Baitcaster Recommendations?

J.W. · February 15, 2023, 07:44:14 PM

Will mostly be for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, weighted T-rigs. Left-handed is a must, but I think most all of them have a LH option these days. I'm looking at the $100-$200 range, but I'm somewhat flexible on that.

BassmanRudy · February 15, 2023, 08:02:28 PM

Lots of options! I've got a hodge podge of reels from the last 13 years from that price range and all have been great. In no particular order.

-Shimano curado older dark green reel- usually 80-120 and can find/upgrade to 7.1:1. Solid solid reel.
-Johnny Morris signature series reel- around $160 and spill after non stop spinnerbait use.
-pro qualifier reels(several year models) for $100 hard to beat these reels. Rugged reliable and lots of gear options.
-lews speed spools. So many options and I LOVE the bigger triangle shaped handle. If I had found these to start I'd probably have nothing else.

Cork services em all and I keep abusing em!

Donald Garner · February 15, 2023, 08:13:53 PM

J.W.
There are LOTS of excellent choices out there for that price range. Everyone has their own opinions on which one is best. I suggest you get on line or go to one of the local sporting good stores and check out the selections they have. Most reel manufactures make both Right and Left handed reels.

I myself am an ABU Garcia Brand man. I've been using them for over 40yrs and have no issues with them. Presently I have several of the 2009 Revo S low profile baitcasting reels, several Revo SX low profile reels and a few of the Abu Garcia Orra low profile reels. I use the Orra for all my crankbait fishing. The Revo S I use for everything casting spinnerbaits, buzz baits, swim baits, top water etc. The Revo SX I use for flipping and pitching jigs and soft plastics. I also have several ABU Garcia Black Max low profile reels.

There will be others on here that will share their thoughts on what reels they use. All of the reels I mentioned above had a price range of $60.00 - $160.00 dollars.

Good luck on getting the one / brand you want.

ohiobass · February 16, 2023, 11:33:04 AM

newer model Tatula SV TW

Smallie_Stalker · February 16, 2023, 11:47:49 AM

I'm partial to Daiwa myself but I also have Lew's, ABU and Dobyns reels and they are all good.

As has been said there are a lot of options out there these days. If you have a store like a Bass Pro or Academy nearby it might help to go there and handle a few to see how they feel in hand. See if they will let you mount a reel on a rod for an even better test.

Good luck with your search and please keep us posted on what you land on!

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J.W. · February 16, 2023, 12:29:01 PM

Quote from: ohiobass on February 16, 2023, 11:33:04 AM
newer model Tatula SV TW

What's the difference between the TW and the TWS? I'm guessing TW is their T-wing guide, but I'm not sure about the S. Or what the SV stands for.
The Tatulas are definitely some I've been looking at, also the Shimano Curados and the 13 Fishing Concept As.

Dark3 · February 16, 2023, 01:04:15 PM

You can get a JDM Shimano Scorpion MGL 150 for about $160 shipped.

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Smallie_Stalker · February 16, 2023, 01:10:14 PM

The TW does stand for the T-Wing mechanism.

The SV stands for stress free, versatile. It's a particular spool design in combination with a brake rotor that helps in casting lighter lures in general and also helps to significantly reduce backlash.

If you get the brakes and the spool tension knob set right you can cast a bait a long way without ever thumbing the spool. Of course I still recommend thumbing especially while you are trying to find the correct settings for the lure you're using at the moment.

Also, don't try to throw too hard. The spool spins very easily and you'll get great distance with less effort than a lot of other reels.

A couple notes on the T-Wing:

If you hold the reel so the line runs over your index finger it can cause problems because you could be lifting the line out of the narrow part of the T-Wing that guides the line when the reel is engaged.

Also, if you use leaders the knot can get stuck in that same narrow part of the T-Wing while you're reeling in.

Hope that's helpful.

(P.S. - Quick intro vid here:

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J.W. · February 16, 2023, 03:29:40 PM

Thanks Smallie, that helps. I'm gonna ease up to Bass Pro this evening and check some out. I'd like to put something on that new Dobyns my wife got me and be able to throw it some this weekend. Looks like we'll finally get a little break from the rain.

Mike Cork · February 16, 2023, 03:45:49 PM

Wow what a wide open questions. The best answer is...

What brand do you like, what brand fits your hand best, what brand are you most confident in.

I am Shimano through and through, every reel in the boat is a Shimano from the very inexpensive SLX to the expensive Metanium. My biggest reason for this is the Shimano has always fit my hand well and I know them inside and out (I know most reels inside and out now but...). I feel like if I changed from Shimano I'd have to sell everything and start over just to keep it all feeling the same.

2 years ago, If I were to sell everything and start again, I'd buy all Lews. Their new stuff ( the last 5 years ) is great and durable. Right now I'm not sure I would go with Lews simply because they sold the company to an outfit I'm not familiar with. Before the sell, getting parts (should something go wrong) was easy and the company rarely charged for them. Now getting parts is a pain in the arse... Lews is on the cutting edge of creature comforts for reels, line indicators, lure holders, along with a great low profile frame.

Daiwa makes a great reel in the Tatula but I'm a line holder and the T-Wing drives me nuts as I can feel the line jump in and out of the wing and it creates a tick on the line that makes me think "BITE". I tried to get used to it but just couldn't. Other than that the reel was awesome and priced write.

Quantum... you can't get someone to spit on them around my parts....

BPS has really upped their game from the throw away $49-99 reels of yester-year. Yes you pay a little more now but their new stuff is much better. Not my style but will last.

That's the brands off the top of my head....

I'd recommend a Shimano SLX 150 for your spinnerbaits and buzz baits and casting a T-rig. For pitching I like the 70 McL size.

J.W. · February 16, 2023, 05:33:10 PM

Well, finding a left handed reel wasn't as easy as I figured it'd be.

I didn't go in there, but from their website I don't think Academy has a LH version of anything that interested me. Bass Pro did not have a LH version of the Shimano SLX or the Daiwa Tatula SV, but they did have a Tatula Elite, so I ended up with one of those.

Mike Cork · February 16, 2023, 06:20:31 PM

Let us know what you think

J.W. · February 16, 2023, 07:03:20 PM

Will do. I'm gonna try to go this weekend, maybe even tomorrow after I get off work.

J.W. · February 18, 2023, 05:24:21 PM

Put the reel on the new rod my wife got me and we went to Cross for a little while this morning. Didn't do any good, but the reel and the new rod she got me worked great. Threw a few different things to get a feel for the brake with different weights, no issues. Took me a little while to get any decent casting precision with the new setup, but I about had it dialed in by the time we left.

Smallie_Stalker · February 18, 2023, 06:04:55 PM

Thanks for the update on the rod and reel J.W. You'll get em next time.

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Dark3 · February 19, 2023, 08:05:41 AM

Quote from: J.W. on February 18, 2023, 05:24:21 PM
Put the reel on the new rod my wife got me and we went to Cross for a little while this morning. Didn't do any good, but the reel and the new rod she got me worked great. Threw a few different things to get a feel for the brake with different weights, no issues. Took me a little while to get any decent casting precision with the new setup, but I about had it dialed in by the time we left.

Thats awesome. There is a guy on youtube that has a channel called THE REEL TEST. You should take a look if he has a video on that reel. He usually goes over optimal brake settings (partially lure weight dependent ofcourse).

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J.W. · February 20, 2023, 05:15:25 PM

Quote from: Dark3 on February 19, 2023, 08:05:41 AM

Thats awesome. There is a guy on youtube that has a channel called THE REEL TEST. You should take a look if he has a video on that reel. He usually goes over optimal brake settings (partially lure weight dependent ofcourse).

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Hey, thanks. I watched a couple of his videos. Good info.

alvaro1 · May 19, 2023, 04:43:05 PM

For spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and weighted T-rigs, I highly recommend the Lew's Speed Spool LFS. It's left-handed, great in your budget range, and performs real good with these baits. If you got a bit more cash, the Shimano Curado K is worth considering, smooth casting and solid build quality.

loomisguy · May 20, 2023, 05:38:01 AM

SLX or Curado.

J.W. · May 20, 2023, 08:20:20 PM

Quote from: loomisguy on May 20, 2023, 05:38:01 AM
SLX or Curado.

I ended up putting a Tatula Elite on that rod, but since you mention it, my son is wanting either a SLX or Curado for his birthday. I'm not sure which one he'd like better.

Dink Dawg · May 20, 2023, 09:28:44 PM

I'm a fan of the Elite and have three. Enjoy.

Hobious · August 04, 2023, 12:26:22 PM

the Elite is a fine reel!!