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

[breezy]

You should be fine with almost any mid range reels from Abu, Daiwa, Shimano or even Bass Pro. It really comes down to personal preference. For example Curados are extremely popular, I've owned one and it did perform very well but just felt too cheap/"plasticy" to me so I returned it.

Your best bet is to just go to a store, handle all of the reels and decide which one feels best to you. Some you should probably check out:

-Revo series (wide price range so pick one in your budget)

-Shimano: Curado, Citica

-Bass Pro: Pro Qualifier, Carbonlite

BTW, I ended up picking up a carbonlite after returning the curado. It has two graphite sideplates also but feels much more solid IMO. I couldn't be happier so far, for $120 you get dual braking, swept carbon handle, etc...features found on more expensive reels like the $280 revo premiere.

[steezy]

Its hard to beat the BPS Pro Qualifier as a great reel with Dual Brakes.

[RushFan2112]

Wow!  I did not expect 26 replies when checking in tonight, but dang, you guys rock.  In reading the responses, I should've clarified that dual braking was NOT mandatory.  I just figured the all of the reels I was looking at all had dual.  Sorry bout that.   

ROOSTER - You were right on.  Many mixed responses to my question.  I'm just going to hit BPS and check out the reels in my hands. 

GLoomis711 - Yep, MONSTER RUSH fan here.  Long live the kings! 

Thanks again all for your responses.  Honestly, all of the responses just further complicate my decision.  I'm just going to see which feels best in my hands for the price range that I'm in and take things from there.  Love the site! 

[skunked_again]

off topic: Dual Braking???

what is dual braking? is mechanical brakes/spool tension dual braking?

[Hammer 4]

We don't need no stinking dual braking.... ;D

Curado ...nuff said..

[Micro]

Abu's dual braking system is unnecessary.  It's an attempt to take the burden of becoming a competent caster (with one brake system or the other) off the user.  It's an attempt to make their reel fool-proof.  It controls the cast so you don't have to. 

I'd recommend (in your price range):

   Shimano Curado E7 with centrifugal brake

   Daiwa Advantage HSTA with mag brake

   Revo SX with mag brake, or S with centrifugal   

   brake. 

You will become an compentent caster with any of them.  Mastering a baitcaster is part of the fun of bass fishing.  Using a reel you don't really need to master isn't much fun after awhile.

[CWB]

Dual braking is a combination of centrifugal pin brakes and magnetic brakes which are used on the STX and a few BPS reels. I think the worm is turning. A little while ago you would get 75% Shimano lovers responding. Now it looks like 50/50 Shimano/Revo. I have both and both are great reels but I personally prefer the Revo. It fits the way I palm my set-ups better. Everyone will and should have his/her own preference.

[CWB]

We don't need no stinking dual braking.... ;D

Curado ...nuff said..

Where's Muddy when you need him? :-/

[jeb2]

Dual braking is a combination of centrifugal pin brakes and magnetic brakes which are used on the STX and a few BPS reels.

It's also used on the Revo Premier, at least the 2010 version. Some of the early DBS didn't work great, but the newer ones like on the Premier are fantastic. Gives the reel so much versatility! I have a core 50, curado 200E7, 4 Premier's, as SX, a JM Gold, a Calais DC (Steez arriving today, according the FedEx site). The Premier's are just fantastic reels and I think the DBS is a big part of the reason for that. I prefer them over all the other reels, except the DC. The DC is a bigger, heavier reel, but it's hard to top it's casting performance on a windy day.

I think the worm is turning. A little while ago you would get 75% Shimano lovers responding. Now it looks like 50/50 Shimano/Revo.

Agreed. I think Abu's 2010 lineup has really boosted their credibility. Put a little more durable finish on the Premier and it would easily compete with other $400 reels out there.

[trevor]

I like Ardent or Daiwa casting reels. Abus feel nice too, but I don't have one. Don't really like Shimanos for a few minor reasons, but I think pretty much anything the big three offer in the $150+ range will be good.

[SeanW]

Abu's dual braking system is unnecessary. It's an attempt to take the burden of becoming a competent caster (with one brake system or the other) off the user. It's an attempt to make their reel fool-proof. It controls the cast so you don't have to.

I'd recommend (in your price range):

Shimano Curado E7 with centrifugal brake

Daiwa Advantage HSTA with mag brake

Revo SX with mag brake, or S with centrifugal

brake.

You will become an compentent caster with any of them. Mastering a baitcaster is part of the fun of bass fishing. Using a reel you don't really need to master isn't much fun after awhile.

    You do realize that some people just have a hard time with bait casters dont you? I mean they really just never get good with them. My son bought one of those anti back lash reels(backlash proof) and he would get a real mess in that thing no problem. Others pick it up real quick.

   I like the dual braking system. I dont use the mechanical at all, but for some they can set those, then fine tune without having to open the reel. Casting into a strong wind versus casting with it. Throwing a light rip bait compared to a DD22. So while you dont feel a need for it others do.

[Scorpio]

Get a Daiwa ProCaster 100HN.  It will cost you under $50 and is a great reel to learn on.  Braking system is great and works as well as any I have tried.

[LAO162]

DBS systems have their merits.  Because I am limited in the amount of time I get at the water, I appreciate the forgiving attributes of DBS reels.  Since I throw a lot of lighter baits, I especially enjoy the ability to adjust the brakes without pulling off the side plates.

That said, when I'm "on" I get fantastic performance from my Chronarch MG51 and Quantum TE reels.  However, when I mess up I either spend 10 minutes pulling out tangles, or I put aside the combo and pick up another one in its place.  DBS backlashes occur less often and are usually less severe.

Since you have a background with spinning gear, you may want to consider left hand models. 

Leon

[Quillback]

On a well known auction website they are offering the new Abu Premier 2011 model (7:1 retrieve ratio) for $196 with free shipping, it's a "Buy now" so not an auction.  Darn good price for that reel, if I needed another reel I would have bought one. 

[CWB]

With dual braking reels, you have the option of tuning the magnets off if you are used to centrifugal, turning the pins off if you prefer the magnets, or tinkering with a combination of both. 3 options are usually better than one. Still, it comes down to what you can afford, and what you are used to and comfortable with.

[RussBert]

I'm a huge Daiwa fan - always have been.

...between $100 and $200(max)

Hi. I recommend the Daiwa Sol, which can be had through ebay for around $170.

It's a fine reel, easy to cast and casts light baits extremely well

[Nibbles]

Daiwa Advantage HSTA hands down. This reel is basically a Zillion without CRBBs but with a 4 bearing handle instead of 2, making it incredibly smooth.

Really, either the HSTA or the Curado E7 should suit you fine. It comes down to whether you prefer Daiwa's Magforce Z braking system or Shimano's 6 pin centrifugal braking system.

The Daiwa Sol is also an option, although I would personally say it's better for smaller finesse presentations. It's great for tossing lighter baits in the 1/4 oz range and uses Magforce V instead of Magforce Z, which means it sacrifices a little bit of casting distance for the ability to pitch light baits well.

[GLoomis711]

Wow! I did not expect 26 replies when checking in tonight, but dang, you guys rock. In reading the responses, I should've clarified that dual braking was NOT mandatory. I just figured the all of the reels I was looking at all had dual. Sorry bout that.

ROOSTER - You were right on. Many mixed responses to my question. I'm just going to hit BPS and check out the reels in my hands.

GLoomis711 - Yep, MONSTER RUSH fan here. Long live the kings!

Thanks again all for your responses. Honestly, all of the responses just further complicate my decision. I'm just going to see which feels best in my hands for the price range that I'm in and take things from there. Love the site!

Yepp, they are definitely the kings, the sad thing is, their is so many people that don't recognize their unbelievable talent. 

&&& Go with the Curado

It's the RUSH of reels.

[kikstand454]

i love rush.... i play bass.

while any of the big companies have great reels for that price range....i agree somewhat with scorpio... the daiwa 100hn is an awesome reel for a beginner that has brakes that actually work.

imho i think that when youre just starting out a solid competent reel that is midly forgiving is better to get than a "pro" level ridiculously smooth reel that is designed for people that are more advanced in their casting.

that is not to say that you can not learn on these type reels... and their might be the argument to do so sets you up for better casting in the future.... but i think just starting out a high quality ROD is much more important.

get a <100 dollar reel and get a >100 dollar rod.

Or you could get a bps pro qualifier combo which is the general consensus on this site as the best rod/reel for the midlevel price.

[repper]

I think you will be very pleased with your new Curado 200e7. Check them out on Ebay, and you can probably pick one up for ~$140.00-$150.00 with free shipping and no tax. And then just go learn how to cast it. I think having too many controls on your first baitcaster will just make it harder to go have fun with it. All of the major players make great high end reels. But you'll love your new Curado.

[shimanogloomis man]

I always bought shimano so im ganna say shimano they never let me down so in that price range curados thewto go.now my twin bro is a diawa guy and he has the team daiwa hsta i think thats the model # it cost around the same price as a curado. Fished both all around id take the curado hands down flipped and casted better the daiwa might have been a tab bit smother but not much of a difference..Curado  ;)and never look back