Best Baitcaster Under $250

[TripDaddy]

What is the best sub $250 baitcaster?  I'm looking for another baitcaster and I have my own opinions but I was curious what everyone else thought.

[Bassn Blvd]

Calcutta.  Yes, it's made by Shimano.   Did I say Calcutta? Thought so.....

[Bryant.]

Abu revo stx. I've got four and they're awesome.

[Redlinerobert]

Zillion on Ebay.  You can't do better in that price range.

[roadwarrior]

The best price I've seen on the Shimano Curado 100 ($165) and 200 ($175):

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

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant. I would recommend Shimano, specifically the Curado at this pricing point.

[flechero]

For that price there are only 2 reels I would even look at...  

Chronarch 50 MG

Revo Premeir

[scott k]

What are you going to be using it for?  I've been using a Revo STX for the last month or so and it is a fabulous real for casting but it doesn't work as well as my Curado for pitching (and the Curado doesn't do as well as the Revo for casting).

[Raul]

Cabela 's TDZs ........ my mistake, that sale ended some time ago.  ;D

There 's a big bunch of reels in that sub 250 class and all of them are excellent, on the other hand Delo 's has killer prices on all of them plus free shipping.

[FishTank]

I am a big Shimano fan but at that price I would have to go with the Zillion.  Just a well made reel.

[Alpster]

Shimano Chronarch 50Mg. No doubt about it! JMHO

Ronnie

[Banor]

I'm with the "posse"...  I have 6 chronarch mg50's if that tells you anything.  I will give one caveat to that... these are more for lighter applications, say 8 and 10 lb test stuff 1/8 to 3/8 for the most part.  That's not set in stone but it's what I think they are best at.

If you are looking for something a bit heavier then RW is right on.   Curado's at the 150 to 200 pricing point are great.  I use those for the 7:0.1 high speed reels (frogging and spinnerbaits).

B

[shimanogloomis man]

shimano curado or chronarch 100b.best price r at www.reelfishingdeals.com

[Micro]

Revo STX.  

[Shadcranker]

Curado in the 100 size.

take the extra $50, and buy yourself some 15 lb P-Line, some lures, and go have fun.

I own around 10 Curados- old green ones and the new ones, and they are workhorses- proven to last.

Best value out there IMHO.

Some of the other brands mentioned feel and look great, but we'll see how they past the test of time.

Curados last and have all the performance I need.

[flechero]

The last post reminded me of something.  I was looking into the curado 100DSV early this spring and had a conversation with one of the Shimano marketing managers about them.  He went "off the record" and strongly suggested I get the Citica 100DSV...  there is almost no difference.  

[W1-10]

Another for the Revo STX.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Another vote for the Revo. VERY NICE REELS!!!

Falcon

[roadwarrior]

Curado in the 100 size.

take the extra $50, and buy yourself some 15 lb P-Line, some lures, and go have fun.

I own around 10 Curados- old green ones and the new ones, and they are workhorses- proven to last.

Best value out there IMHO.

Some of the other brands mentioned feel and look great, but we'll see how they past the test of time.

Curados last and have all the performance I need.

I don't know what it is, but there's something about this post I like! :

[largemouthslayer]

Curado in the 100 size.

take the extra $50, and buy yourself some 15 lb P-Line, some lures, and go have fun.

I own around 10 Curados- old green ones and the new ones, and they are workhorses- proven to last.

Best value out there IMHO.

Some of the other brands mentioned feel and look great, but we'll see how they past the test of time.

Curados last and have all the performance I need.

I don't know what it is, but there's something about this post I like! :

I agree 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000%

[MonarkMcfaster]

I prefer Quantum reels, The baitcaster "energy" seems to be holding up fairly well for me.

[Siebert Outdoors]

This is another thing I've been investigating all day. :

I'm at the same price  250  I thought I wanted a core till I saw the price.

I'm looking at the

Chronarch 50mg

New chronarch

Zillion

The  mg is light but based off older technology unlike the new chronarch.  Might not matter much.  Both I'm sure are great reels.  I like the size of the 50mg and the look and feel over the new chronarch.  But the zillion seems to me so far as a better buy.  I will be doing hands on research tonight.

[blade]

As long as it is a SHIMANO it doesn't matter, but esp. the curado and chronarch

[michbass]

Love the Zillion, alot. But it you are looking to throw light finesse the Chronarch 50mg is the way to go. I love Daiwa  :-*  :-* but I recently used a friend's Chronarch 50mg and fell in love with it too.

Not to jack but is the Steez worth the extra 200 over the Chronarch 50?

[roadwarrior]

I wanted a core till I saw the price.

GMAN,

Save your pennies.  Wait until next spring and get the reel you REALLY want.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Well last night I did some R&D.

The zillion was nice but I just didnt really care for the way it wound.  If I tightened up the drag and spool tension knobs where I like to fish them.  The reel seemed to grind a bit just like my TDX and the handle turned harder

Chronarch D-  I really like how smooth it is.  I cranked down the drag and tension knob some and no grinding and stayed just as smooth.  The drag seemed to be very good too.  Good and strong.  I really liked the reel but it wasnt that comfortable in my hand

MG-  sweet little baby here.  The size fit my hand well, light, very smooth.  I wish it had all the new features of the chronarch D, but I think this is the one I'm going with.

RW, your not helping the situation. I cant swing the core.  I need to replace too many reels.

BTW, someone said something about a steez.  I fingered that one for a bit.  Didnt like it at all.  I thought the zillion was nicer, thats not even figuring in price.  Just my opinion.