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Bass Fishing Forums => Reels => Topic started by: Jimmy RodandReel on February 10, 2015, 08:33:12 PM

Title: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on February 10, 2015, 08:33:12 PM
Favorite Reel brand?

And If you will please tell us why you picked this brand as your Favorite.

 (hmm)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Bullet3119 on February 10, 2015, 08:41:10 PM
Shimano Chronarchs, quality and easy to get parts for. Did I say quality? Definitely quality. Smoothness and casting distance is great as well, but that is probably due to what you have done to them.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on February 10, 2015, 08:48:39 PM
Shimano, by far. I especially like the now defunct Curado 200 E7. I think Shimano did the fishing community a huge disservice by scrapping that model.

I have 3 or 4 of them and won't part with them for anything.

They are smooth and durable, and were probably one of the best reels for the $179 price tag.

My only gripe with them is that I tend to have trouble with them if I am fishing in very heavy rain. I will undoubtedly have trouble with at least one of them backlashing on me when they get really wet  (hmm)

They end up looking something like this:

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbassfishingphotos.com%2Fimages%2F1%2F162%2F00000013.jpg&hash=06b80b47564661f9987fac814affcbc97475db56)

That pic was taken after a major professional overrun during a club tourney. This reel got wet as I was driving to the lake and we had a deluge.

Needless to say, this reel was out of commission for the day  (ol)

On the brighter side, I went on to recover from that and a broken reel seat in one of my rods, to take second place in the tourney  :)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on February 10, 2015, 09:13:34 PM
Shimano, by far. I especially like the now defunct Curado 200 E7.

I search the webz every week or so for them. I bought two of them brand NIB for 140each the other day. I now have 14 of them with 5 spares(3-E7's and 2-E5's)  ;)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on February 10, 2015, 09:27:50 PM
I might be begging you for one or two of them this summer  (giggle)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: n2ratfishin on February 10, 2015, 10:07:50 PM
Sadly I bought two of the Shimano E's only to have them stolen out of my garage.  I have more luck with Shimano than any other.  Over several decades I have used ABU, Shimano, Lews, Ardent, and Diawa, and of course Zebco.  I have to say right now Lews is giving Shimano a run for my money as I start replacing some old 1990's  Shimano Curado B's.   @Jimmy RodandReel  has kept those old reels not he water a very long time.  A couple of them will need gear sets next cleaning.  I'll likely change out those and the Ardents next time they go down.   

I may try the Diawa Tatula???? All depends on how often my reel guy tells me he see's them for repair.   
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: getfished on February 11, 2015, 08:09:12 AM
I use Shimano. I've got 3 or 4 Chronarch 50 MG , 5 Curado 100 D, and a couple Citicas. Good reels. I use this brand because I like the overall styling and feel. They have been very dependable and of course light weigh is also a factor.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Jig Man on February 11, 2015, 08:19:22 AM
I used to be a Diawa fan 'till they started giving me trouble.  I switched to Shimano and haven't looked back.  I don't own any other brand.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on February 11, 2015, 08:46:32 AM
   I may try the Diawa Tatula???? All depends on how often my reel guy tells me he see's them for repair.   

Please don't!   Stick with the lews or shimano. PLEASE!  (yes) (yes) (yes)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on February 11, 2015, 09:53:47 AM
   I may try the Diawa Tatula???? All depends on how often my reel guy tells me he see's them for repair.   

Please don't!   Stick with the lews or shimano. PLEASE!  (yes) (yes) (yes)

Straight from the mouth of someone who knows... No Daiwa reels  (nope)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on February 11, 2015, 09:55:52 AM

My only gripe with them is that I tend to have trouble with them if I am fishing in very heavy rain. I will undoubtedly have trouble with at least one of them backlashing on me when they get really wet  (hmm)

They end up looking something like this:

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbassfishingphotos.com%2Fimages%2F1%2F162%2F00000013.jpg&hash=06b80b47564661f9987fac814affcbc97475db56)

That pic was taken after a major professional overrun during a club tourney. This reel got wet as I was driving to the lake and we had a deluge.

Needless to say, this reel was out of commission for the day  (ol)


@Jimmy RodandReel Any ideas as to why these reels do this? And any feedback on how to keep them from doing this in the future, other than the obvious answer of not having them out in heavy rain??
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: n2ratfishin on February 11, 2015, 06:24:34 PM
Pop a couple of spool brakes and tighten up your spool tension when it rains.   Your line must be absorbing water way down in the spool in the rain for extended periods?  I doubt it has anything to do with the reel itself if it corrects when it dries out. 

I'll actually give my reels a good pop to get some of the excess water out of them when fishing in rain like that by popping the butt of the rod on the deck from time too time. 

If you don't already cast with the handles up, make sure you do that in those conditions.  I keep my spool tension backed off so far it's been known to cause excess wear.  When it gets like that you have to crank them down. 
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on February 11, 2015, 06:33:07 PM
Pop a couple of spool brakes and tighten up your spool tension when it rains.   Your line must be absorbing water way down in the spool in the rain for extended periods?  I doubt it has anything to do with the reel itself if it corrects when it dries out. 

I'll actually give my reels a good pop to get some of the excess water out of them when fishing in rain like that by popping the butt of the rod on the deck from time too time. 

If you don't already cast with the handles up, make sure you do that in those conditions.  I keep my spool tension backed off so far it's been known to cause excess wear.  When it gets like that you have to crank them down. 

Thanks for the tips. It's weird because it's only the Shimano reels that do this to me. I actually run my spool tension backed off all the way too, just like you. What's weird is that if I pop two spool brakes out, then the reel casts like crap. Definitely takes some serious tweaking in heavy rain  :-\
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on February 11, 2015, 08:02:49 PM
n2ratfishing said it very well.  (y) 
The only thing I would add to this.....Is to have the bearings /reel cleaned.  The water in the reel makes the grease in the bearings looser and the water acts like a temporary lube on the brakes that cause's the problem your having now.

Side note:
 I also believe the extra weight of the water in the line/spool will cause a spool imbalance that will cause backlashes.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on February 11, 2015, 09:45:08 PM
n2ratfishing said it very well.  (y) 
The only thing I would add to this.....Is to have the bearings /reel cleaned.  The water in the reel makes the grease in the bearings looser and the water acts like a temporary lube on the brakes that cause's the problem your having now.

Side note:
 I also believe the extra weight of the water in the line/spool will cause a spool imbalance that will cause backlashes.

Thanks @Jimmy RodandReel  (y)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: gtiffany79 on February 11, 2015, 11:50:36 PM
I've been an Abu García fan pretty much my whole life. Mostly at first because it's what my dad and grandpa use. I love them for the ease of getting parts and their toughness.  Although I don't think they are as smooth as the Shimanos. I am considering making the switch to Shimano lately just because I'm not a huge fan Pure Fishing.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: aussiebasser on February 18, 2015, 09:59:51 PM
I like Megabass reels.
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi653.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu255%2Faussiebasser%2FIMG_0125Small.jpg&hash=e1a7654dbd230be694e8747d10b7e394f8f22c35) (http://s653.photobucket.com/user/aussiebasser/media/IMG_0125Small.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: RedAllison on February 20, 2015, 08:24:32 PM
Favorite Reel brand?

And If you will please tell us why you picked this brand as your Favorite.

 (hmm)

Well my FAVORITE reel WAS the Shimano Curado Super-Free. (late 90s, "metallic pea green" with gold spool) Those reels just are PERFECTION to me, I have 4 of them and would love 10more if I could find them NIB but the blasted things are still bringing more money than they did new so I guess folks still lovem.  (fp) I used to swear by Shimano but after they quit making the 90s/early00s Curados and Chronarchs, they seemed to start smoking crack with their pricing and to me the reels weren't actually as smooth as before. So I guess the last 6 or so reels I've bought were actually Pflueger's and I gotta say I've had NO problems with them! Every January after deer season, I respool all my reels and then clean and lube them so I haven't had any problems with them and they are still butter smooth.

Honestly if I were buying a brand new reel today I have NO clue what I'd get as I just literally HATE the newer "tiny reels", I mean the blasted things are gettin so small there just aint enough to hold onto and they just don't feel right to me so I keep running the "90s/00s" tech reels.  (yes)

One thing I've seen with ALOT of reels over the last 20yrs is that propensity of most of them to be packed full of GREASE instead of properly oiled where they should have oil and greased where they should be greased. I guess it's a combination of being made in the orient and the reels makers knowing MOST folks don't do squat to the reels so they pack them full of grease so the reels will at least make it 2-3 seasons before they conk out. My annual maintenance schedule has proven pretty failsafe, I have some reels I've had since I was a kid in the 80s and except for the laughable performance/tech they had back then vs newer reels, I could still use them tomorrow if I needed to!
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on February 20, 2015, 09:15:20 PM
Quote
One thing I've seen with ALOT of reels over the last 20yrs is that propensity of most of them to be packed full of GREASE instead of properly oiled where they should have oil and greased where they should be greased. I guess it's a combination of being made in the orient and the reels makers knowing MOST folks don't do squat to the reels so they pack them full of grease so the reels will at least make it 2-3 seasons before they conk out. My annual maintenance schedule has proven pretty failsafe,
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     (yes)  (yes)  (yes)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: sbg on April 26, 2016, 07:24:34 PM
Love my Diawa's!  Been using alot of Tatula Type R's. Finally splurged some and got some Steez's with the SV spool. Baaddddd reels. Best reels Ive ever used. 
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: transamz9 on April 26, 2016, 08:58:20 PM
I personally have not tried a lot of different brands. I look at it if it works then stick with it. I guess my favors reel in my boat is a Johnny Morris Carbonlite. I really like the Pro Qualifier also. I have 4 of those.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on April 26, 2016, 09:09:20 PM
I prefer Shimano, but I actually have a mixed bag of Shimano & Abu Garcia right now, mainly because I needed some new reels during the last few years and didn't have the cash to buy all new Shimanos.

In reality, the Abus have been good reels for the money spent  (yes)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: pondhopper424 on April 27, 2016, 05:08:53 AM
Curado Bantam, 5 total . They have held up really well considering how I treat them???? Do have a problem with one this year; found some kind of white chalk looking substance inside it and can’t make it right. Now I have misplaced (not lost) the two drag washers! Might need some professional help…Jimmy RodandReel think you might have time to look at it?
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: bullet20dc on April 27, 2016, 07:44:44 AM
Curado 200s 'for me  older versions.   


Quote
Posted by: sbg
« on: April 26, 2016, 07:24:34 PM »

Love my Diawa's!  Been using alot of Tatula Type R's. Finally splurged some and got some Steez's with the SV spool. Baaddddd reels. Best reels Ive ever used.


thought u wuz a beer can an string kinda guy
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: ranger361v on April 27, 2016, 08:54:43 AM
Good luck getting JimmyRodandReel to look at any post on here. :crying:
Maybe if we mention his name enough he will come back.  (giggle)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: sbg on April 27, 2016, 12:24:41 PM
Curado 200s 'for me  older versions.   


Quote
Posted by: sbg
« on: April 26, 2016, 07:24:34 PM »

Love my Diawa's!  Been using alot of Tatula Type R's. Finally splurged some and got some Steez's with the SV spool. Baaddddd reels. Best reels Ive ever used.


thought u wuz a beer can an string kinda guy

I used to be but it got to be a pain walkin the dog with a frog. 
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: transamz9 on April 27, 2016, 03:03:13 PM
Curado 200s 'for me  older versions.   


Quote
Posted by: sbg
« on: April 26, 2016, 07:24:34 PM »

Love my Diawa's!  Been using alot of Tatula Type R's. Finally splurged some and got some Steez's with the SV spool. Baaddddd reels. Best reels Ive ever used.


thought u wuz a beer can an string kinda guy

I used to be but it got to be a pain walkin the dog with a frog.

You either need to either leave the dog at home or the frog. I've never had any luck walking the dog and frog at the same time. I use a leash too.......not a Rod and Reel. (fp)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: bullet20dc on April 27, 2016, 07:57:09 PM
well that splains y u dunt ketch squat tranz  u gotta walk a frog an a dog 
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on April 27, 2016, 08:43:42 PM
well that splains y u dunt ketch squat tranz  u gotta walk a frog an a dog 

 (giggle)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: transamz9 on April 27, 2016, 08:59:15 PM
well that splains y u dunt ketch squat tranz  u gotta walk a frog an a dog

I believe I've skunked David bout every time I've fished with him. heck, his woman got in my boat on the big G-ville (his home lake) so she could be put on some fish. LOL! She got tired of hauling water.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: sbg on April 27, 2016, 10:41:43 PM
Lol. She was just tryin to show yall how to catch some of those Bama fish. Lol
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: bullet20dc on April 28, 2016, 07:46:28 AM
"haulin water "  ok now thats funny right there dunt care who ya r   (urock)


now play nice wit David     Hey we gotta do that Gville thing again some day
but I remember the day or 2 after we left that campground place u stayed at got leveled by tornadoes   is it still open

 
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: transamz9 on April 28, 2016, 07:54:53 AM
"haulin water "  ok now thats funny right there dunt care who ya r   (urock)


now play nice wit David     Hey we gotta do that Gville thing again some day
but I remember the day or 2 after we left that campground place u stayed at got leveled by tornadoes   is it still open

Yes they are open but I doubt I will go back there if they still have the same policy. I'm not going to put my 42' 5th wheel in a 30' spot and have to have my boat half way across the campground in another spot. I never understood how they could take reservations but can't guarantee a certain spot. My rig won't fit on just any site. (fp)

Some Memories................

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi968.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae169%2Ftransamz9%2FGuntersville%2520Gang%25202011%2FDSCN2003.jpg&hash=0057d2271e7c33cb8648dbe8255a3e8bb99da3ea)

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi968.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae169%2Ftransamz9%2FGuntersville%2520Gang%25202011%2FDSCN2002.jpg&hash=5351a908b83986886aaba6a138bcfe34f36e74c1)

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi968.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae169%2Ftransamz9%2FGuntersville%2520Gang%25202011%2FDSCN2000.jpg&hash=0c9da7983605e7252110e279d0f76e0815a7b362)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on April 28, 2016, 09:02:47 AM
well that splains y u dunt ketch squat tranz  u gotta walk a frog an a dog

I believe I've skunked David bout every time I've fished with him. heck, his woman got in my boat on the big G-ville (his home lake) so she could be put on some fish. LOL! She got tired of hauling water.  :rolleyes:

 (stirthepot) (pcd)
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: frugalangler on April 28, 2016, 09:35:45 AM
Quote

now play nice wit David     Hey we gotta do that Gville thing again some day
but I remember the day or 2 after we left that campground place u stayed at got leveled by tornadoes   is it still open


Some Memories................


yepper, now that was a great time fer sure, no matter how grumpy Tranz has become, that place treated you better than the big rock that you tried to move with your 75' train in KY campground!
now play nice wit David     Hey we gotta do that Gville thing again some day
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: transamz9 on April 28, 2016, 10:09:15 AM
Quote

now play nice wit David     Hey we gotta do that Gville thing again some day
but I remember the day or 2 after we left that campground place u stayed at got leveled by tornadoes   is it still open


Some Memories................


yepper, now that was a great time fer sure, no matter how grumpy Tranz has become, that place treated you better than the big rock that you tried to move with your 75' train in KY campground!
now play nice wit David     Hey we gotta do that Gville thing again some day

Now Frug, You need to get the story straight. My train actually at that time was 82' and I pull it with a Ram Cummins so I didn't try to do nutin'. If I hadn't stopped it was going over the big rock. ;D

Yeah the fishin' was tough that week but Dale Hollow has been pretty good this year. We were there last weekend and did pretty good. We have 2 more trips scheduled for there this year. My FIL wore the Crappie out this past weekend.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: frugalangler on April 28, 2016, 10:22:56 AM
Back on topic  (whew) I have one of many different brands, and some are MUCH more reliable than others in my experience. Why so many different brands, you ask? Mostly price, but also a few were chosen for specific purpose.

Anyway, I've come to really like the Browning's now hard to find version of what has been rebranded as the BPS Carbonlite - the one with the dual brake system. The browning is heavier because the frame is metal vs. carbon, and as such the gears stay aligned better, but the shine of the reel is it's tun-ability of braking - yea I know you guys say just thumb it, but with gloves on I can't so I let the reel do it's job - this thing will fire a compact heavy lure or a sail/kite spinnerbait with ease with a minor tweak of the brakes, so it's a great multi-purpose reel in my fleet.

The other favorite is BPS Pro-Qualifier - there have been a few variations over the years, and even the JM gold series - these overall have been the absolute most durable and reliable and require the least amount of maintenance to maintain consistency.

A close second to the JM reels is the Diawa line, many bash Diawa but their Magforce system is excellent, it's rated good or better in slow, medium, and high speed control by many (see https://japantackle.com/tackle_topics/brake_system.htm (https://japantackle.com/tackle_topics/brake_system.htm) this article on brake systems, it's quite informative. I've got 5 or 6 different Diawas and they all are excellent - just don't quite have the flexibilty of the Brownings, but since I can't find the Brownings anymore, it's back to JM or Diawa.

My least favorite is Shimano - I've had 2 and both have similar issues - the static spool speed knob (some call it casting drag) will not stay set, it goes for 20-30 casts set perfect then all of a sudden it's all of at least a full turn off setting the next cast, and I'm not a fan of taking a reel side cover off to 'pop a centrifugal button' to adjust the brake, so until they change that no more for me.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: sbg on April 28, 2016, 01:47:37 PM
Wow yeah that was some good times!  Seems like it was forever ago too.
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: frugalangler on April 28, 2016, 03:24:04 PM
Wow yeah that was some good times!  Seems like it was forever ago too.

And I still have and wear the T-shirt!
Title: Re: Reels.....Favorite reel brand?
Post by: Curt on April 29, 2016, 09:27:45 AM

My least favorite is Shimano - I've had 2 and both have similar issues - the static spool speed knob (some call it casting drag) will not stay set, it goes for 20-30 casts set perfect then all of a sudden it's all of at least a full turn off setting the next cast, and I'm not a fan of taking a reel side cover off to 'pop a centrifugal button' to adjust the brake, so until they change that no more for me.

I've had ZERO trouble with the spool brake adjustment on any of mine. But removing the side cover to adjust the centrifugal brakes is a royal pain in the butt  :nod:

Overall, though, they have treated me very well, with no problems or failures whatsoever.
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