Looking for a advice on a baitcaster

[SAS_RAIDer]

I'm new to the forums, so I'm sorry if I sound like a noob. I'm sure this question has probably been answered before, but I could really use some advice.

 

I'm looking for recommendations on which baitcaster to get in the $300 to $400 range. If there is a better reel for cheaper then that, that would be fine also.

 

Here is some of the backstory - I have an St.Croix Avid X (axc70mhf) that I will be putting the reel on. It is a 7' medium heavy fast action rod. I was using a Lew's Laser Pro Speed Spool SLP LP1SHLB(man are their product names are a bit wordy) on it. I tried out an "unmentionable brand and model" on it, but I wasn't a huge fan. It was a good reel and all, but it just felt like I wasn't quite getting $120 worth of reel with it. So I returned it and decided to go a higher price point. I wanted to try something a bit more refined, so I bought a Shimano Chronarch G. 

 

At this point I should probably say that I have had some experience with baitcasters prior to buying Shimano. I have been using baitcasting reels for about a year now. I own an Abu Garcia Black Max, a Silver Max, and a Lew's Carbon Fire Speed Spool. All of which I really like. I was just looking to up my baitcaster game.

 

As for the Chronarch G, I really liked it. I loved how smoothly it casts, the casting distance I could achieve with it even with really light baits, and the silky retrieve. It was a great real for about 2 weeks. Then it began having issues with casting. It wouldn't cast new lease far anymore, and there was a grinding feeling in the retrieve. So I pulled it apart and cleaned it thoroughly. I followed the manufacturers cleaning instructions to the letter. I did not over oil it or use too little oil. Yet it still had a grinding feeling, and the casting distance continued to suffer. I got irritated with it, so I exchanged it for another just like it. Again, for roughly two weeks it was an amazing reel, but then it too started suffering from the same issues. I am really frustrated with it at this point, having methodically cleaned it only to see no improvement. So I'm going to return it and get something else. I just don't know what that something else should be. 

 

I will be throwing a range of stuff with this setup. Sometimes it will be weightless worms or small crankbaits, and other times I will throw spinners, heavier jigs, and such. 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[CroakHunter]

I'm a big fan of the daiwa tatula ct and tatula sv. Curado k has amazing reviews. But at your price point you could get a fairly high end Shimano or daiwa. 

[SloppyJ]

I'm with croak on this one. I'd pick up 2 curado K's or the Tatulas for that price. 

[TylerT123]

Did you just use oil to lubricate the reel? Did it get really wet?

[Angry John]

Seen only one complaint on a sv 103 and that was a drag star looks issue.  Still seeing them on the boards regular around 2 or 250.  He'll of a reel and I now have 4.  Any varant of the zillion will be as solid as any reel on the planet.  I have all pre-tws models.

[SAS_RAIDer]

5 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

I'm a big fan of the daiwa tatula ct and tatula sv. Curado k has amazing reviews. But at your price point you could get a fairly high end Shimano or daiwa. 

Thank you for the reply, CroakHunter. I was considering getting one the Daiwa Tatulas, but all of the reviews and complaints that the t-wing breaks was a turn off. 

 

As for the Curado K, I have been eyeing it too, but after going through issues with the two Chronarch G's I have been reluctant to give it a try. 

 

4 hours ago, TylerT123 said:

Did you just use oil to lubricate the reel? Did it get really wet?

TylerT, the first one did get a little wet once due to fishing in light rain, but when I opened the reel up later that day I didn't see any evidence that the water had gotten to any of the internal components. 

 

In reference to your first question, I only used the Bantam Oil that came with the reel. The owner's manual does say to also use grease, but being as that the reel was only two weeks old I thought that it was kind of soon to be re-greasing it. 

 

[TylerT123]

19 minutes ago, SAS_RAIDer said:

Tyler, the first one did get a little wet once due to fishing in light rain, but when I opened the reel up later that day I didn't see any evidence that the water had gotten to any of the internal components. 

I can’t think of why you’d lose casting distance but the grinding could be a grease problem with the gears. They could have gotten wet and became rough on the retrieve.

[SAS_RAIDer]

4 hours ago, Angry John said:

Seen only one complaint on a sv 103 and that was a drag star looks issue.  Still seeing them on the boards regular around 2 or 250.  He'll of a reel and I now have 4.  Any varant of the zillion will be as solid as any reel on the planet.  I have all pre-tws models.

A pre-tws Daiwa sounds interesting. I have never really thought to look for one before. 

[new2BC4bass]

Used reels:  You can find a Steez for less than $300.  Or a Excense DC.  Lots of good reels with that kind of money to spend.  I am somewhat of a Diawa fan.  The older Zillions can be found for less than $200...as can several other worthwhile Diawa models...Alphas, TD-Z, Pixy, Fuego (original model).  Add Helios Air to the used list.

 

New reels:  I'd like to suggest a few that no one else will probably recommend.  Love my Primmus reels.  Great out of the box.  Light, smooth, good lookin' and cast extremely well.  Patriarch XT.  I have the older blue ones.  Very under-rated reels.  Okuma Helios.  Limited use, but liking it so far.  Anyone can recommend a Daiwa, Shimano or Lew's. 

[fishnkamp]

SAS_RAIDer I have been running Daiwas for nearly 4 years. I have 1 Daiwa Exceler ( the predecessor to the Fuego) several original sized Tatula Type Rs and several Tatula CTs.  I believe I am up to 8 or 9 so far. I regularly carry 12 baitcasters in my rod box along with 3 spinning outfits. Before these, I was a huge green Curado lover, but also owned some Chronarchs ( the E7 white ones)

I have a friend who is as tough on gear as anyone out there and he fishes about 200 days a year.  With all that I have never heard of a TWS breaking off.  I would expect it was a Shimano fanboy that told you that. Seriously I would never be scared to run any reel from the Tatula family.  I have to much personal experience with them. I fish the Chesapeake Bay and it rivers like the Potomac and the Susquehanna. In these waters we regularly chase bass, but often tag into snakeheads, pickerel and large blue cats. This is tidal water( pert salty) and these reels hold up fine season after season.  Just wanted to help straighten out a myth I never heard before.  

You do not list where you are located on your profile, but if you are anywhere near MD and are willing to meet up I will be happy to put some gear in your hand to show you how they work. I have done this with many members from 3 different web boards I belong to.

[SAS_RAIDer]

50 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

SAS_RAIDer I have been running Daiwas for nearly 4 years. I have 1 Daiwa Exceler ( the predecessor to the Fuego) several original sized Tatula Type Rs and several Tatula CTs.  I believe I am up to 8 or 9 so far. I regularly carry 12 baitcasters in my rod box along with 3 spinning outfits. Before these, I was a huge green Curado lover, but also owned some Chronarchs ( the E7 white ones)

I have a friend who is as tough on gear as anyone out there and he fishes about 200 days a year.  With all that I have never heard of a TWS breaking off.  I would expect it was a Shimano fanboy that told you that. Seriously I would never be scared to run any reel from the Tatula family.  I have to much personal experience with them. I fish the Chesapeake Bay and it rivers like the Potomac and the Susquehanna. In these waters we regularly chase bass, but often tag into snakeheads, pickerel and large blue cats. This is tidal water( pert salty) and these reels hold up fine season after season.  Just wanted to help straighten out a myth I never heard before.  

You do not list where you are located on your profile, but if you are anywhere near MD and are willing to meet up I will be happy to put some gear in your hand to show you how they work. I have done this with many members from 3 different web boards I belong to.

The complaints about the t-wing breaking or failing were in a number of customer reviews that I had read at various online retailers' sites. I know there are a lot of Shimano fan boys out there, and shill reviews do happen. However, when I was looking at some of the Daiwa reels with the t-wing their complaints seemed plausible. 

 

Thank you for your offer, but unfortunately I am a long ways off from MD. I am about an hour to an hour and a half from the western side of Lake Michigan. 

 

Does the t-wing design make a noticeable difference in casting distance? 

 

 

[SAS_RAIDer]

Thank you all for your replies. I still haven't decided what to get yet, but you guys have definitely changed my mind about Daiwas.

 

I noticed no one has mentioned Lew's or Abu Garcia. Is there any reason why? I'm just curious. 

[SAS_RAIDer]

10 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Used reels:  You can find a Steez for less than $300.  Or a Excense DC.  Lots of good reels with that kind of money to spend.  I am somewhat of a Diawa fan.  The older Zillions can be found for less than $200...as can several other worthwhile Diawa models...Alphas, TD-Z, Pixy, Fuego (original model).  Add Helios Air to the used list.

 

New reels:  I'd like to suggest a few that no one else will probably recommend.  Love my Primmus reels.  Great out of the box.  Light, smooth, good lookin' and cast extremely well.  Patriarch XT.  I have the older blue ones.  Very under-rated reels.  Okuma Helios.  Limited use, but liking it so far.  Anyone can recommend a Daiwa, Shimano or Lew's. 

I'm weird about buying used stuff. I have been burned a number of times. 

 

I have a Pflueger President spinning reel, and I like it. It does get a lot of abuse, and it still holds up well. I bout a Pflueger baitcaster a ways back and was not a fan. I ended up returning it, and the experience has caused me to avoid their baitcasters. It's probably worth giving them a look again considering the price point that I am looking into now is much higher than when I bought the one I returned. 

 

I was sold on the Okuma Helios TCS until I found out that it only comes in right retrieve. My fiancee talked me into switching to left retrieve when I bought my Lew's Carbon Fire, and every since then going back to right retrieve just feels cumbersome. 

[new2BC4bass]

11 hours ago, SAS_RAIDer said:

The complaints about the t-wing breaking or failing were in a number of customer reviews that I had read at various online retailers' sites. I know there are a lot of Shimano fan boys out there, and shill reviews do happen. However, when I was looking at some of the Daiwa reels with the t-wing their complaints seemed plausible. 

 

Thank you for your offer, but unfortunately I am a long ways off from MD. I am about an hour to an hour and a half from the western side of Lake Michigan. 

 

Does the t-wing design make a noticeable difference in casting distance? 

 

 

Not in my opinion.

[fishnkamp]

I believe it, does but not yards and yards worth.  All of my Daiwas perform very well including my non TWS Exceler.

If you do not trust the T Wing go for a Diawa Fuego CT, it is "basically" a non TWS CT reel. 

[SAS_RAIDer]

Sorry everyone. I never came back and said what I decided on getting. Shortly after posting on here I came across the Shimano Bantam MGL and was smitten with the look and design of it. As soon as the left retrieve model was released, I ordered it. I have had the reel for almost a year now, and I absolutely love it. It is extremely solid, casts smoothly, retrieves like greased silk dipped in butter, casts very light baits for wicked distances, and overall casting distance is amazingly long. On a 1/2oz bait running 20lb power pro I am roughly casting about 160 to 170 feet, possibly more. I'm basing that figure on Google maps' distance measuring function. 

 

I have learned some things since I last posted on here also. One of the most important things is that I wasn't oiling the brakes on Chronarch G's that I had before getting the Bantam. Knowing what I know now, I can confidently say that there was nothing wrong with Chronarch G's. I just didn't know what I was doing. That being said, I recently picked up a Chronarch MGL and a Curado 71. I haven't fished with them yet, but I can't wait to use them. 

[Joshua van Wyk]

5 hours ago, SAS_RAIDer said:

Sorry everyone. I never came back and said what I decided on getting. Shortly after posting on here I came across the Shimano Bantam MGL and was smitten with the look and design of it. As soon as the left retrieve model was released, I ordered it. I have had the reel for almost a year now, and I absolutely love it. It is extremely solid, casts smoothly, retrieves like greased silk dipped in butter, casts very light baits for wicked distances, and overall casting distance is amazingly long. On a 1/2oz bait running 20lb power pro I am roughly casting about 160 to 170 feet, possibly more. I'm basing that figure on Google maps' distance measuring function. 

 

I have learned some things since I last posted on here also. One of the most important things is that I wasn't oiling the brakes on Chronarch G's that I had before getting the Bantam. Knowing what I know now, I can confidently say that there was nothing wrong with Chronarch G's. I just didn't know what I was doing. That being said, I recently picked up a Chronarch MGL and a Curado 71. I haven't fished with them yet, but I can't wait to use them. 

Happy to hear everything worked out fine!

[new2BC4bass]

Congratulations.  I have read many good things about the Bantam MGL.  Would love to have one, but will have to wait for a good price on a used one.  I know you've been burned a few times on used gear, but I've only been burned on two reels....out of 50 or so.  Both are now favorites after spending more money on them.  Spent the most on the Airy Red...a reel I had been wanting for some time.  Missing parts replaced, upgraded with new gears, bearings, drag, etc. and tuned.  Was in excellent cosmetic condition so I wasn't too upset about spending the money.  Oh yeah.  Didn't come the correct spool (seller neglected to mention that), but I now have 2 for it.