Defining what a “Workhorse” casting reel is…

[islandbass]

Building on papajoe’s post on workhorse reels. 
 

We all have an idea of what we think they are. 
 

I imagine most would agree that it is a reel that is reliable and serves the angler well day in and day out. 
 

With that said, surely there are other factors we take into account when we call a reel a workhorse. 
 

For example, for me at least a “workhorse” casting is as I described above but it also should be “great bang for the buck”.  If so, should there be a price at which we say this is the workhorse range and above that is the luxury class and below that is the “don’t even bother with those reels (like a Rhino reel a buddy gave to me). But then again, does it need to be a best bang for the buck reel?

 

I think when I bought my greenie curado, it was $149. I think my curado d had an msrp of $159 give or take and the curado k hovers around $179. As you can see it’s really creeping up to the $200. 

 

Another angle — For an angler who uses a high end daiwas and shimanos day in and out, wouldn’t those be their workhorse reels and as a result, “bang for the buck” doesn’t really apply. 

I suppose durability, longevity and reliability are things worth considering in a workhorse reel. 
 

You can tell that winter is fast approaching when islandbass starts wasting mental energy on such topics. 
 

Share you thoughts on it but know that there aren’t right and wrong answers.

 

My goal is to have everyone that posts in this thread share how they define what a workhorse reel is to them, primarily because it will be interesting to say the least, and hopefully help those looking for their first casting reel some ideas. 

[Msl819]

I think your list of characteristics hits the idea of workhorse for me.  I am sure this is what you mean by durability but when I think about a “workhorse” anything, I think of something that a buddy can borrow and I won’t be in the dumps if it returns with a new nick or scratch, kind of like a great, broken in, truck.  It just adds character to the whole.  Just another story to add to the rich history of that workhorse item that was taken everything you have thrown at it and just keep doing it’s duty!

[A-Jay]

19 hours ago, islandbass said:

 durability, longevity and reliability are things worth considering in a workhorse reel. 
 

 

Every rig I keep in my boat is IMO, "a workhorse".

Rods & Reels.

Units that do not display the above characteristics,

don't make the cut.

My fishing season is too short to waste time on sub-standard performance.

And the reels I take south of the border simply must perform.

A-Jay

[Bass Rutten]

Simple to define imo, it’s a reel that can withstand everyday use with minimal problems, with regular care and cleaning most reels above $100 are built well enough to be a workhorse.

[Happybeerbuzz]

Pick up truck equivalent of a reel.  

[Catt]

Calcutta: solid as an anvil, versatile as a pair of Channellocks®, & dependable as a 30/30.

 

About 37-38 yrs old ?

 

[bulldog1935]

probably not your ML or BFS. 

The reel you can ask too much of, and it delivers without you worrying over it. 

 

editing my post, I'm not quite sure why buck is the the single most important qualifier for most everything on this forum (often dividing the forum too much like a discussion on abortion). 

We have two recurring definitions - cheap and versatile is one. 

But to me, workhorse implies work and reliability. 

 

If you back up to my answer on the other thread, Super Duty G always surprises me with its versatility when I need it to perform outside the niche I assign it - also to me, $143 for a reel I fish 5+ years in the salt is cheap. Buck is the one definition you'll never get people to agree on. 

[WRB]

The pre 2000 Abu Ambassador 2500C, 4500C & 5000C between 1965 to 2000 meet every aspect of work house reels. The Daiwa post 1990 TD H series are also work hoarse reels. Shimano Batam, Curado and Calcutta series are all work hoarse series reel.

Reels that only need annual cleaning and light maintenance during their 30+ years of use are work hoarse reels. Cost of ownership for all the above ranges from $2 to $5 over the reels lifetime. Plus all the above still have resale value that may equal the original price point.

Go cheap initially will always cause you trouble, time on the water and money.

Tom

[Mike L]

As I said earlier, mine is a 15yr old BPS Pro Qualifier. 
No mater how I treat it, that thing just won’t give up. 

99% of my Arsenal are Curado’s or Chronarch’s with the “E”model Curado  the best of them
 

 

Mike

[newapti5]

IMO "workhorse reels" are the cheapest possible reels that can withstand abusing with those high resistant lures, things that need you to really crank it up. 

[new2BC4bass]

I don't think price has anything to do with it...other than what a person's budget allows.  Doesn't matter if it was $100 or $600 new.  If it gets used day in and day out and continues to work well, then it is a work horse reel AFAIC.  Why should price be a factor?  I've got reels that cost me less than $70 that I expect to still be working when I die.  Same for my PXL Type R that cost much, much more.

[RB 77]

Define it? Something thats "affordable" to an angler and can sustain heavy use and stand the test of time. For me that has been the Curado E series. My Calcuttas have also been tanks. 

[Bankbeater]

My workhorse is an affordable and dependable reel that can be called upon to fish a variety of different baits and presentations.

[The Maestro]

I'd say they're reels that will be reliable and get the job done without the added frills. Curados and Tatulas are what most people think of.

[Bankc]

7 hours ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Simple to define imo, it’s a reel that can withstand everyday use with minimal problems, with regular care and cleaning most reels above $100 are built well enough to be a workhorse.

I'd add to this it not being a specialty reel.  Something like a BFS or shallow spool type reel.  A reel that can handle anything, if it needed to.  

[Bass Rutten]

28 minutes ago, Bankc said:

I'd add to this it not being a specialty reel.  Something like a BFS or shallow spool type reel.  A reel that can handle anything, if it needed to.  

Yes good point, didn't think about the versatility aspect.

[Catt]

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable.

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools will last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

[Mike L]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable.

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools will last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

Well Said!

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[J Francho]

I don't really find out if a reel is a workhorse until I've worked it like a horse.  Most reels I've used have been fine, with a few exceptions.  I have a Megabass Alphas Ito Ai that is retired.  The other reel that didn't last was a Curado K.  I've had and still have many Alphas platform reel and Curado/Chronarchs that have lasted me many years, so I think those were isolated instances.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

When I use this term I’m referring to well built, user friendly, dependable reels without bells and whistles. Curado has become slightly more refined so I’m taking SLX, base model Tatula, etc

[garroyo130]

18 hours ago, The Maestro said:

I'd say they're reels that will be reliable and get the job done without the added frills. Curados and Tatulas are what most people think of.

 

Citica (now SLX) and Fuego is more like it IMO

 

20 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I don't think price has anything to do with it...other than what a person's budget allows.  Doesn't matter if it was $100 or $600 new.  If it gets used day in and day out and continues to work well, then it is a work horse reel AFAIC.  Why should price be a factor?  I've got reels that cost me less than $70 that I expect to still be working when I die.  Same for my PXL Type R that cost much, much more.

 

Idk that I would ever call a Stella a workhorse even though you can use it day in and day out ... its more of an Arabian ... 

[bulldog1935]

regarding the Stella, stainless steel drive makes wear surfaces improve with use. 

[QED]

The build quality on the Stellas is exceptional and they are comprised of top quality materials, so they hold up well to use.  Downside is that they are somewhat heavy for their respective form-factors.  Oh, they are also a bit pricey! ?

[Maxximus Redneckus]

IMO  and IME over the yrs ..ive found a good couple of reels ..im very partial to abu Garcia 4500s and 4600s its what i use most ...but i been buying the curado 100d when i find them and they are hott little reels ...so thats me ..50 yr old reels and modern  100d not a glitch  in either  ones.

[CrashVector]

To ME, a "workhorse" combo tends to be a less expensive, but solid, rod and reel.  Not junk, but ones you don't mind getting dirty.

 

My current workhorses are a set of Abu Garcia SilverMax combos in 7' mh/fast.

 

I've used them to catch everything, including a 50+lb channel catfish on video while spooled up with 20lb Trilene big game.  In the winter, they tend to be spooled with the Big Game in 20lb coastal brown for catfishing.

 

Come spring, they get re-strung with 15lb braid for bass duty.

 

All in all, workhorse combos to me are the backbone of my fishing collection...the ones I reach for most when I'm not sure what I'm after, but just heading out to the water for whatever is biting.