Casting reel for lighter baits

[ajschn06]

Looking for a smaller casting reel that throws lighter baits well in the $100-150 range.  Any suggestions?

[MN Fisher]

Lot of guys here like the Shimano SLX

Another option would be a Diawa CA-80

[FryDog62]

I think the above reels could work well for lures 1/4 oz or heavier.  Lighter than that there are better options but more expensive than your stated range.  

[Teal]

The lews tournament pro.  They can be found for 139. At sportsmans outfitters.

Maybe the daiwa ct.

[Jig Man]

3/16 and up on a Curado 70.

[lunkerboss923]

14 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Lot of guys here like the Shimano SLX

Another option would be a Diawa CA-80

Tell me about the CA-80. Been wanting to pair it with a Dobyns Colt 703c. 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, lunkerboss923 said:

Tell me about the CA-80. Been wanting to pair it with a Dobyns Colt 703c. 

I haven't used one, but I've looked it over. The Fuego and Tatula are 100 size reels, the Cx-80 series are 80 size reels, so smaller.

The 'x' designates the frame material

CR - Resin

CC - Carbon

CG - Graphite

CA - Aluminum

Otherwise the reels in the series are identical...like the Fuego and Tatula are only differentiated by the T-Wing on the Tat.

[Eric 26]

I have a ca80 and love it. Aluminum frame 6.8:1 gear ratio left hand retrieve. I’m using it on a 6’-6” med power fast action rod using it mainly with 3/8 oz spinner baits but have thrown some smaller square bill and minnow style crankbaits 3/16 oz range and it has been a great reel. Mine is spooled with 10 lb suffix advance mono and no issues since this spring.

[dodgeguy]

7 hours ago, Teal said:

The lews tournament pro.  They can be found for 139. At sportsmans outfitters.

Maybe the daiwa ct.

What he said about the Lews.

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

It has a worse braking system than the Fuego CT

There is that - it has a standard MagForce instead of the MagForce-Z that the CT has...more like a standard magnetic brake. The 'Z' system really is a good magnetic brake - if I could afford it, I'd upgrade my Pfluegers to Fuegos.

[NOC 1]

On 8/29/2020 at 9:17 PM, ajschn06 said:

Looking for a smaller casting reel that throws lighter baits well in the $100-150 range.  Any suggestions?

everybody shouts out their favorite reels as usual. I would too if I knew what you consider a "lighter bait".

Some guys think a 3/16 oz is a light bait. I've heard others that call a 3/8 a light bait. Some people cast 1/16 oz and lower weights. What exactly are you wanting to throw.

 

About any decent modern reel should be good down to 1/4-3/8 oz. I'd be really surprised if any of the reels named so far with the exception of the Pixie and the Ray's spool reels would be able to do much below 1/4.

[lo n slo]

Tatula 100 gets my vote

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

everybody shouts out their favorite reels as usual. I would too if I knew what you consider a "lighter bait".

Some guys think a 3/16 oz is a light bait. I've heard others that call a 3/8 a light bait. Some people cast 1/16 oz and lower weights. What exactly are you wanting to throw.

 

About any decent modern reel should be good down to 1/4-3/8 oz. I'd be really surprised if any of the reels named so far with the exception of the Pixie and the Ray's spool reels would be able to do much below 1/4.

Even the stock Pixy is only rated down to 1/8 oz.  As I have stated before...even if a person has a rod and reel combo capable of casting 1/8 oz. and below, it doesn't mean they will be able to cast that light.  It still takes some skill.  Either that or I am horrible with a baitcast reel.    I have no problem with #5 Shad Raps on several rod/reel combos, but lighter gives me fits.  Of course I haven't put much practice time in with 1/8 oz. lures.  So there is that.

 

OP, knowing what you consider 'light' would be a big help.  As previously stated, many of today's reels will handle down to 1/4 oz.

[Shimano_1]

As stated its gonna depend on what you consider light. The shimano slx series or daiwa Fuego or tatula ct will handle things down to maybe 1/4 oz. Anything lighter and your probably gonna spend more money or modify something like a tatula.  The new shimano slx mgl is advertised as for lighter baits but I have no experience to say yay or nay. 

[ajschn06]

On 8/30/2020 at 12:07 PM, MN Fisher said:

I haven't used one, but I've looked it over. The Fuego and Tatula are 100 size reels, the Cx-80 series are 80 size reels, so smaller.

The 'x' designates the frame material

CR - Resin

CC - Carbon

CG - Graphite

CA - Aluminum

Otherwise the reels in the series are identical...like the Fuego and Tatula are only differentiated by the T-Wing on the Tat.

I've actually used both the CR and CC80 models.  I dont' have a lot of experience but great reels for the price.  CA-80 is actually what I've been eyeing when I started this thread....

On 8/31/2020 at 1:00 PM, NOC 1 said:

everybody shouts out their favorite reels as usual. I would too if I knew what you consider a "lighter bait".

Some guys think a 3/16 oz is a light bait. I've heard others that call a 3/8 a light bait. Some people cast 1/16 oz and lower weights. What exactly are you wanting to throw.

 

About any decent modern reel should be good down to 1/4-3/8 oz. I'd be really surprised if any of the reels named so far with the exception of the Pixie and the Ray's spool reels would be able to do much below 1/4.

Good info- I'm looking at a 1/8 oz jighead with a power worm or a lighter jerkbait as a reference point as "lighter" baits.  

[NOC 1]

2 hours ago, ajschn06 said:

I've actually used both the CR and CC80 models.  I dont' have a lot of experience but great reels for the price.  CA-80 is actually what I've been eyeing when I started this thread....

Good info- I'm looking at a 1/8 oz jighead with a power worm or a lighter jerkbait as a reference point as "lighter" baits.  

Given this, I would think that you would be at least to 1/4 oz and probably a bit more. Just about any decent reel should be able to do that reasonably well I'd think. For that range of baits you'd have a hard time besting the Daiwa Tatula SV TW series. The others named might do it too, I don't know. I do know the SV TW will.

[MN Fisher]

Heck - if we're talking 1/4oz as light - a Fuego CT will handle that. I toss Rapala Floating 11s on my Crank/Jerkbait rig which is a Fuego on a Fury 705CB and those are only 3/16oz. They're a little under the minimum of the rod (1/4oz), so it doesn't fully load, but I can still get them out there 30-40 yds.

[ajschn06]

2 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

Given this, I would think that you would be at least to 1/4 oz and probably a bit more. Just about any decent reel should be able to do that reasonably well I'd think. For that range of baits you'd have a hard time besting the Daiwa Tatula SV TW series. The others named might do it too, I don't know. I do know the SV TW will.

What does a 1/16 ned head with a big trd worm get to?

2 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

Any reason why you would want one of those 80 reels over a Fuego CT or Shimano SLX?

Not particularly, other than I liked the cheaper 80 models from daiwa....

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

What does a 1/16 ned head with a big trd worm get to?

Well, a Big TRD weighs just under 1/4oz, so you'd be just under 5/16 total.

4 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

Not particularly, other than I liked the cheaper 80 models from daiwa....

Go to Amazon - you can get Fuegos there for under $90.

[ajschn06]

51 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Well, a Big TRD weighs just under 1/4oz, so you'd be just under 5/16 total.

Go to Amazon - you can get Fuegos there for under $90.

Thanks- appreciate that info.  Just curious, what makes a Fuego a better option than like the CA-80 seeing they retail about the same?

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

Thanks- appreciate that info.  Just curious, what makes a Fuego a better option than like the CA-80 seeing they retail about the same?

The braking system. Cx series has the standard MagForce - really no different than the brakes on my Pfluegers. The Fuego has the MagForce-Z system, which is much improved over the non 'Z' brakes.

[zell_pop1]

The CA-80 is more compact and has a smaller spool so it should cast light lures /light lines better than the Fuego. Also I do not think it has Magforce but whatever is on Lews reels at a similar price point, it is only a Daiwa reel in name.

Personally though I'd just buy a Shimano SLX, it is better than the Fuego at lightweight stuff(I have and like both SLX and Fuego CT) , and is only a little more money than the CA-80, but if you need the spare change ya the CA should get the job done.

[ajschn06]

On 9/2/2020 at 9:23 AM, BaitFinesse said:

The Fuego CT has Magorce Z braking and is actually a Daiwa.  A Daiwa platform that has been around since 2014 and is proven with many parts to keep is serviceable into the distant future.  They also have $35 aftermarket spools that allow them to cast very light weight baits very well. 

 

The 80 reels are some non Daiwa branded as Daiwas from who knows where and have a inferior linear mag brake.  Worse in every way except they are more compact.  That's it. 

Thanks- good info.  Back to the SLX that was mentioned, were you referring to standard or the 70 model?  Bit more than I intended to spend but I like the idea of the smaller reels for this purpose..that or Curado 70.