Casting Reels

[JonathanP]

So I am looking to buy a new baitcaster soon. I'd like to know what your experiences have been like with the baitcasters you have. I prefer the feel of the low-profile ones but a lot of them aren't made to withstand saltwater fishing. Basically just post any info you have on your baitcasters and what you like or don't like about them.

[marshdaddy]

Just bought my first low profile. Ambassadeur Revo Toro HS. Made for the salt and holds plenty of line. Love it. Ambassadeur 5600s make up the rest of my reel stable. Reliable, long lasting, and won't break the bank.

[JonathanP]

After a decent bit of research I am leaning toward the Shimano Citica as the best value without breaking the bank. If anyone has a Citica and has any input or reviews it would be greatly appreciated.

[Choupique]

good value for sure

[ReelThrill]

I have one and love it. It seems to get good reviews and has an alright price tag.

[papawd]

I have had both Citica and Curado's, I will say for about $25.00 more The Curado is much better, The cheapest place to buy one is Bowie Outfitter's in Baton Rouge they are $20.00 cheaper on boyh Curado and Citica than Bass Pro, Cabella,s and Academy and do not even try ****,s sporting goods or Security in Alexandria

[papawd]

Ooooh if Ya go to or call Bowie's ask or Jacob the fish dept guy and tell him You are with BCKFC

[jonalford]

i got one of those accademy h2o reels mettle or something like that used it twice sounds like a coffee grinder they better take this junk back don't have the recept cost like 50 bucks

[damianb]

I'm a Calcutta guy. I fish with the 200GTB and really like them. They have held up real well and they are relatively light. Only issue is the price, but I feel the price is worth it.

[Choupique]

If you fish for reds mostly, a Calcutta can’t be beat. I would rather catch reds all day on a tough geared reel like a calcutta over a low-pro reel any day.

[yak-aholic]

I'm torn between the Revo Inshore and the Curado when it comes to low prfile baitcasters. The Inshore costs a bit more but has a lot more drag. I think 26lbs of drag. For big bull reds I don't think you can beat that kind of drag. Don't own either so I'm really talkin what I've read. Dad has 3 or 4 Inshores and loves them. Ratio is 6.4:1 I think.
On the other hand the Curado's are tried and true in saltwater. And you can get them in 5:1 or 7:1 ratios.

I think Revo Inshore retails around $229.99 and Curado retails at $179.99. But as said earlier Bowie usually has them for $159.99.

Quantum also makes some decent reels and I do have one of their Energt PT reels in 7:1 ratio. Got it on clearance for $100 when the new models for 2010 came out.

[Choupique]

7:1 is killer; walk the dog is way easier with a fast reel. And you can NEVER work a bait faster than a fish can get it.

[jonalford]

yeah that h2o junk could not handle the reds found that out in Buras it was screaming might be alright for speks but i need a reel that can handle both and a little salt

[ijuswannafish]

I have an ABU Garcia Revo Inshore and I love it. I think it is the best low pro reel on the market. It has up to 24 lbs of drag which comes in real handy when fighting big redfish. That is only my opinion so don't take my word. Try one for yourself.

[marshdaddy]

I just bought a Revo Toro from this company. Ecellent service. Got it 4 days after I ordered it.
Here is a new Revo Inshore for $172.99. Free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ABU-GARCIA-NEW-REVO-RH-INSHORE-REEL_W0QQitemZ180487873990QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a05ea65c6

[Where Y'ak?]

Thumbs up on the Revo's. I have an Inshore, a Premier and an SX and love all three!

The Ishore is the preferred saltwater model.

[northshoretiger]

I have a citica, daiwa coastal, and a ventio. All have been holding up well and are good reels. The twitch bar broke on the ventio and I have not taken it apart to see why but it is a really nice reel (big price tag but I bought used). The coastal is nice but makes hella noise when you cast it. I have learned that it is a common complaint. The Citica is great. I bought it for $40 on year end closeout at Academy. I wish that I would have gotten 3 of them becuase the coastal would be on a shelf. All have fought big fish and performed without issue. I have not used a calcuta or curado, but if you get the citica at regular price, take pawpawd's advice and spend the extra $20 on the curado.

[redspot]

curado, caught plenty of reds on my curado,

citica is good too, i have 2 of them

I also have the abu revo premier- a bit pricey, but the best trout reel ive ever used, super light and compact

but you cant go wrong with shimano

[Choupique]

If you going Curado; why not get the Japanese counterpart... They can usually be found on ebay for the same price as the US version (but usually the reels are a little more refined). Here it is.
http://www.japantackle.com/Shimano/Shimano_Scorpion_XT_1000.htm

[JonathanP]

Ok so I've decided to bite the bullet and up my price range a little bit more. I am now trying to choose between the Abu Revo Inshore and the Shimano Curado E7. I think the general concensus so far is that I can't go wrong with either one but does anyone have extra info that might make this decision a little easier.

[dut]

If you go w/ the revo order from here, but their is a limited supply. 2-3 day shipping for a flat $10 and you save $100 off retail.

http://www.gloomis.us/Abu-Garcia-Casting-Reels-141284/6231761-NEW-2008-ABU-GARCIA-REVO/ProductInfo.aspx

See this thread. I just got 2 in yesterday.

http://www.bckfc.org/showthread.php?273-100-off-Revo-Inshore


I've used both and I like the revo handle a little bit more just because it's a bit longer. The reels themselves aren't much different other than that.

[Choupique]

well you could have bought an inshore last week for $120 or so... man

[JonathanP]

I made my final decision and bought a Curado and got a fairly good price for it ($145). I feel confident I made a good choice as I know I trust Shimano. I think they are tops when it comes to reel making. Look forward to heading out with it soon and putting a few notches on its belt.

[LSUtigeryakker]

You made a good choice young grasshopper. I've heard nothing but good things about the curado and know several people who have them(multiple). It won't fail you. Far as I understand the only ones better are the calcutta and the chronarch 50mg. I have 2 citicas and they work great and one day will upgrade but for the budget I had at the time I bought 2 citicas and two rods so I could have two rigs ready to go.

[jonalford]

brought back h20 junk reel and got an ambassador 4600 like it so far only problem is they spooled it for free at academy and I lost 3 big red fishing the oyster reefs in yellow Cotton in 2 days I think they lined it with their store brand mono just when I thought I was gonna leave the braid alone might be going back

[papawd]

Hey check out Bowie Outfitter's, I know one person who went and talked with Jacob and Ordered a reel (left hand Curado) they will sell it to them for thesale price on March 1st with there big sale day one heck of a deal considering they are already $20.00 cheaper than everyone else then 20% of that