Bait caster choice

[Oledog]

Hi let me start out by saying that I am fairly new to bass fishing.  Always used a fly rod or spinning reel set up in the past.  Recently I decided that an old dog can learn new tricks so I am going go try my hand at baitcasting.  I am looking at two baitcasting reels not sure which one to get and would like to get some opinions. The first one is a lews tournament Mb. The other is an Abu garcia revo 4 sx. Right now I am leaning toward the revo 4 since it has a max drag of 25lbs because I occasionally fish for stripers. Not sure which one is best for me .any opinions. 

[thirtysixit]

I have 2 Tournament MB's.  They are great reels and have held up for two seasons now. I also have an 11 year old Revo S.  Its a tank but its the only Garcia I've owned.  I can't speak about any of the newest Revos. 

[LionHeart]

Just my opinion but 25 lbs.  Of drag is pretty unnecessary for bass fishing.  Would not even be a selling point to me (10 is plenty).  What you need to focus on as a new person to baitcasting is a reel with good brakes.  I own a few MB reels and they may even be my favorite.  The brakes are pretty good, not great.

 

I can't recommend strongly enough that you try a Diawa Tatula reel.  You will thank me later.

[CrankFate]

4 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Just my opinion but 25 lbs.  Of drag is pretty unnecessary for bass fishing.  Would not even be a selling point to me (10 is plenty).  What you need to focus on as a new person to baitcasting is a reel with good brakes.  I own a few MB reels and they may even be my favorite.  The brakes are pretty good, not great.

 

I can't recommend strongly enough that you try a Diawa Tatula reel.  You will thank me later.

^ This.

[LegendaryBassin]

51 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Just my opinion but 25 lbs.  Of drag is pretty unnecessary for bass fishing.  Would not even be a selling point to me (10 is plenty).  What you need to focus on as a new person to baitcasting is a reel with good brakes.  I own a few MB reels and they may even be my favorite.  The brakes are pretty good, not great.

 

I can't recommend strongly enough that you try a Diawa Tatula reel.  You will thank me later.

Go Shimano or Daiwa

[Oledog]

Thanks for the input.  I will look into the Diawa tatula . The reason I was considering the 25lb drag is because I do on a occasion throw my kayak in the ocean and fish for stripers. 

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, Oledog said:

Thanks for the input.  I will look into the Diawa tatula . The reason I was considering the 25lb drag is because I do on a occasion throw my kayak in the ocean and fish for stripers. 

If that is the case, I probably wouldn't use any of the above reels in saltwater.  The Revo Toro Beast or the Inshore or the Shimano Tranx.

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Oledog said:

Thanks for the input.  I will look into the Diawa tatula . The reason I was considering the 25lb drag is because I do on a occasion throw my kayak in the ocean and fish for stripers. 

You don't need 25 lbs of drag for stripers, 6-10 is plenty. A smooth drag is more important than "max" drag, which is a made up number anyway. 

[Oledog]

7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

If that is the case, I probably wouldn't use any of the above reels in saltwater.  The Revo Toro Beast or the Inshore or the Shimano Tranx.

 

7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

If that is the case, I probably wouldn't use any of the above reels in saltwater.  The Revo Toro Beast or the Inshore or the Shimano Tranx.

Thanks Fish Tank will definitely look into the Toro Beast

[Glaucus]

I agree with a Daiwa Tatula. Daiwa reels are very forgiving. 

[JediAmoeba]

Daiwa has a nice Coastal reel which is basically a Tatula for saltwater/inshore

[Junger]

Buy a used Fuego CT for $50-$60 (there's one on the Flea Market forum right now actually) and see if you like baitcasting. If not, you can easily resell it for almost the same price you bought it for.

[Oledog]

Thanks everyone for the insight. I think have settled on a Tatula 150 . 

[GreenPig]

Not a Daiwa guy. Love my Shimanos. But if I'm flipping or throwing frogs with heavy braid I'm using my Revos. The 65 lb braid and strong drag helps stop them from running under the pads/weeds/trees.  Revo toro beast is too much reel unless you're throwing big baits. I agee with BassWhole! that 10 lbs of drag for stripers is plenty.

Just saw your last post. Goodluck with your Tatula. Lots of guys use and like them.

[dodgeguy]

Go to sportsmans outfitters and get a lews tournament pro for $139. Imho it will blow away any other reel mentioned.

[Hook2Jaw]

I've caught 30" redfish on my Daiwa Fuegos CTs.  I rinse them off every trip, and acetone the reel and spool bearings every three before adding a drop of oil.  They're still smooth, functional, cast great, and they have the best braking system on the market.

 

I think you're going to love the Daiwa Tatula 150.

[Oledog]

4 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I've caught 30" redfish on my Daiwa Fuegos CTs.  I rinse them off every trip, and acetone the reel and spool bearings every three before adding a drop of oil.  They're still smooth, functional, cast great, and they have the best braking system on the market.

 

I think you're going to love the Daiwa Tatula 150.

That sounds great . Can't wait to get it .

[Hammer 4]

If your fishing the salt, you should be rinsing all of your gear off with clean fresh water. I've used lots of non salt gear for salt, and never had a problem. Good maintenance is the key. 

[Scott Lavallee]

I'll reiterate what I saw above about the Tatula. I own the reels that you mentioned but for a solid all around reel I'd go with a Tatula SV. Smooth as butter, and d**n near impossible to backlash assuming your spool tension and brakes are set properly. 

If your dead set on those two reels I'd go with the Lew's. I'd get a dedicated striper set-up down the road instead of including it in your first baitcaster purchase. 

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

[Oledog]

3 hours ago, Scott Lavallee said:

I'll reiterate what I saw above about the Tatula. I own the reels that you mentioned but for a solid all around reel I'd go with a Tatula SV. Smooth as butter, and d**n near impossible to backlash assuming your spool tension and brakes are set properly. 

If your dead set on those two reels I'd go with the Lew's. I'd get a dedicated striper set-up down the road instead of including it in your first baitcaster purchase. 

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

Believe it or not I really appreciate your advice . The problem with the tatula sv is my budget . I am limited to about $300 , with that I am purchasing a St.  Croix rod , that I have been eyeing , plus I am looking at the tatula 150 . Your also right about getting a striper setup in the future. 

 

[Oledog]

On 6/26/2019 at 7:20 PM, CrankFate said:

^ This.

Well I just ordered tatula 200 . Probably larger than I need but the price was perfect .I want to thank everyone for there advice that they gave me . It was was more than appreciated.  Again thanks everyone and tight lines.

[Oledog]

On 6/26/2019 at 7:14 PM, LionHeart said:

Just my opinion but 25 lbs.  Of drag is pretty unnecessary for bass fishing.  Would not even be a selling point to me (10 is plenty).  What you need to focus on as a new person to baitcasting is a reel with good brakes.  I own a few MB reels and they may even be my favorite.  The brakes are pretty good, not great.

 

I can't recommend strongly enough that you try a Diawa Tatula reel.  You will thank me later.

 

Just now, Oledog said:

 

Well you were right !

I just want thank you for recommending the tatula reel.  I just recieved it in the mail and I am totally impressed.  Can't believe how light and how well made it is. Also ordered a St.Croix bass rod to put it on . That will be in Friday . Can't wait to start using them . Again thanks. 

[Scott Lavallee]

1 hour ago, Oledog said:

 

Well you were right !

I just want thank you for recommending the tatula reel.  I just recieved it in the mail and I am totally impressed.  Can't believe how light and how well made it is. Also ordered a St.Croix bass rod to put it on . That will be in Friday . Can't wait to start using them . Again thanks. 

Which St. Croix rod did you buy? You can't go wrong with any of them! I have two Mojo Bass and a Bass X and dollar for dollar can't be outdone for their respective uses imo. 

[LionHeart]

Excellent choice.  The Tatulas are great reels across the board. Which model did you go with?

[Oledog]

I picked up the tatula 200 .