Need a new reel, $200 budget.

[akmac]

Hi all,

I have 3 tatula 100's I use for power fishing, and a Type R I use for finesse jigs, and small tubes.  Love the 100's for bomb casting, use the Type R when I need more close precision.  I am looking for a reel that is a bit more multipurpose, can handle some lighter lures without sacrificing too much distance or line capacity.  I have kind of narrowed it down between the Lews BB1 Pro LFS, Tatula SV (newer models).  I have some experience with the old SV.  Super smooth, controlled cast, comfortable to fish all day, but felt like the distance was lacking a bit compared to my other tats.  I have also looked at the Shimano SLX XT, hell of a price point, but not sure if it will do what I want.  The Tatula Elite is tempting, but not sure if it is worth the extra cash.  Love everything about the Curado K, but it is lacking external micro adjustments.  Like the Elite, will have to fork over quite a bit more cash to get what I want in a Shimano.  I am looking for a reel that is light and comfortable to fish all day, as I have gotten past mid age, my tendons like to bark more than they used to.  I am hoping some of you that have experience with these reels can chime in and help me make an informed decision.

Thanks

[PhishLI]

Hard to beat this reel at $200 for either distance bombing or light lure casting performance. Lightest spool in its class.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Tournament_Pro_LFS_Casting_Reel/descpage-LTPS.html

[cbailey168]

I made a similar thread as I’m sort of in the same situation as far as needing a versatile reel and I’m leaning towards a Shimano Curado MGL 150. This will likely be my choice unless someone manages to persuade me on another reel within the next few days

[akmac]

25 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Hard to beat this reel at $200 for either distance bombing or light lure casting performance. Lightest spool in its class.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Tournament_Pro_LFS_Casting_Reel/descpage-LTPS.html

Thanks for the response PhishLl.  Definitely checks most of the boxes, I will check it out.

30 minutes ago, cbailey168 said:

I made a similar thread as I’m sort of in the same situation as far as needing a versatile reel and I’m leaning towards a Shimano Curado MGL 150. This will likely be my choice unless someone manages to persuade me on another reel within the next few days

I wish the Curado had external micro-adjustments.  The Chronarch MGL or Tatula Elite would be my choice if I had more money to spend.  I could probably get by with it, but after a $300 dollar order for lures, and 800 bucks spent on new carpet/flooring for the boat, my wife might lock me in the kennel.

[PhishLI]

48 minutes ago, akmac said:

Definitely checks most of the boxes

Good luck. Brand loyalists will list very legitimate choices that may fit some of your requirements, for the most part. I'm not brand loyal and own or have used most of what's out there at this price bracket, so I have my opinion and it's based entirely on casting performance. In that regard, I had to spend $359 on a new Zillion G to surpass this reel. One thing both these reels share is external and easily adjustable braking systems, if this matters to you. Also, neither gets too touchy in the wind.

[DINK WHISPERER]

22 minutes ago, akmac said:

Thanks for the response PhishLl.  Definitely checks most of the boxes, I will check it out.

I wish the Curado had external micro-adjustments.  The Chronarch MGL or Tatula Elite would be my choice if I had more money to spend.  I could probably get by with it, but after a $300 dollar order for lures, and 800 bucks spent on new carpet/flooring for the boat, my wife might lock me in the kennel.

Last time I checked all the current SVS infinity Curados have the external adjustment dial to fine tune the brakes. 

[PhishLI]

On 3/18/2022 at 11:26 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

Last time I checked all the current SVS infinity Curados have the external adjustment dial to fine tune the brakes. 

Yes, they do and also have internally switch-on-off brake blocks. I have more than a few too. Definitely not as many as you though! If I had a boat deck full of them pre-tuned to specific baits this wouldn't bother me at all, but if I'm going through a progression of different baits on a multi purpose setup and need to switch them on/off it does.

[akmac]

59 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

Last time I checked all the current SVS infinity Curados have the external adjustment dial to fine tune the brakes. 

Thanks for pointing that out.  So many new and old models with the same names, I have a hard time keeping up.  Looked up the MGL Curado and didn't see any external adjustments except for the break.  What am I missing?

[akmac]

Ok, stopped being lazy and put on my glasses.  Found the adjustment hiding in the front/bottom area of the left side plate.  I thought it was the side plate release button when I was researching these reels.  I guess I need to get caught up on the SV technology and how it works.    

[Gazz]

I just got a new Curado MGL 150 to put on my Expride B that’s coming tomorrow. Very excited for this setup. The reel seems exceptional and right at $200. You’ve got a lot of options at that price point so it’s going to come down to preference. The Curado 150 is very low profile and compact if that means anything to you. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I'm just gonna be honest, buy a $200 reel and it's going to be a good one. I don't care who makes it. They all have their differences, so that is what you need to figure out what you want in a reel. But at that price point, you are going to get a good reel no matter who makes it.

[akmac]

56 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Yes, they do and also have internally switch-on-off brake blocks. I have a more than a few too. Definitely not as many as you though! If I had a boat deck full of them pre-tuned to specific baits this wouldn't bother me at all, but if I'm going through a progression of different baits on a multi purpose setup and need to switch them on/off it does.

This is pretty much why I went to the Tatulas as my workhorse reels.  Even before the zero adjuster I basically set the spool tension the same as they do now in the factory, then just use the magnetic control to quickly fine tune my casts for different lures and conditions.  Had bad experiences with other reels in the past, where the c-break or mag adjustments were more like a hammer than a chisel.  The Tatula mag adjustments hit the sweet spot for me.  Just want to find something that handles lighter baits better, without compromising too much on spool capacity, distance, or the ability to handle other baits.

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Hard to beat this reel at $200 for either distance bombing or light lure casting performance. Lightest spool in its class.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Tournament_Pro_LFS_Casting_Reel/descpage-LTPS.html

Great reel.

[Phil77]

The lews tourney pro and bb1 have the ACB brake system. It's an external adjustable centrifugal system that blows the SVS system away by far. The only downside is you have to clean and oil the brake ring, no big deal takes a couple of minutes. If you're wanting a magnetic reel check out the lews Super Duty G, I bought one for dragging football jigs but surprisingly it casts 1/8 finesse jigs very well. All three I mentioned are $200 or lower and they all palm very well. Curado 200k is an excellent reel if it's dedicated to one bait, I don't like having to open it and fiddle with brake blocks and tune the dial. I seem to always have a 5-15 mph headwind so having one external adjustment saves time and frustration. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Interested in hearing your choice! I'm also looking for a reel for my Expride B. But mines for froggn so we have different needs out of the reels. 

 

That being said Im thinking about going with the Tatula Elite. But when the time comes for me to pull the trigger I may be tempted by that Curado 150 mgl or the Lew's Super Duty G. I'm in Canada and unfortunately I don't really have any shops around me that carry Lew's so I will probably end up with the Tatula or Curado. 

 

 

[akmac]

Thanks for all of the replies.  Basically have it narrowed down to the Lews Tournament Pro LFS over the BB1, or the Daiwa Tatula SV.  Not sure if I would like the design of the Curado breaking system.  I'm sure it works great when dialed in, but looks like it could be a hassle to adjust on the water.  Leaning more towards the Lews since it checks more boxes for me.  Lightest of the bunch, strongest drag, low profile, external micro adjustments, adequate line capacity, 95mm carbon fiber handle.  Appears to be the most bang for buck reel out there at $200.  

[dodgeguy]

10 minutes ago, akmac said:

Thanks for all of the replies.  Basically have it narrowed down to the Lews Tournament Pro LFS over the BB1, or the Daiwa Tatula SV.  Not sure if I would like the design of the Curado breaking system.  I'm sure it works great when dialed in, but looks like it could be a hassle to adjust on the water.  Leaning more towards the Lews since it checks more boxes for me.  Lightest of the bunch, strongest drag, low profile, external micro adjustments, adequate line capacity, 95mm carbon fiber handle.  Appears to be the most bang for buck reel out there at $200.  

 

[king fisher]

13 hours ago, akmac said:

Thanks for the response PhishLl.  Definitely checks most of the boxes, I will check it out.

I wish the Curado had external micro-adjustments.  The Chronarch MGL or Tatula Elite would be my choice if I had more money to spend.  I could probably get by with it, but after a $300 dollar order for lures, and 800 bucks spent on new carpet/flooring for the boat, my wife might lock me in the kennel.

Get the reel you want, and buy your wife some flowers.  If you have to spend a couple days in the kennel, at least you will have a new reel to play with.

[dodgeguy]

Get the Tournament Pro

[NavyToad]

Amazon has the Tournament Pro LFS L/H 7 speed for $149. I just purchased it a couple minutes ago.

I love L/H reels.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lews-Tournament-Pro-Speed-Spool/dp/B07W94TJHH/ref=asc_df_B07W94TJHH/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459483328713&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15885633154606298227&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008525&hvtargid=pla-966140794218&psc=1
Price went up to $157 in the last 5 minutes.

[akmac]

2 hours ago, NavyToad said:

Amazon has the Tournament Pro LFS L/H 7 speed for $149. I just purchased it a couple minutes ago.

I love L/H reels.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lews-Tournament-Pro-Speed-Spool/dp/B07W94TJHH/ref=asc_df_B07W94TJHH/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459483328713&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15885633154606298227&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008525&hvtargid=pla-966140794218&psc=1
Price went up to $157 in the last 5 minutes.

Darn it, I can't do LH.  Hell of a deal though.

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, NavyToad said:

Amazon has the Tournament Pro LFS L/H 7 speed for $149. I just purchased it a couple minutes ago.

I love L/H reels.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lews-Tournament-Pro-Speed-Spool/dp/B07W94TJHH/ref=asc_df_B07W94TJHH/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459483328713&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15885633154606298227&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008525&hvtargid=pla-966140794218&psc=1
Price went up to $157 in the last 5 minutes.

And now it's $164.28 

[Blaine Donders]

I’m mostly Daiwa, but have owned 2 Lew’s Tournament Pro’s. 
 

if going pure centrifugal, don’t dismiss a Quantum Tour. Stewart Tackle has them for $115. I think the brakes are way better than the ACB. My opinion of course. 

[akmac]

1 hour ago, Blaine Donders said:

I’m mostly Daiwa, but have owned 2 Lew’s Tournament Pro’s. 
 

if going pure centrifugal, don’t dismiss a Quantum Tour. Stewart Tackle has them for $115. I think the brakes are way better than the ACB. My opinion of course. 

Do you have a newer model Daiwa SV?  If so, how does it perform compared to the older model?  Back in the day I used to use nothing but Quantum.  Then their quality went to crap for me.  I had 3 new reels malfunction.  3 different models, all with the same problem.   A brand new, shiny, copper/brown colored Quantum Energy cost me 1st place, big fish, and calcutta when the spool disengaged on a hook set and lost a 6+ lber.  I can still see that fish jump in my head...Haven't touched a Quantum since.

[Blaine Donders]

23 minutes ago, akmac said:

Do you have a newer model Daiwa SV?  If so, how does it perform compared to the older model?  Back in the day I used to use nothing but Quantum.  Then their quality went to crap for me.  I had 3 new reels malfunction.  3 different models, all with the same problem.   A brand new, shiny, copper/brown colored Quantum Energy cost me 1st place, big fish, and calcutta when the spool disengaged on a hook set and lost a 6+ lber.  I can still see that fish jump in my head...Haven't touched a Quantum since.

I have both the 2017 and 2020 SV’s. And a Coastal 150. The ergos on the newer are much better for sure. For me, the older feels a little nicer build wise. Most likely the different paint. 
 

Casting wise, I can’t really tell much difference. 
 

Quantum wise, I have never owned anything older than the S3’s. I’ve had a Smoke I’ve used a lot the last 3 years. It is really a great reel. In fact the only knock I have on it is the cheap feeling thumb bar.