another baitcaster

[fish-fighting-illini]

   I'm thinking of getting another baitcaster next spring. I'd like some recommendations but with some constraints. I'm thinking of 1 of 2 ranges $75-$130 range and $150 to $200 range for reel only. So recommend something for 1 or both ranges. I want something easy to adjust the brake I really don't want to flip up plates and remove weights ( if possible). Recommend anyway just let me know what kind of brake system it has. Also only recommend something that you or a friend has used for at least a year. Please no "the new xyz looks sweet". Let someone else take the lumps on the new stuff I want something that I know works and lasts. I only own 1 baitcaster and want to take them a little more serious. I own a Quantum Mantra and it seems to work well. It was my first ( and only ) bc. It casts well and has held up very well. I can cast it pretty good but I backlash here and there. I think I paid $60 or $80 for it (?). I want to try something a little nicer to see if it cuts down on backlashing. It will have to pretty much be an all purpose BC. I use spinnerbaits and 3-4-5" swimbaits the most. I use some cranks but not much sft plastics. I need to start working on Texas rigs and such.

[Plastik]

Team Daiwa Viento for the 200$ range, but you can get them new off ebay for about 150$.  The brake is adjustable with the twist of a dial.  Very easy to use, smooth casting, and the twitchin bar, I cant say enough, especially if you are a smoker  The bar will give subtle action that can add a few more fish on the hardest days!

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0036070120548a&type=product&cmCat=searchFeat&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=daiwa&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=daiwa&noImage=0

For the 75-100$ I would suggest the Daiwa Advantage, or Pro Tune Advantage, same deal with the brake.  Awesome reel, casts a mile!

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0010924119141a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=daiwa+advantage&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=daiwa+advantage&noImage=0

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0029226119140a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=daiwa+advantage&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=daiwa+advantage&noImage=0

Honestly, if you want a really nice BC, especially for all around, I would say get the Tourney 2 from Cabellas, has the dial brake as well, and you can get the Whuppin stick combo for 54$!!!!  I use all 3 on a regular basis, at least 4 times a week.  I would suggest them to anyone.

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0036329121139a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=whuppin+stick&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=whuppin+stick&noImage=0

Plastik

[fish-fighting-illini]

Thanks for all of your time and effort pl

I was thinking Daiwa, Shimano and Pflueger would maybe be some of the top choices.

[Plastik]

Yup, the reason I am so big on Daiwa, is because of the quality vs. the price.  Not nocking Shimano, but compare the Cruxis at 100$ with the Advantage at 100$.. WORLD of difference.  I can tell you, I purchase 2 Cruxis, and took them back, and baught the Advantage, the Advantage wins hands down.  

On the flip side, the Curado, wich is a PHENOM of a reel, is 200$ and the Viento is 200$, I fish both, and the Curado has such a good feel that I think it is better than the Viento.  But like I said, the twitchin bar is where its at!

[Bassassasin12]

pfluger president or supreme

[flechero]

If I could talk you into bumping your high budget by $10... get a chronarch 50 MG from cullman outdoors (a sponsor of this site and an ebay store) Yes you'll have to set the brake (6 pin centrifical brake). I just went with 2 pins out on the first day and have yet to change it.... 6 months later, in 3 different reels, fishing 3-4 days per week. There is no need to be constantly changing the settings. Besides, even if you do feel like fooling with them, the sideplates are connected so they can't fall in the lake... like some other models. I doubt you could find a better reel for twice the price.

For your lower price range, I might suggest a Revo S ($99) but I can't give a good review of it yet, only used mine twice. (so far is has met every expectation though)  It's also a 6 pin centrifical brake.

[lubina]

I think the best reel for the money out there is the Daiwa Procaster, nice, smooth and trouble free, no one reporting problems with it and has been around for a while already. I gave one to my best friend and he has bit the hell of it, it is like a champ, cast even better than some of my higher end reels.

If you want to expend more I can recommend you the Quantums Accurist PT and Energy PT. I fish with this guys 3-4 time a week year around and I have no complains.

The Abu Revo SX and STX look good in paper but I don't own any.

I hate the centrifugal pin system so none of them will be in my list.

I think the rest of the guys will agree, get the best you can afford and you will not regret it.

Good luck.

[dodgeguy]

pflueger summit.

or supreme

[fish-fighting-illini]

I hadn't hear much about it but I must have done a little better than I thought. I found my old receipts and my Quantum Mantra was around $80 just for the reel. Maybe that is why I have liked it so well as it is a fairly decent price range to get some quality. $80 isn't a $400 reel but it's not chump change either.

[shortbasser]

A couple of months ago I bought a Abu Revo STX and for $199.99 I am just thrilled with it.  Easy to adjust the brake and that drag is awesome.  My only problem right now is justifying the itch I have for a mate for it.  

[castaway]

The Advantage and the Revo S fall into the first category.I own and like the Revo S model as I stated many times before.Abu really changed the centrifugal weights. It has a 6 pin centrifugal weight system , that imho works very well, has 9 bearings including the roller bearing.is very smooth and very low profile.I had a Fuego that was small and low, but I think the Revo is a hair smaller yet.As for the advantages, I had 2 when they were at bass pro shop for $60.00 a peice.I thought they were a great reel, but they seemed very wide to fish comfortably all day long.The thing with all of the Daiwas I have used is the old insta clutch feature is still in the reels, just not advertised anymore. This allows you to disengage the reel by pushing the thumbar and engaging the reel by pushing up under the thumb bar with the same hand postion,not having to turn the handle to engage the reel. Ivan

[FishTank]

Shimano citica>brakes are not what you want but a good reel and a Quantum energy.

[The_Natural]

$100 range...1/4 of a Steez

$200 range...1/2 of a steez  

Seriously though, I'd go with a scorpion on the low end, and a Scorpion MG on the upper end.  These reels can be purchased from Genrinpeche for $119 and $185 respectively.

[TournyFish001]

thanx to The_Natural:

I just bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Bait-casting-reel-Scorpion-MG1001-50MG-ARB_W0QQitemZ140059362861QQihZ004QQcategoryZ36146QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

after reading this last reply I went and bought it- I almost got a chronarch 51mg a week ago.

[FishTank]

Looks like an awesome choice.  Let us know how it works out for you.

[bassin_man]

$100 range...1/4 of a Steez

$200 range...1/2 of a steez

Seriously though, I'd go with a scorpion on the low end, and a Scorpion MG on the upper end. These reels can be purchased from Genrinpeche for $119 and $185 respectively.

I agree with this statement right here.  I bought a Scorpion last year and definately see more of them in my future.  Great reels imo.

[Greg Harris]

I would buy a Quantum Energy PT. The finish looks great, it perfoems well, hold quite a bit of line, comes in a 7:1 gear ratio, and has plenty of power.