Do you still have OG reels in your rotation?

[Bluebasser86]

I use a 300e Curado on one of my swimbait setups, one of the only Shimanos I own. I used the old 200Bs for years, along with some 200BSFs, 100B, and old Chronarchs and Calcuttas. Once Shimano started messing with them every year I switched to Daiwa and haven’t looked back.

[new2BC4bass]

Vast majority of my reels are OG.

 

Morrum Mag SX 1600 series

Revo STXL and Premier

Gold Carbonlites

Pflueger Trion and Patriarch XTs

Shimano Curado 51Es and 201E7, Chronarch 101A and 100B, Scorpion 1001 4x4 SVS, Exsence DC

Lew's Tournament Pro

Concept A

Helios Air

TDXs, TDZs, Tatulas, Alphas, Pixies, T3s, Steez, Zillions, TD Fuegos, Sols, Prodigy (Daiwa), Procaster

Pinnacle Primmus HS Xi (plural)

 

I like um all.  Haven't used my TDS in some time as I prefer a thumb bar.  Reel casts great, tho.

 

OP.  Are you suffering from cabin fever?

[Columbia Craw]

TD Fuego

OG Zillion

SV 105

SV 103 (best Daiwa ever made

Daiwa SS SV

Ballistic EX 3000

Shimano Castaic 

Shimano Curado 100B SF

[ABU is overpriced]

17 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

TD Fuego

OG Zillion

SV 105

SV 103 (best Daiwa ever made

Daiwa SS SV

Ballistic EX 3000

Shimano Castaic 

Shimano Curado 100B SF

So many SV103 lovers. I always thought that an og steez with brass gears from the og zillion destroyed the sv103, be it in smoothness, weight, palmability and looks.

[keagbassr]

Still using my 200b and 200b5 regularly.

[little giant]

TD Sol

TD Fuego

2 curado B 501 200

Revo winch 5.4 gen 3

Upgraded bearings & drags, all

Bunch of Quantum Catalysts - built like tanks!

Use em all, love em all!

[The Rooster]

I usually upgrade my reels about every five to six years. My current reels are five years old or less. I have four BPS Extreme baitcasters and one Lew’s spinning reel that I bought new as of this time last year, two Daiwa Exceler LT and Fuego LT spinning reels that are now four years old, and one Pflueger Trion that is five years old but has hardly been used.

[senile1]

@islandbass

We are very similar in that regard.  I am using the following:

1. One Chronarch 200 E7,
2. Four Curado 200 E7s
3. Two Citica 200 Es
4. One Revo STX that I bought around 2014

5. One Stradic 2500

6. One Symetre 2500 

I clean all of my reels on a regular basis and I have had to replace some minor parts on rare occasions.  I will be replacing the Symetre soon as it is starting to feel worn.  Additionally, I have a couple of Citica Ds but only one of them, the DPV with the 5:1 gear ratio, gets much use and that is for slower cranking.  Other than the Symetre, all of these reels function like new, which is why I see no reason to replace them until needed.  Of course, some of them do have a worn and scratched finish but that doesn't bother me.

 

 

[islandbass]

@senile1: great minds must think alike! I am so out of touch with the changes that the last time I looked in a store at spinning reels I was wondering why I couldn’t see any symetres, lol. Miravel or nasci or

something or other. Honestly not sure how to even pronounce those two  one sounds like an alternate universe to marvel and the other might be the Japanese word for nasty… it’s Jackson if you’re Nasci, 😂 (Janet Jackson reference)

[PourMyOwn]

I don't use any baitcasters that aren't OG...

 

Too many TDX, TDS Diawas,  OG Zillions, US Trails, Crazy Crankers, and several TDZs. Oh, and a couple Pixies and OG Fuegos. Sure I'm forgetting a few, I went on a shopping spree a couple years back that still hasn't ended. 

 

I also have a Citica 200E and a Curado Bantam Greenie that I never use. 

[DogBone_384]

I have a Pixy that I use a couple times a season.

[Junk Fisherman]

On 2/1/2025 at 1:58 PM, dk2429 said:

I had two Curado CU200's I bought off my buddy as my first "quality reels". Sold them in no time and went on to the more modern low profile reels. I'm in my 20's, and I have no clue in the world how y'all older folks used to bass fish all day with those Ambassadors and big Curados. I know they're bulletproof but I just can't see them being practical 

The green Curados still get it done as do my Daiwa TDXs.  I have newer Zillions, Tatulas, and a Curado 150MGL.  There is not a huge difference in performance in the reels especially with heavier, standard bass lures.  

[Lead Head]

My current lineup of reels on rods getting regular use:

 

2 Alphas SV105

2 Steez 100h 

1 Steez 100sh 

TDZ 103h

TDX 105h

1 SV103

4 SS SV (all have Zillion or Steez gears with good drag)

1 21 Zillion 

 

All have carbontex and upgraded bearings, levelwind bearing add on the reels that didn't already have them.

[new2BC4bass]

Bought a custom jig rod and the reel the seller used with it.  I figure if the TDX 103H Airmetal was good enough for him, then it's good enough for me.

[MediumMouthBass]

Since alot of you guys use and still buy older reels would you say they are still adequate to fish today?

I guess what im asking is how big of a difference do you find using these reels vs whats available currently? I have no clue how any of these reels were to fish or what they were even like since most were made before my time, only reels i have that are older, are really old. Ones an Ambassadeur and the other a Daiwa Black Widow from the 80's my dad gave me.

[ABU is overpriced]

11 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Since alot of you guys use and still buy older reels would you say they are still adequate to fish today?

I guess what im asking is how big of a difference do you find using these reels vs whats available currently? I have no clue how any of these reels were to fish or what they were even like since most were made before my time, only reels i have that are older, are really old. Ones an Ambassadeur and the other a Daiwa Black Widow from the 80's my dad gave me.

Not sure how to answer that question. How exactly do you expect, say, a reel from 2005 to perform when compared to a reel from 2023? From the Daiwa side, older reels (everything is related to the spool, not the reel) were casting much further than almost everything currently produced by Daiwa today, because they focus too much on SV spools, which are not too hot at long distance casting. But then, SV spools are way better at skipping, casting at head wind, capable of casting smaller lures, etc. All in all, old or new, they have their pros and cons. If you purchase a quality older model such as a Steez 103SH for example, they were amazing in 2007, and they're as amazing today (unless you dislike how they palm, but this applies to any reel, new or old). A quality reel doesn't become irrelevant because new generations of the steez line have been released. But at the same time, if you purchased a used steez that has seen 10 years of usage without ever being cleaned, don't expect a smooth performer. Clean it, replace what needs to be replaced, installed a new brass gear set, and that thing will be as pleasant to use as the highest end shimanos or daiwas released today, while also being ultra smooth, and have access to 50+ custom spools that you could try in it to change its casting characteristics.

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Clean it, replace what needs to be replaced, installed a new brass gear set,

 

3 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

because they focus too much on SV spools, which are not too hot at long distance casting.

Thanks for the info, i would probably love an older Daiwa casting reel, since my SV spooled reels im not very fond of. Im a long distance caster over everything else, although i do like skipping, casting as far as possible makes up 80% of my fishing banks.

 

Any places you prefer to get parts from for these reels?

[ABU is overpriced]

8 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

 

Thanks for the info, i would probably love an older Daiwa casting reel, since my SV spooled reels im not very fond of. Im a long distance caster over everything else, although i do like skipping, casting as far as possible makes up 80% of my fishing banks.

 

Any places you prefer to get parts from for these reels?

I only order from Plat.
https://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/optionparts/

[twisted_metal]

Shimano Chronarch 201E5 left handed 5.5:1 gear ratio.  It's on my Megabass 7'-11" XX Launcher.  It's the best deep cranking reel I have.

[AlgonquinFan]

I still enjoy using my SS Tournaments, now and then.

[new2BC4bass]

20 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Since alot of you guys use and still buy older reels would you say they are still adequate to fish today?

I guess what im asking is how big of a difference do you find using these reels vs whats available currently? I have no clue how any of these reels were to fish or what they were even like since most were made before my time, only reels i have that are older, are really old. Ones an Ambassadeur and the other a Daiwa Black Widow from the 80's my dad gave me.

Absolutely adequate.  Loved the TD-Z 105H.  Bought 2 more.  Have 3 of the Purple Alphas reels, a Type F and an SV105 (which I sent out as it backlashed too easy).  Use my Pixies.  My Curado 201E7 is on a dedicated frog rod.  The Chronarch 100B is a great caster as are the TD-X and TD-Z reels.

 

Who doesn't like the TD Fuego?  Two old gold colored Carbonlites were used to learn casting a #5 Shad Rap.  The Ambassadeur Black Max 1600C series reels aren't the tightest, smoothest reels on the block, but are a lot of fun to use.  They do great with lighter lures in the wind.  I've already mentioned a few other reels.

 

I don't think I'd miss a thing if I had to stick with my older reels.  I don't see myself learning to skip as a shore fisherman, so an SV spool isn't an absolute necessity for me.  However, I do have an older SV105, or an older Exsence DC, should I want to learn.  No need for a new reel for that technique.

[ABU is overpriced]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Absolutely adequate.  Loved the TD-Z 105H.  Bought 2 more.  Have 3 of the Purple Alphas reels, a Type F and an SV105 (which I sent out as it backlashed too easy).  Use my Pixies.  My Curado 201E7 is on a dedicated frog rod.  The Chronarch 100B is a great caster as are the TD-X and TD-Z reels.

 

Who doesn't like the TD Fuego?  Two old gold colored Carbonlites were used to learn casting a #5 Shad Rap.  The Ambassadeur Black Max 1600C series reels aren't the tightest, smoothest reels on the block, but are a lot of fun to use.  They do great with lighter lures in the wind.  I've already mentioned a few other reels.

 

I don't think I'd miss a thing if I had to stick with my older reels.  I don't see myself learning to skip as a shore fisherman, so an SV spool isn't an absolute necessity for me.  However, I do have an older SV105, or an older Exsence DC, should I want to learn.  No need for a new reel for that technique.

If your sv105 backlashed too often, its 100% because the magnetic rings on your palming side plate have spun because the glue that holds em has lost its effect. When those magnets arent in their original angles, the magnetic force that's applies on the spool during a cast becomes significantly weaker, and the reel becomes unusable. Have had it happen on multiple OG steez reels and one TDZ. Pretty easy fix, tho.

[new2BC4bass]

4 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

If your sv105 backlashed too often, its 100% because the magnetic rings on your palming side plate have spun because the glue that holds em has lost its effect. When those magnets arent in their original angles, the magnetic force that's applies on the spool during a cast becomes significantly weaker, and the reel becomes unusable. Have had it happen on multiple OG steez reels and one TDZ. Pretty easy fix, tho.

Was a brand new reel.  Ian went through it for me.  Forget what all he did.  One of the things he did was reduce the braking force.  It's a fine reel now.

[Bigbox99]

10 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

If your sv105 backlashed too often, its 100% because the magnetic rings on your palming side plate have spun because the glue that holds em has lost its effect. When those magnets arent in their original angles, the magnetic force that's applies on the spool during a cast becomes significantly weaker, and the reel becomes unusable. Have had it happen on multiple OG steez reels and one TDZ. Pretty easy fix, tho.

Most likely it was the inductor ramp base that was broken and allowing the inductor to fully rotate instead of lock after a 1/4 turn.  This will make the reel backlash mid cast even when turning up the brakes and also over brake at the end of the cast because you have the brakes so high to compensate for the issue.  I had this happen to a 17 Tatula SV.

[ABU is overpriced]

6 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Was a brand new reel.  Ian went through it for me.  Forget what all he did.  One of the things he did was reduce the braking force.  It's a fine reel now.

Wasn't the reel too wild during a cast? If so, reducing the braking force would make it even worse. 

37 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

Most likely it was the inductor ramp base that was broken and allowing the inductor to fully rotate instead of lock after a 1/4 turn.  This will make the reel backlash mid cast even when turning up the brakes and also over brake at the end of the cast because you have the brakes so high to compensate for the issue.  I had this happen to a 17 Tatula SV.

I have had this happen on one sv spool as well, but what happened is the opposite, it applied too much braking force, and i couldn't cast anywhere near normal distances.