most reliable baitcaster

[jimmyjoe]

    I have a Curado 70 three weeks out of warranty that "whirrs" on the retrieve, and a Curado 200i that's 18 months old that's noisy on the cast. I'm done with Shimano. No more. Last year I sent 2 Stradic reels in for factory maintenance and they sent me back someone else's reel.  I have a 3 year old Lew's Tournament that clicks; I sent it in to the factory TWICE and they can't stop it. And I have a 2-month old Daiwa Fuego CT100hs that picked up a "grind" on the retrieve. I kept all these reels lubed. Doesn't ANYONE make a decent reel? Doesn't ANYONE make a reel that doesn't crap out a few weeks after the end of the warranty? Doesn't ANYONE make a reliable reel?  I know, I know. I'm "venting". But I also have over $600 in 4 reels that are junk. That's a lot of coin for this tired old fart. Does anyone know of a good, reliable reel?       Thnx.     jj

[Mobasser]

Older ABU4600c or 5500c. I've been using mine for years with just yearly maintenance. My next one will be a Shimano Calcutta.But I like round casting reels.

[Joshua van Wyk]

Those reels are from some of the best reel manufacturers in the world. You should not be having these issues. I think that user error is the source of your problems.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

What you've described are not junk reels. Sounds like a mix of unrealistic expectations and either incomplete or inadequate maintenance practices. Granted, I have very limited background information if you'd like to email me I'll be happy to help all I can. 

[burrows]

Maybe try Abu next ?

your on a roll!

[jimmyjoe]

39 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

Those reels are from some of the best reel manufacturers in the world. You should not be having these issues. I think that user error is the source of your problems.

   If someone else wrote what I just wrote, and I read it, I would think the same thing. But I've had reels for almost 40 years that I've oiled, and never .... and I repeat .... never ..... has anything like this happened. If the problem is user error, I'd seriously like to know what I did, so I wouldn't do it again. This hurts.   $$$$$

 

21 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

 Sounds like a mix of unrealistic expectations and either incomplete or inadequate maintenance practices.

   Possibly. But the only expectations that I have is that the reels continue to operate like they did when they were new, or reasonably close to it. No bumps, no grinds, no whirrrrrrs, and no clickclick ... clickclick ....clickclick. As for my maintenance practices, the only thing I've changed is to use TSI321 instead of the manufacturer's oil. That might have something to do with the bearings, but not the gear train. Or am I wrong? 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

 The fervor for light weight has come at a cost: the nearly silent smooth operation of reels like the OG Zillion and D series Shimanos. There's nothing mechanically wrong with your reels but the over packed grease has been broken in and/or cleaned out allowing minor vibrations to be felt or heard. Deep cleaning and lubrication can minimize the symptoms but the over lubrication from the factory actually hurts performance. 

[jimmyjoe]

   PM sent.

[Backroad Angler]

I've always had decent luck with Shimano and Lews, but If you want generally the older reels were made more durable and last a life time, if you wanna pick out a older reel like the curado E series or something on those lines.

[Angry John]

Yeah the zillion is basically a tank.

[LionHeart]

Dude take them apart and clean them

[Hulkster]

Quote

 and a Curado 200i that's 18 months old that's noisy on the cast.

I have a curado 200i as well and love it, all you need to do is put a bit of oil on a q-tip and oil the brake drum every few weeks or so, it will be nice and quiet on the cast. when you bought the reel there should have been an yellow insert that explains this. 

 

the curado 200i's are awesome. just lube it a bit and it will give you no trouble at all. Its one of the best baitcasters I have ever used, and Ive been using baitcasters for 20 years now. 

 

good luck and enjoy your curado!