Holland Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 What are some older models that are sleeper reels that are cheap used? Heard a lot of good things about older Quantums and Any Garcias any specific models? Quote
Manifestgtr Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 If you’re lookin for all around value, I’d say anything jdm shimano around the time of the e series...cheap, Japanese built tanks that don’t feel too “out of place” among more modern reels. models: scorpion xt 1000 and xt 1500 aldebaran mg metanium mg Some reels that are “newer” but starting to become legacy reels are the tatula ct type r and the shimano 13 metanium. Both are a lot of reel for the price of admission. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 People still pay crazy prices for the Shimano Core, but I've seen the Metanium MG going for $100 at times. Don't know why it's slept on, since they're the same reel. Also see previous gen Revo Premier reels going for decent prices. Quote
PourMyOwn Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 I use a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus 350 for big swimbaits. It cost me all of $19 on eBay. It lacks instant anti reverse and a thumb bar, but it is a heavy duty reel that can take the abuse. 1 Quote
craww Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 5 hours ago, Tywithay said: People still pay crazy prices for the Shimano Core, but I've seen the Metanium MG going for $100 at times. Don't know why it's slept on, since they're the same reel. Also see previous gen Revo Premier reels going for decent prices. Seriously though, I've picked up a few MG7s and swapped brass gear sets in...In hand and on the water, I see no modern reels Id rather have over them. 1 Quote
Logan S Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 Y'all need to keep quiet on the Met MG's!!!! ? That frame style is hands down my favorite...Core, Met MG, Chronarch D, and the 1st gen Exsence DC. The '13 Metaniums are starting to get affordable too, can find them under $200 most of the time. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 Cheap? Or cheap compared to new? A few added to those mentioned above. Smaller Abus 1500, 1600 & 2500. Older ProLites & Carbonlites. TD-Z 105H, Pixy, TDX-103HSDF & TDZ-103ML. Older gray Prodigy (made by Daiwa) is a tank. Not small, but the Procaster 100HN was a solid reel for not much. Gen 1 STX, Gen 2 Premier. Blue Patriarch XT. Love my Primmus Xi HS. Older Trion with aluminum frame. Older Steez 100, older Excense DC. Older Tournament Pro. Many Curado Es are going for more than what I paid for mine years ago. No doubt there are others, but I only have so much money. Can't try them all. EDIT: Almost forgot another favorite. Okuma Helios Air. My Helios SX hasn't been spooled yet. Got an Icon PT after conversing with a fellow member. Expecting it to be a bomber. 1 Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 Define old... I certainly wouldn't want a baitcaster from the 80's. But a Bantam Curado, Chronarch D, or something of those likes is still a fine reel to this day. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 33 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said: Isn't there a Black Max that is actually a cheap version of the highly sought after Abu Morrum? Abu Black Max 1600 or something? Yup. Black Max 1600C. I bought 3 as a package deal. I've cast a small unweighted fluke straight into a pretty stiff wind. Backlashed once when I tried bombing it. I also have a couple 1600 series Morrums. 2 Quote
redmeansdistortion Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said: Isn't there a Black Max that is actually a cheap version of the highly sought after Abu Morrum? Abu Black Max 1600 or something? It doesn't really share much with the Morrum other than the smaller size and one piece aluminum frame. Mechanically, it's more like an Ambassadeur but with a disengaging level wind and a low reel seat. 3 Quote
Super User Bankc Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 3 hours ago, PourMyOwn said: I use a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus 350 for big swimbaits. It cost me all of $19 on eBay. It lacks instant anti reverse and a thumb bar, but it is a heavy duty reel that can take the abuse. I have a B-100 Mag that I still use. I upgraded the spool bushings to ceramic bearings and upgraded the drag to carbontex. Since then, it's actually a really nice reel! It's a lot better reel than what I could find brand new for the price of the upgrades, that's for sure. It casts really far and is easy to manage. The only thing that truly bothers me about it is the lack of instant anti-reverse and the small handles. When it comes to old reels, I think the condition of the individual specimen is as important as anything else. I'd be more inclined to buy an old reel locally than online, sight unseen. If it was a newish reel, the pics look clean, and the seller says he took good care of it or didn't use it much, then I'd be okay buying online. But buying an older reel, I'd be too afraid of it technically working, but not for much longer due to massive amounts of wear. 1 Quote
jtesch Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 Daiwa TD-Z’s and Zillions, also original Sols and Fuegos all are solid reels with plenty of aftermarket upgrades available. JDM Zillions an the J-dream or PE are great reels also. Keep in mind that tuning them will push the price up quite a bit 3 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 9 minutes ago, jtesch said: Daiwa TD-Z’s and Zillions, also original Sols and Fuegos all are solid reels with plenty of aftermarket upgrades available. JDM Zillions an the J-dream or PE are great reels also. Keep in mind that tuning them will push the price up quite a bit More excellent reels. No J-Dream here although I'd love to have one. I enjoy my TD Fuegos. Quote
NOC 1 Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 32 minutes ago, jtesch said: Daiwa TD-Z’s and Zillions, also original Sols and Fuegos all are solid reels with plenty of aftermarket upgrades available. JDM Zillions an the J-dream or PE are great reels also. Keep in mind that tuning them will push the price up quite a bit I like the OG Steez reels too. The J-dream is on my short list too. Sure it cost extra to fix some of them up, but if I end up spending a total of $400-500 on these reels to end up with a like new customized one of a kind reel, I'm good with it. I figure I am getting a significantly better reel that I would be getting spending the same money on a new reel. That's not so for ALL older reels, but that is what makes some of the ones we're talking about worth buying. Quote
redmeansdistortion Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said: What's the spool weight on a 1600 sized one? Loving this thread btw. Many of the older platforms are just built better than some of the newer stuff and there are real gems out there. I'm looking to get into reel painting or cerokoting so some rash on an old reel doesn't bother me. Short list for me to own is: Black Max 1600C or Morrum (if cheap enough) Daiwa TD Advantage/Alphas 150 (black widow 2 if cheap enough) Chronarch D Curado 300DSV The spool on the 1600 weighs 14g with bearings, brake blocks, clutch washer, and clutch retainer installed. 1 Quote
Super User JustJames Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 14 hours ago, Holland said: older models that are sleeper reels that are cheap used? Why old and why cheap? How cheap? A lot of the reel mentions here isn’t that cheap. It might be for some but at same price you might be able to get a good new or slightly used reel. A lot of old reels trend to use better material quality, not cheapy plastic, but again you risk of finding parts when needed. Ppl that buy and collect old reel, the last thing they concerned is cheap. 1 Quote
The Maestro Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 I've had opportunities to buy used Cores at pretty decent prices but I passed. I personally don't really think it's worth it to buy older reels for a few reasons. 1. It's hard to tell just how hard the reel was fished. It's always a bit of a gamble imo. 2. Parts for them are difficult if not impossible to find. 3. The new high end reels from Shimano and Daiwa are just so good that I'd rather put the money towards getting one of those instead of a high end reel from 10+ years ago. Used rods are a different story though. I've bought and will continue to buy them. 1 Quote
bryand82487 Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 I bought a Curado 200E5 the other day for $130 and a Core 50mg7 for $180 you just have to look around or put out a WTB listing. Like several have mentioned the Japan equivalent of the Core and the Curado E series can be had for a lot less. The Curado E’s go for anywhere from 180-250 on eBay from what I’ve seen and the Scorpion equivalent around $130. I just bought a Scorpion off eBay in excellent condition for $130 including shipping from Japan. I bought it on the 16th and it arrived today the 19th. 2 Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 5 hours ago, fishballer06 said: Define old... I certainly wouldn't want a baitcaster from the 80's. But a Bantam Curado, Chronarch D, or something of those likes is still a fine reel to this day. Mid to late 90s on up many are very usable still 1 Quote
The Maestro Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 20 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said: I many instances the older reels are better. TD Zillion vs the Tatula derived Zillions. The Curado E vs the G, I and possibly the K. Chronarch vs the plastic Ci4+ Chronarch. There is a new Daiwa Alphas with a Twing that some are saying palms worse than the old Daiwa Alphas. The Curado 70 reels all got geary while the old 50e reels are still going strong. There are also instances of newer reels being better. It's not as simple as gold good new bad. I would definitely take th current Steez and CT over the old gen for example. I'm aware. I have 5 Curado E's that I used to use for pitching but have since upgraded to Bantams and Metaniums for those applications so I moved my Curados to moving bait applications and I'm blown away with how good these reels perform. These are reels that took a serious beating on heavy punching rods, straight 80lb braid, drag locked right down to the max. I'd be surprised if any if the later iterations will hold up like the E's. The main thing for me about buying older reels is parts availability. There's also the possibility that some small part(s) could have been lost during maintenance of the reel. Although unlikely, there's also a chance that the original gears and/or bearings were swapped out and replaced with cheap/inferior replacements. I've actually heard they do this in China with brand new Shimano (and I'm assuming Daiwa) reels and then sell the gears and bearings as original parts. Easy way to make an extra $40-$50 (even after selling the reels at lower than average price) off every reel and you'll never know until after you've used it for a while and it starts feeling like crap. 2 Quote
Manifestgtr Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 14 hours ago, Tywithay said: People still pay crazy prices for the Shimano Core, but I've seen the Metanium MG going for $100 at times. Don't know why it's slept on, since they're the same reel. Also see previous gen Revo Premier reels going for decent prices. Bingo...it’s the same with the curado e and the scorpion xt. a curado e in good condition goes for well over $200, no question. A scorpion xt in good condition can easily be found around the $100 mark Quote
Super User FishTank Posted June 19, 2020 Super User Posted June 19, 2020 I haven't seen an old Quantum that I would consider buying used and I own a few. As far as Abu goes, I would go with old round reels but parts can get expensive. My favorite older reels are (don't own the Daiwa's though)...... Shimano Core Shimano Curado B and E Shimano Chronarch (any) Shimano Calcutta Daiwa TDZ Daiwa Luna Daiwa Alpha Quote
Guitarfish Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 - I have four old Quantum Energy that I absolutely love. I do the maintenance on them. - I have 10 different Shimano Bantam Mags, my favorite being the 15XSG. Sweet tiny reel. - I also have some old Mitchell Spidercast S3000's. Love them too. - And some others from back in the day. I have zero reason to upgrade. The fish still get caught. High dollar reels are in my salt water stuff. Quote
Heartland Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 Daiwa Pixy, Sol, Fuego, Alpha, and TDZ, ABU Revo 2nd Gen Premier these reels make up a good portion of what I fish today. They can be costly to update, but when done correct I have not found many modern day reels that interest me more than these. The Daiwa T3 series are also very fun reels to fish, they cast amazingly and have one of the best braking systems that I have used. 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 20, 2020 Super User Posted June 20, 2020 Older reels I set aside and willing to sell are; Daiwa TD-X 103HA, 3 each Daiwa TD-X 105HA, 1 each Daiwa Advantage 153HTSA Super Tuned Daiwa TD Fuego, Original Red Shimano Bantam 1000 Boxes for most the above. Tom 1 1 Quote
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