"Reel" Honest Opinions, Please...

[Ken C.]

Since I am looking to get a new (low-profile) reel or two and can only bear to have 'moderately-priced' reels go overboard , I wanted to get y'alls opinions on reels such as the upgraded Shimano Citica, the Daiwa TD-150 or other comparable reels. Not just necessarily which one you like but also why you like it. What makes your choice better or what changes would you like to see made on it? I have been told things like the Daiwa's use "open" bearings that require more frequent cleaning where Shimano uses sealed bearings. How do the drags compare? How about parts/service if required, etc.?

I know there are some very ni$e reel$ available today but I don't really wan't to drop that kind of money - either on the reel itself or into the drink !

[Jeff Jewell]

Ken,
I know you've heard this before " Curado, Curado, Curado," Really though I only have the old Curados and if the Citica has been upgraded to be as good as the old curados were, that's probally what's in my future.

[EGBASS]

Shimano has moved away from sealed greased bearings in most if not all of their new reels. Its not difficult to do the necessary oiling that's needed from time to time but you don't want to forget. I bought a Cruxis and feel its a very very good reel for the money, just a little bit on the large size as many of Shimano's new reels are due to the high efficiency gearing they are using.
If you have small hands, try them on a rod in the shop and see how they are to palm. The Cruxis turned out to big for me (its bigger than my Curado 201BSF).
I wanted to try the Citica but they didn't have any left handers in stock which is how I ended up with the Cruxis.

I have one of the new Curados and it is a great reel but expensive (I bought it very slightly used for $140, otherwise I wouldn't have it).

BTW, the Curado 201BSF (no longer available) is a very good reel and is basically the same reel as the Castaic with the Castaixc adding the flipping/pitching thumb bar.

I have the Super Tuned Team Daiwa and do not like it. IMO, compared to my older Curados, they are not as smooth as the Curados and I like the Curado's centrifugal brakes better than magnetic brakes for cast control.

[BigBossMan]

I have two older Bass Pro Shops "Rick Clunn" reels with the flipp'n swith. I love them. I can't get them to backlash. They're very smooth. I don't know about the ball bearings. I've never touched them except to fish. Great reels but you can't buy them anymore. Cabela's Prodigy reel looks to be the same reel. I was told that the BPS reel is Pinnacle reel. I'm not sure about the Prodigy but at $69.99 sale price it would be worth looking into. All of my other reels are the older Curado's which are...Awesome reels...Good luck

[sTony]

Quantum and Pfleuger are both making some pretty nice reels as well and the price range would seem to fit your criteria Ken.

Might wanna check them out also.

sTony

[basstamer]

Tony is right-I sold my Curados and bought Pfluegers and havent looked back. They are excellent reels (also the Bass Pro Rick Clunn reels are Pfluegers)-a 10 bearing President is like $129-compare that to the new Curado....by the way while your comparing take a notice as to how the new Curados just happen to look EXACTLY like a President Go on eBay and get them new for anywhere from $70-100 and spend the rest of the money you've saved on some tackle. I loved my Shimano's-their customer service is UNBEATABLE but I like my Pfluegers better still. Just my .02

[fishercurtis]

I just bought a diawa 150 and 153. I don't know about the bearings questions but I have several curado's and I love these new diawas. Super smooth, and light. And for the money I will be changing over to the diawas as the curado wear out.
Just my 2cents
Curtis

[Aaron Hart]

Hey Ken. I would go with the Daiwa TDA-150, or if you're willing to fork over $40 more, then go with the TDA-153. I used to fish Shimana Curados and Castaics, then I bought one TDA-150, and got rid off all my Shimanos (except one) and replaced them with Daiwas. I don't know about the newer Shimanos, but the older Curados' drags never seemed to last. The reels would start to bind up if I tightened the drag past a certain point, so I couldn't get a tight enough drag for applications which require a really tight drag (i.e. froggin). With the Daiwas I can tighten the drag down all the way and they still reel smoothly. The 150 and 153 don't vary a whole lot. The only difference I've noticed is that the 153 is a little smoother and longer casting. The 153 also has faster start-up speed which helps when pitching. I don't really know anything about the bearings, but I haven't had any problems with them. Just oil them a little every once in a while. They are both solid, well-built reels and I wouldn't change anything about them. I hope this helps.

Aaron Hart

[Porkrind]

Hey Ken,

I have Curados, Chronarchs and Shimano Scorpions. All great reels. Since I am now on a limited budget, I tried some Quantum reels. A while back Cabela's had a special (buy the reel get a rod free) with the Quantum Accurast. I forgot the model # but its the Accurast that comes in blue, red or gold. They are on sale now for $64 and I have been really happy with them. I like them because of the external adjustable brakes and the weight is not too bad. Not as fancy as the Shimano's, but it gets the job done. Plus it has a flippin switch.

[triple trout]

the daiwa you mentioned are great reels,so are the pflueger and shimano. I have 3 of the accurist pt by qauntum and really like em, for 90 dollars on ebay, they have a flippin switch and are light and smooth.But my favorite feature that the qauntum and daiwa both have is: you can re-engage your thumb bar (casting switch)with your thumb by pushing it up. You dont have to use the reel handle.I know you guys on the delta and clearlake are saying " so what" but if you fish deep watercanyon lakes like me. It seems to help me keep my bait on the bottom and keep in touch with my bait a little easier. .
I also own both the old and new curados both sweet....
but my favorite is the calais if $$$$$ is no object...as far as maintainance goes Shimano seem easiest. hope it helps

[mark poulson]

Ken,
For moderately priced reels, I'd buy the KVD Quantum baitcaster from Bass Pro. It has 6 ball bearings, and only three bearings actually affect the casting ability. If you buy one, put a drop of reel oil on the spool tension bearing before you start fishing with it. I don't know why, but that bearing seems to get dry when it's on the shelf.
As far as why, it's light, it is as easy to adjust and throw as the E600 (in my opinion, the best reel Quantum ever made), and it's only $99. It has a flipping switch, external centrifugal brake adjustment, and throws great all day. The drag is smooth. I have thrown chatterbaits and Ribbits all night with them, and never had any problems. To me, if a rod and reel perform at night, that's the ultimate test. 0 dark thirty is no time to have to fool with brakes, or drags, or balky release mechanisms.
I have several Shimanos, Diawas, and Quantums, including the newest 760 series. As far as I'm concerned, the KVD is the only reel I'd buy, if I needed another reel. Like that ever stopped me from buying a reel or rod!
I did just buy a Pflueger baitcaster, the one with 11 bearings, from Tacklewarehouse, to see if it will throw stuff lighter than 1/4 oz. My shoulder blades tie up bad when I use a spinning reel, so I'm hoping this reel will let me drop shot light stuff with a baitcaster. I don't want to spend $300+ for the little Scorpions that will surely do it. I'm just too cheap. I'd rather buy three KVDs, and suffer with back pain.

[Ken C.]

I don't know what happened to my original post, but I did have Quantum & Pfleuger mentioned in there. I intended to ask about replacement parts and such as I know you can easily get Shimano and Daiwa parts. Don't know about the others!

Thanks fo rthe input - Keep it coming!

[mark poulson]

As far as service, Quantum is back in Oklahoma, I think, but they have an authorized service guy on the east side of L.A. I've sent stuff back to them, and gotten great service and turn around time. Vic Romano is the local rep., and Carol Grishom is the person in charge of service in Oklahoma, and both are accessible and helpful, and bend over backwards to help.
Tom Leogrande is associated with Quantum, and he can probably tell you a lot more about how they operate than I can. I just use their products, and love them.
As far as Pflueger goes, I started using Pflueger 45 years ago, when I taught myself to fly fish, and bought a Pflueger reel from Lincoln Sport Fishing in Venice with the money I made from my paper route for the Herald Express. Man, that was in another life. I no longer have that reel (damn kids!), but I still have the fly rod. :O)
They have been around a long time, and seem to offer good reels at a reasonable price. I'll know more next week, when the reel arrives and I have a chance to try it out.

[Dan McKenzie]

I purchased the Daiwa 150 super tuned 1 month ago, I've used it
on 4 trips since. The reel is a bit heavier than I wanted, the profile and the way the reel fits into the reel seat I like, it will take some time to adjust to the position of your thumb while casting it is much lower than my curados, feels that way anyhow, the reel is smooth casting I like the brake adjustments, drag is smooth and adjusts easily. Overall I like it, It will take a little time adjusting to it, we'll see how durable it is over time. I have caught several nice fish with it and performed well.

[Phil]

IN OUR OPINION ONLY, WE HAVE USED, AMBASSADUER FOR YEARS, THEY NOW MAKE A LOW PROFILE REEL THAT IS AROUND $ 69.00 OR SO. THEY HAVE BEEN OUR BACKBONE SINCE 1972 WHEN WE FIRST USED OUR 5000 FOR STEELHEAD ON THE EEEL RIVER AND IT HAS NOT YET WORN OUT.

JIGS

[Scott Shambre]

The Okuma VS-200 series or the Nemesis series are awesome reels. The VS reels have 10 bearings and when standing toe-to-toe with a partner throwing a new Curado, the VS was able to outcast it on comparable equipment. The VS reels go for about $130 depending on where you go (Fisherman's Warehouse in Rocklin).

The Nemesis series is a 8 bearing reel that is great for that $85 price range. While not a smooth as the VS it is a good reel that can handle a wide variety of baits. You can check out both of the reels by going to www.okumafishing.com and clicking on products.

Hope this helps you decide what will work best for you. See ya out there.

Scott Shambre
FOLSOM BASS LEAGUE
www.rangerboats.com
www.mercuryoutboards.com
C&C Marine Citrus Heights
www.okumafishing.com
www.powellco.com (Powell Rods)
www.basscatcher.com (Markey Baits)
www.limitlures.com
Susie's Country Oaks Cafe

[Quantum_Kid]

I don't know the 07 prices yet, but the 06 models were $119.

They are part of the PT line, so they have the ceramic brakes, which dissipate the heat caused by friction. This leads to a much smoother drag system than the conventional braking system.

They also have the Externally Adjustable Centrifigal Braking System (Try saying that three times fast!), and the Accurists have a flippin' switch which is a nice feature.

Take a look at Quatum reels... You'll be pleased

Good luck,

Scott Trummer