Baitcaster: Abu vs Shimano?

[jaymayz1020]

I am having a hard time choosing between the Abu Garcia Revo MGX2 and the Shimano Chronarch MGL.  It's primary use will be for smaller swimbaits. Please let me know if there is advantages for one over the other. I have found them online for right around the same price.

[NYBasser]

I'm a Shimano guy, so I'm going to say go with the Chronarch. If you are looking to save a little bit of money, the Curado 70 is also an amazing reel for the price.

[fishballer06]

Explain "small swimbaits" please. 

 

Some might consider a 3" Keitech a small swimbait, while others consider a 6" Huddleston a small swimbait. 

 

If you are in the Huddleston group, I don't recommend either of these reels. 

[jyu87]

Honestly, both should do the job. Unless your throwing a small less than 3" swim bait unweighted - they should both work. I am really, really interested in getting myself a Chronarch MGL within the week. Can't wait. I'm a Shimano/Daiwa guy and have yet to have any issues. I did have issues with a Revo STX Gen 3 and that was the last I bought into Abu. 

 

I second what NyBasser said in regards to the Curado 70, thing is awesome. 

[nameiztaken]

I'd take a Shimano Caenan over that abu any day. 

Reasons:

- I trust Shimano.

- They hold value VERY well.

- Can take a serious beating if necessary.

- Looks better, we can all agree on that. Right guys?

I've been a Shimano fan forever, so take that stuff with a grain of salt. Everyone has their preferences. 

However, I cant say that I've tried that specific abu reel. and I do love my Abu Veritas, great rod.

 

[sgibby88]

I really like my shimano reels and never had a problem with them. I would say go with the shimano personally

[DINK WHISPERER]

Daiwa..... But if i had to pick then the Shimano for sure. MGX is seriously over hyped. And yes i owned a few of them. 

[lmbfisherman]

I agree with fishballer.  What are you using it for?

[jaymayz1020]

I am going to use it mostly for gambler big ez and lighter weighted jointed swimbaits.

[fishballer06]

23 hours ago, jaymayz1020 said:

I am going to use it mostly for gambler big ez and lighter weighted jointed swimbaits.

With that, my vote goes to the MGL. Great reels. 

[robster80]

Shimano all day everyday

[WRB]

I was a Abu Garcia Ambassaduer reel guy for 35 years until they started making reels in China, now all my 2500C, 4500C and 5000C reels are retired and will not be buying anything Abu makes unless it's manufactured in Sweden, not assembled from imported Chinese parts.

Today my bass reels are either Daiwa or Shimano and both are equally good reel companies.

Tom

 

[ThatZX14Fella]

Shimano. I've tried a high end Abu reel and wasn't very impressed. They're ok, but they're not up to par with other reels in the price range.

[wdp]

Shimano gets my vote too. I bought an Abu Revo S when they first came out. That reel crapped out after 2 seasons. I had 3 or 4 Shimanos I bought the season before that lasted another 2 seasons beyond that Revo before they needed any kind of maintenance. 

[Texas bassman]

Abu Garcia just doesn't have the same quality. Good reels but over hyped and priced.  Shimano puts put nothing but quality even in their cheaper reels. The chronarch mgl will do it all and last more then a season.