Casting Reel Advice....REVO, Daiwa, Shimano? I want to do it right the first time!

[RushFan2112]

Hey All,  Been using spinning gear my whole life for bass fishing.  I use heavy Abu casting reels for the pike and musky up north, but have never used casting reels for bass fishing.  Simply put - I'm tired of line twist that comes with spinning gear, and I want the control of the spool that I get with my heavy setups.  I'm always jealous of the casting distances and control that my fishing buddy has when we're out with his casting setup.

So, I want to buy my first casting reel, but I want to do it right and get a nice one with dual braking, etc.  I'm a huge Daiwa fan - always have been.  My Bradia 2500 and Shimano Compre spinning setup is my "go to " rig for almost all bass fishing situations.  Considering that i'll spend between $100 and $200(max), I'm aware that I should also be looking at other brands besides Daiwa.  I've never used a low-profile casting reel, so I may also consider a round caster if you have a good one to suggest.  So, for general bass fishing situations in northern Illinois/Wisconsin lakes and ponds, which reel would you choose and why?  I've been looking at the Revo's, Ambassadeur's, Tierra, Sol, Millionaire, Curado, etc. Thanks in advance for your replies. 

[SeanW]

The Revo STX is the one, the right one.

[The Rooster]

Man you're gonna get a dozen different answers here.

I'll go ahead and get mine out of the way, either a Shimano Citica or Curado. Simply put, they are sweet casters in that they are light weight, very smooth cranking, cast good distances with fairly light baits and great distances with common sized ones, they come in a variety of gear ratios depending on what your primary needs for a caster are, and are built to last. They do not have dual braking, just centrifugal only, but with the ability to have 2, 3, 4, or 6 brakes working, or none at all, you should have plenty of options for braking. 

But you may also want to consider the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur reels in the 5600 sizes also. I fished them for many years and never had problems, they always casted plenty far enough for me, though I will say my Shimanos will do better on the same baits and will cast lighter baits than the Abus would, at least in my hands. But they are what you are already used to so it would be familiar. And they come in several ratios too, a C3 for 5.3:1 or a C4 for 6.3:1 high speed.  As I understand it now, they also have 6 pin centrifugal brakes too. 

[uicdent11]

They all make good reels. Definitely go to Cabelas or BPS (depending on where you are in N. IL) and play around with them all. Try LH and RH reels on different rods.

With that said, I prefer Shimano baitcasting reels and Daiwa Spinning reel.

[BASSclary]

For your price range, I'll have to recommend the SHIMANO Curado E7, which comes in both Lefty and right to suit you.

However if you can bump it up to about $269, I HIGHLY recommend the Daiwa Zillion(also come in left and right, and available in 7.3, 7.1, 6.3, and 4.9). They are very smooth, cast very far, and Im in love with the Magforce-Z Braking system.

[SeanW]

    He mentioned dual braking system, no Curado I ever owned had a dual braking system. Revo STX and Premiers have dual. I know there are some others but Curado and Citca are not them.

[BASSclary]

He mentioned dual braking system, no Curado I ever owned had a dual braking system. Revo STX and Premiers have dual. I know there are some others but Curado and Citca are not them.

Aren't Pure Fishing Products the only products with Dual Braking?

And I know he mentioned he wanted Dual Braking, but from personal experience any quality braking system can work, mag, cent. or dual.

[The Rooster]

He mentioned dual braking system, no Curado I ever owned had a dual braking system. Revo STX and Premiers have dual. I know there are some others but Curado and Citca are not them.

Yeah, I stated that in my suggestion that they do not have dual brakes. Also I take his statements where he says "dual braking, etc." as a generalization about getting a reel that has lots of good features, and not necessarily a specific requirement that it has dual braking. Not to mention the fact that he actually stated he was looking at a Curado as well as a few others that do not have dual brakes either. :

[SeanW]

Sorry, didnt read your entire response, just saw those listed.  It happens when Im watching a movie and reading.

[GLoomis711]

Curado, no doubt, built to last with Shimano's fantastic bearings.

And I can't help but notice you're a Rush Fan.

Rush is the greatest band to ever walk the earth. 

The Holy Triumvirate !

[jacobhookem]

Curado all the way!!   

[Shane J]

I'm going to have to say... The STX is the way to go. It has the dual brakes, is built to last, casts ridiculously far and smooth, is available in left and right retrieve,  and comes in a couple different speeds. I don't think there's a better choice for a new-to-baitcasting angler in that price range.

[dodgeguy]

pflueger patriarch.built on the same frame as a revo.has dual brakes etc.... casts just as far as the rest if not furthur.the best thing is the titanium depostion finish.it will look good years after the others look bad.this finish is next to impossible to damage.

[roadwarrior]

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant.

I think you would be very pleased with the Curado CU200E7,

I am.

[choupique]

The Revo STX is the one, the right one.

What he said.

[MaxumBass]

I have Curado's, Citica's and an STX. I prefer the Curado and Citica over my STX. But thats me.

[Fishohio]

I would do as already posted. Go to your local outfitter and play around with some reels. You don't have to have dual braking to get a nice casting reel. If you like round reels check out the Abu C4. Casts a mile very easy to service yourself. I have 2 I've been using for 10+ yrs still work perfect!

Any of the brands mentioned will have Quality Reels you'll fish a long time

[0119]

The reels for you, dont rely on the opinion of invisable internet people! You say your a forever Daiwa fan, then stick with them and you'll be happy. You already use Ambassadeurs for other species, theres lots to be said for sticking with the same equipment across the board. The 5600 is way to big for bass. The 4600C3 is perfect for bass and can handle way tougher.

[roadwarrior]

The reels for you, dont rely on the opinion of invisable internet people!

The poster is asking for some advice. It's pretty hard to select

a reel when they all look nice new and seem to perform perfectly.

I own a few Shimano reels and the STX. At the poster's pricing

point, I recommend the Curado.

 

[00 mod]

Roadwarrior, what do you consider a few? LOL! More than 10 is a TON!

PS> get the Curado

[J Francho]

I'm 90% Daiwa guy.  Get a Curado.  Great, proven reel, at your budget.

[Chris at Tech]

Another vote for the STX from me.

[DpDvr]

I used the round Abu reels until two years ago when I bought two Revo S. I loved them and then last year I bought a Curado. I will have to say that I like it better than any reel I ever used. Good luck choosing!

[lightsout]

I used the round Abu reels until two years ago when I bought two Revo S. I loved them and then last year I bought a Curado. I will have to say that I like it better than any reel I ever used. Good luck choosing!

I have had a similar experience. I have used and enjoyed many abu's for years. Santa brought me an E7 last year and I have to say I find myself using that outfit more (even if its not rigged with the lure I'd prefer at the time) just because of the reel.

[rayrock99]

Another vote for the Curado, but I like the 50E over the 200E.