Best reel under $200

[dodgeguy]

31 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

I don't think that's obvious at all based on my dislike of one line of reel from one brand. My most used reels are dual braking. Believe it or not Lews is as susceptible to a bad line as every other brand and do not sit upon the holy grail.

You must have gotten 2 bad ones. I have one and it's awesome. My buddy has one also with zero issues. The reel consistently gets awesome reviews . I would have given Lew's the chance to make it right.

[ironbjorn]

4 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

You must have gotten 2 bad ones. I have one and it's awesome. My buddy has one also with zero issues. The reel consistently gets awesome reviews . I would have given Lew's the chance to make it right.

It's not that deep to me. I still use and trust Lews. The $100 LFS, the KVD, and the Tournament Pro are some of my favorite reels from any brand.

[soflabasser]

Shimano, Penn, and Daiwa make great reels for less than $200.

[dodgeguy]

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

It's not that deep to me. I still use and trust Lews. The $100 LFS, the KVD, and the Tournament Pro are some of my favorite reels from any brand.

There isn't a better $100 reel on the market.

[ironbjorn]

1 minute ago, dodgeguy said:

There isn't a better $100 reel on the market.

The SLX is certainly better, but the LFS is second to me.

[Eric 26]

[Tatulatard]

15 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

The SLX is certainly better, but the LFS is second to me.

No you don't understand.  He uses lews reels so that means they are the best.  

[dodgeguy]

14 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

No you don't understand.  He uses lews reels so that means they are the best.  

Ain't nowhere near as bad as Shimano Diawa fan boys who think nobody else can make a reel.

[QED]

3 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Ain't nowhere near as bad as Shimano Diawa fan boys who think nobody else can make a reel.

I have many specimens of all three brands and have had nothing but great experiences with each. Lew’s didn’t seem to participate in the very high end but their iCast 2022 announcement seems to indicate that they are headed there.  Competition is a wonderful thing whether in the sub $200 range or otherwise.

[king fisher]

What about the Okuma Hakai?  Anyone have experience with this reel.  Lots of buzz when it came out, but I haven't seen any reviews by some one who has had one for awhile.

[FrnkNsteen]

53 minutes ago, QED said:

I have many specimens of all three brands and have had nothing but great experiences with each. Lew’s didn’t seem to participate in the very high end but their iCast 2022 announcement seems to indicate that they are headed there.  Competition is a wonderful thing whether in the sub $200 range or otherwise.

Couldn't agree more. I can say the same thing. I've got numerous Abu, Daiwa, Lews, and Shimano reels and I have been happy with the majority of them. Some cast better than others while others reel smoother than others, but I couldn't seperate them by brand.

 

I've got Abu Revo S, STX, Winch and Orra models. I've got Lews LFS, Tourn MB, Custom SLP, and Pro SP. Daiwa Fuego, 100, Type R, Tat SV (2017 and 2020), Alphas SVTW, and a 21 Zillion G (which wins by the way! ?) Shimano SLX, SLX MGL, Curado MGL, Curado DC. Not to mention BPS PQs and Carbonlights and a couple 13 Fishing mixed in.

 

If any of them had major issues they'd be gone. The point is when you get up to the $150 - $200 mark, they all make a pretty good reel. Any can also have an issue here and there. I'd go with the ones I listed before,.. but wouldn't turn down a deal on any of the others, which is evident by my obvious mild addiction!! ??.

[ironbjorn]

4 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

No you don't understand.  He uses lews reels so that means they are the best.  

I'm a self admitted Dobyns fanboy and will recommend their rods for X whenever possible because I really believe they carry something to cover essentially everything, but nothing and nobody is above criticism. Fanboyism has not and will not ever bother me. I will recommend a Lew's reel as often as I will a Shimano reel. For casting reels, it's Shimano and Lew's, and in very specific circumstances, Abu Garcia, for me (those very specific circumstances are the Max reels in that $50-$80 range when somebody either can not or will not hit the $100 mark or commit to something used, then I believe AG gives you the best reels in this price range). For spinning reels, it's Daiwa and Shimano for me.

 

But what is absolutely absurd is holding a company above criticism. They're just so perfect across the board that everyone else is wrong or unlucky if they're not happy with X product. Going so far as to say, with clear evidence to the contrary in the materials used, that something is better than something else because you favor the label. That's a whole different level and you can't have a conversation like that. 

[PhishLI]

8 hours ago, king fisher said:

What about the Okuma Hakai? 

Yeah, I haven't heard much anywhere either. Doesn't mean it's bad at all, and might even be wonderful, but if it was ground shaking like the Zillion G, I think there would be some more noise made about it. It's on my list though.

[ska4fun]

17 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Ain't nowhere near as bad as Shimano Diawa fan boys who think nobody else can make a reel.

 

I feel you. These are the worst ones. One here even denied the infamous ''metanium buzz'' defect, based only on his reel, wich apparently was enough evidence.

 

I love reels made by Banax, It can match Daiwa and Shimano quality, or even surprass them, if the OEM contractor is willing to pay for top notch quality. E.g: Okuma Komodo.

 

Love Doyo reels and see them as being way better than Shimano usual top-mid-range reels.

[coak]

There’s a reel that flies under the radar for about $150ish, that I’ve grown to love. It’s called the ‘Bruin’ reel produced for Sportsman’s Outfitters I believe. Anyway I love the reel b/c it has dual braking without opening the sideplate to adjust the centrifugal brakes. Downside is that they’re only currently available in righty retrieves. 

 

I have had and still own many reels by many manufacturers. I’m quite partial to the old Quantum Tour Edition TE’s myself. But I picked this reel up about a month ago and have been thoroughly enjoying it. 

 

 

[dodgeguy]

1 minute ago, coak said:

There’s a reel that flies under the radar for about $150ish, that I’ve grown to love. It’s called the ‘Bruin’ reel produced for Sportsman’s Outfitters I believe. Anyway I love the reel b/c it has dual braking without opening the sideplate to adjust the centrifugal brakes. Downside is that they’re only currently available in righty retrieves. 

 

I have had and still own many reels by many manufacturers. I’m quite partial to the old Quantum Tour Edition TE’s myself. But I picked this reel up about a month ago and have been thoroughly enjoying it. 

 

 

I was wondering about that reel.

[coak]

6 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

I was wondering about that reel.

The thing that drew me in initially was the 30 day money back guarantee, no questions asked. So now that I think about, I’ve had it for at least 2 months at this point. 

 

There is a very in in depth review by a member over on the boat central boards for this reel. That review also further peaked my curiosity. 

[dodgeguy]

I'm converting to all lefties so I'm out for now.

[Catt]

On 8/2/2022 at 11:38 AM, Tatulatard said:

No you don't understand.  He uses lews reels so that means they are the best.  

 

And you don't think what you use is the best?

 

They all make good reels in any price point. 

 

My first Shimano was a Bantam 100EX with rosewood handles. Shimano has produced some crap over years but so has everybody else.

[Tatulatard]

9 hours ago, Catt said:

And you don't think what you use is the best?

No.  I use what I like.  What I like probably isn't "the best".  

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Tatulatard said:

No.  I use what I like.  What I like probably isn't "the best".  

 

Not a lot of confidence in your choice?

 

Y'all want the "best" $200 reel on the market go get ya a Calcutta 100B.

[Tatulatard]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 

Not a lot of confidence in your choice?

 

Y'all want the "best" $200 reel on the market go get ya a Calcutta 100B.

Wow

[PhishLI]

Perhaps the grand poobah should tweak the algorithm so the word "best" gets the **** treatment, or maybe a hand can just reach out from the phone or laptop of the person typing it and give them a nice slap. These threads always end up in a ponderous turd measuring contest no matter what, and often long after the new-ish OP has checked out completely or has taken up basket weaving instead.?

[zpelletier]

45 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Perhaps the grand poobah should tweak the algorithm so the word "best" gets the **** treatment, or maybe a hand can just reach out from the phone or laptop of the person typing it and give them a nice slap. These threads always end up in a ponderous turd measuring contest no matter what, and often long after the new-ish OP has checked out completely or has taken up basket weaving instead.?

Ive said it before, I’ll say it again. Everyone who disagrees, just send me your favorite reel and I’ll tell you which one is best ?