What's the cheapest reel that's better than a Curado 70?

[lmbfisherman]

5 hours ago, Outdoors said:

I'll probably go with the Chronarch MGL then. I did look at the Metanium MGL, which is currently out of my price range as we speak, ha ha ha. But does the Metanium MGL even give you much distance over the Chronarch MGL?

I use my Curado 70 XG for pitching or target short distance casts with jigs and worms.

 

I use the Chronarch MGL XG for jigs and worms too but I use it for longer distance or deeper water.  (extra line)

 

The Met MGL I have, use it for moving baits (spinnerbaits/bladed baits, crankbaits, swim jigs etc.)

 

I agree you get an extra few yards with the Chronarch MGL.  Met MGL vs Chronarch MGL - It's kind of complicated, I say the Met is just little bit more refined in my hands, but if you compare the USDM prices . The difference in price is not worth it.  Go with the Chronarch MGL.  If you are buying the JDM version of the Met vs the Chronarch MGL (USDM) price, it's far more reasonable.  I'd go with the MET JDM in that scenario.  I would've bought more Met JDMs but here in Canada they have been cracking down it seems on anything I buy now internationally.  So I opt to buy the Chronarch MGL from now on and not get dinged with the import tax.  Either one will put a smile on your face.  At least for me it does. 

[Outdoors]

5 hours ago, lmbfisherman said:

I use my Curado 70 XG for pitching or target short distance casts with jigs and worms.

 

I use the Chronarch MGL XG for jigs and worms too but I use it for longer distance or deeper water.  (extra line)

 

The Met MGL I have, use it for moving baits (spinnerbaits/bladed baits, crankbaits, swim jigs etc.)

 

I agree you get an extra few yards with the Chronarch MGL.  Met MGL vs Chronarch MGL - It's kind of complicated, I say the Met is just little bit more refined in my hands, but if you compare the USDM prices . The difference in price is not worth it.  Go with the Chronarch MGL.  If you are buying the JDM version of the Met vs the Chronarch MGL (USDM) price, it's far more reasonable.  I'd go with the MET JDM in that scenario.  I would've bought more Met JDMs but here in Canada they have been cracking down it seems on anything I buy now internationally.  So I opt to buy the Chronarch MGL from now on and not get dinged with the import tax.  Either one will put a smile on your face.  At least for me it does. 

 

What would you say the cast different between a Chronarch MGL, Met JDM and Met MGL are?

[fishballer06]

Why not get another 70 if you like it so much? It's a solid reel at a solid price. 

[lmbfisherman]

1 hour ago, Outdoors said:

 

What would you say the cast different between a Chronarch MGL, Met JDM and Met MGL are?

The Chronarch MGL and Met MGL (JDM) the casting distance was basically on par, just the overall feel the Met was better to me.  Both MGLs get better casting distance than a Curado 70.  If I had to guess it would be 5-10 yards better than the Curado 70.  This one place I fish I can basically reach the other bank (beyond) with the MGLs (river mouth), the 70 it just falls short of the bank.  However, the rod, reel, lure and line are part of equation.  They aren't the same, so it isn't scientific.

[clh121787]

 curado k. 

[the reel ess]

21 hours ago, Outdoors said:

Never owned that brand, but I've always heard positive things about them.

I'm not about to say it's better than a Curado because I've never owned a Curado, but I have two Lews LFS Tournament MB reels. I loved the first one so much that after a season I bought a second. And I'm seriously considering asking the wife for a third for my birthday. It's a helluva reel for the $120 range. I have to replace a worn out BPS Clunn reel for lipless carnks and topwaters.

 

For our birthdays, we usually just put what we want in the Amazon prime cart and wait until our birthday and act surprised. All that said, I've been considering the Curado too because of its reputation.

[Chris at Tech]

9 hours ago, Outdoors said:

 

What would you say the cast different between a Chronarch MGL, Met JDM and Met MGL are?

You're really overthinking this

 

i would say say that any casting distance difference that may exist between any of the reels suggested will be totally negligible, and not noticeable in practical fishing situations.

[OnthePotomac]

I also have both in the XG speed.  Of course the MGL has the super light spool, which starts up real fast on the cast. Both reel are really fine reels, simply engineered with maximum performance. 

[david in va]

Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103XS 8.1:1  $i35.00 shipped on ebay

I have a pair of them smooth reels I also have 70 also a nice reel

[Outdoors]

3 hours ago, david in va said:

Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103XS 8.1:1  $i35.00 shipped on ebay

I have a pair of them smooth reels I also have 70 also a nice reel

How does it compare to the 70?

[david in va]

My first Daiwa Tatula SV TW 6.3 I paid $165.00 for the Curado 70 was $149.00 Both are good reels I see very little difference in how far they cast. The Daiwa  may cast a yard or 2 farther. The Tatula holds much more line and almost backlash free. Both are smooth operating. I bought another Tatula SV TW in 8 .1 off ebay for $134.95 with free shipping. If the 70 had of been on sale I would have bought it. You will not be disappointed with either reel The 70 fits in your palm better

 American  had the Tatula CT 100XS for $79.99 but have sold out. I bought 2 of them. They are good reels and about the same size as the Curado 70 I think they can be had for $90 or so

[roadwarrior]

 

[primetime]

Just about all the Shimano baitcasters perform really well, Even the lower Priced model is a really good real and inexpensive. The Caenan/Casitas are nice reels.

 

Some sites have the 70 for 129.00 and for that price it is tough to beat, but you can find last years models of high end reels for great prices right now.

 

Catch the right auction and you can find reels like the Helios, Komodo, Lews Tournament series, Pflueger Supreme XT, Patriarch, and of course Daiwa reels. 

 

I think casting distance is mostly about the right lure, line, rod, technique etc. I can cast some of my cheapest reels which I paid $50 for just as far as the higher end stuff, but they are not as good when it comes to the other factors.

 

Some of the Ardent reels are priced much lower on Ebay and they have some nice reels. Shimano and Daiwa reels are kind of the only 2 brands that seem to have different style frames & designs for the most part. Most other reels all seem to be on the same frames, look similar, but every major brand makes reels that are as good as the curado imo, they may just cost more. I have yet to buy a baitcaster that retails for $150+ that I didn't like except Quantum reels. For some reason they just don't hold up for me but I am sure many people really like them. 

 

I have owned several shimano baitcasters and spinning reels, and I will say they all seem to outlast my other reels, stay smooth the longest, and for $130 only way to get a comparable reel is to find one that retails for $200 but on sale for $100 range. 

 

Most important factor is making sure you like the way they feel in your palm. I have picked up several high end expensive reels and just didn't like the weight/Size/Handle etc. 

 

Citica reels are good. I have had one for 2 years and it casts really well, requires very little attention and you can find them for $100.