Help Needed with Choosing Reel!

[Brian4618]

Okay, im driving myself crazy trying to pick between these reels. I have decided I need a new reel for crankbaits and I gave my self a limit of $200 for it. If you have any other reels to add please let me know and why you would choose it, but these are my options I have in mind.

1. Abu Garcia Revo Winch 5.4:1. Pros: High Line Capacity and 10+1 bearing system. Cons: Heavier weight (8.5oz)

2. Quantum Energy PT VI 5.1:1. Pros: Lighter weight (7.7oz). Cons: Have never had experience with Quantum products.

3. Shimano Curado 200E 5.0:1. Pros: Lighter weight (7.6oz) and have had good experience with Shimano products. Cons: 5+1+1 bearing system.

4. Quantum KVD PT 5.1:1. Pros: Lightest weight of choices (7.5oz). Cons: Again, dont know what to expect from Quantum.

Remember, my pros and cons came only from looking at the specs of the reels and holding them at the store. So if you can add any help, please do. Thank you, Brian.

[roadwarrior]

Geez...that's easy...I think one of them is a Shimano!

;D ;D ;D ;D

[Hammer 4]

!0 cheap bearings aren't as good as 5 quality bearings..

Love my Curado.. 8-)

[Boogey Man]

1: Shimano

2: Quantum

3: Abu Garcia.

That would be the order I'd pick 'em.

[hookingem]

curado 200e5 no doubt!

[ChiCityBasser]

Of the ones you have listed I only have experience with the Quantum products and going with what I know....Quantum and of the Quantums I have the Energy PT 6.3:1,  so gotta again go with what I know...Quantum Energy PT

[J Francho]

I don't use any of the choices listed.  I have four crank bait setups, three have a Daiwa Sol, the other a Daiwa TD-X.

[Shane J]

I'd choose the Curado E5. Fishing with my E7 is a joy! The Quantums feel heavy to me. Second choice would be the Revo.

[northern basser]

Hammer is right.  Don't look so much at the bearing count.  In baitcasters and spinning reels shimano seems to get beat in bearing count often.  However,  more often than not, shimano's reels are just as good and usually better than the rest.

[Dan-K]

Another vote for the Curado!!! I have two and love them. I also have a Revo S (selling) and a Quantum Energy PT burner (keeping as a spare). From now on all I will purchase will be Shimano Reels.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Out of the ones you have listed, the Curado.  The only other one on the list I've used was the Revo.  Wasn't at all impressed with it.

[21farms]

revo winch

the downside of the extra line capacity of the winch is: more line=more spool weight=not as good with lighter lures.

quantums

if you palm your reels, you might not like the feel of the bulging sideplate in your palm. if you have large hands, thumb bar sits way low when depressed. the line guide is really small and not particularly connection knot-friendly (if you use leaders).

curado

the curados are one of those reels that aren't that impressive on paper or even to look at but it fishes better than the sum of its parts. it has the best knobs of the bunch too.

however, my favorite cranking reel is the zillion crazy cranker...it's the only one where, each time i fish with it, i say to myself how much i like it more and more.

[.RM.]

Okay, im driving myself crazy trying to pick between these reels. I have decided I need a new reel for crankbaits and I gave my self a limit of $200 for it. If you have any other reels to add please let me know and why you would choose it, but these are my options I have in mind.

1. Abu Garcia Revo Winch 5.4:1. Pros: High Line Capacity and 10+1 bearing system. Cons: Heavier weight (8.5oz)

2. Quantum Energy PT VI 5.1:1. Pros: Lighter weight (7.7oz). Cons: Have never had experience with Quantum products.

3. Shimano Curado 200E 5.0:1. Pros: Lighter weight (7.6oz) and have had good experience with Shimano products. Cons: 5+1+1 bearing system.

4. Quantum KVD PT 5.1:1. Pros: Lightest weight of choices (7.5oz). Cons: Again, dont know what to expect from Quantum.

Remember, my pros and cons came only from looking at the specs of the reels and holding them at the store. So if you can add any help, please do. Thank you, Brian.

Next time you go to see the reels in the store, take the rod you intend on using the reel on. Mount it and check the balance, it will be the most important measurement you can get of how the system will feel. Don't put so much into bearing counts....

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[KYntucky Warmouth]

This might help a little, they test three of the reels mentioned

http://www.tackletour.com/review2010lowspeedfinal.html

My personal recommendation is the E5.  I haven't used the other reels though, but I love my E5.

[Sam]

I use two reels for crankbaits.

First is the Curado E-5.

Second is the Revo S.

I like the Curado best.

I am using the Revo S more than the Curado this year as I want to see how it performs.

I do not like the Revo S drag system. Had to take it to Wayne Knabe to have the drag adjusted and have another washer installed.

I would suggest the Curado E-5 be considered. 

[Brian4618]

Thank you everyone for your input, helped me a lot on making my decision. I went back to the tackle shop, picked up a Shimano Compre crankbait rod (what I plan on pairing it with) and the the Curado E5 felt great. Im going to spool it with 12lb P line and use it for cranks. Thanks everyone.

Does anyone have any experience with the 7' Compre cranking rod?

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Compre_Crankbait_Casting_Rods_/descpage-SCCCRD.html

[Sam]

If your Compre has the IM8 rating you have a great rod.

Matched with the E5 you are ready to roll with crankbaits.

Just remember to balance the line's test and bait's weight with the Compre's specifications. 

I like either 12, 14 or 17 pound mono for crank baits.

[BobP]

I wouldn't put much stock in bearing count when evaluating reel specs.  5 or 6 bearings (depending on whether your count the IAR bearing) has all critical moving parts covered (spool, pinion, levelwind, main gear).  Bearings are heavier than most components, so a 10 bearing reel may be overweight just due to the 'extra' bearings.  You may also find that a 5:1 ratio reel like the Shimano will be smoother on the retrieve than a 6.2 or 7 ratio Shimano because the gears are cut less aggressively, under less strain, and work smoother - at least that is true of the old green Curado 200's versus the 200B5 - which I am still using 8 yrs later.

[iceintheveins]

Another vote for the Curado! It's probably the best baitcaster for under $300, let alone under $200.

[silbasser]

If you can get your hands on a sol, thats the one.  Other than that, no question its the Curado.