Best Baitcast Reel Of All Time

[Greeneye8181]

I know this topic has been done. I started a thread like this years ago… but the last few years some amazing reels have come out. Some game changers! I have five that are in no particular order.

Antares A - So smooth. A bit heavy but it makes it feel more refined. Can be used for any application. The second best casting reel I’ve ever used.
Steez CT SV 700XH - The best casting reel I have ever used. Casts weightless Senkos ridiculously far. The perfect BFS reel. So palm-able
Core 50 - Another classic, possibly the last classic Shimano. Used this reel for finesse and frog fishing. So compact and lightweight. Sweet paint job. So versatile and fun to use.

Chronarch 100D7 - Wow did I love fishing a Texas rig with this. Just as smooth as butter and accurate for up close fishing. Simple and elegant design. The Metanium MG7 was its equal.

T3 Air - I wouldn’t have put this on the list until I used it for smallmouth fishing on an ultra light setup. Works beautifully for weightless applications (not quite as good as the Antares A or Steez CT SV but very good) as well. Everything clicks when adjusted. Can be dialed in as good or better than any other reel.

 

[WRB]

Anytime a post what is the “best” everything following is subjective so I usually avoid getting involved adding my own opinions.

With ICAST 2023 in process it will be interesting to see the reviews on new bait casting reels coming out.

Down sizing and weight reduction and drive train smoothness appears to be what is driving today’s reels, all good.

Daiwa has limited how small their bait casting reels can be with a TW level wind taking up extra 1/2” width reducing the spool size.

Best......sit back

Tom

[Catt]

Calcutta: solid as an anvil, versatile as a pair of Channellocks®, & dependable as a 30/30 ?

 

 

[VolFan]

Curado 200D, although the Chronarch 100D is great too. 

[Dye99]

Depends on what rod its on and what technic Im using it for.

This week Im pretty sold on the Shimano Alderbaron. True work of art.

But for top water frog work I love the abu garcia rocket.

Curados are hard to beat for cost as well.

[rgasr63]

I had a old Shimano bantam curado many years back I still wish I had. Never had a issue until it.

[corey90]

2019 antares

2022 bantam

2023 steez a2 tw

22 calcutta conquest 200 xg

2020 and 2023 metanium

and of course the new zillions

[bulldog1935]

A decade from now, every baitcast reel will use their version of Daiwa's MagForce/SV patent - of course, they'll call it by their own hype-tradename.  

 

[Hulkster]

I know they don't get much love, but the Curado 200i series was amazing. 

 

Ive used many baitcasting reel over the years and this one has been by far the best. 

 

I don't think they were out for very long though before the 200K came out. 

 

but people who bought them loved them. the folks over at Tackletour gave it a glowing review and thats what ultimately made me buy it in 2016: 

 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocuradoibaitcaster.html

[roadwarrior]

12 hours ago, Greeneye8181 said:

Core 50 - Another classic, possibly the last classic Shimano. Used this reel for finesse and frog fishing. So compact and lightweight. Sweet paint job. So versatile and fun to use.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

26 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

For all time this is my vote hands down. 

[Bird]

Shimano Bantam Curado was indestructible.

[FishTank]

This is always debatable but to me, the Curado B was the reel that set the standard for baitcasters going forward. As far as durability goes, the Calcutta line seems to be indestructible.  My favorite is the Shimano Core 100. It is the perfection of simplicity. 

[ghost]

10 hours ago, VolFan said:

Curado 200D, although the Chronarch 100D is great too. 

I have both in left hand. 

[Mike L]

OP

Everybody has thier favorite and what they consider the best. 

 

To me, even tho they’re outdated and not the most refined technically proficient reels, the Curado E7 and Chronarch 100sf are 2 of the best ever made by Shimano or anybody else. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

9 minutes ago, Mike L said:

OP

Everybody has thier favorite and what they consider the best. 

 

To me, even tho they’re outdated and not the most refined technically proficient reels, the Curado E7 and Chronarch 100sf are 2 of the best ever made by Shimano or anybody else. 
 

 

 

Mike

The E series is what I fish 99% of the time. The Cores little brother 

[Greeneye8181]

36 minutes ago, Mike L said:

OP

Everybody has thier favorite and what they consider the best. 

 

To me, even tho they’re outdated and not the most refined technically proficient reels, the Curado E7 and Chronarch 100sf are 2 of the best ever made by Shimano or anybody else. 
 

 

 

Mike

I fished a 100sf (the gold one right?). I see what you’re saying. That model chronarch set the standard for sure but I feel with the release of the Core and the 100D they were an improvement 

[dodgeguy]

Lew's custom Lite. 4.9 oz. And casts beautiful light or heavy.

[TnRiver46]

Abu Garcia 4600 or 5500

[JediAmoeba]

I have never owned or had a Shimano reel so I can't really speak to them. I have only cast a few...

 

I can cast just as far as any modern reel with my 25 year old Team Daiwa X so that's my favorite.

[Fishin Dad]

45 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I have never owned or had a Shimano reel so I can't really speak to them. I have only cast a few...

 

I can cast just as far as any modern reel with my 25 year old Team Daiwa X so that's my favorite.

That’s funny, I have never owned a Shimano reel either.   I don’t even know why.  I have a ton of Daiwa and Lews.  Also a couple of Abu and Okuma.  I always think I should try one, but just haven’t yet.  

[Darth-Baiter]

i dont pay for BEST OF ALL TIME.  i have budgeted for myself.  PRETTY DARN GOOD,

[WRB]

I remember walking into the tackle shop meeting the group for lunch back in the early 90’s and they were camped around a new reel from Daiwa HTIA103 & shallow spool 105. The guys were taking turns spinning the free spool and timing how long it could spin. Game changer, we all ordered the reels.

I fished these reels for well over 15 years until the 8:1 Tatula came out. The Tatula didn’t cast any further and wider, heavier but the higher gear ratio pick up line (IPT) faster after making a long cast.

I agree with the Core 50 being one of the top reels for Shimano and Daiwa Sol and original TD Fuego reels are also excellent compact casting reels.

Lots to choose from.

Tom

 

[Basswhippa]

Very cool thread.  All gamechanger reels that have come along have to be considered.   5000/5500C.  Lews speed spool.  Diawa Magforce.  Shimano Calcutta, Curado, Chronarch.   

 

Once instant anti reverse came in with Calcutta, it's just been tweaks of great reels......

[FrankN209]