Baitcast Reel
What is the best baitcast reel for 200$ or less?
If you aren’t the tuning type (adding high performance bearings and polishing the gears and meshing parts) then here are the three best batcasters for under 200.
If you’re throwing light baits, and lighter presentations, then you should be looking at a Daiwa Sol. It comes with a V-Mag brake (as opposed to Z-Mag), allowing for less interference of the magnetic control, and therefore there is less tension placed on the spool during startup and at the max spool speed. This reel will outcast anything in it’s class if you know how to manage cast control. Other Daiwa offerings in that price range use Z-Mag. It’s designed with heavier lures/baits in mind.
For the guy who isn’t a specialist, and just wants a good all around reel – there are two that you should be looking at. One is the Curado E and the other is the Abu Revo STX. Here’s the biggest difference to note right off the bat – the Revo is a 6.4:1 reel. The new Curado comes as either 7.0:1 (the E7) or 5.0:1 (the E5). So, before going out and making up your mind, know what you’re about to look at.
The STX and the Curado have been compared all over, and there is no conclusive “winner” in that battle. Out of the box, the Revo will cast a little better than the Shimano. The Shimano uses cetrifugal braking while the STX uses magnetic. The drags both reels are great. And as a side note, although the claim on the STX is that it generates 24lbs of drag, I’ve not been able to get it past 18lbs. That’s still enough drag to slow almost anything. Considering I am able to whoop 40+lb king salmon using reels that only generate 5lbs of drag pressure, anything over 10lbs is just a bonus. The STX has a tendency to get what some call noisy. Basically, the bearings begin to make a whrrring noise. What most don’t understand though, is that the STX can come DRY, unlubed bearings. The HPR bearings in the STX are high quality, and can be run dry, no problem. However, if the reel makes a little noise and that annoys you too much, just lube it with thin viscosity oil, and that’s it – no more noise.
Aside from the Curado, there is the Citica. The only differences between the two reels is the extra bearing on the left side and the spool. The spool of the Citica is heavier, and therefore takes more energy to get going. It’s not going to cast nearly as well as the Curado. The Citica is, however, a 6:1 reel – filling the gap created by the Curado. You can always add the bearing yourself and change the spool to the Curado – You’d be spending just a LITTLE less than if you had bought the Curado instead.
There aren’t any Daiwa baitcasters in the 200 range that I’d consider given the performance and abilities of the Curado and the STX.
I own both reels, and a whole lot more than those. Speaking from experience and actual knowledge – I’ve used everything from the high end Pfluegers to the high end Daiwas to Shimano to both PT Quantums and a whole slough of reels in between.
Been there – done that…..
Fishing – Casting a Bait Casting Reel
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Record Baitcast Round Reel (4 Ball-Bearin … |
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SHIMANO TEKOTA TEK300 BAITCAST REEL $155.00 SHIMANO TEKOTA TEK300 BAITCAST REEL Features Diecast Aluminum Frame Stamped Aluminum Right Sideplate Aluminum Braced Graphite Non-Handle Sideplate Aluminum Spool Rod Clamp Manual Clutch (excluding 300 LC 500LC & 600LC which are Auto-Return) A-RB (Anti-Rust Bearings) Super Stopper Assist Stopper Dartainium Drag Oversized Cast Control Knob Clicker Septon Handle Grips Over… |
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Abu Garcia Revo Fishing Reel (SX, Line Weight- 12/140) $147.60 Tired of fighting your reel as much as the fish? Turn to the Revo SX low-profile baitcast reel, which has started a Revolution among serious anglers across the country. Anglers will tell you that the Revo offers more advantages than any other reel in its class. The Revo is more comfortable in the hand, smoother, holds more line, and holds up admirably in both fresh and saltwater. Plus, most of the… |
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Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 Casting Reel $99.99 The Abu Garcia® Ambassadeur® C3 casting reel offers you the smooth casting action of stainless-steel ball bearings. A stainless-steel roller bearing delivers you the solid hooksetting power of instant anti-reverse (except 7000 model)…. |
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Abu-Garcia Max Baitcast Reel – Black $49.99 The Abu Garcia BLACKMAX features Swedish engineering, MagTraxTM brakes, DuragearTM brass gears, 6.2:1 high speed retrieve, cam lock, ADS (anti-distortion) wiffle spool, instant anti-reverse, and the Abu Garcia® name that anglers around the world trust to meet their fishing needs.Specifications… |
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Okuma Epixor 20 Baitcasting Reel $59.99 Reel in the big ones with this Okuma Epixor baitcasting reelFishing reel is the first finesse spinning reel with a bait feeding systemTackle is a unique blend of tournament grade spinning reel and line bait feeding system |
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Daiwa TD-X100HSD Baitcast Reel $154.99 Quality, professional level reel features massive, seven-disk drag system Fishing reel has Daiwa’s exclusive Teflon-Graphite composite washers for super smooth performanceReel has Magforce Anti-Backlash control system |
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Okuma Halogen 400 7-foot Fishing Combo $68.99 Okuma Halogen 400 baitcasting combo is great for freshwater and inshore anglingFishing combo is lightweight and responsive with a great look and feelFishing system is 7 feet long |
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Okuma Halogen 250 2-piece Fishing Combo $68.99 Okuma Halogen fishing system is ultra-sensitive but very durable Fishing combo is great for freshwater and inshore fishingBaitcasting reel has quality one-piece aluminum construction with three ball bearings |