Down to 2 baitcasters, which one???

[ABC123]

I have decided to get another baitcaster. I am a spinning reel person, but I have decided to buy another baitcaster, and give it a try. I do have an older Diawa that has more dust on it than line, but I don't like the way it works...it's old.

Here is what I have found.

Diawa Advantage Super Tuned. Retail: 139.95 marked down to 79.95. TD-A153HSTL

Cabela's Prodigy. Retail 99.99 marked down to 79.95. PRC201

My criteria is, it MUST be LEFT handed, and must be on the lighter side. Both reels are listed at 8.6 oz. That is about as heavy as I care to go.

If anyone knows of a good baitcaster that is lefthanded, lite, and in the same price range, I'll look into those too. I don't shop BPS, so if they have a tried and true reel, I'll look at it. I don't have anything against BPS, I just are not familular with them. I mostly shop local with a few odd things from Cabela's.

BTW, I'm looking at low profile ones. The reel is going on a CR721C Loomis rod.

[ABC123]

I just found the BPS website and saw they have a Bionic plus one 38-350-602-00 with good weight and good reveiws. Is that a good one?

[roadwarrior]

The Shimano Citica is a little heavier (9.9 oz), but it's a fine reel. You might find a new one on occasion in our Flea Market for $95 - $100, MSRP is $120. It comes in a left-handed model:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20331&id=0035967120569a&navCount=1&podId=0035967&parentId=cat20331&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20331&hasJS=true

[lubina]

I will go with the Advantage if I was looking for another reel, great price but it is not going to last long. It has been Daiwa's flag ship in the low $ 100 before the Tierra came out and it has been out for a while and I've never heard anything negative about. I don't own any but I've serviced a few of them for members of my club.

The new Prodigy is made by Daiwa but not supported by them, that means anything go wrong with the reel you are limited pretty much to Cabelas and no way to order parts for them. This reel is very similar to the Alpha/Sol.

Let us know what you decide.

[Styx]

Advantage

[cart7t]

I haven't fished with one but the two Advantages I have handled were well made reels and quite sweet.  If I decided to do a massive changeover in my crankin rods the Advantage 150P in the low speed gear ratio is definitely one I'd have on the top of the list.

[.dsaavedra.]

GO WITH A SHIMANO CITICA!!!! YOU CAN GET THE 201D (left handed model) AT WWW.DELOSCUSTOMTACKLESHACK.COM FOR $100 AND FREE SHIPPING...THATS WHERE I GOT MINE!

[ABC123]

I looked at the Citica, but at 9.9oz's, that's quite a hunk of weight to hold.

[NBR]

My fishing buddy is also a spinning enthusiast who had a Quantum bait casterreel and an Ugly stick for a rod. He never practiced with it and decided he needed to up grade so he bought a new Curado and a St. Croix rod. He never practiced with the new outfit for any time so in the last 2 years in 28 days of fishing together he used his new bait caster a total of less than 4 hours.

What I am saying if you aren't going to commit to learning to use the bait caster with back yard practice and lots of it don't waste your money.

[TrickyVT1887]

look at the citica 101d then its the same frame as the older curado 101b and is a smaller lighter reel

[ABC123]

look at the citica 101d then its the same frame as the older curado 101b and is a smaller lighter reel

I was really interested in the 100d one until I realized...it was RH. I can't find anyone with a 101d.

[.dsaavedra.]

yea but when your holding the citica, you dont really notice the weight at all.

[burleytog]

look at the citica 101d then its the same frame as the older curado 101b and is a smaller lighter reel

I was really interested in the 100d one until I realized...it was RH. I can't find anyone with a 101d.

Unless you want it local, check out Delo's Tackle.

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/reels/shimanocitaca.html

Of the two reels you list in your original post, I would take the TDA 12 times out of 10.

[ABC123]

My fishing buddy is also a spinning enthusiast who had a Quantum bait casterreel and an Ugly stick for a rod. He never practiced with it and decided he needed to up grade so he bought a new Curado and a St. Croix rod. He never practiced with the new outfit for any time so in the last 2 years in 28 days of fishing together he used his new bait caster a total of less than 4 hours.

What I am saying if you aren't going to commit to learning to use the bait caster with back yard practice and lots of it don't waste your money.

Back in the early 80's, I used to use a Berkley Avenger pistol grip rod with Diawa baitcaster (the one described in the first post). I used that a lot. After awhile, I learned that it wasn't a good set up becouse as the rod would flex, the line would ride along the rod blank causing issues. At the time I blamed it on the fact it was a substandard system. I mothballed the setup in favor of spinning setups that do not do that. I have since bought better rods and have found the guide placement has much to do with the issue. A couple more guides, in the correct spots, help keep the line off the rod better. So, the rod I use for pan fishing, I will also try as a baitcaster too. If it is again something I don't like, I can just sell off the reel, and be a few $$$ out, then I will know. Otherwise, I will have a dual setup rod.

[turfman]

I just switched to baitcasters from spinning this year myself. I had a Curado/St. Croix Premier set-up and did OK, then I splurged and boat a Shimano Chronarch (with advise from this forum)/St. Croix Avid set up and I'm hooked. I now have three of them and save every penny for the next one. I still fish a few Shimano/St. Croix spinning rigs but once you get set up you're going to love it. Basically buy the best reel you can afford, you won't be happy learning with a cheap baitcaster. There are some great reels out there for $ 129 and up but you will have a harder time learning with a basic reel unless you catch a sale. Also, start with lighter line like 10 - 12 lb while you're learning. MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN WITH IT!

[twors]

look at the citica 101d then its the same frame as the older curado 101b and is a smaller lighter reel

I was really interested in the 100d one until I realized...it was RH. I can't find anyone with a 101d.

Shimano doesn't make a 101 citica :'(

I wouldn't be much concerned about the 9.9oz that the Citica weights....I'd more concerned about how heavy your rod is and how it balances. I'd rather run a slightly heavier less expensive reel than run a high buck 6oz wonder reel just to add 4oz of lead to the butt end of the rod to balance the combo out. This is if your concerned about balance...and it does make a huge difference IMO.

[ABC123]

So, here's where I'm at now. I had to do some out of town stuff, so I went a little farther and drove to Cabela's (they had offered me the online price at the store when I called them). I found a CR723 IMX rod (I have the 721 IMX) and put the reel on it. I found the balance for casting was real good, but noticed it had a hard pull/lean to the handle side. Is this normal??? Otherwise, I really liked the reel. I liked the lower profile and the smoothness of the reel. For the price, it does seem like a pretty good deal. The leaning/pull does concern me though. Is it something you only notice in the store??