I am in need of some new reels, for a few reasons, and need some help here.
1. I have 3 Quantum Tour Edition casting reels, and they are too big for my small hands. It feels like I am holding a coke can while fishing. Anyone interested?
2. I have played with the Shimano's, so spare me the "Buy Curado's" speech.
3. Is there a smaller reel that is made with extreme high quality, that will perform, be affordable, and comfortable for me? I have read and played with the Revo STX, and like it, but if you listen to it while you turn the handle it sounds 'loose', for lack of a better word. I have layed with the Pflueger Summit, and really like it and the price, but Pflueger is owned by Shakespeare, which screams cheap to me. I have also played with the Daiwa Zillion, and like it also, though I do not like the price. Anyone with good experience with any of these reels got some advice?
1Jav
I've been using the Johnny Morris Bait casters and like them a lot. This Christmas I got a 7.1:1. They are low profile and fit a smaller hand very well. I noticed last week at Bass Pro they had the 6.1:1 on sale from $159.00 to $79.00 so I picked up one of them. Also I use Quantums PT Burner which is a good reel but seems to require a lot of maintenance (cleaning).
I use all pflueger...and have had no problems. The wide spools are bigger so you prob would like them. I have trions, president in wide and have supreme's if narrow and they are alot smaller in my hands. I've heard the summit and the new patriarch are really nice. I know the patriarch was one of the best new reels in bassmasters magazine. I tried a diawa viento and it was alot smaller and i didn't like how small it felt so I gave it to my dad who has smaller hands and he likes it alot.
And what's wrong with the Curado series? I love my Curados.
Couple buddies have the Revos and love them. They've had no issues.
As for the Phluegar... they are actually the child of Silstar (just ask SFW1960!!). And Quantum is owned by Zebco... so there you go.
Have you looked at Ardent??
Bass pro has several reels that are a bit smaller and I have had great luck with BPS reels. I have a few of the older Rick Clunn serries reels, and they have held up to a ton of abuse. The first one is the Pro Lite Finesse and the other would be the Extreme Series reels come in a small frame version. Definitely worth checking out and real nice equipment.
How much do you want for the quantums? How old are they?
i've got 4 of the bps extreme series baitcasters... they are made by pflueger. Pretty nice reels for the $$. I bought 2 barely used ones for like 50$ last year.. can't beat that. Probably not as nice as the shimanos and they aren't a high-dollar reel by any means, but i've got 6 years of use on the 2 of 'em that i bought new.
I also have to ask "What's wrong with the Curado" I've worked on all of the reels you mentioned and by far the most reliable is the Shimano. I have used them all and what I look for is not how the reel feels out of the box. Any company can make a reel feel good in the beginning. What counts is how does that $100+ reel feel after a couple of years. The Curado can be abused and then given a good cleaning and feel like new or better (there are exceptions of coarse).
Good luck in your choice.
REEL MAN
Last year I used Team Daiwa X 103HV and the quantum tour edition reels and had some problems. The drag on one of the daiwa's went bad, and the quantums didnt feel comfertable. So I went out and bought all new shimano curado 200 D's for this season. I figured with all the good things I hear about the curado's I cant go wrong, and could get them for $99.99 each. I been playing around with the curados spooled up on a rod and to me it feels great. It feels very smooth, fits closer to the rod, and fits perfect in my hand. I also realized last year that I didnt like having different reels, so when I switch rods now I am always using the same reel and not adapting to the feel of different baitcasters. Hopefully like everyone says the curado's will continue to impress me on the water for years to come.
Tim
I need 4 new casting reels myself. I've been using the BPS Extreme for the last 2 years and they have some casting issues now. I was at BPS over the christmas break and seen the Jonny Morris reels on sale. They seem like a very good deal.
I think most of my trouble is that maybe I don't take care of them as well as needed. Being new to most of this maybe I need to take a class on how to care them..... Ill have to put it on my schedule for the fishing show..lol
happy ice fishing
Don L
If the Curado is not good enough...how about the "Buy Chronarch's" speech??
;D ;D
The feel of a reel in the store won't tell you much. Even a $40 reel can feel good before abuse. BPS reels are known for a good infant feel, but really lack long term durability.
Seth V
Just my .02, but I use Chronarchs and they have performed flawlessly. Smooth, reliable etc, etc. I was at BPS just before Christmas and a sales person told me that they had heard that Shimano was going to participate in the trade-a-reel program again this year during the spring sale. If that is true and you have an old reel or two to trade you can save a bunch of money.
Willie
If you are looking fo a smaller feel - the curado 100 series (green body style) is a great choice. AN upgrade to that is the Chronarch MG50. This reel is awesome - small in body size, awsome drag system, and ha sttod up to a couple years of use like the day it was new. Also, it weighs only like 6 oz - less fatigue after a long day of fishing.
My $0.02
I'm going to look into the Shimano's a little more, even though I think it is more a mind thing for most of you guys, as I am sure that some other reels, Daiwa included, can stack up well against a Shimano. I looked at the Chronarch MG50, and was liking everything except the 6.2:1. I really want a high speed reel, but may just settle for this anyways. A little faster retrieve would do the same thing, just a few fewer casts at the end of the day. Do like the look of the Core, hate the price tag, way too much for what you get I believe, and it feels cheap when you are holding it. I don't know, maybe I will look into the trade a reel program a little more and see what I can do. I don't think they will let me trade straight up 2 Tour Edition 7's for 2 Core's or Chronarch's though. Still for sale in the other post though!
1Jav
All my reels are the Accurist. They don't seem to be too big, I have never had a problem with any one of them and they cost under $100. What more can you want?! I have had good success with them and have put them to the test. I recommend them but don't know how they compare size wise to the reels you mentioned.
I didn't fish any shimano reels until 2 years ago, now all I have are curados. I like the old style green ones better than the new ones though, especially for heavy line. Also don't like the new metal frame when it's cold. There are always a ton of the old green curados on ebay. I do want to try the revo this year.
-Matt
i will vouch for the Revos. I have 3 and will be buying more. I almost bought the Premier the other day but the consequences for over spending can be pretty extreme.
McCarter himself :-\'
I have smaller hands and finding a reel that fits well is a problem. That said the Chronarch 50Mg is just great! Unfortunately the $250 tag limits me using them exclusively. I also like the small Citica, no problems with that either.
The Revo didn't fit my palm too well so I was glad to be rid of the SX I had and while the Core Mg does, I can't shell out nearly $400 for a reel. I sure would like to check out the Ardent reels next, but otherwise I will be sticking with Shimano.
Simmons sporting goods on ebay just sold me the chronarch 50mg's brand new for $185 each and shippings included, thats alot better than $250.
T