% approval though. Depending on your location my shop has a tatula 100 type r left hand  Also have a curado 200 for a fairly good price.