Good reel for older person just starting getting into baitcasters

[new2BC4bass]

17 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

Slx xt is really good and I love it, diawas tatulas and fuego are also amazing, lews has a good 100$ reel and abu has the revo X, as long as you don't get a kastking, pfluger, piscifun etc reel you will be fine, I'm not saying those don't work and I own quite a few of their casting models, i just feel for a newer person a stronger breaking system will minimize more backlashes (on the KK/piscifun reels I have noticed they can be fussy on breaks dialed in and you have to thumb it off the get go for them to work really well.)

I have a Pflueger Trion from back when they had an aluminum frame.  Purchased used.  Spool spun so well when the clutch was disengaged that I thought it would be good for light lures.  Nope.  Not for me.  Backlashed like crazy.  Mike of DVT suggested heavier line and lures for it when he cleaned it for me.  Went to 17# mono and mounted it on a 6'10' HF.  It's a casting machine now with zero backlashes so far.  Centrifugal brakes.

 

Have older blue colored Patriarch XTs.  Dual brakes.  Can use with brakes set lower than any other reel of mine...with the exception of Daiwa Magforce 3D reels.  A couple years ago when Abu ran a 50% off (or more) sale on their baitcast reels, I purchased a Patriarch and 2 Supreme XTs.  Think I tried one XT once, but others haven't been spooled with line yet so I can't comment on how well they work as I don't remember how the Supreme XT handled.  However, I've always felt I got good value for my money with Pflueger reels.  No complaints from me.  The older Patriarch XT is a pleasure to use.  Light, casts well and nice looking as well.

 

[DogBone_384]

2 hours ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

probably end up over budget there. 

Bummer. 

[MontclairDave]

On 12/27/2021 at 3:31 PM, Lead Head said:

I completely agree with "any Daiwa SV". As the thumb gets practiced and he gets comfortable with the mechanics, he can check out a shimano and maybe get some more distance. I have seen a few people with no experience able to effectively cast (if not accurately) a SV after only 20 minutes or so.

I’m 61 and was a life-long spinner until I got a Shimano SLX DC as my first bait caster. The DC definitely helped shorten the learning curve—maybe not 20 minutes, but no more than a few hours and I was casting without any backlashes or fluff. So I would recommend it without hesitation. BUT just know you’re spending $50 extra for that DC tech. If I had to do it over again, for my first reel, I would get the Shimano Curado MGL. I got the 70 last year as my second reel and have yet to backlash it; just a bit of fluff now and then when I dial it down to 1 and try to get max distance. Amazing reel, very easy to dial in and IMHO a way better feeling reel than the SLX DC. Plus it handles lighter baits much much better than the DC.

 

After all of that, though, I’d suggest the MGL 150–handles light baits just as well as the 70 but packs way more line on the reel and is around $30 less than the 70 at $199. 
 

The MGL 150 would have been my 3rd reel if not for the Quantum Tour S3 I just got on sale at TW for around $130. Time will tell if it’s a good deal ($70 off) but it’s gotten some rave reviews online.

Edited December 31, 2021 by MontclairDave
Old eyes

[Koz]

Every reel mentioned here is better than the one I am about to mention, but hear me out. My first baitcaster was a Lew's American Hero combo that was about $80. Not knowing if I would even like a baitcaster, I chose the inexpensive route.

 

And you know what? I loved that combo. The rod 6' 6" MH rod was surprisingly sensitive. The reel was a good one to start with as well. My son broke the tip off that rod long ago, but despite having more expensive Shimano's and Lew's baitcaster reels at my disposal, that old American Hero is still in my arsenal.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Ok so I'm buying the reel in the next couple days for my old man. My local shop has both options I think I'm leaning towards. 

1) SLX XT for $189 or 2) Tatula SV for $249

 

I'm leaning towards the SLX because two reasons. I own one of those reels so atleast I am somewhat familiar with to set it up and help him with that and also obviously because it's cheaper. 

That being said I myself am very interested in trying a Diawa, and based on the comments here the SV Diawa's have been mentioned numerous times. 

 

Again this is his first baitcaster, it's going to be a struggle getting him to put down the spinning combo but I want this baitcaster to be his texas rig rod and top water. 

So which so I go for?

 

 

 

 

 

[Reel]

On 12/27/2021 at 5:57 PM, ATA said:

For any new user I suggest DC breaking system to avoid backlash as much as possible and give a pleasant experience on water.

I am strongly suggesting Curado DC, It is in your price range and also have bullet proof body.

I am sure he will love it.

 

This

[Deleted account]

On 12/28/2021 at 11:25 AM, new2BC4bass said:

I have a Pflueger Trion from back when they had an aluminum frame.  Purchased used.  Spool spun so well when the clutch was disengaged that I thought it would be good for light lures.  Nope.  Not for me.  Backlashed like crazy.  Mike of DVT suggested heavier line and lures for it when he cleaned it for me.  Went to 17# mono and mounted it on a 6'10' HF.  It's a casting machine now with zero backlashes so far.  Centrifugal brakes.

 

That Trion is essentially a rebranded Pinnacle Extant. It WILL cast light lures well. Your issue was more likely rod and/or line selection, and/or spool bearing lube, cause it couldn't be operator error...  

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

2 hours ago, Reel said:

This

There is no DC in my price range. Please read my OP, $250 or less in Canadian $$

[Bird]

The best budget reel I've owned by a mile is an Abu Garcia Orra SX.

I'm still grabbing it over my more expensive reels. 

Check out the reviews. 

[new2BC4bass]

13 hours ago, Deleted account said:

That Trion is essentially a rebranded Pinnacle Extant. It WILL cast light lures well. Your issue was more likely rod and/or line selection, and/or spool bearing lube, cause it couldn't be operator error...  

Absolutely not!    Rod was a new 7' MF Compre.  Purchased...and stays...in Florida.  Sees very little use.  Only tried the combo for one day.  Put a different reel on the rod after that.  DVT cleaned the reel.  He would have let me know if the bearings needed replacing.  I'm right handed, but have a lighter touch with my left thumb.  Discovered while sitting in front of a TV shortly after getting into baitcast reels.  I could cast the combo left handed without backlashing, but it was almost impossible for me not to backlash right handed.

 

I have since taught myself to cast #5 Shad Raps quite well, but see no need to try with the Trion since I have quite a few reels better suited (in my opinion) for light lures.