Best Baitcaster

[Brendan Roll]

Hey guys,

I have been doing a ton of research for a new baitcaster.

The reels that I have been looking at are Daiwa's Tatula 100, Lew's Tournament MB, and Shimano's Curado K

What do you think is the best reel?

If you have another reel in mind, I am open to any suggestions and a reply would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

[snake95]

I have the previous generation Tatula CT Type Rs - got on recommendation of folks on this site and have been pleased with them.

 

However, I also like the Abu Garcia Revo's and the Gen 4 SX and STX have been on for good prices on Amazon this fall, especially if you are a lefty.

 

 

[Backroad Angler]

Out of what you said, I think the Lews Tournament MB would be the best bang for your buck. Typically I preach Shimano and Lews as making the best baitcasting reels. The Curado K is a nice reel as well, I have the older I version though.

[CroakHunter]

You could get 2 fuego ct's off ebay for 120 dollars which is about what youre gonna spend on the reels you mentioned. There should be a discount code coming out with black Friday around the corner

[Joshua van Wyk]

I have the Daiwa CT type-r and it's an awesome reel! I'd take it any day over my Curado K!. The daiwa fuego is an amazing reel for the money, I have one as my froggin reel and it works beautifully. Not quite as nice as my Tatula but for the money it is without a doubt the best sub $100 reel.

[burrows]

Currado k is a beast!!! 

[MittenMouth]

I have the Tatula 100 and a few K’s as well. Between the two I would go with the Shimano because of size and smoothness. I would take my ct type r or sv over the K though. 

 

Also ebay has the best price points and coupons for those reels. 

[TBAG]

Another vote for the Curado K, but I do have a Fuego CT I got off Ebay for $50. From all the praise on this forum I had to try one for that price. I haven't used it much, but so far I'm impressed. I think any offering $100+ from Shimano or Daiwa you can't go wrong. I haven't ever tried a Lews or Abu so I'm no help there.

[NYWayfarer]

I own the Lew's Tournament MB baitcaster. It is my favorite baitcaster at the moment. It's got a lot going for it especially if you can get it around the $100 price range. You won't go wrong if you choose this reel.

 

 

[LionHeart]

I own a hand full of MB reels and one Tatula 100.  Here's my opinion.  The Tatula and the MB are equally smooth and quality, casting distance is the same, etc.  The biggest difference is the braking on the Tatula is much better IMO.  I mean much, much better.  I almost never backlash on the Tatula, and even though the MB reels get used more when I go out, they backlash more per number of casts than the Tatula.

 

Not that the MB reels have bad breaking, they are great, but no near as good as the Tatula.

 

The Tatula 100 is however a much taller reel which lends to the MB being considerably more comfortable.  One more strike against the Tatula is the T-wing.  If you dont use braid to leader than this complaint is irrelevant.  Every so often, while reeling in line my leader knot will tick a bit as it passes through the Twing.  It doesn't keep me from reeling in line, but it is noticeable.

 

I am expecting a Fuego CT to be delivered tomorrow and am excited because it has the same braking as the Tatula 100, is lower profile, and doesn't have the Twing.  

 

Gun to my head which reel do I prefer? That's a tough one.  Even though the Tatula 100 has much better braking, the MB is probably my favorite.  We'll have to see how it goes with the Fuego.

[burrows]

13 hours ago, Brendan Roll said:

Hey guys,

I have been doing a ton of research for a new baitcaster.

The reels that I have been looking at are Daiwa's Tatula 100, Lew's Tournament MB, and Shimano's Curado K

What do you think is the best reel?

If you have another reel in mind, I am open to any suggestions and a reply would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

What is your budget?!!! What do you plan on using it for?

out of the three reels you mentioned the k is the best reel by far!

[Joshua van Wyk]

1 hour ago, Burrows said:

What is your budget?!!! What do you plan on using it for?

out of the three reels you mentioned the k is the best reel by far!

Many would would argue the same for the Tatula.

[J.Vincent]

The Curado is an exceptional bass reel. It's universally accepted as a tournament grade reel with great performance and longevity.

[OnthePotomac]

This is like asking what is preferred, A blond, brunette, or redhead.

[Russ E]

they are all great reels. I would add the abu garcia gen 4 revo sx to the list.

my 2 preferences are the revo and the tatula. They both feel good in my hand.

 

Go to a sporting goods store and handle them all. Bass pro and Cabelas has samples mounted on rod blanks.

Pick the one that feels good in your hand.

how it feels in your hand is the most important aspect in a good reel.

 

 

[fishballer06]

All of those are good reels, but I personally find the Curado K to be a step above the rest in your price range. I'm sure many others here would agree with that.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

This is like asking what is preferred, A blond, brunette, or redhead.

As long as the spool matches the bearings, The blonde...

[Columbia Craw]

I own the MB and the new Tatula 100 so I can offer up on those two being the Shimano is a also a very good reel. The Tatula 100 has a better cast control than the MB in my opinion.  You would do well with any of the three but the Tat gets the nod from me.

[Brendan Roll]

8 hours ago, Burrows said:

What is your budget?!!! What do you plan on using it for?

out of the three reels you mentioned the k is the best reel by far!

My budget is no more than $200, but if there is a reel that is usually a little more than that I can probably find a promo code for it.

I am looking for something that I can just pick up and go or an all around reel, so like a gear ratio from 5.9:1 - 7:1

 

[Joshua van Wyk]

3 minutes ago, Brendan Roll said:

My budget is no more than $200, but if there is a reel that is usually a little more than that I can probably find a promo code for it.

I am looking for something that I can just pick up and go or an all around reel, so like a gear ratio from 5.9:1 - 7:1

 

I highly recommend the Daiwa Tatula Ct type-r its $180 but you can find it for around $100 on Ebay.  

[NHBull]

All things considered, the K is a step above and will be for a decade

[Brendan Roll]

22 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

You could get 2 fuego ct's off ebay for 120 dollars which is about what youre gonna spend on the reels you mentioned. There should be a discount code coming out with black Friday around the corner

I see a lot of you praising the Fuego. I am thinking about buying the Fuego and one other reel (One other one mentioned in this forum that I have not decide on yet).

What Gear ratio do you guys have on yours and what do you use it for?

[burrows]

43 minutes ago, Brendan Roll said:

My budget is no more than $200, but if there is a reel that is usually a little more than that I can probably find a promo code for it.

I am looking for something that I can just pick up and go or an all around reel, so like a gear ratio from 5.9:1 - 7:1

 

That being said You might want to invest in something that will last a very long time I think the k will not disappoint you. 7 speed should be good for all purpose.

[Boomstick]

Best is totally subjective. Among the three you listed, neither is the best as Daiwa's best would be a Steez that costs 3x as much as a Tatula, and Shimano's would be the Antares which is in the same price range.

 

However, the best in the price range I would say is the Tatula SV if you ever cast baits 3/8oz and under, or the Pflueger Supreme XT. My oldest son has a Curado K, it's a good reel but I like the Supreme XT better. It holds the same amount of line, is lighter, is smoother, brakes better and I'm pretty sure it casts further as well but the Tatula SV wins for lighter lures.

 

I will add that of the three you listed, I really doubt you'll be disappointed whichever you choose.

[CroakHunter]

17 minutes ago, Brendan Roll said:

I see a lot of you praising the Fuego. I am thinking about buying the Fuego and one other reel (One other one mentioned in this forum that I have not decide on yet).

What Gear ratio do you guys have on yours and what do you use it for?

I have 3 of them. 1 6 speed for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, 1 7 speed for texas rigs and 1 8 speed for punching/heavy flipping.