Suggestions on Choosing Casting Reel

[Unk]

As I said in my introduction, it's been many years since I've fished . The last reels I had ( and loved at the time ) were Ambassadeur 5500C and Zebco Cardinals . I am going to purchase a casting reel and would like your advice . After reading many post here , I have decided I will put the reel on a 7 foot medium heavy fast action rod ( undecided on brand ) . For the foreseeable future this will be my only casting rig and post here have said that this rod is at least fair at most task . With much reading , I think I have narrowed it down to 4 reels . Group A - Daiwa Tatula SV TWS and Shimano SLX 150 DC . Group B - Daiwa Tatula SV TW and Shimano Curado 150 MGL . The were chosen with a good deal of study and a heaping helping of ignorance . If someone could suggest which of these reels might best work as a " jack of all trades " for my only rig OR if someone could suggest a different reel that would be a better all rounder , I would appreciate it . Thanks .

Ron

[dodgeguy]

Get a Lew's. Get a 6 speed if it's your do everything rod. Get a Dobyns Sierra series rod.

[rtwvumtneer6]

My bias is toward Shimano.  I have several of the Curado K and SLX XT.  I understand that these are not the exact models you are looking at.

 

The cast control of the DC will be helpful in knocking off any rust that may exist from your hiatus.  The MGL Spool will assist in casting lighter lures.   Personally, I really like the idea of the Curado in a 150 size.

 

I tend to lean to the SLX for moving baits and lighter rods and line and the Curado gets the call for jigs, pitching plastics, frogs and heavier braid.

 

For a "do it all" reel I would consider a high 6 or low 7 gear ratio.

 

[LCG]

All good reels, but my vote goes to the Curado 150 mgl.

 

I don't have the paticular model,but I do have a SLX 70 MGL and a Curado 70 MGL and they really are great reels. Very solid, smooth drag, great for my style which is on the lighter end of under 5/8oz lures.

 

The 150 MGL would cover a lot off bases with plenty of line capacity should you use larger lb test line. But from what I have seen,it can also handle lighter stuff well too .

[Unk]

19 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Get a Lew's. Get a 6 speed if it's your do everything rod. Get a Dobyns Sierra series rod.

Many thanks . I will look seriously at these . I should be able to put hands on a Lew's before buying and I think Lakeside on Hwy 79 / Guntersville lake carries Dobyns rods . Thanks again .

20 minutes ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

The cast control of the DC will be helpful in knocking off any rust that may exist from your hiatus.  The MGL Spool will assist in casting lighter lures.   Personally, I really like the idea of the Curado in a 150 size

I appreciate you helping me out . I see Luke in another reply also likes the 150 MGL. This goes a long way in helping me make a choice . It will be interesting to see how differently the new reel handels compared to my old 5500C .

[Unk]

12 minutes ago, LCG said:

All good reels, but my vote goes to the Curado 150 mgl.

Thank you . This helps me a great deal  when two folks suggest the same reel . I'll still take dodgeguy's suggestion an look at the Lews but sounds like the Curado may be hard to beat .

[T-Billy]

Out of the reels you mentioned I'd go 7 speed Curado 150 MGL. Are you planning to fish more moving baits or more bottom contact stuff? I like Dobyn's well enough for moving baits, but I've become a big fan of ARK Rods 40 ton Torray blanks for bottom contact. I think they're an outstanding value. They offer those blanks in several series at different price points with seats, handles and guides determining the price. Falcon BuCoo's and Low Riders get lots of love around here too. As do the Phenix Feather series.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Every reel listed are winners, so even if you picked 1 at random you wouldn't be disappointed.  

The DC and SV is what I would learn toward recommending.  

The SV has the edge over the DC when it comes to casting lighter weight baits.  If you plan on using unweighted plastics like senkos or flukes often I would recommend the SV.

You get the the most out of the DC with baits that are over 1/4 in total. 

[Deleted account]

The Curado.  As for the rod, there are a bunch that would fit the bill.

[Columbia Craw]

Ron, you are going to be pleasantly surprised at the advancements in reels and the options available.  Your initial considerations are all good.

 

I would strongly consider the Tatula SV TW.  The Magforce cast control is extremely user friendly and the SV spool provides better control with lighter lure weights.  This will aid your transition.  I’ll also second the Dobyns Sierra series. Good luck in your selection.

[bulldog1935]

Since we're voting here, Daiwa. 

Set your mag for mid-cast backlash with the lightest thing you're going to throw, and the SV brake takes care of the heavy stuff at start-up. 

You set up casting reels now without end tension on the spool, and cast distance will amaze you compared to old Ambassadeur. 

I'll say this again, if Shimano could copy Daiwa's patent, they would. 

 

And if you really want to have some fun, they make parts now, including low-mass, shallow spools, that will let you dial out inertia in your old Ambassadeurs and make them function pretty much the same way. 

[Fishlegs]

I’m pretty new to baitcasters too. My first one was a Daiwa. It was very easy to learn so I’ll vote Daiwa too. I’ve never had a Shimano, but there are a lot of good fishermen that love them.

 

The best suggestion I got when I started learning was to get some cheap line and practice a lot before you get out on the water to fish. That saved me a good bit of money on line, and frustration. Good luck! I bet you’ll be an expert before long.

 

Another suggestion would be to check out the BassResourse video on How to cast a baitcaster. 

[FryDog62]

All good reels, but I’ve switched out all my Lew’s reels for Daiwa and Shimano, they just last longer in my experience... 

 

 

[fish n freak]

I would reccomend the Shimano scorpion 150 mgl.  they are available now at Japan lure shop for around 171.00. the shipping will run about 13 dollars.  total cost will be less Than the Curado 150 and Japan lure shop always includes a free lure/gift with every purchase!  they are very reliable and I usually receive my orders quicker from them than I do from tackle warehouse.  they are an awesome company.  Most importantly the scorpion has 7+1 total bearings and the Curado has 6+1.  Also the spool bearings in the scorpion are a higher spec bearing than the ones they put in the curados.  I have both reels and the scorpion is better, less expensive, and I think it looks cooler too.  Hopefully this helps.   Tight Lines!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rtwvumtneer6]

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

Falcon BuCoo's and Low Riders get lots of love around here too.

From me, lol.

 

I have Dobyns Fury's too, and like them, but for the same price I really like my LowRiders.

[WRB]

I am old enough to upgrade my reels in the mid 60’s to Ambassador 5000C’s then 4500C’s and 2500C’s to around the early 90’s. I owned a few other reels Shimano Batam 1000 and BB1’sin the 80’s. 

Daiwa came out with TD HIA103 & 105 in the early 90’s and change my mind replacing all my Ambassadors.

In 2005 Daiwa introduced their Tatula 100 R series with 8:1 gear ratio. 

The higher ratio allowed recovering line faster after a long cast to get a good hook set and control bass better.

I can’t say any of the reels I have owned cast any better then my original Langley Lure Cast 330. My average casting distance is about 40 yards to 50 yards, any reel can do that with practice.

Daiwa and Shimano are personal choices, both are good. I would avoid DC reels that add cost and little else to a skilled caster.

Just as important to a new reel is the rod you choose.

Tom

[Skunkmaster-k]

Those are all nice reels. My vote goes to the Curado.  

[Unk]

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Out of the reels you mentioned I'd go 7 speed Curado 150 MGL. Are you planning to fish more moving baits or more bottom contact stuff? I like Dobyn's well enough for moving baits, but I've become a big fan of ARK Rods 40 ton Torray blanks for bottom contact.

Thanks T-Billy . All of this is great information . I guess I'll try a little bit of everything depending on time of year , water , etc . I know it's unrealistic to expect one rig to cover all the bases but , for now , I'll have to come as close as I can . 

2 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The DC and SV is what I would learn toward recommending.  

The SV has the edge over the DC when it comes to casting lighter weight baits.  If you plan on using unweighted plastics like senkos or flukes often I would recommend the SV.

You get the the most out of the DC with baits that are over 1/4 in total. 

Many thanks . This is exactly the kind of information I need .

[PressuredFishing]

3 hours ago, Unk said:

As I said in my introduction, it's been many years since I've fished . The last reels I had ( and loved at the time ) were Ambassadeur 5500C and Zebco Cardinals . I am going to purchase a casting reel and would like your advice . After reading many post here , I have decided I will put the reel on a 7 foot medium heavy fast action rod ( undecided on brand ) . For the foreseeable future this will be my only casting rig and post here have said that this rod is at least fair at most task . With much reading , I think I have narrowed it down to 4 reels . Group A - Daiwa Tatula SV TWS and Shimano SLX 150 DC . Group B - Daiwa Tatula SV TW and Shimano Curado 150 MGL . The were chosen with a good deal of study and a heaping helping of ignorance . If someone could suggest which of these reels might best work as a " jack of all trades " for my only rig OR if someone could suggest a different reel that would be a better all rounder , I would appreciate it . Thanks .

Ron

All are excellent choices

[Unk]

2 hours ago, Deleted account said:

The Curado.  As for the rod, there are a bunch that would fit the bill.

Thanks for the advice . Another vote for the Curado . Things didn't use to be this complicated or maybe they did and I just can't remember any longer .

[Unk]

2 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

I would strongly consider the Tatula SV TW.  The Magforce cast control is extremely user friendly and the SV spool provides better control with lighter lure weights.  This will aid your transition.  I’ll also second the Dobyns Sierra series. Good luck in your selection.

Thank you .It's a comfort to hear that I should be able to tell an improvement with the new gear . It's also good to hear a second opinion on the Dobyns . I'd been thinking about the Daiwa Tatula ( not Elite - too much $$ ) rod but will reconsider .

[Unk]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

Since we're voting here, Daiwa. 

Set your mag for mid-cast backlash with the lightest thing you're going to throw, and the SV brake takes care of the heavy stuff at start-up. 

You set up casting reels now without end tension on the spool, and cast distance will amaze you compared to old Ambassadeur. 

Thanks for your help . Not sure I understand mid cast back lash ( why would you set up the reel to back lash when you're throwing light stuff ? ) and spool end tension but searching for the answers here will help me in the long run . Unfortunately , I don't have my old ambassadeurs any longer . The modifications would be fun .

1 hour ago, Fishlegs said:

The best suggestion I got when I started learning was to get some cheap line and practice a lot before you get out on the water to fish. That saved me a good bit of money on line, and frustration. Good luck! I bet you’ll be an expert before long.

Thank you . Practice Practice Practice . I can't tell you how many hours I spent back in the day casting an egg sinker at a coffee can .

[WC53]

I have most of the reels on your list and a few Lews. Diawa’s braking system is simply amazing. I think it is top of the pack, which saddens me as a longtime Shimano guy. 

[Unk]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

All good reels, but I’ve switched out all my Lew’s reels for Daiwa and Shimano, they just last longer in my experience...

Thank you . Good to know . But , at my age , durability may not be something to worry a great deal about  What's the old joke about about not buying green bananas any more  Still good to know.

[bulldog1935]

well, no, you find that incipient backlash, and dial it out - then the reel will do the rest. If you don't, it will find you at your light end and with wind. 

There are 3 types of backlash, start-up, mid-cast, and finish-cast. 

The point is to find where the mag brake eliminates mid-cast wind backlash on the lightest thing you're going to throw, and with Daiwa SV, that's your setting - you're done. (unless you're going to skip, and that becomes your mid-cast setting)

Start here, see if this helps: 

My modified 4600C that I showed taken apart above is a backlash-proof Ambassadeur, from 1/16 oz up.