First low profile bass reel

[40ishnewbie]

Hey All,
I've never used a low profile reel before. What would you suggest I look into for chasing bass? Up to $100 would be a limit at this time.

Thanks,
Jay

[flippinbaits]

Hey All,
I've never used a low profile reel before. What would you suggest I look into for chasing bass? Up to $100 would be a limit at this time.

Thanks,
Jay


i would look at the shimano citica if you are looking for under 100 bucks. they are great quality and half the shimano warranty. The revo S is also ok, but the revo stx is where its at, however that is about 160$. I would check e-bay for the citicas. Otherwise picking up the old shimano curados on e-bay would be a good bet too.

my last recommendation would be the cabelas prodigy. they are made by daiwa. they cast like a charm and have good enough drag for most bass here. 8.8lbs i believe. great for cranking, and topwater buzzbaits.

[hunter9]

I have a shimano curado last year model left hand 201 dhsv small scratch willing to sell $100 paid $199 going for 170 I think. Reason upgrading to Shimano Core. If not the new curado $180 very smooth, small, and light with lots of cranking power. You get what you pay for with reels. Revos are a bit heavier and not as smooth.

[flippinbaits]

I have a shimano curado last year model left hand 201 dhsv small scratch willing to sell $100 paid $199 going for 170 I think. Reason upgrading to Shimano Core. If not the new curado $180 very smooth, small, and light with lots of cranking power. You get what you pay for with reels. Revos are a bit heavier and not as smooth.


revos are a bit heavier, but they have 24lbs of drag. great for pulling lm out of weeded mats, or nailing some steelies.

[BrushApe]

Revo, great little reel.

BA

[hunter9]

The Revos do have a crazy drag system but is that really needed? I caught plenty of Chinnook and Steelhead with my Curado. The steelhead stands no chance but the Chinook do strip my drag. I'm a Shimano fan the reels can take alot of abuse and still feels new.

[MXRacer105]

I would agree with Flippinbaits, the Citica is probably your best bet for right around $100. Especially if you can align the purchase with one of GI Joes' $20 off $100 purchase that they seem to have going every other week.

Or if you can wait, and dont mind a used reel, you can find a used Curado online (Craigslist, Ebay, iFish classifieds, other fishing site classifieds) for near $100 I am sure. Just be careful there are some *** reels out there.

Good luck.

[basshunter]

Shimano..hands down. I have several Shimano Cruxis (paid $79.99 on sale...regular $99 price). Excellent reel for the $. I dont have the wallet for high priced reels. My budget is always $100 or less. I have Shimano Cruxis, Pfleuger Trion, Quantum Accurist, Bass Pro Shops Qualifier and some Diawa ***. All were purchased for between $80 and $100. I like the exterior cast control and flippin switch of the Quantum but it isnt as smooth as the Shimano. The Shimano casts light baits easier. I always grab the Shimano's then Quantums....The BPS, Pfleuger and Diawa usually stay home.

Regards.

[Lunkerlander]

Pfleuger Trion or a Shimano Curado, I have both and love both. I really like the pfleuger it is just as nice as the shimano.

[flippinbaits]

the cruixs are nice. but they are a lil bulky for bass fishing. i feel that the are on the larger end of low profile reels.

as far as the drag needs on a revo stx. I fish the cal delta and clear lake a lot. if you hook into a nice 8lb under some weeds, u;ll need that drag. or if you run into some stripers on the delta. as far as up in oregon, i would love that drag on any salmon or steelies.

[Hunt'nFish]

IMO Shimano's are overpriced and the Quantum & Diawa's represent a better price/performance ratio.

If you look around you can find Quantum Energy's and Tour Editions for right around that figure...maybe a bit more for the TE's

But thier ceramic drags are awesome and the adjustable centrifical drag ACS systems is SOOOO much more convienent than Shimano's.
Just my opinion.
Hunt'nFish

Quantum Energy PT E770PT Baitcasting Reel (http://www.baitnhook.net/quantumenergypte770ptbaitcastingreel.aspx)

http://www.baitnhook.net/ProductImages/reels/E770PT_alt.jpg (http://www.baitnhook.net/ProductImages/reels/E770PT_alt.jpg)

[SteamboatAngler]

I LOVE MY SHIMANO CITICA!!!! all out hands down for the money. i like the dicontinued model better, its a little bigger. verry nice though!

[Basshound]

ok, here it is for budget reels that really do work. Buying used reals can be scary. Especially from some yeahoo downsouth who doesnt give a damn who you are.
Shimano citica 119.99 BRAND new
Flueger trion 89.99 Brand new
Diawa megaforce 55.99 BRAND new
New, means no worries about getting ripped off on someones junk. I own all three of these budget models and love them all.........

[Basshound]

I didnt mean to sound so negative about used equipment. I have bought used equipment, both nice or trashed.

[flippinbaits]

basshound...i hear that used reels can be hit or miss. But how u find them i think makes a difference. i just found 2 energy pt's for 60 bucks :) .

however, you just may find a lemon.

n e ways, basshound...what is the biggest fish u caght on the daiwa megaforce? and do u use the twitch bar?

[Greg516]

Shakespeare Axiom is what Im using right now.. Great reel for $30.. Got it at Wally World

[JustCallMeDave]

The Revos do have a crazy drag system but is that really needed?

It might be until you need it, and usually that underwater freight train won't take a breather until you go buy the better real with the better drag. :twocents:

:throb:Revo:throb:

[veilside180sx]

You can buy an Abu Garcia Silver Max and Berkely Lightning combo for $49.99 at Dick's right now after rebate.

It casts well, has a decent drag, and the price is great. I have a couple of them, and am very pleased with them.

The Quantum Accurist PT is on sale at Big 5 for 69.99 as well.

[Wolfdog]

Yep the Pfleuger Trion for under a hundred. If you can go a bit more the Supreme is fantastic with 3 cast control systems & 11 bearings for $149
Comes R & L
it also has a smooth 22# drag system. Most in that category only have one in the mid teens.

[Basshound]

flippinbaits, i have caught only 5-5.5lb bass with it. But my buddy used it for winter steelies and said it worked great. And, oh yea! I did do some carp snagging with it. some carp were in the 20's and it handled the long hard runs well. The twitchen bar is cool, but not fantastic. It does work very well when fishing weightless baits like senko's or lizards. You can use it also while texas rigged depending on the weight you use and the bottom cover. I would also say this real may be a tad bit smoother than the flueger trion. And if spooled with 12lb on a 7 ft rod you can cast a half ounce spinnerbait way futher than you can set the hook efficiantly.

[flippinbaits]

flippinbaits, i have caught only 5-5.5lb bass with it. But my buddy used it for winter steelies and said it worked great. And, oh yea! I did do some carp snagging with it. some carp were in the 20's and it handled the long hard runs well. The twitchen bar is cool, but not fantastic. It does work very well when fishing weightless baits like senko's or lizards. You can use it also while texas rigged depending on the weight you use and the bottom cover. I would also say this real may be a tad bit smoother than the flueger trion. And if spooled with 12lb on a 7 ft rod you can cast a half ounce spinnerbait way futher than you can set the hook efficiantly.

thats good to hear. i've always been tempted to buy one. But two people warned me of their handles being made cheaply, and them actually bending really easy with about 5lb fish. I checked cabelas ratings and people said the same. I hope if i get one, i have ur experience! thanks for the report!

[Basshound]

I would say, the reel works good enough that if the crank were to bend, i would buy one of the universal handles out of bass pro and keep on fishing it. It wouldnt stop me from buying more. I'd just buy an aftermarket handle for every reel i buy.

[40ishnewbie]

Thanks for all the tips. I may try one of the cheaper combos out there and see what I like and don't like before spending a load.

Jay

[flippinbaits]

Thanks for all the tips. I may try one of the cheaper combos out there and see what I like and don't like before spending a load.

Jay


the only thing you will find with buying a cheap combo is that you will never want to buy one again.

you might be able to get the silver max abu garcia and a berkley lighting rod from dicks for cheap. but imho combos are kinda busts. You can get a nice used rod and a citica used/new for close to 100$ out the door.

good luck with your search :D

[Hawk JJ]

the cruixs are nice. but they are a lil bulky for bass fishing. i feel that the are on the larger end of low profile reels.

as far as the drag needs on a revo stx. I fish the cal delta and clear lake a lot. if you hook into a nice 8lb under some weeds, u;ll need that drag. or if you run into some stripers on the delta. as far as up in oregon, i would love that drag on any salmon or steelies.



1989 i c&r a 42 lb Striped bass with my Abu Garcia 6500C on a homemade jig at San Luis Res Forebay, CA.

:D

[Chad S.]

For what application will you be using this real? Reel speed is very important. If you want it for jigs, platics, jerkbaits, or carolina rigs then i would get a burner 7.0:1. If you want a reel for spinnerbaits then i prefer something slower like a 5.3:1. For cranks, swimbaits, and traps i use a 6.0:1. Bass Pro extreme combos are the best bang for your buck hands down...... You can get a good combo for $119, and they offer a wide range of rods and reels to pair up. I own loomis, lamiglas, st croix, shimano, tica, and many other rods. I also own many high end reels from ardent to quantum pt's. I'm telling you, you will not go wrong with one of there combos!!!

[romanfishing]

i would look at the shimano citica if you are looking for under 100 bucks. they are great quality and half the shimano warranty. The revo S is also ok, but the revo stx is where its at, however that is about 160$. I would check e-bay for the citicas. Otherwise picking up the old shimano curados on e-bay would be a good bet too.

my last recommendation would be the cabelas prodigy. they are made by daiwa. they cast like a charm and have good enough drag for most bass here. 8.8lbs i believe. great for cranking, and topwater buzzbaits.
But which model of shimano citica would advise, specifically?

[Heynanunanu]

Ci201e
left-hand

[supertim]

I'd say get the bassproshops megacast. You can get the reel for 39.99. It's an amazing reel for the price, but it only has 12 lb of drag. I own one, and it's served me well for a couple years now. You can get two of em with your budget, and even with the shipping you'll have enough left over to get lin for them:)

[bassnwhaler]

citica d or e...or buy some used stuff from Ollie Damon's..they come with a 90 day warranty I believe...long enough for you to figure it out....

[bassnwhaler]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/spo/1094947484.html

git r done.

[Piscatus]

a) I'll chime in to the extent the Curado is a standard. But when one is just getting started, what do people think of the Bass Pro entry level series of reels? I have several and love them.

b) my piece of advice is to get some sort of adjustable magnetic casting control on any reel you buy, there is a world of difference between reels with this and reels with out (i.e. significantly less # of backlashes/birds nests). In fact, all of Bass Pro's level winds as of this spring all have this feature. I'd say get started with the best bang for the buck and build your arsenal as time goes on. IMHO.

Anyone agree/thoughts?

Piscatus

[Hunt'nFish]

You won't hear any disputes from me. I'd rather have 2 Quantum Energy's over 1 Shimano Curado.
Shimano's aren't any better, but they sure must think they are.... based on their pricing.
What are they gold plated inside or something? :passout:


I don't know I guess I've always hunted for the best price/performance ratio when it comes to gear. Simply because I want a rod/reel for every need. Couldn't afford them if they were the top end most expensive.
Shoot the reels we have today are quantum leaps better than what we had 20yrs ago. I remember when the Abu levelwind was THEE reel everyone used. Shoot even an entry level baitcaster is several times better than they were. Remember, it's not the rod/reel that catches the fish...it's the knucklehead running the crank that does.
Hunt'nFish

[flippinbaits]

Remember, it's not the rod/reel that catches the fish...it's the knucklehead running the crank that does.
Hunt'nFish

:applause:

[40ishnewbie]

Due to a stroke of luck, I think I'll be picking up a Revo Inshore. This reel will be doing double duty in both fresh and salt water. I already have an Ambassadeur 5601 C4 as a second bass reel. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

Now it's time to look for rods...:excited:

[tnj8222]

a c4 is pretty big for basic bass fishing. i use that for my big swimbaits

[BassBware]

i'm more of an opportunist of deals so if i could get a good brand for a good deal than its alright for me. i have a shimano curado, quantum energy pt, and revo sx. i've caught fish on all of em. thats all that matters to me.

[40ishnewbie]

I did pick up a Revo Inshore and tried it out a few days ago. Being new to casting reels, I started out with all the brake blocks active and the cast control tightened down a bit. This reel is so easy to cast and control. After only a few casts with a 5/8 oz rattle trap, I began to back off of the control knob and reduced the active brakes until I found a combination that allowed me to cast almost without any thumb action at all. With more practice, I'm sure I'll get more distance and accuracy with less brake and more thumbing. But, for now, this is a very sweet reel to use and easy to set up and adjust. Catching a few smallies on a spinnerbait was a bonus.

Thanks for the guidance and encouragement,
Jay

[Slayer12]

I vote Revo all the way. If I had an extra $100 bucks layin around (which i don't) I would get a Revo for sure. I love the one I have, but could always use another.