Need help on deciding between two baitcaster reels

[kayaking_kev]

SLX XT, DC, MGL are all nice reels. I would personally pass on a SLX rod because of the balance on them and sounds like you will mostly be fishing tip up. You could always buy the combo and sell the rod to get the reel cheaper though, that's what I did.

 

 

[Big Hands]

55 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

SLX XT, DC, MGL are all nice reels. I would personally pass on a SLX rod because of the balance on them and sounds like you will mostly be fishing tip up. You could always buy the combo and sell the rod to get the reel cheaper though, that's what I did.

 

 

Just curious: Was it a particular SLX rod you didn't like the balance of?

 

I could understand that more so than them being unbalanced across the range. I have an SLX 6'10" medium action casting rod that I think feels fantastic. The MH, on the other hand, I could see someone possibly not liking the balance of that rod in comparison to the medium.

[Hammer 4]

I just mounted a new Tatula 200HL on my 7'mh SLX rod. I did have a 201 citica on there, which I didn't care for, the balance that is. Now it feels really nice. Gotta say the new 200 Tatula outta the box is silky smooth..

[Bassinislife]

I highly suggest getting a Daiwa tatula reel but if the lews or abu Garcia reels feel better to you then go for it and for the rod one person already suggested it but the ark viper is a great rod and I have a 7’ 2” heavy power and I like the rod so much I found my self throwing a jerkbait on it but another choice I like it the 13 fishing fate black 2 doesn’t seem like a lot of people suggest them but they are good Rods at tackle direct the 7’ 3” medium heavy and 7’ 3” medium are $49.99 now.

if you can you should go to a tackle store and feel some rods and try some reels and pick what feels best to you

[kayaking_kev]

6 hours ago, Big Hands said:

Just curious: Was it a particular SLX rod you didn't like the balance of?

 

I could understand that more so than them being unbalanced across the range. I have an SLX 6'10" medium action casting rod that I think feels fantastic. The MH, on the other hand, I could see someone possibly not liking the balance of that rod in comparison to the medium.

I have the 7'2 MH/XF & the 7'5 H/F, actually just sold the 7'2 the other day. 

 

Both are really light on the scales, just not balanced good. I wondered about the 6'10 version and the Medium versions though. If they are balanced, they would be great rods for the price, unfortunately they didn't have them available when I purchased the combo deals. 

 

I tried putting my heaviest reels on them which were 7.9 oz, and it didn't make much of a difference, and I didn't want to go any heavier, kinda of defeats the purpose of light rods. 

[Beeno]

Both reels are from the Doyo Corp so what? They are good solid reels and I would go with the Abu Garcia if that’s what you like, you won’t be disappointed. 

[NavyVet1204]

Alright guys, all in, I will report back with what ever end up with rod, reel, line and all. You guys have been awesome and I appreciate all the info! Thanks!

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Ive had both a revo x and a curado ..id pick the revo x  all day ..not cause im a abu collector ...because the x feels way smoother and that thing has been throughh the mill i had both used curado wouldnt lay line right from the start drag was ok but not as smooth as the revo x that was used in saltwater 2 seasons by previous owner ..revo x is my pick for baitcasters 100 and under get lucky amazon they are 75 shiipped some days

[Big Hands]

8 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

I have the 7'2 MH/XF & the 7'5 H/F, actually just sold the 7'2 the other day. 

 

Both are really light on the scales, just not balanced good. I wondered about the 6'10 version and the Medium versions though. If they are balanced, they would be great rods for the price, unfortunately they didn't have them available when I purchased the combo deals. 

 

I tried putting my heaviest reels on them which were 7.9 oz, and it didn't make much of a difference, and I didn't want to go any heavier, kinda of defeats the purpose of light rods. 

I have seen other rods as well where the MH didn't feel as balanced as the medium and suspected that might be what is going on here. I agree that balance is important, especially if you'll be casting with it for hours on end.

[Ogandrews]

51 minutes ago, Maxximus Redneckus said:

Ive had both a revo x and a curado ..id pick the revo x  all day ..not cause im a abu collector ...because the x feels way smoother and that thing has been throughh the mill i had both used curado wouldnt lay line right from the start drag was ok but not as smooth as the revo x that was used in saltwater 2 seasons by previous owner ..revo x is my pick for baitcasters 100 and under get lucky amazon they are 75 shiipped some days

Which curado was it that you had? I’ve owned 2 revo x as well as an sx and both of the x’s handles kept getting loose after a couple weeks of heavy use. I will say they did cast well but were not as smooth as an slx, not close to a curado k. Both of the shimanos had better breaking systems too, and overall had a better feel for me. The sx was a pretty good reel but it just didn’t have the casting distance for me of the shimanos and again didn’t have that good of a breaking system. The sx was definitely smoother than the X but still not as smooth as a curado k. Not saying their bad reels just in my experience of owning reels from both companies I think that shimano beats the abus at every price point. Abu makes some great musky reels too, the toro beast and the beast 40 are awesome reels, but it’s a similar story as before because I think you get a better reel for your money with the tranx but it’s pretty close. If your an abu guy then use abus, their still quality reels I just think you get more for your money with shimano. With abu and lews being almost the same thing on most fronts I would also always go with lews simply for the fact that they have the best customer service I have ever dealt with from a reel company. I’ve had such good experiences with lews when I need parts or a reel fixed that it really makes me want to buy more of their reels. Great company to deal with.

[NavyVet1204]

1 hour ago, Ogandrews said:

Which curado was it that you had? I’ve owned 2 revo x as well as an sx and both of the x’s handles kept getting loose after a couple weeks of heavy use. I will say they did cast well but were not as smooth as an slx, not close to a curado k. Both of the shimanos had better breaking systems too, and overall had a better feel for me. The sx was a pretty good reel but it just didn’t have the casting distance for me of the shimanos and again didn’t have that good of a breaking system. The sx was definitely smoother than the X but still not as smooth as a curado k. Not saying their bad reels just in my experience of owning reels from both companies I think that shimano beats the abus at every price point. Abu makes some great musky reels too, the toro beast and the beast 40 are awesome reels, but it’s a similar story as before because I think you get a better reel for your money with the tranx but it’s pretty close. If your an abu guy then use abus, their still quality reels I just think you get more for your money with shimano. With abu and lews being almost the same thing on most fronts I would also always go with lews simply for the fact that they have the best customer service I have ever dealt with from a reel company. I’ve had such good experiences with lews when I need parts or a reel fixed that it really makes me want to buy more of their reels. Great company to deal with.

I’ve heard about Lews CS being top notch as well. I have emailed Abu in the past to inquire about parts for an older reel and have never heard back from them. Maybe just a fluke, but they never answered and that’s not a killer for me with them either.

[schplurg]

20 hours ago, WRB said:

Do you plan to primarily frog fish?

I don't know why everyone is so high on braid, it's horrible line to learn to cast a bait casting reel with. If you mostly plan on T- & C-rigs with soft plastics my suggestion is start with 12 lb Berkley Big Game mono. BG casts very good and has thecrightvlrice point to allow changing line often.

As noted by DVT the 2 reels you are looking are indenticle by the same mfr.

Tom

PS, the rod in the BPS deal is a medium power not well suited for T-rigs. I would consider looking a MH fast action rod.

 

Kinda glad to hear this about braid (my bolded)! I decided to put mono on my baitcaster last night. 14#. My friend spooled it with mono when he gave it to me and I've never used braid on a BC. Took off the line and thought of braid, then thought against it. I figured a backlash might be a lot more difficult to untangle with braid, and as a rookie I do get them.

 

Gonna go try it in a few hours and see how it works.

[WRB]

Take a look at winding over a backlash then slowly pulling it out, a few vedio's available.

Braid is a last choice for me do to 2 knots and I don't need braid 99% of the time where fish.

Most bass anglers use line to big diameter/lb test for the conditions they fish in and size of bass they catch. You will get more and better action from most bass lures using smaller dia/ lb test line. General bass fishing with a bait casting reel/MH bass rod 12 lb works god.

Good luck,

Tom

[Ogandrews]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Take a look at winding over a backlash then slowly pulling it out, a few vedio's available.

Braid is a last choice for me do to 2 knots and I don't need braid 99% of the time where fish.

Most bass anglers use line to big diameter/lb test for the conditions they fish in and size of bass they catch. You will get more and better action from most bass lures using smaller dia/ lb test line. General bass fishing with a bait casting reel/MH bass rod 12 lb works god.

Good luck,

Tom

I get people not liking braid, everyone’s got their own way of fishing. But braid does hold knots really well, definitely better than floro maybe even than mono. You can use any knot you want really as long as when you put your line through the eye of the lure, you come back and put it through a second time so there is a loop around the eye. This stops the issues with slipping. If you don’t do this, especially with slick super lines, than yes there will be issues with knot slippage. Tied correctly than it’s as strong as a knot can be, and the advantage with braid is it won’t burn itself while tightening it down like floro and mono to an extent does.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Curado i. And yes the handles get loose on them ..mine did same found out the locking ring is slightly bigger then the handle nut i put a original locking ring on mine no probs since then

[primetime]

Both make good reels, I have an SX and I really like it. I believe I saw one on sale at BPS website this week for $119 I think, I believe Bass Pro actually has a combo with the SX and they have good combos for the price. May be worth taking a look. 

 

Can't go wrong with either reel, I have never owned a Lews, but i know plenty who have them and even the $79 baitcaster holds up and is a quality reel. I would imagine any over $100 would be comparable to the SX.