What baitcasting reel to buy

I have some points at Cabela’s to use toward a new bait casting reel. Which one would you recommend?

What are you going to be useing it for?

Shimano Curado is a great all around reel

Calais DT!!! Hands Down by Shimano!!

I bought a Curado. For me it came down to Curado or a Abu Revo but I went with Curado and never looked back.

I would put my vote in for a Curado. I also have a couple of Diawa Millionaires, but to me there is no comparison. The Curado is better in every aspect for me anyway.

Like asked, what you going to use it for and how much did you want to spend?

I’ve had good luck with the Garcia 5500/6500 series reels.

Al

if u want to spend the money the revo stx is awesome, BUT if u dont wanna spend a whole lot the cabelas prodigy (manufactured by diawa) is a great reel and i havnt had any problems with that yet either

Can’t go wrong with either the Currado or the Revo STX. I have had excellent luck with Both. If my Revo’s last as long as my Currado’s I’d give the nod to the Revo’s. I’m on my 3rd season with the Revo’s- No problems as of yet. Some of my Currado’s are over 10 years old. The Revo’s have a ways to go to get to that point

The bait casting reel will be for all around use. I haven’t had a bait caster since I was a kid. 50yrs ago! I was hoping to spend around $100.00.

Garcia 6500C4 is just under $100 and has the faster retrieve, will handle everything from musky fishing on down to putting 12# test on and casting for walleyes.

Also check the 5500C line, there’s several options for each reel, C3-C4-C5-ect so look at what they have to offer.

al

I would also say Shimano for the simple fact that they outwork and outlast other products of similar quality.
I have a flippin’ reel that spent at least a winter on the bottom of Cedar lake which was caught draggin a rig in the spring of 99. It isn’t about to win any good looks contests on the outside but it cleaned up nicely on the inside and has been my bottom bouncer reel for 10 years now. I just bought another used one and plan to get 10 more years out of that one. Hope that helps.

I bought my first Curado this spring and it worked great. very nice reel

I have 2 STX’s and they are just great after 2 years of hard use.

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The bait casting reel will be for all around use. I haven’t had a bait caster since I was a kid. 50yrs ago! I was hoping to spend around $100.00.

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I have 4 or 5 of these “cheaper” Shimano’s and they work just fine and are going on season number 3.

Shimano Callisto

Check out the customer rating on Cabelas.

-J.

Take Shimano Cardiff off your list of consideration. I have one I can’t keep the reel handle on. Last time I lost it was on November 9 just below the dam on pool 4 in the middle of a fight with a 48″ Lake Sturgeon. I had enough trouble without that happening again. I continue to have problems with small things, nuts and bolts falling off. When they work, they are as sweet and smooth as can be, but when they fail, it is always just when you don’t want it to happen.

I have 4 Calcuttas.Love them for heavier lures.Last year I got a Chronarch,great for lighter stuff.I would buy the best Shimano you can afford.Couple more Chronarchs in my future.Don’t know much about less exspensive Shimanos.But the less expensive reels by any manufacturer is going to have more plastic and pot metal with less ball bearings.Nearing $200-$300 depending on ”frills” you should get long lasting reel.My reel repair guy went through my Calcuttas and Stradics last winter,most over 10 years old.With a couple bucks in very minor parts he said they were good as new.Don’t think he had $15 in parts for 8 reels Never a malfunction on any of them.