Lookin for a T-rig/Jig reel

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya'll,

 

For better or worse, a little bit ago I got an iRod Harold's Lone Star Special MH 6'9" as my new t-rig/jig rod. Mostly t-rigs. I can say I love the rod in my hands, amazingly lightweight and I like the feel of the shorter length in terms of comfort. Since getting the rod, I've been in the market for a reel to match up with this rod. I liked the idea of just going to the store and trying the feel of several different reels, but options are a bit limited in my area in terms of tackle stores. Maybe I ain't looked hard enough but all I know about right now are a *store* like 45min away and a bass pro about 1.5 hours away and I ain't burning the gas to make those trips. Comfort/palmability/whatever you wanna call it is a big deal for me with this reel. Would like the rod and reel to fit in my hand comfortably like a glove. All day working a t-rig should be effortless. I've got pretty small hands but not child-like. Budget up to maybe $200. Ideally looking for a reel with about a 7 speed. 6 is fine too. I'd prefer not an 8. What I figure is, I can order a reel, feel it with the rod, and if I ain't completely satisfied with the feel, I return it and keep looking until I find a good one. Heck I've got time before dang winter releases its grip on NY. Fishing for me starts spring break this year.  I've looked at these reels pretty heavily but any suggestions welcome.

 

Lew's Tournament Pro LFS

Lew's LFS 

Shimano Curado MGL 150

 

Thanks ya'll, look forward to reading your suggestions.

 

Edit: Oh man filters made this post funny. LOL. Okay moderators, I will find suitable word replacements

[T-Billy]

I think all three reels you listed are solid choices and I'd add the Curado MGL 70. The 70 will probably be the best of the bunch with lighter T rigs and it's small, light, and very comfortable to palm in my medium size hands.

[BigTimeBassin]

Tatula sv tw, curado 70, curado 150. All good choices 

[Eric 26]

I’m going to throw the Daiwa Tatula 100 in the suggestion box. It’s compact and has one of the best braking systems in my opinion. Another option would be to wait and see about the the Tatula 80. I do not own the Lews mentioned but own an Abu and a bps reel based on the Lews Lfs platform and find them both very compact and comfortable.

[LrgmouthShad]

2 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m going to throw the Daiwa Tatula 100 in the suggestion box. It’s compact and has one of the best braking systems in my opinion.

Appreciate the recommendation. I do already have one. Thing casts so darn well and I am very impressed with its performance. That said, I do not find the reel comfortable. The best I can explain my feeling with it is I feel like my hand is crushing the reel. It is really small and even with my relatively small hands I can wrap around it nicely. The trouble is it gives me like a cramping feeling when I use it for extended periods of time. Hard to explain. Not sure if my experience with the tatula 100 means I don't like reels that small, or if the ergonomic design of the tatula just doesn't suit me right.

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Appreciate the recommendation. I do already have one. Thing casts so darn well and I am very impressed with its performance. That said, I do not find the reel comfortable. The best I can explain my feeling with it is I feel like my hand is crushing the reel. It is really small and even with my relatively small hands I can wrap around it nicely. The trouble is it gives me like a cramping feeling when I use it for extended periods of time. Hard to explain. Not sure if my experience with the tatula 100 means I don't like reels that small, or if the ergonomic design of the tatula just doesn't suit me right.

Could just be the rod it's paired with. I have the same issue with my Lew's Pro SP on an ARK Tharp series. Small reel paired with a rod with a small seat and grip cramps my fingers. The reel is very comfortable to palm on all my other rods, and all my other reels are comfortable on my Tharp rods.

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

rod with a small seat and grip

Probably describes iRods well. I notice that the REVO Winch on an iRod of mine, while it wouldn't be my first choice for t-rigs, is quite comfortable, despite being a little bulky. It aint large really, but it is a lot for my hands to try and grip around. 

 

Okay, okay. Might be an argument for the shimano mgl 150, since I believe it has a bit larger frame than the lew's??

[RB 77]

IMO, between those three choices, the Curado is the only choice. As far as Bass fishing goes, I feel like there is Shimano and Daiwa and then there is everything else. 

[Chris186]

I just ordered the Curado 150MGL for t rigs, it will be my first Shimano since 2005. Everything else I have is Lews, and while I like them I don’t like all of them. They all kind of seem the same to me, so I figured after 17 years I would give Shimano another go. I have had Daiwa reels and I don’t really care for them. 

[Phil77]

Lew's Tourney Pro in the 6 gear ratio. It will palm well and you can adjust it externally and not have to mess with brake blocks.

[FishTank]

The Curado based on the ones you have picked. 

[LrgmouthShad]

17 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

REVO Winch on an iRod of mine, while it wouldn't be my first choice for t-rigs, is quite comfortable, despite being a little bulky. It aint large really, but it is a lot for my hands to try and grip around. 

However, this is how I hold the winch. I don't put my pinky behind the rod trigger. Compensation for the size? I need a class in this stuff lol. 

2 minutes ago, FishTank said:

The Curado based on the ones you have picked. 

What about ones I didn't pick?

[FishTank]

16 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

However, this is how I hold the winch. I don't put my pinky behind the rod trigger. Compensation for the size? I need a class in this stuff lol. 

What about ones I didn't pick?

 

I think it might be personal preference for me.  

 

I have stated a few times that I am not the biggest fan of Lew's based on reels I have worked on for other people.  With that said, I did pick up a new BB1 Pro.  I worked on one new out of the box.  I liked it so well, I bought one. The Curados I have and have seen have been great with no issues. Now that doesn't mean the LFS's reels are bad, I just think the Curado is better.  I also have four reels with the MGL spool and so far they all have exceeded my expectations.  One note though, each of them sort of got better and smoother with use. 

 

Also, I have the same Revo Winch.  Great reel. 

 

 

[LrgmouthShad]

7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

With that said, I did pick up a new BB1 Pro.

I eyeballed that reel a lot. Don't know about the appropriateness of it for this application? What do you think?

[FishTank]

I really haven't used it yet but for T-Rigged Plastic and Jigs, you should be fine.  The benefit of the reels you picked would be to cast somewhat lighter lures and a smaller sized reel. 

[lunkerboss923]

Hands down a Curado MGL 150 HG. It's light, has power, and extremely palmable. Very versatile across the board. You can bomb it too. With such a small rod I would assume this maybe a flip and pitch grass rod T Rig presentation. That MGL spool will make you so happy! I have 3. In my opinion they are better than the Metanium. 

[JohnnyF]

I agree with the others regarding the 150mgl. Going to be a huge seller for shimano. I'd buy both the 70mgl and 150mgl and see which one palms better and balances better. The tatula sv tw is a solid option as well. Palms better than the previous gen tatula sv  

[LrgmouthShad]

After careful consideration, I’m going to order a Curado MGL 150. 
 

Thanks ya’ll! 
 

Will report back on my thoughts about the reel once I finally get some use out of it. 
 

edit: If I keep it. We will see how it palms

Edited January 30, 2022 by LrgmouthShad

[newapti5]

Even for finesse jigs and T-rigs, the combined total weight would be over 1/2oz, so in that class I think the Curado 150 would be perfect.  Curado 70 or similar small size spool can also handle that with no problem, but the 150 size would be right at the sweet spot IMO.

[LrgmouthShad]

22 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

Even for finesse jigs and T-rigs, the combined total weight would be over 1/2oz, so in that class I think the Curado 150 would be perfect.  Curado 70 or similar small size spool can also handle that with no problem, but the 150 size would be right at the sweet spot IMO.

My thoughts exactly. I may want to use weights up to about 3/8oz or say a 1/2oz jig with trailer. Thats on the heavy end for sure, but I feel 150 a little better suited.