Gomer Pyle Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 So I'm looking at buying a new baitcaster. Been to many tackle retailers...both locally and online. There are many brands to choose from...I currently own an older Daiwa and Shimano. Both reels have advantages and disadvantages. I go the local Wal Mart where they sell Shakespear and Abu Garcia baitcaster reels. The most expensive model is like $69...7 bearings, mag cast control...etc. I guess what I'm getting at, I can go out and buy a $175-200 reel, or I can get a $69 reel. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for, however, is it really going to help me catch more fish by purchasing a high dollar reel as opposed to a <$100 reel? Thanks for your insight..... Quote
Iowa Matt Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 Most of my reels are in the $170-220 range and I find that while they won't catch more fish by themselves.............they do let me catch more fish than I might otherwise for a couple reasons. First, you can cast farther with a nice reel all else (line, rod, lure, wind) being equal. This means that your lures spend more time in the strike zone and less time in the air..............that equals more fish. Second, they are less prone to tangling when properly set up. This means that I get more time in the water and less time picking out a birds nest. So for me, it comes down to that fact that better reels help me spend my time on the water more efficiently...........thats worth it to me. In the range of prices you mentioned I can suggest the Shimano Curado 200E and the Revo SX/STX as being excellent from lots of personal use. Matt Quote
Super User grimlin Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Catch more fish=No You get what you paid for in quality=yes Quote
Super User Hammer 4 Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 I agree $$$ to a certian extent will get you a better reel, i.e. take the Shimano bc reels, the citica and curado..grab them and crank em, you can instantly feel how much smoother the curado is compared to the citica..i.e. 119.00 vs 179.00 at tackle shops. Quote
wisturkeyhunter Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 When comparing a cheap real to a mid priced one I think you will catch more fish here why less time messing with bird nest more accurate cast more reliable Quote
Super User burleytog Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Yes, the cheap reels are likely to last only a season or two. Quote
driftingrz Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 get what you pay for in quality. not gonna help you catch anymore fish really. a buddy of mine has a really nice baitcaster that was handed down to him from his grandpa. and i was pimpin a $35-40 mitchell spinning reel. and ive way more than out fished him. but now im rockin the $69-79 walmart/dicks sporting goods Abu Garcia bait caster. <<<<< ill say one thing. it is MUCH better than the spinning reel i was using but, it hasnt really helped me catch more fish. but its more comfortable. precise. cast further, smoother. sensitive. and i love it. cant stand throwing an open reel now Quote
Super User Hammer 4 Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 That's wierd, cuz I've always been able to cast further with my spinning rig..The rod has alot to do with also, along with the weight of the lure. Quote
Gomer Pyle Posted June 13, 2009 Author Posted June 13, 2009 Yea, I bought the wife a Shakespeare spinning combo...$49 I took it out today and used it to cast a light Rapala minnow...it cast it a mile compared to my Shimano baitcaster. I may have to go out and buy me a good spinning reel now Quote
sweet daddy Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 High dollar reels don't catch more fish, my five hundred dollar steez was out fished by a 33, and a wal mart micro lite last weekend. The high dollar reels are for the pro, or avid non tourney fishermen who need a reel that wont fail under pressure.Bass fishing is just like golf, you start out with always save cheap gear then the monkey shows up. The spinning reel will work just fine too as long as it has a tough drag Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Luck is what catches fish and luck is created. In other words being in the right place at the right time with the right presentation and having a cooperative fish. Does the price of equipment matter? Only to an extent, less chance of failure, smoother, better drag, but there is a limit. To the average recreational fisherman there is a level where the extra dollars can be a waste, better off spending the difference on fishing lessons. Will and stella out fish a stradic? As in golf, you can't buy a swing. Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Yes, the cheap reels are likely to last only a season or two. Over the lifespan of your reels, I believe the expensive one should last longer and therefor catch More fish Quote
Super User .RM. Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 High dollar reels catch more fish?NO... Why because the reels don't catch the fish.. Good educated/savvy anglers do!!! 8-) Tight Lines!!!! Quote
jaym137 Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 I think what better made, lighter, tighter, more efficient reels or rods do is add to your enjoyment while fishing at first. And possibly end up lasting longer or being more dependable over time, and if so become a better value in the long run. A curado or zillion for 200 or 250 dolars that is used and enjoyed over 8 years turns out to be a better value than a 50 dollar reel that you don't like using and replace in 2 or three years. I think quality baitcasters like a Citica or daiwa 153HSTA start usually around 100-150 dollar range and are probably best bang for the buck. Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY Quote
Super User Dan: Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY what if they are Mike Iaconelli with his Daiwa Steez? What if it is an angler with the same knowledge and experience as you? What happens with your Zebco breaks? A higher quality reel is going to help you fish more efficiently, comfortably, and longer. If everything else was constant, the higher quality reel will catch more fish overall. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 13, 2009 Super User Posted June 13, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY what if they are Mike Iaconelli with his Daiwa Steez? What if it is an angler with the same knowledge and experience as you? What happens with your Zebco breaks? A higher quality reel is going to help you fish more efficiently, comfortably, and longer. If everything else was constant, the higher quality reel will catch more fish overall. I would think the pros are changing equipment more often than us amateurs. I'm sure they get much of it for free and want to be on the cutting edge of technology. Quote
DINK WHISPERER Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY I would like to take you up on that! Come on down to FL and flip some hyacinth and hydrilla mixed mats with me, LOL! I use to be all about the Wal-Mart specials myself! That lasted until i got a boat and started pursuing big fish! I hooked an 8lb bass and the gears in my Shakespeare reel almost melted, LOL! More expensive reels won't make more fish bite but they will help land more once you do convince one. Personally, i buy more expensive reels/rods because of the quality and peace of mind i get from them! I can beat the crap out of them all season and then just clean them up and do it all over again the following year! Quote
War Party Posted June 13, 2009 Posted June 13, 2009 I have decided that the bare minimum for bass, for me, is the Abu C3 series. I own two of those and a Citica. A Calcutta is in the works. Nice stuff just works better and lasts longer. Why buy cheap stuff if you can afford the 100-200 dollar stuff? I don't know if I'd buy a 250-500 dollar reel though, unless I fished for money. If it was for real, for bringin' home the bacon, I'd want the 500 dollar reel. ;D :-X Quote
Gomer Pyle Posted June 14, 2009 Author Posted June 14, 2009 Well that settles it, I've decided to purchase the US Reel Supercaster 1000 Pro...I like the innovation and design process. I'll let you know how it fishes. Thanks for the good input and opinions. Pyle Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted June 14, 2009 Super User Posted June 14, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY what if they are Mike Iaconelli with his Daiwa Steez? What if it is an angler with the same knowledge and experience as you? What happens with your Zebco breaks? A higher quality reel is going to help you fish more efficiently, comfortably, and longer. If everything else was constant, the higher quality reel will catch more fish overall. ike dont skeer mee,each of us has diff knowledge and experiance and at any givin time it can be in your favor or theres ,if it breaks ill use a cane poll Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted June 14, 2009 Super User Posted June 14, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY I would like to take you up on that! Come on down to FL and flip some hyacinth and hydrilla mixed mats with me, LOL! I use to be all about the Wal-Mart specials myself! That lasted until i got a boat and started pursuing big fish! I hooked an 8lb bass and the gears in my Shakespeare reel almost melted, LOL! More expensive reels won't make more fish bite but they will help land more once you do convince one. Personally, i buy more expensive reels/rods because of the quality and peace of mind i get from them! I can beat the crap out of them all season and then just clean them up and do it all over again the following year! bring it LOL of course fliipin would hinder me using a 303 u flip ill fish open water Quote
FishDontLikeMe1301600221 Posted June 14, 2009 Posted June 14, 2009 Give me a zebco 303 and i can catch as many fish a day as anyone with a 500 dollar reel..location and willpower is key to fishing CONSISTANTLY I would like to take you up on that! Come on down to FL and flip some hyacinth and hydrilla mixed mats with me, LOL! I use to be all about the Wal-Mart specials myself! That lasted until i got a boat and started pursuing big fish! I hooked an 8lb bass and the gears in my Shakespeare reel almost melted, LOL! More expensive reels won't make more fish bite but they will help land more once you do convince one. Personally, i buy more expensive reels/rods because of the quality and peace of mind i get from them! I can beat the crap out of them all season and then just clean them up and do it all over again the following year! bring it LOL of course fliipin would hinder me using a 303 u flip ill fish open water instead of flippin just click the thumb button on the 303 pull your line back and "ping" shoot it at yer target lmao,thats real man flipping on the 303 ;D Quote
LAO162 Posted June 14, 2009 Posted June 14, 2009 they won't catch more fish by themselves.............they do let me catch more fish than I might otherwise for a couple reasons. First, you can cast farther with a nice reel all else (line, rod, lure, wind) being equal. This means that your lures spend more time in the strike zone and less time in the air..............that equals more fish. Second, they are less prone to tangling when properly set up. This means that I get more time in the water and less time picking out a birds nest. So for me, it comes down to that fact that better reels help me spend my time on the water more efficiently...........thats worth it to me. X2 I fish from the banks with limited access to attractive structure & cover. The difference between my "nice" reels and my value reel is often 25 feet or more on the cast. That is the difference between landing 10 feet in front of attractive structure or going 15 feet past it. Or, even landing 25 feet short. Plus, because I'm not always that successful, it's nice to have smooooth equipment that is a pleasure to use. It makes being skunked more enjoyable. ;D ;D I should disclose that I don't think it's always about having the most expensive reel, it's about having the right reel with the most suitable design & implementation Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted June 14, 2009 Super User Posted June 14, 2009 I don't know about "catching more fish", but you will have a lot more fun fishing with a better reel. 8-) Quote
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