Best Baitcast Reel under $200

[Golferdude]

Ok so from reading, you guys are saying the best baitcast reels are Daiwas and Shimanos. Never owned either. I had some trouble with Lews so they're out. I have had good luck with Johnny Morris reels(PQ,Signature series, Carbonlite 2.0) but heard theyre made in Korea by Doyo not familiar with them.....with that being said, what would ya recommend for a reel under $200? Bass fishing of course. And go TIA

[mrpao]

I believe Lews and Bass Pro reels are made by the same company -Doyo. As is Abu revo reels.

Can't go wrong with the curado K or tatula for under $200. Both seem to be great reels.

[fishballer06]

Curado - if you like centrifugal brakes

Tatula - if you like magnetic brakes

 

Anything else if you prefer not having the best in your price range. 

[matbellon3]

As already stated Curado or Tatula.

[Fishes in trees]

For me, bait casting reels must say Shimano somewhere on the reel.  That seems to solve most of the internal discussions of which reel to buy.  Back in the day, when I was co-angling in the BFL a pro who I respected quite a bit told me to match up all my reels.  The notion being that when I stopped using one and picked up another, the weight of the reel would be the same.

I settled on the Calcutta 250 TEGT, and I had 8 of them.  As  I've gotten older and the weight of the reel has gotten more important as my wrists got sore at the end of the day, I've went to lighter reels, Curado 50's, Chronarchs, other size Curados, that are all a little lighter than the Calcutta.

[Bandersnatch]

Shimano chronarch mgl from eBay 

[new2BC4bass]

Right hand or left hand?  I am a fan of the previously mentioned reels.  TW is closing out the Okuma Helios SX...$230 reel for $150, but only LH in 7.3 left.  I'm sure you could find a good deal on a RH somewhere else.  Also look at the Pflueger Patriarch.  Neither company gets much of the limelight, but I've always felt I got good value for my money with both.

 

I admit to owning more Daiwas than any other reel.  Many of my reels were purchased used.  Got bitten once, but sent it out to a pro for repair and now have a fantastic specimen of a reel I had always wanted.  My choice from these would be #2 and #5.

 

 

[FishTank]

Curado K or Daiwa Tatula SV TWS

[Grim_Reaver]

Curado K or Tatula. Shimano SVS Infinity brakes can be finicky but will absolutely launch a lure when dialed in. Daiwa Magforce Z brakes are harder to backlash and handle lighter weights better in my experience.

[Revival]

I have Tatula SVs and CTs and love them.  I tried a friends Curado K and didn’t care for it.  The 2020 SV should be coming out in a few months from what I have heard.

[r3825]

Another vote for Tatula

[johnD.]

I saw the Tatula Elites selling on ebay for $219 if you can scrounge up another $19.

[chubaka]

Daiwa Tatula SV hands down! Had the Curado K but sold it. 

[iabass8]

On 12/30/2019 at 9:24 PM, Revival said:

I have Tatula SVs and CTs and love them.  I tried a friends Curado K and didn’t care for it.  The 2020 SV should be coming out in a few months from what I have heard.

The 2020 SV and Zillion 10 are both out. they're JDM reels for the time being. 

[swhit140]

I've always been a Daiwa & Shimano user so I don't think you can go wrong with either. Check out which fits your hands the best and feels best for you.

[Bluebasser86]

I was a Shimano fan but they've fallen out of my favor the last few years.

 

Tatula SV TWS gets my vote.

[zell_pop1]

I would say Tatula, but the refurbished Pflueger Patriarch XT for $125 at ffo tackle seems like the best deal.

[TBAG]

Curado K

[DABASSBROS]

Slx dc hands down

 

[king fisher]

Bait Monkey told me to look at the reels on Tackle Warehouse today.  They have the old model, Tatula CT on sale for $89.  You could get two and still come in under $200.  I don't need any more reels, but for that price the Bait Monkey may have a talk with Santa.  I'm not saying that they are better than more expensive reels, but they are very close.

[rtwvumtneer6]

I've not done any research, but I wouldn't be surprised if the BPS reels and Lew's were carbon copies. 

 

I use the Curado K and SLX XT regularly.  I'm sure Daiwa makes a great reel but until Shimano gives me a reason to try a different brand, that's where I'll stay.  $200 also opens up the opportunity to get into DC technology in the SLX if that's something you're interested in.  

[Columbia Craw]

Tatula SV TW

[Boomstick]

You're going to get a lot of different answers whenever you ask for the best of anything but the majority of them are going to be Daiwa or Shimano and that's largely for a reason. They make their own reels and they aren't basically Doyo reels with another name slapped on it and their entire lineup is solid.

 

I largely like the Tatula SV myself.

 

On 12/30/2019 at 2:53 PM, new2BC4bass said:

Also look at the Pflueger Patriarch.

I own a Patriarch too, unfortunately they do not make them anymore. It's like a Curado K with dual brakes and that's 2-3 ounces lighter - no idea if it will hold up as long though.

[Terran Elam]

Are there any reels under $200 that don’t aren’t made in China?

 

 I wouldn’t rule Lew’s out. Especially in that price category.