Preferring mid range over high end reels

[MDbassin]

I don't know like I said I find myself preferring my curados over the chronarchs. I actually moved reels around this year to put the curado on my most used rods that had chronarchs on them last year.

On 3/12/2018 at 10:03 PM, papajoe222 said:

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. 

I get what your saying but at the same time there's pros on tour that do this for a living that use there companies lower end reels and rods a lot of time some exclusively. Brent Ehrler uses Tatula and Zillion....maybe some steez also but I know I saw him with a Tatula in hand several times last classic. And Edwin Evers uses carbonlite rods and Pro qualifier reels. Probably more pros out there but this are 2 that come to mind. If anyone uses reels enough to appreciate the difference between a $150 reel vs a $450 reel it would be them but they still use and like the cheaper ones

[lmbfisherman]

3 hours ago, MDbassin said:

I don't know like I said I find myself preferring my curados over the chronarchs. I actually moved reels around this year to put the curado on my most used rods that had chronarchs on them last year.

I get what your saying but at the same time there's pros on tour that do this for a living that use there companies lower end reels and rods a lot of time some exclusively. Brent Ehrler uses Tatula and Zillion....maybe some steez also but I know I saw him with a Tatula in hand several times last classic. And Edwin Evers uses carbonlite rods and Pro qualifier reels. Probably more pros out there but this are 2 that come to mind. If anyone uses reels enough to appreciate the difference between a $150 reel vs a $450 reel it would be them but they still use and like the cheaper ones

It’s totally possible the Sponsors want them to use their whole lineup?

[puddlepuncher]

On 3/13/2018 at 11:37 PM, lmbfisherman said:

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

Funny I have 2 Chronarch MGL's and was so impressed with them I picked up 2 Mets.  In the end I enjoy the Chronarchs much more.  I was pondering an Antares but I think I'm all set with the Chronarchs, probably going to sell the Mets. 

 

I'm probably the opposite of most, I prefer a nicer reel.  I can feel the difference right away.  However I do not feel a significant difference in a NRX vs an E6X to pay 3-4 times the price.  I'm not arguing the difference, but in my hands it is not worth the extra cash, not even close.  The only thing that matters to me in a rod is it must be relatively light, and the comfort of the grip..and obviously the right ratings depending on my methods, and lure used.

[lmbfisherman]

8 hours ago, Maverick said:

Funny I have 2 Chronarch MGL's and was so impressed with them I picked up 2 Mets.  In the end I enjoy the Chronarchs much more.  I was pondering an Antares but I think I'm all set with the Chronarchs, probably going to sell the Mets. 

 

I'm probably the opposite of most, I prefer a nicer reel.  I can feel the difference right away.  However I do not feel a significant difference in a NRX vs an E6X to pay 3-4 times the price.  I'm not arguing the difference, but in my hands it is not worth the extra cash, not even close.  The only thing that matters to me in a rod is it must be relatively light, and the comfort of the grip..and obviously the right ratings depending on my methods, and lure used.

I haven’t gone NRX personally afraid too.  However, even though I own GLXs I fished my E6X, IMX and Zodias rods more.  Regarding the Met, it’s not that I disliked the Met MGL.  If it weren’t for the government charging me duty for my JDM Met, I’d be all over buying more!  The Chronarch MGL is a better deal for me, for basically the same performance.  FYI living in Canada you don’t get a good as a deal like living in the US.

[dblades]

I refuse to try a reel above a Chronarch or Stradic, probably can't afford too.

[DomQ]

I get so jealous reading about how a curado is so cheap for you guys in the states when its 220-240 for the K here in canada... but than i remember free health care and feel better. Go leafs go

[WRB]

There will always be a group that must have the highest end stuff regardless of the sport. We all know them or maybe one of them? 

Bass fishing all my life high rods and reels were rare amongst bass anglers, boats and tow vehicles were the highend toys. The salt water anglers had thier highend rods and reels to match the highend yatchs and my fly fishing buddies had their highend rods and reels, they spent money on exotic trips to fish. Golfing has thier highend stuff and trap & skeet shooter have thier highend guns.

What amazed me over the years is most of these folks couldn't afford thier highend stuff, some could!

Now back to bass fishing, sometime in the mid nineties bass reels started to climb in price and status along with off the shelf rods. Before the 90's $100 rod and reels were delegated to custom made products or fly or spinning tackle for the trout and salmon anglers.

Lamiglas and Loomis, both trout rods makers, introduced higher end over the counter bass rods during the early 90's and that started what we have today and now bass anglers have highend toys like other anglers have always had.

Does a $35,000 shotgun shoot any better then a $300 gun, depends on your how you see things.

Tom 

[Boomstick]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Does a $35,000 shotgun shoot any better then a $300 gun, depends on your how you see things.

Tom 

Exactly. I mean I don't think a $500 reel on a $500 rod is going to make me a better angler. Learning what to throw, where to throw it and when to throw it is much more important at the end of the day. The rod and reel is just the tools that I use to throw it.

 

Now if I was insanely skilled and could basically land 20 bass every fishing trip consistently, perhaps better gear may be in order and maybe I could guarantee 21 or 22 every trip. But I'm not even close to that.

 

The other thing is I could afford super expensive gear but I'd be afraid of breaking it or getting it stolen. And replacing it would cost me a few fishing trips for sure.

[bigfruits]

i dont mind paying $300 for JDM Aldebarans and Metaniums especially when US Curados are $200. The $400 US price for Metaniums and Aldebarans is a bit much IMO.

[JustJames]

It is not all about price, it is about comfort, comfort to your life style of fishing and also comfort to your wallet. Ferrari, BMW and Hyundai all can get you from point A to point B, but some want to ride in style, some want it fast, super fast some don't care as long as they get there. 

About reel, there are differences in technology and also material, some might want lastest technology like DC reel in shimano some what it light weight like those CI4+ or magnesium, some just plain want top of the line and some just don't care as long as they can go out and fish. You pick your own style and your comfort, don't have to be in fashion or follow others and as long as you don't suffering your kids, your family.

 

[lo n slo]

give me a tatula and a shock rod and i’m as content as a man can be ☝️

[Way north bass guy]

6 hours ago, DomQ said:

I get so jealous reading about how a curado is so cheap for you guys in the states when its 220-240 for the K here in canada... but than i remember free health care and feel better. Go leafs go

That was quite the game last night. Go leafs go indeed!

[Deleted account]

14 hours ago, Way north bass guy said:

That was quite the game last night. Go leafs go indeed!

Stop that! I'm still mad we traded away a lot of talent. LET'S GO RANGERS!

 

Oh, and on the reel (and over all tackle selection) thing. For bass fishing, I still prefer my 10-20 year old Korean made reels to a lot of the newer stuff. Most of it is just that I'm used to them, they work, and mostly I like the way a larger reel (than most of the current ones) fit my hand better, and I like the old cent. pin brake system. I'm sure, that I would be perfectly happy with most of the current reels, if for some reason the 30 or so I own would suddenly disappear, and I had to make a change. I think for a lot of folks, its about owning  high end items, and for others, they believe that a particular reel will offer some advantage. To my thinking, reels (and most other sporting goods equipment) is not the limiting factor in performance. 

[Catt]

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

 

Definitions

Tools lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?

 

[Maico1]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

 

Definitions

Tools lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?

 

In other words " In order to do the right job you need the right tools ".......

[crypt]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

 

Definitions

Tools lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?

 

as a mechanic/machinist for over 40 years,Catt said it best. you can't skimp on quality. but at the same time budget is as important. try and get the best quality for the money. no matter what is is.  

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Maico1 said:

In other words " In order to do the right job you need the right tools ".......

 

18 minutes ago, crypt said:

as a mechanic/machinist for over 40 years,Catt said it best. you can't skimp on quality. but at the same time budget is as important. try and get the best quality for the money. no matter what is is.  

 

Quality reels doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive!

 

I bought my first Calcutta 100A for $169.99..that was 37 years ago & it's still my #1 setup. 

 

It may not be sexy but it put 35 double digits in the boat

 

You can find good quality reels starting at the $100/150 price point

[Maico1]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 

 

Quality reels doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive!

 

I bought my first Calcutta 100A for $169.99..that was 37 years ago & it's still my #1 setup. 

 

It may not be sexy but it put 35 double digits in the boat

 

You can find good quality reels starting at the $100/150 price point

And just what is the most expensive and to whom is what these threads are really all about. What is garbage to one may be a treasure to another and there certainly is nothing wrong with that. We all have our comfort zones and reasons why we like it, after all that is why it is called a comfort zone. My opinion to this thread is continue to buy what works for you and be proud of it , but most importantly enjoy your days out on the water.

[NHBull]

Last night my Mrs was sitting next to me as I was looking at the JDM Calcutta conquest.....

While I never considered it, she made the comment, “is that a reel that you could hand down to  Everett ( grandson)”.  I replied, hell ya.......and she told me to think about it.....

 

Go figure!!!!!!

[Catt]

Please welcome the new Team Lew's Pro-Ti to the Lew's family. 

 

I like that! ?

[Maico1]

8 minutes ago, NHBull said:

Last night my Mrs was sitting next to me as I was looking at the JDM Calcutta conquest.....

While I never considered it, she made the comment, “is that a reel that you could hand down to  Everett ( grandson)”.  I replied, hell ya.......and she told me to think about it.....

 

Go figure!!!!!!

I like how your wife thinks.....

[NHBull]

1 hour ago, Maico1 said:

I like how your wife thinks.....

My second grandson is due in Aug, so I think I can get 2 ?

[RPreeb]

9 hours ago, Catt said:

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

 

Definitions

Tools lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?

 

I'm right there with ya, Catt.  I was a journeyman machinist for 33 years.  My tool box was filled with tools that could go the distance.  My 3 personal micrometers - 0-1", 1"-2", 2"-3", were top of the line carbide tipped Mitutoyo inspection grade.  At the time I bought them at the start of my apprenticeship in 1976 they were top of the line - couldn't afford to skimp on accuracy.  They served me well in constant use until I retired in 2009.  They were still accurate to .0001", certified annually by the inspection department in my company.  Not all of my tools were top brand names, but all were top quality and performed well through many years of constant use.  I still have those which could make the shift to home use on my bench in the garage.  

 

Respect for a good tool usually comes with experience.  I buy good tools and cookware for the kitchen, good quality lenses and gear for my photography, decent but not the most expensive golf clubs, and I feel that with some assistance from this forum, decent lower mid range fishing gear. 

 

I now have 2 Tatula CT 100 reels, 8.1:1 and 6.3:1.  I only have one St. Croix Premier, and one Ugly Stik, (and the BPS rod and Shimano 5000 series spinning reel that I've had since we lived in the Bahamas) due to budget and wife considerations.  If I ever reach a point where I can actually recognize a deficiency, then I'll work on justifying it to my better half.  For now I have decent and functional gear which I like, and which is suitable for my lack of experience or expertise.

[crypt]

6 hours ago, Catt said:

 

 

Quality reels doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive!

 

I bought my first Calcutta 100A for $169.99..that was 37 years ago & it's still my #1 setup. 

 

It may not be sexy but it put 35 double digits in the boat

 

You can find good quality reels starting at the $100/150 price point

X2 ............

I've got 4 ambassadeurs that are 35-40 years old that are my go to rigs.....won't get rid of em for nothing....

[NathanDLTH]

This is my experience and the reels I’ve owned. 

 

Daiwa Laguna-sold

Abu ProMax-sold

Lews Tournament-given away 

Curado I-sold

Curado K (6:2)

A *** (8:1) sold

Tatula SV (6:3,7:3,& 8:1)

Curado 70(7:1)

C by *** (7:3) sold

Chronarch ci4(7:6)-sold

Chronarch MGL(7:1)

Daiwa Zillion (6:3)

Aldebaran 15 (7:1)-sold

Daiwa Steez A (7:1)-paid about 100 less than retail at tacklewharehouse 

 

The ones I’ve kept are because I value what they bring to the table, now granted some of these reels are crossovers in what they do. The only reason I bought the Steez A was because of the price and wanted something to compare to the Aldaberan. However those are two different reels altogether. I would say $100-$300 is the best price range in reels. 

 

The reels I sold was because mostly wanted to try something new and higher in the price points. My favorite reel of my first three was the Lews, but once I found the Tatula SV it was all over. Love the reel, everything about it fits my hand, style of fishing, and is comfortable. The wider spools are what keeps me coming back to Daiwa, I’m 6’4 and my thumbs are wide so it allows me to have the most real estate on the spool. Sold my 10+3s because never really throught they had the trouque for reeling in fish.