Preferring mid range over high end reels

[MDbassin]

Do you ever find yourself buying/trying out reels from the same manufacturer and finding that the mid range or cheaper side is the one you like better?

 

I've only found this with shimano for me personally. I have a few curado (I and k) and chronarch g now i know that "high end" for shimano is the metanium, anteres, etc but there is a good price difference between the Chronarch and Curado. I find myself preferring my curados over my chronarchs the more and more I fish them

[J Francho]

It's not really a matter of preference to me.  I just don't feel any need to spend over $200 on a reel.  I've recently had to raise my ceiling on rods to $250, because they just get higher and higher.  I feel it's a bit obscene that we have to put together a $500 combo, and it's viewed as just a "mid grade" option.

[Chance_Taker4]

I'm with Francho on this one. I don't see a reason to pay more than, in my case, $175 for a reel. At that price you have Curados, Tatula SV, Revo SX, etc. Now for spinning reels going past $100 is hard or me and rods my ceiling is $300.

 

And with the deals on Ebay its been hard to got over $100 when Tatulas are $85 and SVs pop up for $100

[J Francho]

I can go higher for spinning rods, but I use them quite a bit.  I've paid handsomely for a custom swimbait rod.  I don't have any problem with ultra high end gear, I just can't afford all of it.

[desmobob]

36 minutes ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I'm with Francho on this one. I don't see a reason to pay more than, in my case, $175 for a reel. At that price you have Curados, Tatula SV, Revo SX, etc. Now for spinning reels going past $100 is hard or me and rods my ceiling is $300.

 

And with the deals on Ebay its been hard to got over $100 when Tatulas are $85 and SVs pop up for $100

+1

 

Most of my reels are Lew's Tournament Pros at around $200.  I have three or four Daiwa Tatulas that were $100 or less and have been very happy with them. Same for an Orra Winch.  I only have a couple of reels that were pricier at the time (Daiwa PX-R and SV105) and although I like them a lot, I probably won't buy more $200+ reels, other than maybe an Aldebaran.

 

I think the ~$200 range is the sweet spot, with diminishing returns on more money spent.

 

I don't use spinning reels a lot and I don't think I own one that cost more than a hundred bucks.  That $100 range is my sweet spot for spinning reels.  I might sing a different tune after trying a "better" spinner.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Columbia Craw]

I don't own a Steez.  I would like to. Too much for my budget now. I'm very content to fish my Tatula variants and Lews variants for casting reels. My spinning reels are older Soros and Stradic and fish great.  I did "spoil " myself with a Ballistic LT but that was paid for via gift cards. The performance of sub $150.00 reels is amazing. 

[roadwarrior]

If it's just about "catching" I don't think it makes much difference.

Higher end gear simply makes "fishing" more fun. You certainly do

not "need" it, but if the cost is not a concern, you will like it...A Lot!

 

[JustJames]

It is not about high end or mid range, it what you can afford. If money is no object I would buy all those high price tag/collectible and fish them like crazy.

Back to real world, I do set my budget for reel or rod 15 years ago I won't look at reel over 100, now I add my budget to 200 but doesn't mean I won't shop any reel that cheaper or more expensive. Sometime you gotta pay for what you want, for me size/weight of reel that comfortable then color scheme.

[tkunk]

I have a bunch of Shimano reels. I'd take a Chronarch 200e7 over a Metanium any day. The latter is smoother and casts maybe 10% farther, but the former is far more durable. I have two of each reel, so it might not be a fair sample.

[papajoe222]

My take on mid-priced vs. high end reels;

If you're an occasional angler, the benefits a high end reel has to offer are likely to be lost on you as you won't be able to recognize the added smoothness, or you won't use the added features because you don't see any difference when you do.  It's kind of like comparing smart phones. Unless you'll be using all the different features of the more expensive one, the only reason to purchase one is the same reason I drive a Honda and not a Chevy. Just a different monkey.

[iceintheveins]

I don't go over $200 for a reel.  The mid range reels are usually great and last a long time. Even entry level reels like the BPS Pro Qualifier last 5 to 10 years. Of course this is with proper maintenance and care.

[PatrickKnight]

9 hours ago, portiabrat said:

I have a bunch of Shimano reels. I'd take a Chronarch 200e7 over a Metanium any day. The latter is smoother and casts maybe 10% farther, but the former is far more durable. I have two of each reel, so it might not be a fair sample.

I still firmly believe the Chronarch E series is the best line of baitcasting reels ever made by any company.

 

I am in a place budget wise where I can look into a reel over the 200 price point for the first time and truth be told I am nervous about spending that much as I have had such good luck with reels ranging from 100-200 for a long time.

[NHBull]

Let's be honest, there are needs and there are wants.  It is about priorities.

 

For me it is about comfort and aging.  Higher end reels are lighter, fit better and can be used for a full day, with less pain.  I will pay a premium if something allows me to enjoy one of the last of life's simple pleasures..

 

The way the sport is going, what is today's top end will be tomorrows  mid range.

[Boomstick]

I wouldn't say I prefer the cheaper reels but I would say I prefer not spending over around $200 on a reel as I feel I don't need to.

[evilcatfish]

I've got some higher end Daiwa reels, but have found the Tatula to be my go to

[JDV]

20 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I'm with Francho on this one. I don't see a reason to pay more than, in my case, $175 for a reel. At that price you have Curados, Tatula SV, Revo SX, etc. Now for spinning reels going past $100 is hard or me and rods my ceiling is $300.

 

And with the deals on Ebay its been hard to got over $100 when Tatulas are $85 and SVs pop up for $100

Agreed.   For just over $100 for a Tatula SV TW, I can't imagine the increased cost/performance would justify for higher grade equipment, unless money was absolutely no concern....

 

Recently got a Stradic ci4 and while it is a nice reel and looks sharp, I can't honestly say it's noticeably smoother or preferred to my Shimano Nasci or Daiwa BG, both at just under half the price...  Glad I tried it, and I'll certainly keep it, but it let me know I'm happy buying a Daiwa BG for $80 and saving the money.

[Steveo-1969]

I prefer mid-range reels because in my mind the rod is more important. Just personal preference here folks, no need to throw darts! My price cap for a reel is about $200, but my price cap for a rod is ???? (So far it's $500+...)

[smithy97]

I've fished Tatula's the last couple years and love them, they are still going strong. I bought 2 Kastkings this year, so we'll see how those hold up. I someday to want to try a higher end rod/reel (hoping for Dobyns Champion XP and a Daiwa Zillion SV). I'm worried that the higher end gear will ruin me and I'll want to sell all my Mojo bass rods and Tatulas...maybe its not such a good idea my wife says....

[Jaderose]

14 hours ago, iceintheveins said:

I don't go over $200 for a reel.  The mid range reels are usually great and last a long time. Even entry level reels like the BPS Pro Qualifier last 5 to 10 years. Of course this is with proper maintenance and care.

My favorite reel in my arsenal is a 7 year old PQ.  It's all beat up and looks like hell but it will launch a lure and is smooth as butter.  I keep it clean and properly greased.  Built like a tank.

[Comfortably Numb]

I still like my old Shimano Chronarch 101a's. I tried a Curado i and didnt love it. I use $50-100 rods. Tried better ones and the difference was negligible to me. Yes lighter and slightly more sensitive, but I can feel everything I need to with the cheaper ones and braid with a FC leader.

[Mobasser]

Actually, many of the mid grade reels are way better than mid range of years ago. Keep em cleaned and lubed correctly,  and you'll get years of good use

[Big-Bass]

I agree...I have quite a few reels and was/am a Shimano guy for many years but currently most of my reels are Daiwa reels.  In the mid-range (and especially buying used but like new), you can find some gems.  I have 10 Daiwa SV103 reels that I got all for mid-range price and they are truly the best bang for the buck I can currently think of.

[Matt_3479]

Problem is for me, living in Canada. All the reels and rods are priced high example: Curado k 249.99, tatula sv 259.99, loomis e6x walleye 2 piece spinning rod 289.99, st. Croix avid x 259.99. So for me to jump into the chronarch’s I’m looking at 400, and metanium’s at 600-650.00 roughly. I don’t mind spending money on quality stuff but like mentioned a few times it’s hard to do it all the time. I have a Curado K and a tatula SV, but looking to try out the Chronarch and zillion this year. 

[Further North]

To me...it's about what I can afford...and what will make a difference.

 

I'm not good enough for some really expensive gear to make enough of a difference to make the jump...and I am anything but a "good enough" guy.

 

I'll put it this way: I used to race.  The difference in price between a 1969 Austin Healey Sprite and a Ferrari was about $70,000.  I wasn't anywhere good enough to utilize the $70K worth of improvements, refinements and added capability...so I just went out and had a ton of fun in the Sprite.

 

Worked for me...

 

Still does.  cars, SUVs, boats, fishing gear...whatever.

 

Some things are worth paying for...the Shimano Calais DC I bought paid off quickly in terms of moving me along the baitcasting learning curve and remains one heck of reel for getting 1 oz. + spoons waaaaay the heck out there for pike and musky...The Scott 8 wt. fly rod I bought has has a similar imact on my fly casting...

[lmbfisherman]

I’m finding it difficult to fish my lower end reels (BPS PQ, Citica).  I’m finding I can’t go below a Curado any longer.  I’m leaning towards staying at the Chronarch level now.  The MGL is such a pleasure to fish, my most used reels in 2017 were my Chronarchs.  I’d consider them mid range though, I do think going above the Metanium line is pushing it on bang for your buck...but I do feel the Conquest I have is a thing of beauty.  When I pick up a Citica, nothing wrong with it, but it’s night and day the feeling when fishing.  The Citica is no slouch though, they perform just as well. For me like others, higher end reels just feels more comfortable and enjoyable to fish.