38 Super Fan Posted October 1, 2011 Posted October 1, 2011 I bought my first BC a few weeks ago, a humble Pflueger Templar, and I've been pleased so far with it, but I'm wanting to step up to a more quality reel. I probably will use this reel mostly for throwing spinners, cranks, occasional swimbaits and maybe a few texas rigged worms as well. I'd like to stay under $150, someone has a Abu Revo SX on E-Bay for $130 shipped, I suppose that's my favorite at the moment, what else should I consider? Thanks in advance! Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted October 1, 2011 Super User Posted October 1, 2011 I bought my first BC a few weeks ago, a humble Pflueger Templar, and I've been pleased so far with it, but I'm wanting to step up to a more quality reel. I probably will use this reel mostly for throwing spinners, cranks, occasional swimbaits and maybe a few texas rigged worms as well. I'd like to stay under $150, someone has a Abu Revo SX on E-Bay for $130 shipped, I suppose that's my favorite at the moment, what else should I consider? Thanks in advance! The Revo SX is a very good reel, and is certainly capable of casting the techniques you mentioned, but in my experience it can be a little tempermental with adjusting the magnetic brakes, more so on the older version of this reel. One of the reels that I would suggest you take a look at is the Bass Pro Pro Qualifier, they can be purchased for 99 dollars and are a very solid reliable reel, they come in a variety of gear ratio's and have dual braking, which if you are new to baitcasters , may be a great feature. Another solid choice if you can find them is either of the Shimano's, the Citica or the Curado E series reels. Another reel worth mentioning is the Lew's Speed Spool, they have a couple of reels in your price range with dual brakes, they cast and retrieve very nice. Anyway good luck with the search. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted October 2, 2011 Super User Posted October 2, 2011 I have a SX and a Curado. The SX stayed home today & I took the Curado out with me. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted October 2, 2011 Super User Posted October 2, 2011 I like the suggestions made so far. I'd like to add one of my own. Cabela's Prodigy. I have the previous model. Enjoy it. The new model has more bearings and is a lot nicer looking reel, IMHO. Should be an even better reel. I got the 51E when it was sold for $98 if you signed up for the seller's newsletter. Sadly it hasn't even been spooled with line yet. This weekend makes it 8 weeks since I was last out fishing. Life sucks sometimes. :( If you don't mind buying used, I suggest keeping an eye open for one of the Shimano Chronarchs. I got one in the same time frame I bought the 51E. At least it came loaded with line! Haven't used it yet either. Need another couple rods. Need more hours in a day! I have gotten to cast the Chronarch 101A I bought for my daughter. I like it. May have to get one of my own. The Chronarch I got for myself is the B model. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a B model for $150. Less for the A model. Lew's new reels are getting excellent reviews. May be because they are the latest hot item. Regardless, I'd like one. Quote
38 Super Fan Posted October 2, 2011 Author Posted October 2, 2011 Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone, I looked more into them and all of them look good, I may have gotten into more than I expected. I've always thought of bearing count as an important factor, but I notice the Shimano Citica, which folks always speak highly of, actually has fewer bearings than my Pflueger. Is bearing count overrated? Maybe there are more important things to look at when comparing similar reels? I don't have any local stores that carry much in the way of good baitcasters, so I'm out of luck when it comes to handling any of them. Quote
Bass_Fanatic Posted October 2, 2011 Posted October 2, 2011 Bearing count is overrated. Bearing quality is what matters. You cant go wrong with a Citica E or a Curado 50E, but TW has the Pflueger Patriarch on sale for $110 and its a heck of a reel. Quote
BassHole5 Posted October 2, 2011 Posted October 2, 2011 Bearing count is overrated. Bearing quality is what matters. You cant go wrong with a Citica E or a Curado 50E, but TW has the Pflueger Patriarch on sale for $110 and its a heck of a reel. X2!! (About the bearings) Now about the reel, I own 4 SXs and I LOVE them, I've had the first one for about a year and the rest I have obtained since then (obviously). The only problem is that they are finicky unlike Shimanos but IMHO they feel stronger and they are definitely smoother. I personally like the SX better but it's all in your opinion, I would go with whatever you can get cheaper (new if possible). Quote
38 Super Fan Posted October 2, 2011 Author Posted October 2, 2011 While I'm at it, what kind of rods would you suggest for around $100? I'm probably even more clueless on rods than I am on reels. Quote
Bass_Fanatic Posted October 2, 2011 Posted October 2, 2011 While I'm at it, what kind of rods would you suggest for around $100? I'm probably even more clueless on rods than I am on reels. *** . com has Falcon Caras on sale for $100, they are regular $200. You wont find a better rod for $100. Quote
38 Super Fan Posted October 2, 2011 Author Posted October 2, 2011 *** . com has Falcon Caras on sale for $100, they are regular $200. You wont find a better rod for $100. I checked their site, but I didn't see any Caras on sale. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted October 2, 2011 Super User Posted October 2, 2011 I checked their site, but I didn't see any Caras on sale. Falcon Clark Wendlandt Casting Rods Quote
flippin and pitchin Posted October 3, 2011 Posted October 3, 2011 The Lews Tournament at 139.99 is an excellent reel. I have three Revo SX's and the Lews is by far a better performing reel. The Patriarch at 110.00 is also a heck of buy. Quote
zip pow Posted October 3, 2011 Posted October 3, 2011 Bps pro qualifier. Best reel for 99$ got a half dozen been using 150 or so days a year still performing great Quote
Kevin Wilder Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 on paper the new quantum smoke looks better than the curado and the revo... its significantly light than both.... more bearings than the curado one less than the revo but how many bearings do you need really? The question is bearing quality between these reels which I don't know and hope to find out from someone... At the moment I'm considering the smoke over these other reels and you can get one on ebay just over $150 Quote
38 Super Fan Posted October 4, 2011 Author Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks so much for all of the replies everyone! I think what I'll do is keep my eyes open for good deals on all the above mentioned reels. I'll probably end up buying two or three different ones before the month is over, and I'll see what I like best, you can never have too many reels anyway right? Thanks for giving me a good list to pick from. Quote
set_the_hook Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 The Lews Tournament at 139.99 is an excellent reel. I have three Revo SX's and the Lews is by far a better performing reel. The Patriarch at 110.00 is also a heck of buy. x2 on the lews tournament. these will be the future purchases for me. i will be buying them when i purchase new setups. Quote
Khong Y. Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 I bought my first BC a few weeks ago, a humble Pflueger Templar, and I've been pleased so far with it, but I'm wanting to step up to a more quality reel. I probably will use this reel mostly for throwing spinners, cranks, occasional swimbaits and maybe a few texas rigged worms as well. I'd like to stay under $150, someone has a Abu Revo SX on E-Bay for $130 shipped, I suppose that's my favorite at the moment, what else should I consider? Thanks in advance! I have both Curado and Revo. The Shimano Curado is a better casting reel. It just cast smoother. Quote
j.bruno Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 I cant figure my SX out either. Its so finicky, My citica and curado though are another story. Quote
John G Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 on paper the new quantum smoke looks better than the curado and the revo... its significantly light than both.... more bearings than the curado one less than the revo but how many bearings do you need really? The question is bearing quality between these reels which I don't know and hope to find out from someone... At the moment I'm considering the smoke over these other reels and you can get one on ebay just over $150 I have read this before about the Smoke. Post #19 Quote
38 Super Fan Posted October 9, 2011 Author Posted October 9, 2011 I had a Quantum spinning reel a few years back that was problematic as well, I don't think I'll try another Quantum anytime soon. Anyway, I went ahead and bought a Revo SX, and teamed it up with a Falcon Wendlandt rod, should be here pretty soon. I'm gonna buy a Pflueger Patriarch as well, found a pretty nice price on one, and all my Pfluegers have been good to me. I may look to add a Speed Spool and a Curado down the line somewhere. Thanks again everyone. Quote
GrippinLips Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 Smack a Shimano Citica 200e on a Abu Garcia Veritas, and you got yourself a great combo for about $200 !!!!! Quote
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