Been thinking about a new bait caster...

[Coach]

for tourney bass fishing...what do you use or which one would you recommend?

 

[rebs1]

Depends on how much money you want to spend. Most reels over $100 are good and last a long time. I like revo's pretty well.

 

[kdxdude]

#1 Shimano Curado
#2 If you want a good economical reel, the Abu Garcia Silver Max is a very good reel. I have only used the Silver Max for a couple of months so I am unsure how well they will hold up, but so far they seem to be very good.
#3 I have a Pinnacle Sonara that I like too. Smooth, long casts with Power Pro line.

 

[Coach]

Yep, Rebs, money isn't a question really....I'm just talking about a certain brand or model that will hold up, cast well with minimum hassle. I may use it with some 65# braid and a heavy rod to fish lily pads with a frog...but, mostly, I'm looking for a good reel that will last. KXdude, you ever use any of the Quantum line of reels

 

[kdxdude]

KXdude, you ever use any of the Quantum line of reels

No experience with Quantum reels.

 

[KENBOB10]

Shimano Coach. Can't go wrong.

 

[spitndrum]

Bass Pro Reels are good for the money!

 

[turkeyhunter64]

I bought a pro qualifier last year and like it.

 

[J Hartman]

shimano citica

 

[JRE]

Shimano is hard to beat in my opinion. The Shimano Curado is probably my favorite for the money. My next choice would either be a Daiwa or an Abu Revo. Quantum is pretty good too as long as your going with an upper end reel.

 

[ShaneHallum]

I like my BassPro extreme.. it's a 7:1 really good for crankbaits.

Abu Garcia's are nice too, but I like a low profile baitcaster.

 

[kdxdude]

I like my BassPro extreme.. it's a 7:1 really good for crankbaits.

Abu Garcia's are nice too, but I like a low profile baitcaster.

Abu's Premiere line of reels are low profile. Black Max, Silver Max, Revo are all low profile.

 

[AllOutdoors]

I ended up with all Abu Revo's. I love them. I have had them since they came out and not a single problem yet. I have 7 Revo S and a couple Revo SX. They all work good with braid or mono. My test for new reels is Rockfish. They have stood up to lots of hard battles with rockfish and still fish like they are new. They also have a great drag. Up to 24lbs. of pressure in some models.

 

[Coach]

shimano citica

This is the one my son is looking at...

 

[ShaneHallum]

I like my BassPro extreme.. it's a 7:1 really good for crankbaits.

Abu Garcia's are nice too, but I like a low profile baitcaster.

Abu's Premiere line of reels are low profile. Black Max, Silver Max, Revo are all low profile.

Thats right. Ive had mine for 2-3 years.

 

[Crosshairy]

I've had lots of good experiences with Shimano baitcasters

 

[infoman jr.]

I've been fishing a small trail in east TN for the last 2 years and use mostly bass pro extreme reels. I use the 7.1 for top water, the 6.4 for most everything else. I bought a 4.3 for my cranking rod, but I cannot cast it without a backlash with 1/2oz plug or heavier. That one was a dud. It's safe to say that I fish more than your average angler, and for the money, they held up fine. If you throw a big crank bait a lot, I'd seriously consider a Calcutta TE. A big jump in price, but worth it if you're cranking all day.

 

[Coach]

Infoman, I'm mostly a finesse fisherman...senkos, K&E's,etc...but, there are times when the crankbait is the only way. I'll take a look at the Calcutta...Do you fish the Carl Perkins Classic?

 

[J Hartman]

shimano citica

This is the one my son is looking at...

Now is the time to try to buy one. I bought two last year for fifty dollars each at Richard's... But I fish my baitcasters left handed... They said that they have had them forever and just wanted to get rid of them... two reels for less than the price of one usually... sold... And I have fished these reels in all conditions thus far, I'm enjoying them alot. I have experienced with other abu garcia reels, Not as good as the citica in my opinion. (the Sp? ambassaduer 8501 i believe it is ) anyways best of luck to you finding the perfect reel coach!

 

[J Hartman]

Just wanted to add, the "automatic thumb" feature works well on the shimano also... I set up one of my citicas to full on auto thumb, I haven't gotten to fish so much before with out having to untangle the significant others rats nest or cluster #*$*!!!

 

[TN Larry]

Shimano is hard to beat if the price does not matter. The Bass Pro Extremes are also good reels for the money. I fish more than the average person and have two with many miles on them that are still going strong.

 

[Coach]

I've been looking on ebay and some of those reels are so expensive...The Accurate BX-2's are going for $500 or $600+...I'm thinking that I don't want to spend more than $200 at the very most...

 

[trealtree]

Abu garcia BG9000 ;)

 

[Kimberman]

I like Shimano Citicas and Curados. I also have a Team Daiwa Supertuned that is an awesome reel.

 

[Baxter83]

Shimano is hard to beat if the price does not matter. The Bass Pro Extremes are also good reels for the money. I fish more than the average person and have two with many miles on them that are still going strong.

Ditto that! I have a couple of the BPs Extremes and they are GREAT!

 

[infoman jr.]

Infoman, I'm mostly a finesse fisherman...senkos, K&E's,etc...but, there are times when the crankbait is the only way. I'll take a look at the Calcutta...Do you fish the Carl Perkins Classic?

With finesse fishing for me, the rod is much more important than the reel. A 6.4 or 7:1 extreme would be just fine for that. Those will also work for small crank baits...rebels, bandits, and the shallower dt's. I personally didn't fish a big crank bait at all this last season, but if the big ones are what you're talking about, a good reel is really important.

I've never fished that classic. I fish with a club out of seymour on douglas, cherokee, ft. loudon, and norris. I also fished a few douglas tuesday nighters.

 

[Coach]

Infoman, I'm mostly a finesse fisherman...senkos, K&E's,etc...but, there are times when the crankbait is the only way. I'll take a look at the Calcutta...Do you fish the Carl Perkins Classic?

With finesse fishing for me, the rod is much more important than the reel. A 6.4 or 7:1 extreme would be just fine for that. Those will also work for small crank baits...rebels, bandits, and the shallower dt's. I personally didn't fish a big crank bait at all this last season, but if the big ones are what you're talking about, a good reel is really important.

I've never fished that classic. I fish with a club out of seymour on douglas, cherokee, ft. loudon, and norris. I also fished a few douglas tuesday nighters.

I'm good on the worm fishing rods and reels I think...I'm using St Croix rods..Mojo Bass and Avid...I think right now I need a 7-1 baitcaster reel that will allow me to put some heavy line on it, heavy rod about 7 feet not only for crankbaits but pulling a frog across lily pads...

 

[kdxdude]

Coach, your PM box is full. There is a Curado E5 on www.chattanoogafishingforum.com for $140. Pretty good deal & ya can't go wrong with a Curado. Good Luck & God Bless.

 

[Coach]

Thanks on both counts!! I'll check it out...

 

[Dangle]

Cant beat the curados i use the e5's for crankin and the e7's for everything else. Have the new revo stx, and its a nice reel also. If your into finesse fishing check out shimano cumara rods. The most sensitive rod ive ever owned, and lifetime warranty to boot. They are pricey, but i think they are worth it.