Suggestions for finesse baitcasting reel

[FryDog62]

Looking for suggestions on a baitcasting reel that is especially good for throwing lighter plastics.  And suggestions/experience in setting the internals gears, brakes, etc on.  Probably looking in the $100-200 range.  I already have a rod I can use but possibly open to suggestions there too.  Thanks!

[Raul]

Shimano Core 50, Daiwa Alphas SV, Daiwa SS SV.

[Darren.]

50 or 70 size Shimano reels.

Daiwa reels @Raul mentioned.

[The Bassman]

The key to throwing light baits is having a rod that loads easily and a spool that's as light as possible. Other than spending 100 bucks on an aftermarket spool one thing that I do is fill my spools about halfway with thick braid (40-50 lb).  This serves to reduce spool weight by a few grams.  Then I fill with my line of choice fairly close to the spool edge. Clean and properly lubed spool bearings really help, too.  I'm real big on TSI 321 oil.  Speaking from experience with Shimano reels (50 series) start with three brakes on and very light cast control tension.  Go down from there as experience and conditions allow.  The newer 70 series that Darren mentioned have a newer braking system that encourages one to use all four brake tabs and set braking with the external dial.

[new2BC4bass]

I'd like to point out that it is possible to buy a Pixy in that price range.  There is a yellow one on fleabay for $189 that looks to be in excellent condition, an Airy Red for $149 that is also in pretty good shape, a supertuned Airy Red for $332.84 that appears to have only one bad mark on it.  There are also several others although they don't appear to be in as good cosmetic condition.  The Pixy is the reel TT compares all other finesse reels to.

I bought one on another site that turned out to be the only reel I've purchased used that was unusable upon arrival.  Cost me more to get it repaired, upgraded and supertuned than my purchase price, but I now have a great finesse reel.  It only has one bad spot so it didn't bother me too much to spend the extra money as the Airy Red is the Pixy I wanted, and I would have had the upgrades and supertune done anyway.

EDIT: I am also a huge fan of the TD-Z 105H.  My Alphas SV105 wasn't up to the standard of the ones everyone else was getting, but a supertune and upgrade took care of that.  A very nice reel now.

EDIT2:  Also watch out for the spool being swapped if you buy an Airy Red.  It comes with a Duralumin spool which is silver colored.  Mine had been switched out for the GIGAS spool which is black.  One difference between them is the Duralumin spool is 1 gram lighter.  I have read that there is no difference in how they cast, but it still was upsetting that I didn't get the original spool.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

you shouldn't have been charged to super tune a reel with a full floating spool design.  The friction points polished are taken out of play in that design. 

[new2BC4bass]

57 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

you shouldn't have been charged to super tune a reel with a full floating spool design.  The friction points polished are taken out of play in that design. 

You have mentioned this before, Mike.  I used the word supertune, but maybe that isn't the correct word.  I don't know what a "full tuning polish" is, but maybe it is along the lines of the article written by ChuckE for TT entitled Polishing Up the TD-Sol, an exercise in tuning.  Guess I should have asked, but I didn't remember your comments about this at the time.

[JustJames]

for lighter plastic, I have no problem with my shimano curado 70 or chornarch 50e. I like both reel but trend to grab my 50e before 70hg dont know why? May be smoothness or easiness or the black accent match my black crucial rod.

The 50e is abit old school reel where you just set it and forget it. I have my set 2 brake on and I can cast from 1/16 ned jig with trd up to 1/2 oz no problem. On the othen hand 70HG would need a little of learning curve. Ppl say to have all 4 brake on but use side dial to adjust according to lure weight(4 brakes on with dial at 1 equal 2 brake on in old reel). My have 2 brake on dial at 3. Im still try to figure which is the best for me.

With that said I think a guy selling his curafo 50e upgrade version for 200 here which is pretty good deal.

[new2BC4bass]

I really like my 50Es.  DVT (Mike) cleaned one, and supertuned and upgraded the other.  However, I reach for a Daiwa whenever looking to throw light lures.  Well, a Diawa or an older gold colored Carbonlite if not below 3/16 oz.  I can cast the 50Es with 2 brakes on, but prefer to leave 3 on for hassle free casting.  Maybe I'm that way because I learned on a Daiwa.

[fishwizzard]

I got a PX68 off of ebay for around $200 and I am really happy with it.  The non-clicking drag does drive me crazy but it is a simple sounding fix.  

[Preytorien]

Curado 70 series are very good for finesse baits. I can throw a weightless senko or fluke just as far as my spinning reel with 6lb on it

[kickerfish1]

I would get the Alphas SV 105. A finesse casting reel that can do far more.

[fishwizzard]

6 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

I would get the Alphas SV 105. A finesse casting reel that can do far more.

I am leaning towards picking on of these up on BF to go with a ML rod rated for 1/8-1/2oz.  It seems like a perfect match.  

[kickerfish1]

5 hours ago, Bunnielab said:

I am leaning towards picking on of these up on BF to go with a ML rod rated for 1/8-1/2oz.  It seems like a perfect match.  

Should be a perfect fit. I have the SV105 and that spool into a customized Alphas.

[mada1594]

it might be a bit above your price range but I use the *** *** and It is absolutely fantastic throwing light lures! I found mine for 240. it is the lightest reel I have ever held by far!

[Bassfishnc18]

The Shim1on core 50 and curado 70 throw light lures great

[Bluebasser86]

How light are these "lighter plastics"? The Curado 70 fishes light weights very well for me but it isn't going to do BFS type weights.