Alternative For Curado 51E

[plural_of_fant]

Hey folks... I'm looking for my first serious baitcaster. I had sort of made up my mind about starting out with a curado 51E. But have recently found out those are discontinued. It seems the only options from shimano that are a similar size. Is this years Chronarch 51.. which is a bit more then what i wanted to spend. As I am not totally sold on baitcasters in general. Or the Core 51 which is just way out of the question. I have no real personal attachment to the curados that some people seem to have. It just seemed like a good option from all of my research. I do want somthing that can cast decently well with lighter lures. I have a cheapy baitcaster that I just flat out cannot use unless I'm tossing a heavy bait. I was also attracted to the low line capacity of the 51 size. I can't seem to find any other reels that are of similar size. I was looking at some Lews but most of them seem to be a little bit bigger from what i can tell on pictures. I haven't found any local places that carry Lews to check out in person. The other problem is that it seems many models are not offered in left hand retrieve. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks

[mr.mallard]

i couldnt be happier with the lews line...

[WdyCrankbait]

The Lews reels are good ones, never heard anyone say anything bad about them. I have a Curado 50E and love it!

If you look hard enough, you can still locate some 51Es floating around. Have you looked in the Flea Market Thread yet? I have a couple of 51Es at a Bass Pro shop lately. Good luck!

[new2BC4bass]

Welcome to the forum. I'm not too far from you...Allentown/Bethlehem/Eastpon area. Keep an eye on the classifieds if you want a 51E. One comes up occasionally.

I've read good things about how well Lews handles light lures. No experience with them myself. Another reel that isn't too expensive that does a good job with light baits is the Daiwa Sol. You will have to buy that reel used, too.

Are you sure you can't learn to use a right hand reel? I grew up cranking spinning reels with my left hand. However, I've found that I have no problem using either hand with baitcast reels. I'm not sure if I could use either hand with a spinning reel tho. Being able to use either hand lets you take advantage of some pretty good deals without having to wait for LH only reels to be posted. Two of the last 5 reels I bought were LH, the other 3 RH.

As you are finding out, reels specifically designed for casting light lures are more expensive than "regular" reels. I can say that the 51E does an excellent job even if it doesn't have the tight tolerances of the more expensive Shimanos. (It was one of my last 5 bought.)

You didn't specify a price range. The Premier is suppose to do a very good job with light lures. I assume the Patriarch XT should also. I got to use my XT one day before it got too cold for me to fish. Give me a few more months, and I'll be able to tell you if it will handle the light stuff.

EDIT: 51E just came up for sale today on another forum..Gone Already. You've got to be quick!!!!

[Hi Salenity]

First baitcaster and light weight baits = 51E

Find one !

[islandbass]

They may be discontinued, but they are still available and many new. Just say one on Ebay whose current bid is $103.00 right now. However, if you're like me, you like is see and inspect it with your own hands.

[tomustang]

The 51E's are still around, but you have to be weary since there is a small batch of bad ones out there. First go up the road and check out cabelas bargin cave, there might be one hiding.

[webertime]

Ohya still has them at $130.

[plural_of_fant]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been looking on ebay and other places. I might be willing to go that route for a new in box type item. I'm not real into used items without being able to inspect them in person.

I suppose I could use a right handed baitcaster then I'd be switching hands. Right hand retrieve never bothered me on big offshore conventional type reels with a good tuna on the line. I just feel slightly more comfortable with a left hand retrieve and not having to switch after the cast. I will have to take a look at the plfueger's I have not ever used much of their stuff outside of fly fishing.

[rubba bubba]

You have a couple of options. As mentioned above, ohya has them for $133 which is a bargain since they were $180 list/$150 ebay until the closeout: http://ohya.com/products.asp?cat=91

The Lews reels are excellent reels but they are very close in size to the Revos. If that size works, you can't go wrong with a Lews.

The only other economical option is the new Johnny Morris Carbonlite which is very close in size:

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shopsreg;-Johnny-Morrisreg;-CarbonLitetrade;-Baitcast-Reels/product/1110020501438/274203?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

[LgMouthGambler]

Just got mine in the mail today. Got a 50E, but there ate plenty 51's around. Got mine off ebay for $120, new condition, very happy. Its my new hollow body frog reel.

[kLuo]

The 51E's are still around, but you have to be weary since there is a small batch of bad ones out there. First go up the road and check out cabelas bargin cave, there might be one hiding.

Bad ones? What about them are bad, and how are they still being sold?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't get into the habit of switching hands if you haven't already. Lefty reels are not all that hard to find. Hold out for what you want.