What Is The Best Baitcaster reel?

[d.hark]

I've owned Shimano's and Daiwas. For me there is no question that the best reel money can buy are the Daiwa Steez 100ha, the Alphas Ito reel, and the Daiwa Zillion HLC which is only available in Japan. Calling them reels doesnt seem right, they are more like precision fishing isntruments.

I'd listen to this guy. I think he may have owned every reel ever made ;D Must be independently wealthy. If he says these are the best I would take his word for it. Now they may not be the best bang for your buck, for that you are probally looking at the Curados, Citicas, or Revos. Just depends on how much you want to spend.

[Micro]

I've owned Shimano's and Daiwas. For me there is no question that the best reel money can buy are the Daiwa Steez 100ha, the Alphas Ito reel, and the Daiwa Zillion HLC which is only available in Japan. Calling them reels doesnt seem right, they are more like precision fishing isntruments.

And they're light enough that you can wear them on a chain around your neck.  Bling Bling.  

[Redlinerobert]

I love my Core.  Like Raul says it's just awesome.  With a 90mm carbon handle and matching red paddles, it's bringing sexy back.  ;D

[Micro]

I love my Core. Like Raul says it's just awesome. With a 90mm carbon handle and matching red paddles, it's bringing sexy back. ;D

How is that Core holding up?  I'm interesting in getting one but I'm worried about the durability of Mg reels.  

[Redlinerobert]

It holds up great.  I have it paired with my 7ft Dobyns rod, with a 1 oz hair raiser I can literally cast out the entire spool.  It just goes and goes and...

[FishTank]

For me, I like my Shimano Calais and close second would be my Daiwa Zillion.  

[Infidel.]

If I were a Abu guy, it would be the Abu Morrum AE 74

It's really too bad that Abu didn't stick with the JDM Morrums.  I have two  1600 Ultra Mags and two Forrels (a 1600 & a 3600) and they are truely amazing reels.  

[Guest avid]

Depends on the price point

Absolutely not.

It can depend on the type of fishing.

For example the BEST Flipping reel or the best reel for finesse fishing may not be the same.

Personally I think the Daiwa Steez is the best all around bass baitcaster.

If there is a flaw in it, I haven't found it yet.

[Fish MD]

Probly a Shimano Calias DC, or maybe a Diawa Steez.

Gotta second the Steez here but make sure you get the neww 100H.  Higher line capacity.  Calais is great and DC make adjusting the breaks easier but honestly it wasn't that hard in the past.  The DC just gives you an easy labeled dial to do it instead of pins.

I would use as many as you can and feel which is best for you.  The reason I say that is because other then the Steez I really like the Quantum Energy and Tour PT.  Not crazy expensive but they cast a mile and haven't givenme one problem yet (knock on wood).

Either way, asking which is the best is like the whole Ford or Chevy conversations of old.  Too much personal feel and fishing style to make each choice different.

[mayassa]

Shimano Calais

[NBR]

Your question is kind of like what is the best car. You will get responses from those who have good and bad results. I have reels

from Shimano, Pflueger, Daiwa, Quantum and Bass Pro frankly reels in the same price range perform about the same regardless of who made or marketed them. I would give BPS a little edge since they cost a little less with similar features. A perceived issue is you must send them back to BPS for service but this has not been an issue for me since I have never needed to send one back.

Don't let the number of bearing influence you since beyond 3 or 4 the number has little to do with performance.

Casting distance is affected as much by rod and line as the reel and mostly by the person using the set up.

[michbass]

The one you use. The one that you catch fish with. The one that makes you happy.  

[Big-Bass]

Can we see a pic of that Core and the Dobyns rod Redlinerobert? I would love to see how that looks matched up like that.  Thanks.