$200 Reels

[tommu]

Looking for a more versatile bass reel with a bigger spool for around $200, casting pretty standard stuff such as t rigs, chatterbaits, jigs, etc. But in the winter/early spring, I go on trips to Lake Texoma for stripers, except that I fish from the bank, needing me to make long casts with heavy jigs (3/4-1oz). With all my research, I am torn between a curado mgl 150 and a lews bb1 pro (2021). Both are around 6 oz, centrifugal brakes, and have their own fanbases. Curado is a household name and I am mainly a shimano guy myself, but I would like to branch out. Tried a tatula 80 and was very surprised at how nice it was. Leaning more towards the bb1 pro, because I want to branch out and heard the bb1 has a clicking drag (which is awesome). Also, omnia has them for 20% off with a discount code. If anyone has any of these reels, How do they palm? I plan on bank fishing for long periods of time, and palming is important to me. Thanks.

[Darth-Baiter]

I fished the banks at Texoma with my Curado 200K.  (14lb flouro) I was flinging them plenty far.  I also palm the thing.  that last trip there I discovered I simply like fighting a fish on a bait caster better.  especially if it is a bigger striper.  

 

we already booked our campsite for next year.  I will bring the Curado K and a Daiwa Tatula SV TS for kicks.   I always bring a spinning set up, just in case I need a little bit more reach on my casts.  

 

of the two, I would go with the 150mgl.  I love mine.  I have two and I can cast pretty dang far.  I'm flying, so I can't bring EVERYTHING.  

[Dwight Hottle]

My suggestion to you is to target 200 series reels because they have more line capacity than the 150 series. Look for a curado 200 or tranx 200 or maybe a used antares or calais DC. they all palm comfortably for average size hands. 

[jitterbug127]

I am a shimano guy through and through, but I'd get a bb1 pro. They are phenomenal reels and immediately came to my mind reading this description. 

[tommu]

3 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

My suggestion to you is to target 200 series reels because they have more line capacity than the 150 series. Look for a curado 200 or tranx 200 or maybe a used antares or calais DC. they all palm comfortably for average size hands. 

Hmm, don't the 200 sizes also come with bigger handles? All my handles are less than 85mm, and i have bigger than average hands.

10 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I fished the banks at Texoma with my Curado 200K.  (14lb flouro) I was flinging them plenty far.  I also palm the thing.  that last trip there I discovered I simply like fighting a fish on a bait caster better.  especially if it is a bigger striper.  

 

we already booked our campsite for next year.  I will bring the Curado K and a Daiwa Tatula SV TS for kicks.   I always bring a spinning set up, just in case I need a little bit more reach on my casts.  

 

of the two, I would go with the 150mgl.  I love mine.  I have two and I can cast pretty dang far.  I'm flying, so I can't bring EVERYTHING.  

Im mainly a braid to leader guy cause im too lazy to respool every few months. I hate thick flouro that feels like wire after a few months. But the 150mgls have had a lot of good reviews. But i cant get any insight on the bb1 pro because no one buys them, lol.

12 minutes ago, jitterbug127 said:

I am a shimano guy through and through, but I'd get a bb1 pro. They are phenomenal reels and immediately came to my mind reading this description. 

Wanting to branch out, but from looking at videos the palming seems bigger than typical curados. I have held many curados and am wondering if the bb1 pro is slightly bigger than the curado? Or are they about the same size.

[Darth-Baiter]

14lb flouro isnt "thick".  not to me.

 

my spinning I run braid to flouro.  I was using 10lb leader and got some big fish at Texoma.

 

if you reel your leader knot up into reel, the Daiwa is "okay".  that t-wing thing isn't really knot friendly.  even my best FG knot was felt.  I my Shimano with braid I dont use leaders.  

[dodgeguy]

BB1 pro rules. 

[tommu]

5 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

14lb flouro isnt "thick".  not to me.

 

my spinning I run braid to flouro.  I was using 10lb leader and got some big fish at Texoma.

 

if you reel your leader knot up into reel, the Daiwa is "okay".  that t-wing thing isn't really knot friendly.  even my best FG knot was felt.  I my Shimano with braid I dont use leaders.  

Some flouro are like wire, some are pretty manageable. Had a 300yd spool of berkeley trilene and i hated it. I use the remaining spool as leader line for braid. vanish wasnt as bad of an experience though. I also try to avoid my fg knot from going into my reel, but sometimes i cut a little too long and it happens.

[Darth-Baiter]

1 minute ago, tommu said:

Some flouro are like wire, some are pretty manageable. Had a 300yd spool of berkeley trilene and i hated it. I use the remaining spool as leader line for braid. vanish wasnt as bad of an experience though. I also try to avoid my fg knot from going into my reel, but sometimes i cut a little too long and it happens.

I grew up on that line!!  but yea..  I think that is a monofilament if I am remembering correctly.  

 

you got my juices flowing about Texoma.  

[jitterbug127]

30 minutes ago, tommu said:

Hmm, don't the 200 sizes also come with bigger handles? All my handles are less than 85mm, and i have bigger than average hands.

Im mainly a braid to leader guy cause im too lazy to respool every few months. I hate thick flouro that feels like wire after a few months. But the 150mgls have had a lot of good reviews. But i cant get any insight on the bb1 pro because no one buys them, lol.

Wanting to branch out, but from looking at videos the palming seems bigger than typical curados. I have held many curados and am wondering if the bb1 pro is slightly bigger than the curado? Or are they about the same size.

It might be slightly bigger, but nothing that I'd be overly concerned about. The BB1 pro was the first "nice" baitcaster I ever bought, so I probably compare everything to the BB1 without knowing it. My shimano reels have always felt a little "small" to me, but that's coming off BB1 pro reels. 

[tommu]

7 minutes ago, jitterbug127 said:

It might be slightly bigger, but nothing that I'd be overly concerned about. The BB1 pro was the first "nice" baitcaster I ever bought, so I probably compare everything to the BB1 without knowing it. My shimano reels have always felt a little "small" to me, but that's coming off BB1 pro reels. 

Alright, as long as it doesnt feel like im holding a swimbait reel i should be fine.

[Bass Rutten]

The tw 80 palms amazingly but if you’re talking about big hard charging hybrid stripers it might not be enough reel, it’s more of a finesse reel designed for lighter lures. The Tatula 100 has been a rock solid workhorse for me, more capacity than any of the reels mentioned, including the curado 200, I might even go with the tatula 200 for them big stripers.

[jitterbug127]

Just now, tommu said:

Alright, as long as it doesnt feel like im holding a swimbait reel i should be fine.

BB1 pro is built like a tank too with lots of drag. You take care of it, and it should last many, many years!

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, tommu said:

Looking for a more versatile bass reel with a bigger spool for around $200, casting pretty standard stuff such as t rigs, chatterbaits, jigs, etc. But in the winter/early spring, I go on trips to Lake Texoma for stripers, except that I fish from the bank, needing me to make long casts with heavy jigs (3/4-1oz). With all my research, I am torn between a curado mgl 150 and a lews bb1 pro (2021). Both are around 6 oz, centrifugal brakes, and have their own fanbases. Curado is a household name and I am mainly a shimano guy myself, but I would like to branch out. Tried a tatula 80 and was very surprised at how nice it was. Leaning more towards the bb1 pro, because I want to branch out and heard the bb1 has a clicking drag (which is awesome). Also, omnia has them for 20% off with a discount code. If anyone has any of these reels, How do they palm? I plan on bank fishing for long periods of time, and palming is important to me. Thanks.

 

If a curado 150 MGL is big enough for you, then you'd be hard pressed to do better than ordering a JDM Bantam or Metanium from digitaka.  Both are around $200-225 and a real step up in reel.  I'm pretty sure both are the same size and capacity (the bantam being a little heavier) but check the specs yourself.

[tommu]

2 minutes ago, Bass Rutten said:

The tw 80 palms amazingly but if you’re talking about big hard charging hybrid stripers it might not be enough reel, it’s more of a finesse reel designed for lighter lures. The Tatula 100 has been a rock solid workhorse for me, more capacity than any of the reels mentioned, including the curado 200, I might even go with the tatula 200 for them big stripers.

Yea, the tw 80 is probably going to get outgunned, but i might bring it just for the kicks. I mainly use it for my general bass fishing, like finesse t rigs, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits. Planning to use it alot in the upcoming spring for the annual white bass run.

2 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

If a curado 150 MGL is big enough for you, then you'd be hard pressed to do better than ordering a JDM Bantam or Metanium from digitaka.  Both are around $200-225 and a real step up in reel.  I'm pretty sure both are the same size and capacity (the bantam being a little heavier) but check the specs yourself.

Those were definitely options i looked into, but their smaller, jdm sizes made me slightly worried because i want to use it for heavier bass fishing and bombing out big jigs for striper. I plan on putting 30-40lb braid and i dont think the jdm sizes will hold enough line for heavier bass fishing.

[FishTank]

Both the reels you picked are great but for the money the JDM Metanium or Daiwa Zillion SV  are the best bang for the buck. Between the two, I like the Metanium for jigs and the Zillion for Texas rigged soft plastic. 

[Derek1]

For what you want to do I would use the currado k. It a workhouse, in 3/4 ounce range and holds more then enough 40 pound braid. I like the k better for jig fishing the the mgl. That’s just my opinion though. 

[tommu]

7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Both the reels you picked are great but for the money the JDM Metanium or Daiwa Zillion SV  are the best bang for the buck. Between the two, I like the Metanium for jigs and the Zillion for Texas rigged soft plastic. 

If i was going solely for largemouth around my area, I would have picked them up, no hesitation. But because i want to bring them to Texoma for large stripers/hybrids, I dont think the jdm 100 spool sizes will hold enough 30-40 lb braid to bomb out heavy jigs.

[Derek1]

Feels better in my hand for big hooksets 

[Fishingmickey]

Casts_by_fly is pretty much spot on in my opinion.  The 18 Bantam MGL you might find for under 200 if you can find one JDM. The Metanium or 22 bantam is just over two hundred. Or as Fishtank said the Zillion HD or SV bats way, way above it's price range.  I'd get the zillion HD if your wanting to cast for Striper too.

FM

[tommu]

5 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

For what you want to do I would use the currado k. It a workhouse, in 3/4 ounce range and holds more then enough 40 pound braid. I like the k better for jig fishing the the mgl. That’s just my opinion though. 

Looked into curado k’s aswell, but the 200 sizes make them a decently amount heavier than the mgl sizes. all of the 200 sizes are around 7.5-8 oz when the mgls and bb1 are around 6.5 oz. Im going to use them for a long time and want to avoid fatigue.

3 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

Casts_by_fly is pretty much spot on in my opinion.  The 18 Bantam MGL you might find for under 200 if you can find one JDM. The Metanium or 22 bantam is just over two hundred. Or as Fishtank said the Zillion HD or SV bats way, way above it's price range.  I'd get the zillion HD if your wanting to cast for Striper too.

FM

The zillion hd is the reel i want the most, but on digitaka its around $280 and my budget is around $200. Ticks all of my boxes. I can honestly just wait a bit for more money but i have a new 7’4” cara without a reel begging to be fished.

[FishTank]

50 minutes ago, tommu said:

If i was going solely for largemouth around my area, I would have picked them up, no hesitation. But because i want to bring them to Texoma for large stripers/hybrids, I dont think the jdm 100 spool sizes will hold enough 30-40 lb braid to bomb out heavy jigs.

If that's the case,  I would skip the Curado and the BB1 and the two I mentioned.  I would take a look at Shimano Tranx or if you can afford it, Calcutta Conquest 200. Both these reels will work fine for bass and striper. 

[casts_by_fly]

21 minutes ago, tommu said:

Looked into curado k’s aswell, but the 200 sizes make them a decently amount heavier than the mgl sizes. all of the 200 sizes are around 7.5-8 oz when the mgls and bb1 are around 6.5 oz. Im going to use them for a long time and want to avoid fatigue.

The zillion hd is the reel i want the most, but on digitaka its around $280 and my budget is around $200. Ticks all of my boxes. I can honestly just wait a bit for more money but i have a new 7’4” cara without a reel begging to be fished.

 

How much line capacity are you looking for?  If you're throwing 30 lb braid, you'll get over 100 yards on a JDM bantam.  They are listed at 130m of 12 lb.  That's 140 yards.  30 lb 832 Suffix is 0.011" or 0.29mm.  40 lb is 0.013"/0.33mm.  13 lb Shooter Armilo is a japanese monofilament and among the thinner mono for its breaking strength.  It comes in at 0.0118"/0.30mm which is the same as 30 lb braid, thus you get 140 yards of it.  If the reel was rated for a larger diameter mono then you'll get even more.  If that's not enough for what you're doing then so be it, but I'd be surprised if you're bombing a jig 75 yards and then having fish run another 50 to put you in trouble.

 

FWIW, I put my zillion SV TW on the same Cara rod and its a nice setup.  I also fished it with an Abu STX gen 4 and it was really nice too.  Its a great jig rod.

[tommu]

6 minutes ago, FishTank said:

If that's the case,  I would skip the Curado and the BB1 and the two I mentioned.  I would take a look at Shimano Tranx or if can afford it, Calcutta Conquest 200. Both these reels will work fine bass and striper. 

tranx is super nice cause i live next to the coast, and calcutta is awesome, but weight is a factor for me. I am kind of asking for alot, wanting a reel thats lightweight but has enough line to handle striper, but bear with me, bb1 has a 200 ish size spool and the jdm zillion tw hd is $280 on digitaka and ticks all my boxes; i just have to save a bit more ?

4 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

How much line capacity are you looking for?  If you're throwing 30 lb braid, you'll get over 100 yards on a JDM bantam.  They are listed at 130m of 12 lb.  That's 140 yards.  30 lb 832 Suffix is 0.011" or 0.29mm.  40 lb is 0.013"/0.33mm.  13 lb Shooter Armilo is a japanese monofilament and among the thinner mono for its breaking strength.  It comes in at 0.0118"/0.30mm which is the same as 30 lb braid, thus you get 140 yards of it.  If the reel was rated for a larger diameter mono then you'll get even more.  If that's not enough for what you're doing then so be it, but I'd be surprised if you're bombing a jig 75 yards and then having fish run another 50 to put you in trouble.

 

FWIW, I put my zillion SV TW on the same Cara rod and its a nice setup.  I also fished it with an Abu STX gen 4 and it was really nice too.  Its a great jig rod.

you make a good point, i didnt think the jdm bantam held that much line. i assumed the bantam held as much as the jdm metanium, which was 100m of 12lb. But, i plan on putting some mono backing for my braid, i dont measure how much exactly how much backing i put, but id assume around 5-10 yds before i tie on my braid. I will take into consideration a jdm bantam or a zillion sv tw.

[FishTank]

15 minutes ago, tommu said:

tranx is super nice cause i live next to the coast, and calcutta is awesome, but weight is a factor for me. I am kind of asking for alot, wanting a reel thats lightweight but has enough line to handle striper, but bear with me, bb1 has a 200 ish size spool and the jdm zillion tw hd is $280 on digitaka and ticks all my boxes; i just have to save a bit more ?

 

I have the Zillion HD and was going to recommend it but the price and its small size would be weird to me for striper.  It might be ideal if you are looking for a small reel. I can't say for sure that the gears are any different from the regular Zillion SV so not sure how it would handle big fish. I do know the Tranx and Calcutta will get the job done.