Baitcaster. What do you use?

[Sota]

I’m wondering what bait casting reel you use? What type of brake system do you prefer centrifugal, magnetic, digital? Why do you like or dislike the brake system? Is one brake system easier to control for a newb to bait casting? 
 

if this has been asked a bazillion times before. Admin feel free to… hey dude this is the bazillion and 1 times it’s been asked. Check XYZ.  Then delete if so deemed. 

[webertime]

I'm 99% sure 95% of guys set their brakes once and barely play with it once set (save for wind or going from a 1/4oz to an ounce lure on the same rod).  I use either Shimano or Daiwa, obviously braking type doesn't play a role in that decision.  I think mechanical brakes might be easier to produce and keep up, but a good magnetic brake works just as well and might be easier to fine tune.  I don't feel the need to have dual brakes.  If you're shopping for a reel, try the reel and see what feels best for you.  I personally do not like the SV brake on Daiwa and much prefer the older Magforce Z.  Nice thing is i can just swap out the spool (or spring or inductor) to get what I'm looking for.  That being said I'm pretty experienced and know what I want and somewhat mechanically inclined.  

[FrnkNsteen]

Wow,... I've got so many different brands and types of reels that I'm not going to try and break them down to a "favorite". But,....

 

I like a centrifugal brake system like Shimano offers as a rule for long open casting. If making shorter pitches and casts, a magnetic brake seems to work better because spool RPMs aren't really high enough for centrifugal brakes to do a lot.

 

I think Daiwa does a nice job since their brakes are kind of a hybrid system that is magnetic, but their moving inductor system can also account for high spool speeds.

 

Dual braking systems ( centrifugal AND magnetic) like on Abu Garcia, Lews, BPS and others offer the ability to adjust for different casting motions as well.

 

Bottom line.... I can use any of them. Which works best is opinion, and typically depends on how you want to use the reel.

[LootyDjibouti]

In my opinion you're likely overthinking it a bit. It's about taking the time to learn how to use whichever you use. Good news - there is no wrong choice. 

As both (or even a combination of them) are used in baitcasters then suffice to say both work. So with repeated practice and use you will understand how they function. You will develop muscle memory. 

I just started fishing several years ago. My first baitcaster was a Shimano SLX (centrifugal). I've since bought Daiwas with magnetic brakes. I still use both regularly. Again JMO, but I think you'll find the difference isn't as great as you might think. It's more about just learning how to cast a baitcaster in general. Controlled cast, thumb on the spool, apply pressure and especially just before lure hits the water. I learned everything from YouTube and practice, practice, practice. 

Is it nice having a 20-way adjustable dial on the outside of the reel to adjust brakes? Yea it is. But I learned on a Shimano that had only 6 little internal pins to adjust and came out just fine. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I like the best so I use shimano all others just play ketchup 

[Texas Flood]

 

 

I use JDM Daiwas and Lews

[bulldog1935]

I thought we had this problem solved with JDM Zillion.  

 

ok, I use a lot of other baitcasters because they're fun, but the reel above is genius in its simplicity - set it on the lightest thing you plan to throw, and go fishing - the brake design takes care of the rest.  

 

[MediumMouthBass]

4 hours ago, Sota said:

I’m wondering what bait casting reel you use?

All of them, Shimano, Abu, Lews, Daiwa from dirt cheap to the price of a monthly car payment.

 

I hate new Abus, love the older ones.

Love most of my Shimanos (SLX, SLX A, SLX MGL 70 especially. But i dislike the SLX XT, it looks nice, but casts very odd compared to the other Shimanos i have).

Love my Daiwa Tatula CT's and Fuego CT (absolutely hate my Tatula 150, Tatula SV TW, and the most the Zillion....) If they didnt all come out of the box with issues i would probably love the 150 and Tat SV. But i cant stand the Zillion, for several reasons. The biggest one being i have average sized hands and i feel like im holding the worlds smallest reel, if it was closer to the Tatula CT frame size i would probably like it. I also dont like how smooth it is, but thats just me, i grew up with budget reels and ill always love a reel that i can actually feel when im turning the handle.

Love all my Lews (BB1 Pro especially, Superduty LFS, Base LFS. Even my ultra cheap Classic Pro with a plastic frame, for what it cost is was a good upgrade from my Black Max and its gold accents match my Aird X rods).

 

I fished these reels heavily, most either havent been cleaned or maybe just got a quick wipe down, i fish in clean water, and water that would make a swamp creature run in the other direction.

To me no braking system is better or worse, just different. I have my brakes lower than most, but higher than the old school guys. Kind of like a hybrid inbetween.

When im fishing i cant really even feel a difference between brands....

Im sure i could if i wanted to but im only focused on catching bass, and casting far when im on the water.

 

Only difference that matters is how does a reel fit your hand?

Does the reel fit the needs for what youll be fishing?

Do you prefer certain colors or finishes on the reel?

And do you want something that is meant for lighter baits? Heavy lures? Or both.

And whats your budget?

 

Heres my advice, from what ive read it seems you might be new to casting reels, so if thats correct then the Daiwa Tatula SV TW, and Zillion, have SV spools. SV spools are a great concept, you can cast lighter lures most reels struggle with and then go right to flipping heavy ounce jigs in the grass. 

All while assisting the user as much as possible by preventing backlashes.

If you like Daiwa these would be for you, not only are they good for beginners but also for guys that are seasoned in casting reels.

And if you like Shimano or want to save a few dollars the SLX MGL, MGL spools are the Shimano equivalent to Daiwas SV. Cast lighter farther, and easier all while being able to fish with the heavier baits. While making it easy to cast for beginners.

 

But neither the SV or MGL spools are really required, learning to cast with these reels is challenging at first (talking about regular casting reels), but youll get the hang of it within a week. Theres plenty of help on here and Youtube.

I started and learned on a $30 Black Max, with a minimal braking system compared to what i have now. It was frustrating at first, but because i learned on something that didnt assist me i can fish with any type of casting reel. Just a thought. But again make sure whatever reel you want to buy you actually like, go to a local tackle store and hold it first.

 

[shackman]

Centrifugal brake Shimano's is all I use. Set em and forget em 

[Mike L]

The most I have are Shimano with a BPS thrown in. 
The only criteria I must have are a centrifugal brake system for any reel I may buy in the future 
 

If it’s a combo that’s ok, but never just a stand alone magnetic system. 

Thats why I have thumbs 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Kirtley Howe]

1 hour ago, Texas Flood said:

 

 

I use JDM Daiwas and Lews

And of course, you use only Mustard hooks, right?

[Catt]

Lew's which uses a combination of internal and external brake settings.

[GRiver]

I have a few different brands of reels… I like the combination or dual braking systems the best. 

[dodgeguy]

Any of the Lews models with the externally adjustable 27 point centrifugal brake.

[PBBrandon]

Used to have a mix of Lews Abu Daiwa and Shimano, almost exclusively Daiwa now with the exception of a Curado K and a Chronarch Ci4+

 

I’ve found that Daiwa’s magnetic braking works best with the way I cast. Everyone is different, but Daiwa makes a sweet reel, especially the Alphas, Zillion and Steez lines

[Columbia Craw]

Mine have the handle in the right side.

[new2BC4bass]

15 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Wow,... I've got so many different brands and types of reels that I'm not going to try and break them down to a "favorite". But,....

 

I like a centrifugal brake system like Shimano offers as a rule for long open casting. If making shorter pitches and casts, a magnetic brake seems to work better because spool RPMs aren't really high enough for centrifugal brakes to do a lot.

 

I think Daiwa does a nice job since their brakes are kind of a hybrid system that is magnetic, but their moving inductor system can also account for high spool speeds.

 

Dual braking systems ( centrifugal AND magnetic) like on Abu Garcia, Lews, BPS and others offer the ability to adjust for different casting motions as well.

 

Bottom line.... I can use any of them. Which works best is opinion, and typically depends on how you want to use the reel.

I use 10 different brands with several types of brakes.  Like the centrifugal brakes on older Shimano reels more than their new braking system.  Dual brake reels are fine with me.  Any Daiwa is fine.  Actually all styles are good once dialed in.

 

For a newbie you can't beat a Daiwa with Magforce 3D brakes.  Only have experience with one DC reel and it's an older Exsence.  I'd rate it a close second.

[MN Fisher]

Daiwa and Pflueger. My Patriarchs with dual braking are still my favorites, though my Supreme XT with Centrifugal isn't bad.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Centrifugal or dual brakes are most user friendly. Daiwa’s system is in a class of its own  but there are variants, some better than others. Don’t waste your time looking for “backlash proof” reels. Learn to thumb the spool and it will open up a wide array of options to you. 

[ww2farmer]

I've used about every brand of baitcasting reel over the last 25 years....I keep coming back to Daiwa.  Whatever they call the brake system on the fleet of Fuego CT's I own is my favorite. My least favorite was the older Shinmano system 6 pin brakes that you had to take the side plate off to adjust. It was the one thing I didn't like about my 2nd favorite reels of all time,  Shinmano Curado 51e"s.

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, ww2farmer said:

Whatever they call the brake system on the fleet of Fuego CT's I own is my favorite.

That's the Magforce-Z - it's also on the Tatula CT and any reel higher than that (Tatula, etc) that doesn't specifically state that it's an SV reel. But SV is just a modification of the Magforce-Z so it's pretty much the same.

[Eric 26]

Although I have magnetic, centrifugal and had and still have 1 reel with dual brakes I’ll agree with @ww2farmer that the Daiwa brakes on my Tatulas are by far my favorite and I feel the easiest to adjust along with having plenty of adjustability. I will add though that I had zero issues with my SLX’s centrifugal brakes after setting them 3 on and 3 off and if I did need to adjust them the side plate was easy enough to open and held on when opened.

[bowhunter63]

My old Round abu ‘s and my thumb I know I’m old 

[bulldog1935]

If you only knew what you could do with those...

 

 

 

@MN Fisher you made my point - you can't do that with ^^this^^ one

Not casting 3 g - not casting 20 g.  

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

If you only knew what you could do with those...

 

This is what I can do with one...