Reel Malaise

[Michigander]

So I have three Daiwa Fuego bait casters and am satisfied but not thrilled with them. I have a MH for Trigs and a H rod for jigs that both need reels.

 

I was looking to maybe step up in the reels but I can't bring myself to spend more than $200 on a reel. Considering that I can get a Fuego for less than $100, is there any reel out there that is $50-$100 better than a Fuego?

 

I look at rods and see application and potential but I look at reels like spool turners. Since Fuegos are above the junk tackle crowd, what would I really get for my money? I looked on the pinned "best reel" thread but it's a little dated.

[Big Hands]

I just got a Tatula SV TW for $129 no tax and free shipping. Tried it last night, and it is super smooooooooth, even compared to my Tatula 100 and SLX MGL 70.

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, Big Hands said:

I just got a Tatula SV TW for $129 no tax and free shipping. Tried it last night, and it is super smooooooooth, even compared to my Tatula 100 and SLX MGL 70.

Does smoothness do anything for you on the water? Up until last year I was all spinning, so I'm still relatively new to bait casters.

[Big Hands]

4 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Does smoothness do anything for you on the water? Up until last year I was all spinning, so I'm still relatively new to bait casters.

Not in and of itself I guess, but it doesn't distract from other sensations, casts a country mile and is easier to hold the rod and turn the handle from underneath with one hand. I have also found the Tatula 100 for $99, which is a great reel for that price. But after using both, I would pony up the extra $29 if I had it for the SV TW model.

[Michigander]

2 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

Not in and of itself I guess, but it doesn't distract from other sensations, casts a country mile and is easier to hold the rod and turn the handle from underneath with one hand. I have also found the Tatula 100 for $99, which is a great reel for that price. But after using both, I would pony up the extra $29 if I had it for the SV TW model.

I looked at the parts diagram and a Fuego and a Tatula are basically the same reels with a few minor differences outside the TWS assembly. I can look more into that spool though.

[GreenPig]

I've been impressed with the Shimano SLX for it's price. I've never even held a Fuego so I'm not comparing reels.

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, GreenPig said:

I've been impressed with the Shimano SLX for it's price. I've never even held a Fuego so I'm not comparing reels.

I've heard good things about SLX reels too, but that seems like a lateral move to me. I was looking at that next tier up, like Curado K level in Shimano.

[GreenPig]

2 minutes ago, Michigander said:

I've heard good things about SLX reels too, but that seems like a lateral move to me. I was looking at that next tier up, like Curado K level in Shimano.

Got ya. My Curado K is a great performing reel. My Curado 70 is also. 

[Michigander]

4 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

Got ya. My Curado K is a great performing reel. My Curado 70 is also. 

Ok, so since you have those two, what is the Curado giving you that the SLX isn't?

[PhishLI]

19 minutes ago, Michigander said:

I've heard good things about SLX reels too, but that seems like a lateral move to me. I was looking at that next tier up, like Curado K level in Shimano.

Don't expect a world of difference regarding casting from reels near the same price point as the Fuego. Stick with 150 sized reels and under if you value versatility and just want to try something different. The Curado K isn't in it's element with lighter baits, but the SLX MGL and Curado K 70 MGL both are. But be prepared, both of those reels require more skill to use. 

[Bluebasser86]

Tatula SV is a no brainer. You can get them for under $150 all day without much searching. I was all Shimano until I fished my first SV reel, now the only Shimanos I have left are 2 swimbait reels.

[GReb]

The Coastal SV is also an incredible reel that you can find around $150 with a little patience. I own the SV Tw and 2020 SV as well and they are all better reels than the Fuego, CT, and 100. I currently own them all. The 100 is my least favorite of the group. 
 

The curado K is great for heavier applications and I still prefer my chronarchs for pitching. The Daiwas are more well rounded in my opinion though.

[mcipinkie]

Maybe quit thinking so much about hardware.  Pick a reel and use it.  None of them are perfect, but they are all better than we are. 

 

I've settled on Lew's Super Duties for power fishing.  Flipping, pitching, punching, frogging, etc.  Got a bunch of them.  I've got a few other Lews LFS's that I've tried.  Not my favorite reels, but I'm not into hardware.  I've got 'em.  I throw 'em.  Catch fish on 'em.

 

I've bought 6 - Revo X reels in the past few months, both bait casters and spinners.  For the money, I believe best reels out there.  They work.  Work well.  Don't believe they will stand up to daily heavy duty work.  That why I throw the Super Duty's.  I ain't buying status. 

 

The Tatula's seem to be good reels.  The SLX's also.  What reel you are throwing won't get you to to Ray Roberts in March. 

[GreenPig]

24 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Ok, so since you have those two, what is the Curado giving you that the SLX isn't?

The K has a smoother on the retrieve, but I can actually cast lighter baits on the SLX. Now I'm not trying to steer you towards Shimano. Daiwa's are great reels I'm just not familiar with their newer reels.

[PhishLI]

Michigander,

 

What is it that you feel you're missing with the Fuego? What are your expectations from an "upgrade".

[Hammer 4]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Michigander,

 

What is it that you feel you're missing with the Fuego? What are your expectations from an "upgrade".

Good question. I have 1 Fuego, 1 Tatula 100, 1 Tatula 150, 2 Tatula 200's and a Tatula 100 type R. Very happy with all of them, also all are smooth as butter. 

I've owned some high end Shimano's in the past, so I have a good idea what a reels should feel like. As a side note.. My Shimano Citica isn't a smooth as the diawa reels are. All have been cleaned and properly lubed.

[The Bassman]

8 hours ago, Michigander said:

What is ALF?

Edit: Didn't catch @Michigander's GIF. Gettin' long in the tooth and a little slow in the wit dept.

[Lead Head]

If your still a little new with baitcasters, and looking for a noticeable upgrade from the fuego, get a (practically any) SV spooled Daiwa. In my experience, unless you're trying to get absolute max distance (good luck if your not extremely comfortable with your baitcaster) the SV spools are a cant miss. I was perfectly happy with my fuegos until I started playing around with my daughters tatula SV TW. I can't fish bottom contact presentations with a t-wing so I had to get into some used jdm reels. Another great thing about SV spools is skipping... if you're good at it they may not help much, but if you're like me and... let's just say "below average", they can absolutely make you better at it. 

[Michigander]

8 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Michigander,

 

What is it that you feel you're missing with the Fuego? What are your expectations from an "upgrade".

That's the thing, I am not sure what I'm missing, or not. Up until 5 years ago, I thought Ugly Sticks were fine until I started getting better rods after a lot of research and now I couldn't go back, lol.

 

I'm just trying to figure out if jumping up a level of reels would really make a difference or if I would need to go up two or more levels to really see one. Whatever that difference would be.

 

54 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

If your still a little new with baitcasters, and looking for a noticeable upgrade from the fuego, get a (practically any) SV spooled Daiwa. In my experience, unless you're trying to get absolute max distance (good luck if your not extremely comfortable with your baitcaster) the SV spools are a cant miss. I was perfectly happy with my fuegos until I started playing around with my daughters tatula SV TW. I can't fish bottom contact presentations with a t-wing so I had to get into some used jdm reels. Another great thing about SV spools is skipping... if you're good at it they may not help much, but if you're like me and... let's just say "below average", they can absolutely make you better at it. 

I am new to bait casters compared to most people on here but I have fished a lot with them this year. I run a loose spool and low brakes most of the time, using my thumb to control the cast. I can skip fairly well but all my bait casters are over 7' so I pick up a shorter spinning rod (because that's what I have) to skip way up under things. 

 

Why do you say you can't personally use TWS for bottom contact? Both applications I'm in the market for are bottom contact so I'm interested in your opinion on this.

9 hours ago, GreenPig said:

The K has a smoother on the retrieve, but I can actually cast lighter baits on the SLX. Now I'm not trying to steer you towards Shimano. Daiwa's are great reels I'm just not familiar with their newer reels.

That's good to know about the Curado. I'm looking at 3/8-1/2 total lure weight with trailer on both of these.

[Bankc]

Unless you have something specific that you're trying to address with a new reel, you could be just be wasting your money.  Some of the more expensive reels will be better built and last longer.  Some will have a smoother retrieve.  Some might have a stronger or smoother drag.  Some might cast lighter lures better.  Some might have different brake systems that you may prefer over this one.  There are lots of differences to be found with different reels.  You might even want a different gear ratio.  But the Fuego is a pretty good reel all around, even if it is a budget reel.  It has, in my opinion, the best braking system ever put into a baitcasting reel.  In all likelihood, a new reel will leave you saying "It does this and that better, but it doesn't do these things as well as the Fuego".  So unless there's something specific that you're trying to address, there's a chance that you won't like your new reel as much as the Fuego.  Or maybe you'll think it blows the Fuego out of the water.  Without a specific goal in mind, you're taking a gamble.

[Michigander]

24 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Unless you have something specific that you're trying to address with a new reel, you could be just be wasting your money.  Some of the more expensive reels will be better built and last longer.  Some will have a smoother retrieve.  Some might have a stronger or smoother drag.  Some might cast lighter lures better.  Some might have different brake systems that you may prefer over this one.  There are lots of differences to be found with different reels.  You might even want a different gear ratio.  But the Fuego is a pretty good reel all around, even if it is a budget reel.  It has, in my opinion, the best braking system ever put into a baitcasting reel.  In all likelihood, a new reel will leave you saying "It does this and that better, but it doesn't do these things as well as the Fuego".  So unless there's something specific that you're trying to address, there's a chance that you won't like your new reel as much as the Fuego.  Or maybe you'll think it blows the Fuego out of the water.  Without a specific goal in mind, you're taking a gamble.

That makes sense. And no, I don't have anything specific in mind other than maybe shaving an ounce or so of weight off. Fuegos have been perfectly serviceable for me so it sounds like I should probably stick with them. 

[GReb]

On 12/2/2020 at 7:16 AM, Michigander said:

That makes sense. And no, I don't have anything specific in mind other than maybe shaving an ounce or so of weight off. Fuegos have been perfectly serviceable for me so it sounds like I should probably stick with them. 

Most every reel above the $100 price point from a reputable brand will be serviceable. However they are all a little different whether it be ergo dynamics, brakes, etc. You may find that one fits you better than another. Or more likely one fits a certain bait profile better than others. I’ve owned them all and have figured out what works best for me. For instance I cast mostly Daiwas and flip/pitch Shimano. I prefer the mag brakes for smaller moving baits and wire baits (not aerodynamic). However I’ve always pitched with centrifugal brakes and Shimano has the best in my opinion. I also prefer Shimano when casting heavier lures like bladed jigs or swim baits. 
 

The beauty of reels is that you can sell them easily and they keep their value. I’ve sold numerous reels for what I paid for them the year before.  If you have a little extra money and time I would advise anyone to buy different reels and sell the ones you don’t like. Until you do so you’ll always wonder about others. Plus it’s fun to try new equipment 

 

The flea market is a great place to buy and sell. 

[Jason.Domingo]

Its a blackhole once you starting getting to the $200+ reels and high end rods.

[garroyo130]

13 hours ago, Michigander said:

I've heard good things about SLX reels too, but that seems like a lateral move to me. I was looking at that next tier up, like Curado K level in Shimano.

 

The Curado K is great on paper and great performance wise ... but something about the build makes it a very "wet" reel. This may sound stupid but I've never handled a reel that got my hands so wet from just regular casting and I hate that. 

 

I went out this morning and I much preferred my "I" series Citica especially considering it was about 47 degrees out. 

 

When I purchased my K i was considering another Citica and I honestly wish I would have gone that route. The problem the "I" series have is with the noise they make with casting but thats easily fixed. The Ks wetness is not.

[Michigander]

3 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

 

The Curado K is great on paper and great performance wise ... but something about the build makes it a very "wet" reel. This may sound stupid but I've never handled a reel that got my hands so wet from just regular casting and I hate that. 

 

I went out this morning and I much preferred my "I" series Citica especially considering it was about 47 degrees out. 

 

When I purchased my K i was considering another Citica and I honestly wish I would have gone that route. The problem the "I" series have is with the noise they make with casting but thats easily fixed. The Ks wetness is not.

That's a unique review, I haven't heard anyone comment on reel wetness before. Very interesting!