Good baitcaster under $200?

[Tony Christian]

I recently sold all my old tackle at a yard sale to get some new blood in my tackle box. This time, I want to put more money into lures than getting a ton of reels like I had done before. I'm getting a mh Dobyns Fury and an heavy Aird X, and I have a spinning outfit with 6 lb flouro. I'm thinking about getting one or two baitcasters under $200, and spooling with 40 lb powerpro. What are your suggestoins?

[GreenPig]

Curado 150 MGL

[txchaser]

Willing to order from amazon Japan? Zillion by a landslide.

Otherwise:

Each under 200? Tatula SV

Total under 200? 2x Fuegos

 

[PBBrandon]

3 hours ago, txchaser said:

Willing to order from amazon Japan? Zillion by a landslide.

Otherwise:

Each under 200? Tatula SV

Total under 200? 2x Fuegos

 

+1

 

Zillion for ~$220 and it’s not even close. Tatula SV and Curado MGL are both fine reels as well

[Revival]

Just in case you are not aware, the Dobyns Fury MH is more like a medium.  So if you also get a Heavy Aird X, you will be missing a true MH.

 

As far as reels, I also recommend the Zillion SV.

If you are trying to get 2 reels under $200 total, I would look into getting a used Tatula 100 and 150.

 

[Columbia Craw]

Two Tatula 100’s from Japan will set you back $232.00.  There you go.

[T-Billy]

5 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

I'm getting a mh Dobyns Fury and an heavy Aird X,

If you haven't purchased the rods yet, I'd suggest picking up a couple Ark Lancer Pros. Lighter, better balanced, and far more sensitive than either of the rods you mentioned. They're having a BOGO sale on their website right now. You can get two delivered to your door for $120. It's an absolute steal of a deal, as these rods are an outstanding value at full price.

You'll get lots of suggestions on reels, and they'll probably all be good ones. Hard to get a bad reel at that price point. Definitely consider JDM. With the current exchange rates, all of Japan is on sale, and Digitaka has been fantastic for me. I've recieved my reels from them in 3-4 buisiness days, and it's an easy shopping experience. To say I've been impressed with my JDM Zillion HD 1000's is an understatement. 

[bulldog1935]

At the current exchange rate, anyone in the $200 reel market who doesn't score a JDM Zillion is nuts. 

[warefisher]

There’s a specific BFS reel listed on the Digitaka site that I’d love to purchase.  I’ve been watching the page daily for months and the item remains in the “Sorry, no stock” status.  Bummed!  
Get them while you can.

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, warefisher said:

There’s a specific BFS reel listed on the Digitaka site that I’d love to purchase.  I’ve been watching the page daily for months and the item remains in the “Sorry, no stock” status.  Bummed!  
Get them while you can.

I think there is more rods and reels listed "sorry, out of stock" then in stock on the Digitaka site.  I've done some serious perusing since the dollar is strong against the yen.

FM

[Tony Christian]

11 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

I recently sold all my old tackle at a yard sale to get some new blood in my tackle box. This time, I want to put more money into lures than getting a ton of reels like I had done before. I'm getting a mh Dobyns Fury and an heavy Aird X, and I have a spinning outfit with 6 lb flouro. I'm thinking about getting one or two baitcasters under $200, and spooling with 40 lb powerpro. What are your suggestoins?

each baitcaster can be under 200 btw

[AlabamaSpothunter]

As others have mentioned, if you can spend a bit more, you can get one of the best reels on the market.....the Zillion SV TW.

 

Whatever you do, you should be taking advantage of getting a significantly nicer reel via JDM exchange rates than you would for $200 domestically.    

 

 

[Tony Christian]

Just now, AlabamaSpothunter said:

As others have mentioned, if you can spend a bit more, you can get one of the best reels on the market.....the Zillion SV TW.

 

Whatever you do, you should be taking advantage of getting a significantly nicer reel via JDM exchange rates than you would for $200 domestically.    

 

 

The thing is, I have 800 dollars left for my reel, rod, lines and lures. I divided up my two reels for a $200 dollar budget and don't want to eat up the lure money. I also sold my kayak (stupid decision) and am now a bank fisherman. I heard the curado K can empty a spool for heavier lures, which I am using my baitcaster for. What are your suggestions.

[MN Fisher]

11 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

I'm getting a mh Dobyns Fury and an heavy Aird X,

Personally - if you're trying to save money for lures - I'd swap things. Get better rods, and downgrade the reels.

 

Couple Fuego CTs - or go to Digitaka and get a couple Tatula 100s.

 

Then St. Croix Mojo Bass or Victory rods.

 

The rod is much more important than the reel in any fishing situation.

 

Note: I have both the rods you mentioned and while they're decent, I know better now and am spending the money on rods over reels.

[Tony Christian]

7 hours ago, Revival said:

Just in case you are not aware, the Dobyns Fury MH is more like a medium.  So if you also get a Heavy Aird X, you will be missing a true MH.

 

As far as reels, I also recommend the Zillion SV.

If you are trying to get 2 reels under $200 total, I would look into getting a used Tatula 100 and 150.

 

Thanks. I also need a 200 size reel at least because I'm also on a mission to empty those nasty carp from my reservoir for good.

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Personally - if you're trying to save money for lures - I'd swap things. Get better rods, and downgrade the reels.

 

Couple Fuego CTs - or go to Digitaka and get a couple Tatula 100s.

 

Then St. Croix Mojo Bass or Victory rods.

 

The rod is much more important than the reel in any fishing situation.

 

Note: I have both the rods you mentioned and while they're decent, I know better now and am spending the money on rods over reels.

Thanks, the Fury was given to me as a gift. The Aird X is a great frogging rod, and at a good price but I will upgrade.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 minutes ago, Tony Christian said:

The thing is, I have 800 dollars left for my reel, rod, lines and lures. I divided up my two reels for a $200 dollar budget and don't want to eat up the lure money. I also sold my kayak (stupid decision) and am now a bank fisherman. I heard the curado K can empty a spool for heavier lures, which I am using my baitcaster for. What are your suggestions.

I totally get that.    Having only started to revamp my setups, I'm going to yield to more knowledgeable members for suggestions.

 

I imagine your money will go a lot further if you wait a few weeks for BF for rods, and then order reels via JDM.  

 

[FishTank]

Save up some cash and go with the JDM Zillion.  I would say it's the best bang for the buck and kind of a no brainer. 

 

If your concerned about having cash, skip the Power Pro braid and get mono or go JDM braid.... same goes for the baits/tackle. A lot of stuff can be found for cheap on the JDM sites. For example,  my last order from Japan Lure Shop would have been over $600 in the US but with the exchange rate, I was around $300. 

[Tony Christian]

10 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Save up some cash and go with the JDM Zillion.  I would say it's the best bang for the buck and kind of a no brainer. 

 

If your concerned about having cash, skip the Power Pro braid and get mono or go JDM braid.... same goes for the baits/tackle. A lot of stuff can be found for cheap on the JDM sites. For example,  my last order from Japan Lure Shop would have been over $600 in the US but with the exchange rate, I was around $300. 

I had some really bad experiences with my daiwa reels. I want to try Shimano, too. Any suggestions?

[FishTank]

8 minutes ago, Tony Christian said:

I had some really bad experiences with my daiwa reels. I want to try Shimano, too. Any suggestions?

I fish primarilly both Daiwa and Shimano.  In Shimano's line up if you go JDM , I like the Metanium.  In the US, it would be the Curado. Good reel but the Metanium is a big step up and at the current price, it's the best value. 

 

As far as Daiwa goes, I have had no issues with any of the current platforms but I am not huge fan of the Tatulas. The new Zillion though may be the best reel I have ever used. Another to look at in the JDM line is the Alphas. I don't own one but hear enough praise from members here that I think it would be a good one to consider. 

[newapti5]

With the yen going down, there're so many choices for $200, so let's talk about what $100 can get you. I just couldn't help myself and got this used 13 Metanium in excellent condition for $100. Except a couple of tiny scratches on the outside, the parts inside are just like new.  And you don't even have to shop Japan sites; that good ol' auction site has many available. 

 

 

[GreenPig]

2 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

The thing is, I have 800 dollars left for my reel, rod, lines and lures. I divided up my two reels for a $200 dollar budget and don't want to eat up the lure money. I also sold my kayak (stupid decision) and am now a bank fisherman. I heard the curado K can empty a spool for heavier lures, which I am using my baitcaster for. What are your suggestions.

A 70 maybe. If you empty a 150 spool, I like to see the video.

[MidwestBassAttack]

Curado K or Curado 150 MGL without a doubt if you are buying within the USDM.

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

I had some really bad experiences with my daiwa reels. I want to try Shimano, too. Any suggestions?

A Met or Bantam for $225 if you prefer Shimano over Diawa.  Same price as the Zillion.  I bought a Zillion and a Met, but haven't fished the met enough to have a preference yet. 

[Revival]

4 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

I had some really bad experiences with my daiwa reels. I want to try Shimano, too. Any suggestions?

Out of curiosity, what Daiwas models did you have bad experiences with?

[Tony Christian]

3 hours ago, Revival said:

Out of curiosity, what Daiwas models did you have bad experiences with?

Believe it or not,  the Tatula HD. I may have just gotten a bad one, but it kept locking up when I was reeling.