ok time for my "Real world" casting reel reveiws

[ww2farmer]

People seemed to like my rod reveiws, so I will go ahead and post my thoughts on reels. As with rods, these are ONLY reels I have used, no bias's here.

Abu Garcia: Revo STX, Revo SX, and Revo S,all are light and comfortable, really like the drag power on these reels . Reels never feel under powered. All are smooth out of the box, and even smoother with a little TLC. Cast's well, even lighter lures. The STX and SX are priced right and are as good if not better than other reels in there range,while the S is and incredable bargin IMHO Abu Has hit a home run with the Revo line, and most if not all of my future lp casting reels will be Revos.

C3 round reels, I love my little 4601C3, and my 5501C3, both are the newest design of these reels, but I never had troubles with the older ones either. No they are not the lightest, or smoothest, but the perform, and will last and last. And for "inexpensive reels" they are a great bargin. I tend to favor LP's but would buy more C3's if I need/and or want one.

Shimano: Curado 101D, one of my favorite reels, I know every one harps on the price, but with the rebate It was IMHO a deal. I am sad they are not beeing made any more, this is the reel that brought me back to Shimano after a long absence. However I still like the Revo's better, but if I found a 101D on sale I would grab it.

Citica 201D, I like this reel, I just don't love it, again with the rebate it was a good buy. Weight is not an issue for me, but it is a tad on the bulky size. Excellant quality, cast's as well as any reel I own, and is smooth, I do however like the Revo S better, and don't plan on buying another Citica, at least not till I see the newer version.

Daiwa: Advantage, I have 2 the newest "super tuned" , and the older "plain" advantage. These reels are solid. I like the swept handle on the new one. The older Advantage has served me well for years, and is still like new. But , as with shimano, I can't see my self getting more with how much I like the Revo's.

       Procaster 100HL, I had several of these reels untill I upgraded, but for a cheap reel they were very good to me, smooth, casted well, had and aluminum body/frame, which for a reel in it's price range is a rarity. These are excellant reels, Daiwa has dropped them, but if I needed a good reel cheap, I would still look for one on e-bay.

Pflueger: Trion LP, I did not like this reel, not for performance reasons, as it was as good as anything in the $100 range, but for size reasons. Pflueger only makes the Trion in the wide spool in LH, and for a LP reel it felt weird in my hands, I actually prefer a 5501C3 Abu, I won't buy another.

 Purist LP: IMHO...........junk, expensive for a graphite frame at $80 (which I will never buy another of any kind) and only after a short time felt rough. I could never bring the smoothness back even after polishing and cleaning. Will not buy another.

Quantum: Accurist AC501PT, I really like this reel. I may jump on   one while they are on sale. Has been smooth and trouble free. Palms well, even though it is a bit on the heavy side. I could care less about the flipping switch, but it does work and seems trouble free. I bought this when Quantum was offering rebates, and it was a bargin. I don't think I would buy one at full price.

Accurist AC501CX, I 2 of these, and like them alot. They are my new favorite "cheap" reel now that Daiwa has discontiued the Procaster. Not a whole lot of differnece from the 501PT, but enough to notice, and with the clerance on the PT's I would buy a PT before a CX. One thing with both Quantums, the drag, while smooth, seems less powerfull than any other reels I own. But on the plus side, they both (CX and PT) cast as well as any thing I own, including the Curado, and Revo's. Quantum also has the best brakes IMHO, externaly adjustable centrifical brake, which are fantastic.

Bass Pro Shops: Extreme, Loved one, hated the other. The early one with centrifical brakes was great, smooth, trouble free, and cast well. The newer ones with the hybrid brake...........I hated it. Felt smooth, but got noticably rougher with use, and even with TLC could not be brought back. I have also never had a reel so finicky about casting. Big lures it would launch a mile, but medium size lures were hit and miss, and smaller lures...........forget it. I will not buy any more Extremes, unless they bring back the older ones, which I doubt.

Cabela's: Prodigy, same reel as the Daiwa Advantage, and other than they name stamped on them can't tell the differance, they go on sale often and would buy another. But at full Price I would rather have a Revo.

     

 

           

   

[KvD]

WOW! someone is actually saying Quantum isnt junk? im deeply impressed!

good reviews....

Alex

[Crowcommander]

Farmer,is the Revo's made in Sweden or do you know. Also where are the Quantoms made and the Citicas. I'm going to Academy Sports tomorrow and plan to have a hands on.Thanks Crowcommander

[SimonSays]

What's your opinion on the drag of your Curado?  

[Davis]

Farmer,is the Revo's made in Sweden or do you know. Also where are the Quantoms made and the Citicas. I'm going to Academy Sports tomorrow and plan to have a hands on.Thanks Crowcommander

My Citica 200s are made in Malasyia (spelling?)

But my Citica 100dsv is made in Japan.

[Trent, B]

thanks for the reviews!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pencil Pusher]

Revo's are made in Korea, except the later "S's" are made in China, Quantums are made in China now, 200 and up Citica's are made in Malaysia, 100's are made in Japan.

[sal669]

Great review !!! thanx

[The Rooster]

Thanks for all the reviews.  Just one question........why have you owned all those reels??  If I had half of those I'd never need another one.  That's a lot.  

[ww2farmer]

Just one question........why have you owned all those reels??

Because I can.