High End Baitcasters

[NathanDLTH]

I've been a big Daiwa fan since the release of the Tatula SV and have been primarily fishing Daiwa since. Still however there is this affinity with shiny things lol! So who has the best high end baitcasters? Daiwa or Shimano? Talking specifically USDM not JDM.

I currently own:

3xTatula SVs: 6:3:1, 7:3:1, 8:1:1

Zillion SV 6:3:1

Curado 70 7:2:1

I'd like to hear from everyone who reads this. 

 

[Mjmj]

gotta ask, which do you like better your curado or your tatula sv

[3crows]

I did not think of the Curado 200/Curado 70 as high end. I more think of them as durable, capable, go to fishing rigs but mid level, not high end. And I have several Curado I and 70. High end to me would mean something $250 and up, which I do not have any of. I kinda like the Castias and Caenan, lower end and excellent little reels.. 

[Tywithay]

I don't think either company is necessarily better in the high end, though Shimano's DC reels do have a little something extra that just makes them more fun to fish. Once you get past a certain dollar amount, all the companies are putting out nice gear.

[NathanDLTH]

7 hours ago, Mjmj said:

gotta ask, which do you like better your curado or your tatula sv

Out of the two Tatula SV, just seems better bang for buck. 

[WRB]

Today I believe Daiwa has a advantage over Shimano with the low profile size 100 bass reels. Shimano peaked IMO with Core 100 series reels. Both companies are equal high end companies, I just believe Daiwa has a better breaking system today and bass anglers are lucky to have the choices we have.

Tom

[NathanDLTH]

17 minutes ago, WRB said:

Today I believe Daiwa has a advantage over Shimano with the low profile size 100 bass reels. Shimano peaked IMO with Core 100 series reels. Both companies are equal high end companies, I just believe Daiwa has a better breaking system today and bass anglers are lucky to have the choices we have.

Tom

Tom could you share some of what youve eluded to? Shimano peaking with the Core100? I've only just recently got into the bass game last summer. I'm loving my Daiwa reels, but I've got the itch to try a high end Shimano. Thanks. 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, NathanDLTH said:

Tom could you share some of what youve eluded to? Shimano peaking with the Core100? I've only just recently got into the bass game last summer. I'm loving my Daiwa reels, but I've got the itch to try a high end Shimano. Thanks. 

There are BR members a lot more in tune with these reels than I am. I bought a Shimano Core 100 prior to the imported versions and likes the way it performed. Bought a Daiwa Steez shortly after and the Steez was lighter and a smoother reel, both were in the mid $300 price range 7 years ago! 5 years ago I decided to try Tatula 100R' with 8:1 and was very impressed with them at 1/2 the price of the premium reels. Both the Core and Steez are state of the art reels, very light weight and stronge smooth drags and casting reels. It's been my experience Shimano take more TLC to keep them performing at peake levels, Daiwa's have been easier to maintain and required less TLC and that is the reason I prefer them today.

Tom

[kschultz76]

This is maybe not the answer you want but this like asking which is better Lexus or Acura?  At the price points you're talking it's down to really personal preference for fit and braking system. There is no true better. There is just which is better for you as an individual. 

 

 

[NathanDLTH]

29 minutes ago, kschultz76 said:

This is maybe not the answer you want but this like asking which is better Lexus or Acura?  At the price points you're talking it's down to really personal preference for fit and braking system. There is no true better. There is just which is better for you as an individual. 

 

 

Only matter of time before someone posted this, you're right it is about preference. Breaking system, feel, and the like. Thank you. 

[kickerfish1]

I think it is too close to call for the US reels. Now if it were JDM I would give the slight edge to Daiwa.

[Raul]

 

at the time when Shimano's most kickazz low pro was the Calais 100A I had one

and .... traded it for Daiwas most kickazz low pro, the TDZ

I have 4 TDZs 

now my most kickazz Shimano is the Chronarch B

I wouldn't trade my Shimanos but no longer Shimano has something I want

Daiwa on the other hand has offered me really interesting things, my latest Daiwa purchase was the SS SV.

 

[NathanDLTH]

So people still give the edge to Daiwa? Interesting, here I thought Shimano would win out. 

[3crows]

3 minutes ago, NathanDLTH said:

So people still give the edge to Daiwa? Interesting, here I thought Shimano would win out. 

Speak for yourself, I bleed Shimano  . What is this Deewaa you speak of  ?

 

I was pounding out 25 miles today on the bike to the Y to get my mile swim in for the day. Stepped of the bike to get a drink and wait on traffic and darned if the chainring did not gash my shin. Good old Shimano 105, so not only do I bleed Shimano, I bleed because of Shimano. 

 

Deewaa, hmmph, meh. 

[Raul]

4 minutes ago, NathanDLTH said:

So people still give the edge to Daiwa? Interesting, here I thought Shimano would win out. 

I own more Shimanos than Daiwas, Shimanos are great, Daiwas are awesome. 

 

Shimanos are like a Jeep, Daiwas are like a Ferrari.

[NathanDLTH]

5 minutes ago, Raul said:

I own more Shimanos than Daiwas, Shimanos are great, Daiwas are awesome. 

 

Shimanos are like a Jeep, Daiwas are like a Ferrari.

Can't see Daiwas being like Ferrari aside from being they are imported. My Shimano list of owned reels includes: Curado 70 7:2:1, Curado 200 7:2:1, and Chronarch CI4+ 7:5:1. Sold the Chronarch and Curado 200I, honestly think Daiwa has the market in terms of 100-300 reels. Don't know how the Steez would stack up versus an Alderbaran or Metanium let alone an Anteres. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Going by price

Between my T3 and Core50mg7 I would give up my T3 without hesitation and keep the Core .

Between my SV105(a disappontment) and Chronarch take the SV105 from me.

Between my Tat and 70 adios Tatula.

 

 

[clh121787]

I wish I had more experience fishing diawas. I just can't bring myself to buy anything but shimano because they have been such great reels. But I'm sure Diawa is among the best of the best. Shimano an Diawa at the top then the rest

[bigturtle]

Daiwa
better spool options, great braking system, says Daiwa

[Master Bait'r]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

Today I believe Daiwa has a advantage over Shimano with the low profile size 100 bass reels. Shimano peaked IMO with Core 100 series reels. Both companies are equal high end companies, I just believe Daiwa has a better breaking system today and bass anglers are lucky to have the choices we have.

Tom

 

Apples to apples when considering conventional braking technologies, and complete personal preference.   

 

Where Shimano pulls way out ahead for me is their DC braking.  I've now bought two (Essence and Antares) and don't see myself gravitating away considering how expensive high end reels are even without the D.C. system.  Very noticeable difference in distance and management.  

 

Again though, to each his own.  I'm sure there are people who aren't interested in DC, but for me it puts the crown on Shimano- and until daiwa creates something on that level they're just tinkering with old tech.  

7 hours ago, NathanDLTH said:

So people still give the edge to Daiwa? Interesting, here I thought Shimano would win out. 

 

Thats because they aren't even stopping to think about the level above what they own, since it's their experience they're commenting on mostly.  Daiwas have an awesome smooth feel and I love my pxlr, but I'd set it on fire for a DC Aldebaran. (are you listening Shimano??) 

 

DC is simply on another level and a lot of people haven't tried it- most dont even know what it is.  I've had a guy tell me my reel needed oil when he heard the whine- I explained to him what it was and he acted like I was about to fly home on it like a witch's broom haha

[Jason Penn]

i think gear is more preference than anything else these days.  if a company's product doesn't live up to its price tag, it'll be all over the internet in about 5 minutes.

 

i purchased 1 of the tat sv's in 6:1, and was highly impressed with it.  it didn't work for me for what i was wanting it to, so i gave it to a friend that was wanting to get into using casters.

 

it's kind of amazing how rods & reels have made such jumps in performance while coming down in price over the last 10-15 years, while the other costs associated with fishing keep going up. 

[NathanDLTH]

Thank you everyone for the continued thoughts, information, and opinions. I will continue to read and research information. If a purchase is made, one of the contributing factors will be the handle length and knobs on said handle. Typically like 90-100mm handles however the Zillion I own presents little issue for me. 

[buzzed bait]

best thing is, just like in real life, there's more than just 2 options even!  and contrary to the current climate, you can enjoy things from each!  i have shimanos, daiwas and lew's and love them all.  

 

Shimano i have cores, metaniums, aldebarans, curados.

Daiwa i have alphas sv and steez sv.

Lew's i have pro z.

 

All of them perform very well for what i wanted them to do.  i think the 51 series shimanos are the best palming reels i've used, the sv reels are the best suited reels for skipping and throwing into the wind and my metanium DC is just a freakin joy to use and hear her "whine".

 

All that said, you don't have to be in one camp or the other, you can in fact mix and match and the fish won't turn their noses up at you!

[new2BC4bass]

Can't comment on high end reels cuz I can't afford them.  I did get a PXL Type R when TW closed them out.  Very nice reel.  Quite a few of us own and enjoy several brands of reels.  As stated several times, much of it is personal preference.

 

I agree that the Curado isn't high end.  High end for me, but mid-tier in reality.  My first reel was a Daiwa, and the majority of my reels are Daiwa.  They needn't be new models.  I am like Raul in that I love the TD-Zs (and in my case Alphas) reels.  My Chronarch B and Curado E aren't going anywhere.  Some enjoy Shimano for the light stuff.  Personally I reach for a Daiwa.  To each his own.

 

Like QUAKEnSHAKE, my SV105 was a disappointment....until I sent it out for a tune.  The Tat SV was fine out-of-box.  Cores are too rich for me.  Wouldn't mind finding a good deal on a Curado 71 though. 

[Chance_Taker4]

I said it before and I'll say it again. It depends on the latest and greatest. When I created an account in 2010 Abu Garcia was the cream of the crop with the 2nd gen Revos. For a small and I mean a month or two Lews became the "best" then on to Shimano and now to Daiwa. All manufactures have their niche brand loyalists but I feel the general opinion sways with the wind. Personally I don't like Magforce break on Daiwa so out of the two I would choose Shimano. HOWEVER, "high end" reels ($250 and up) I choose Abu Garcia. I really like the Revo MGX, MGXtreme and Premiere.