Best baitcast reels?

[Celtic Raider]

Hi new member from Maryland. Recently moved from Upstate NY 

now my sons and I are ready to go after some bigger bass on the Prettyboy Resevoir here. Just bought some GLoomis rods 6'9" and need advice on the best baitcast reels and line to go with them. I use the Celtic Raider as that is my fantasy football team name. 

 

Appreciate insight you you may be able to provide. 

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

Edited January 7, 2017 by Celtic Raider
Wanted to add fishing line to question

[bholtzinger14]

Any budget in mind?

[WRB]

Welcome to the BR site.

Both Shimano and Daiwa offer a wide range of bait casting reels depending on your budget

Do you have a preference which reel manufacturer you like?

Tom

[Hulkster]

not sure your budget, but based on your rod choice, I assume its decent. I have a Loomis E6X MBR843 that I have paired with a Curado 200i and I really like the combo. just an idea. There are better baitcasters than the curado I, but I don't think any are better for the money spent. its a great reel.

[hunterPRO1]

either a shimano or an abu garcia, 7:1 gear ratio is a good alll around.

 

 

[rippin-lips]

Figure out what you want to spend and then find a company that offers a reel with the features you're looking for. The top 2 are going to be Daiwa and Shimano. Both companies actually produce their reels and they aren't made by one of the main factories like Doyo that produce reels for Abu/lews/Bps/ect. Now that doesn't mean other companies don't make nice reels though. It's just personal preference in what you like. 

[new2BC4bass]

Welcome to the forum, Matt.  

 

Fishnkamp lives in Maryland so he probably can give you some good advice on what to use in that area.  A budget always helps as does knowing what type of lures you plan on using.  Also it wouldn't hurt to know the ratings for the rods you bought.  I assume all-around rods, but as an example I wouldn't suggest a Zillion reel with 40# braid if the rods are all ML.

 

Our suggestions for reel and line wouldn't be the same for a rod to be used for deep diving crankbaits as it would be for shallow diving crankbaits.  Most people like a fast retrieve reel for bottom contact lures and either braid or fluorocarbon line although some of us still use mono or co-polymer.

 

I can tell you that fishnkamp will suggest Daiwa Tatula reels.  I enjoy mine as well.  You can find new for around $95....Type Rs for around $130.  Best baitcast reels are a matter of opinion.  I've got more Daiwas than any other brand.  Some only fish Shimano....or Abu....or Lew's.....so guess what they will suggest as the best reels.    Love most of my Daiwas, but have other favorites as well.  Two are reels that don't get mentioned much.  An Okuma Helios Air and a Pinnacle Primmus.  Can't speak for longevity, but they are great reels now.

 

Another underrated brand of casting reels is Pflueger.  Their spinning reels get all the attention, but their baitcast reels are also good.  The older blue Patriarch XT is on my "Favorites" list.  A few others on here...including a moderator...like Pflueger baitcast reels as well.

 

EDIT:  Used you should give a Daiwa TD-Z 105H a try.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If your budget is $125> you almost can't go wrong among any of the big name brands. It's just a matter of picking the features that most interest you. 

[Raul]

Steez, Metanium, you asked which were the best and those ones are the best.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Daiwa, Shimano. Shimano, Daiwa. You may proceed...  

[rippin-lips]

2 hours ago, Raul said:

Steez, Metanium, you asked which were the best and those ones are the best.

Come on Raul, you know it's Abu 4 lyfe!

[RoLo]

2 hours ago, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard!

 

Daiwa, Shimano. Shimano, Daiwa. You may proceed...  

 

 

To those '4' I would also add 'Shimano'

 

Roger

 

[Caliyak]

Kastking reels, the hottest brand of reels out there. LOL

[Jeff H]

6 hours ago, rippin-lips said:

 The top 2 are going to be Daiwa and Shimano.  Now that doesn't mean other companies don't make nice reels though. It's just personal preference in what you like. 

And, common sense should factor in as well. 

There is a common denominator here in this thread and it ain't Lew's!

[Fun4Me]

I haven't read the responses in this thread, but I would like to throw Diawa and Shimano into the mix  

[Angry John]

Megabass, deps, avail, ITO lots of cool reels around.  Budget form and requirements would help a lot

[fishnkamp]

Welcome to MD   I used to fish that beautiful reservoir. If you do not mind driving over to Middle River  I would be happy to put some reels on your rods and let you cast them.  Nothing is better than that to see what you like.  We can also discuss what to do on several lakes in this area. I love Pretty Boy as well as Piney Run over in Carroll County.   We used to catch big smallies on PB, but also we rigged up some special rods with line counter reels and tiny diameter braid and trolled for fresh water white perch. Those fish would almost rip the rod out of your hand. If you bring home a couple of dozen of those, then your tongue will smack both your ears they are sooo delicious. Just let me know when you are available.

[Raul]

2 hours ago, Angry John said:

Megabass, deps, avail, ITO lots of cool reels around.  Budget form and requirements would help a lot

 

All those are Daiwa reels. 

[jsh32]

For $100 I would have to go with a Daiwa Tatula CT. TW has them for $129 but they can be found for $99.95 in so many trustworthy places. But like others have said a price range would help to know what types and brands to suggest.

[Sam]

Celtic, you started a fire storm with your thread. And that's great!

 

Everyone has their favorite rods, reels, lines, tackle, etc. So to ask who has the best baitcasting reel will produce a lot of bias answers.

 

There is a wonderful guy in Powhatan County, Virginia, Wayne Knabe, who repairs rods and reels. He does outstanding work and you should see some of his refurbished rods results. They are so beautiful you would not want to use them.

 

I asked Wayne which reels he liked, from a repair standpoint, and he replied Shimano and Lew's. He said he liked the way they are constructed. The only drawback is that Shimano will discontinue parts for older reels which makes his job a little more difficult.

 

But that is Wayne's position, which could change depending on the number of reels he repairs or services each year.

 

I don't think you will have any problems with the top name reels. Get a BPS 2017 catalog and see what reels they have for sale and you can't go wrong.

 

There is no benefit for me to tell you what I like as you may hate them. So do some work in the Internet and then try to select trhe one you like best.

 

A Hint:  When shopping for a rod or a reel, take your reel or rod to the store and set it up to find out how the new setup feels in your hands and when you practice casting it. You may be surprised at your findings.

 

Good luck.

[Raul]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

Celtic, you started a fire storm with your thread. And that's great!

 

Everyone has their favorite rods, reels, lines, tackle, etc. So to ask who has the best baitcasting reel will produce a lot of bias answers.

 

There is a wonderful guy in Powhatan County, Virginia, Wayne Knabe, who repairs rods and reels. He does outstanding work and you should see some of his refurbished rods results. They are so beautiful you would not want to use them.

 

I asked Wayne which reels he liked, from a repair standpoint, and he replied Shimano and Lew's. He said he liked the way they are constructed. The only drawback is that Shimano will discontinue parts for older reels which makes his job a little more difficult.

 

But that is Wayne's position, which could change depending on the number of reels he repairs or services each year.

 

I don't think you will have any problems with the top name reels. Get a BPS 2017 catalog and see what reels they have for sale and you can't go wrong.

 

There is no benefit for me to tell you what I like as you may hate them. So do some work in the Internet and then try to select trhe one you like best.

 

A Hint:  When shopping for a rod or a reel, take your reel or rod to the store and set it up to find out how the new setup feels in your hands and when you practice casting it. You may be surprised at your findings.

 

Good luck.

 

Yup, a real firestorm, so hard to choose between Daiwa and Shimano ....

[Yudo1]

If you want the best, go straight for daiwa or shimano

[bigfruits]

depending on budget 

Shimano Curado or Metanium

Daiwa Zillion or Steez

[Angry John]

10 hours ago, Raul said:

 

All those are Daiwa reels. 

He said good reels that only leaves one choice.  

[kickerfish1]

If it is best with money being of absolutely no concern it is Daiwa and Shimano. I have since sold off or given away every BPS, Lews, Okuma, and Quantum casting reel that I had. They have so many upgrades, turning parts, plus the resell value is much, much better. Just my opinion and I know guys that like their BPS, Lews, and Abu's but for low profile casting I was never that impressed with these.