Opinions of best reel for my bassin

[Themaker]

New here.  I have read a lot of threads here (and elsewhere) on "the best" low profile baitcaster reels for flipping and pitching, and this n that application. I grew up on Lake Guntersville throwing a Texas rig worm or other softbait, or lipless crankbait 90% of the time  It worked in G'ville and it stuck.  Cool story...my mentor and I fished a tournament next to Bill Dance's boat at Guntersville one day. We didn't win, but were close.  Glory days.  I have used ABU 5500s for near 50 years for largemouth and stripe (I still have 1 5500c that I bought in, hm, 79?). I still use my OLD 5000 for catfish, but I want to step out and buy a new "fancy" (by my old standards) low profile reel as an all purpose largemouth and smallmouth bassin reel. Coming from an old round ABU, I am not worried about a little weight.  I do want to cast aways (like on out there), sometimes into wind. I want quality, durability, versatility, and ease of use. I am old an lazy, so don't want to worry as much about backlash as I used to.  Don't some young smart ass say something about that.  I can sling it, but I want to be reckless(er) in my crusty days.  Finesse would be nice at times, but this is not a priority.  Rarely would I throw something over 1/4 oz., but occasionally, maybe.  I know that I am asking for alot.  Anyway, from my research, my short list is: Shimano Curado 200k or 70, Diawa Tatula, Phleuger supreme XT and ABU Revo.  I shy away from the ABU because I want to avoid bias from my past. Yes, there are other honorable mentions (which I am open to), but I have to keep this list reasonable. I have to make a decision before I die.  If I never lost line I wouldn't worry much about line capacity (like Curado 200k vs 70), but it happens to all of us occasionally. Most of you know alot more than me, ESPECIALLY on the post- (post 1980) new stuff.  I call on you, our ambassadors of modern bassin, to stear us old timers right!  Thank you in advance for asking an old tired question, and for expecting you to read this book. Keep on fishin! 

[Joshua van Wyk]

If you want to throw light lures without a problem then the Daiwa Tatula sv will be your best bet. The Curado K is a great reel but suffers a bit with anything below 3/8 oz. 

[LionHeart]

Diawa Tatula sounds like what you want.  Excellent, excellent braking on that reel.

[NathanDLTH]

I love my Tatula SV’s as until recently had two 8:1, two 7:3, and one 6:3. They are great reels and do far more than most people give them credit. Loved my

 

Curado K 6.2, this was my spinnerbait and chatterbait reel, did everything I wanted it to do. But I never fished it with lighter baits. The 70 is a fine reel, it works for heavier and lighter baits too, a lot like the Tatula. 

 

Between these, you won’t loose, but I think the Tatula or the 70 will be better at throwing lighter baits. 

[Largies4Life]

11 hours ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

If you want to throw light lures without a problem then the Daiwa Tatula sv will be your best bet. The Curado K is a great reel but suffers a bit with anything below 3/8 oz. 

X2 on the Daiwa Tatula SV part. Once you get this reel dialed in, you will never have to worry about backlashes, even with those smaller presentations you are mentioning. Either way, you can't go wrong with a Curado or Tatula. There will be biased opinions one way or the other. I currently have a Tatula SV (which I've had for a couple years) and I got my father the Curado K for father's day last year, and neither of us have had a single complaint about either reel so far. Personal preference in the end. My vote would lean towards Daiwa, but that goes back to me saying there will be biased opinions and that just happens to be my opinion.  

[LonnieP]

Another vote for Tatula Sv. A lot easier to dial in than Shimano 

[redmeansdistortion]

Hmmmmm, this is a toughy as I pretty much only use Ambassadeurs but I do have some limited experience with low profiles.  I do own a Supreme XT and President XT, purchased a couple years back.  They're good reels and definitely feel more refined than an Ambassadeur, but I still reach for my old trusty round guys most of the time.  They've been dragged through the mud and bounced around the beds of trucks.  They all still work perfectly and I see no need to have to use anything else.  If anything, your Ambassadeurs would benefit the most from a good clean, lube, and Carbontex drag upgrade.  It would be cheap, the reels would be exponentially more smooth than they are now, and you'd have a beefier drag.  I can whip my Ambassadeurs like a spinning reel with no backlash.  I tried that with my Pfluegers, and while I didn't get any nasty backlashes, the line on the spool still wasn't happy.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Give  1  3   Fishing a shot, you'll love what they have to offer!

[new2BC4bass]

First  to the forum.

 

Second I am a bit confused.  You said "Finesse would be nice at times, but this is not a priority."  But then said seldom would you throw over 1/4 oz.  To me you are talking almost strictly finesse.  If that is the case then a Tatula SV would be a good reel, but personally I think given your experience with baitcasters that a used Pixy would be a better bet.

 

Now if what you really meant was that you would seldom throw under 1/4 oz, then there are a lot more options.  Some of my favorite reels for distance are no longer made.  Both my Helios Air and Primmus have impressed me with their casting distance.

 

I've read (and been told) the Supreme XT gets excellent distance.  I will know more in 2-3 weeks as a new one is going to Florida with me.

[redmeansdistortion]

7 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've read (and been told) the Supreme XT gets excellent distance.  I will know more in 2-3 weeks as a new one is going to Florida with me.

The Supreme XT gets really good distance.  I've thrown baits as light as 1/8oz a good distance without issue.  Not super far, but when bass fishing I'm usually not throwing past 30yd anyway.

[Themaker]

Im sorry folks, I meant to say that I would seldom throw anything UNDER 1/4 oz.

[newyorktoiowa57]

For those weights Tat SV.  I prefer the curado but as others said it is not great for a senko or anything lighter. 

[LonnieP]

6 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

For those weights Tat SV.  I prefer the curado but as others said it is not great for a senko or anything lighter. 

A senko weighs 3/8 ounce. Any baitcaster on the market should handle that. 

[redmeansdistortion]

What about a Shimano Calcutta?  While they are round, they're much easier to palm than an Ambassadeur since they sit a good amount lower on the reel seat.  They're also a tougher reel in general due to their 1 piece aluminum frame.  I dunno what your budget is, but it's a reel you will only have to buy once.  They typically go for $200 to $250.  

[Themaker]

I have been reading alot about the Diawa tatula sv.  I see nothing but rave reviews.  I confused everybody above with my comment about the bait weight, but from what I read, this reel will do it all from weightless worm to rattletrap to a big jerk bait.  I am sold unless anybody convinces me otherwise.  Thanks for all of your comments.  

[keagbassr]

19 hours ago, Themaker said:

I want quality, durability, versatility, and ease of use

 

[Hower08]

What is your budget ? A curado is an excellent reel the only thing I don't care for is it's limited line capacity. Other than that I love my curado k and at $179 it's probably the best reel in it's price point. 

 

$100-150 range I would look at Lew's although that new slx Shimano is getting great reviews at $100

[dodgeguy]

Lew's tournament MB or tournament pro.

[islandbass]

On 3/21/2019 at 6:34 PM, Joshua van Wyk said:

If you want to throw light lures without a problem then the Daiwa Tatula sv will be your best bet. The Curado K is a great reel but suffers a bit with anything below 3/8 oz. 

Really? I’m not doubting you, I really want to know. I find that shocking. The last curado I bought was a curado 101d and it can easily cast 1/4oz and even 1/8oz for me. I can’t believe a the latest curado took a step backward if it can’t handle 1/4 oz. 

 

To the topic, I might have to say the Tatula. 

[Dan Bures]

Recently acquired 2 curado dc's 7.4 : 1 left and right handed. Have used them both with weightless senkos w/o any problems. Using Suffix 832 20 lb with 12 lb floro. Casting distance with the #2 setting exceeded 30 yrds and some of the casting was into a 10 mph headwind. Yes....it really does all but eliminate backlash. If you have the chance to fish one, don't scratch it off your list untill you do.

 

[Shimano_1]

Any of daiwas tatula or fuego reels should fit your needs nicely.  The shimanos are nice but the daiwas braking system is superior in my opinion!  Really think everyone should try em just because they are so easy to use

[EGbassing]

Daiwa Fuego/Tatula and Shimano SLX are both great reels. I have both and the SLX has the edge in casting distance, but they're both good.