20 replies to this topic

[roadwarrior]

Gosh, there are so many choices and everyone has a "favorite". As everyone is getting
geared up for the season, we all want to know "What is the best?" I know it's confusing
and when you shop, everything new seems so nice. The fact is, some reels are better
engineered than others. Components and design make a huge difference over time.

The problem is, there is no "best", just favorites. I like Shimanos simply because the ones
I own have stood the test of time. All of my reels perform as well or better today than they
did the first day out of the box. Guys who prefer other brands will say the same!

I currently own 18 Shimano, 1 Pinnacle and 1 Abu Garcia. These are my recommendations:

Spinning:
Symetre at the entry level
CI4 for "best value"

Baitcasting
Citicia at the entry level
Curado for "best value"
CTE series for powerful round reels
Pinnacle Optimus XLT for an upgrade
Core 50MG, top of the line

[Catt]

Me like

[riskkid 2]

When I first started building my arsenal I got caught up in trying the newest or best etc... and ended up with a number of different brands. I'm not dissapointed in any of them but if I had to do it over I would have stuck with all Shimano. Not because I think they are better, I just like them the best. The other point is that each brand fishes / casts a little different and I would have preferred the consistency of one brand. My favorites are the Cronarch 50MG which is no longer made and the Symetre for spinning (I don't use a spinning rod too often).

[00 mod]

What RW forgot to mention is he also owns one flabadabadoo! Haha! He uses it as a lure retriever!

Jeff

[outdoorsman110]

Good post RW, do you own any old Shimano GT-X's?

[BigMoneyGrip]

I agree about the Citica and Curado. Now if I could just save my clams and test the Core.......

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Core is a great high end reel. I wish the pricepoint gap between the Core and Chronarch wasn't so big. I think the Steez being so out of site allows Shimano to get the higher price for the Core.

[roadwarrior]

Along the same line, I didn't include the Stella because it is just soooo overpriced.
I love the reel and have three that replaced a couple of the originals as the new
models were introduced. Fortunately, I have been lucky to find a few super deals.
However, I don't recommend them to others. The CI4 is close enough to being the
perfect spinning reel, seriously!

[Hi Salenity]

RW, Have you ever used a Lew's TP? I find them to be a great reel that can be had for around $160. I have to say I like them as well as my Core.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I agree with all of it but one thing. I still think the Citica is the better value versus the Curado. Not that the Curado is a bad deal, I'm just looking at it from a dollars versus performance standpoint.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Entry level---PQ because it can be had for $79

Middle of the road---- PQ cause it comes in so many gear ratios

High end----PQ cause if Edwin Evers can win tournaments and over a million in earnings with it then it's good enough for me.

[roadwarrior]

RW, Have you ever used a Lew's TP? I find them to be a great reel that can be had for around $160. I have to say I like them as well as my Core.

Nope, but I have read a lot of VERY favorable reviews.

[Kevinator1]

Guys, I love my new Shimano Chronarchs, but like Hi Salenity says you have to try the new Lews. I received the $99.00 Speed Spool for a Christmas present and I cannot believe how good this reel is. I don't know how long it will last but it is absolutely ridiculous how well this casts and performs. Unbelievable, every bit as smooth as my Chronarchs. I've been using it for pitching and then tried it for cranking and there are no weaknesses. If Lews is trying to make a statement they have succeeded. I wonder how good their high end reels are.

[outdoorsman110]

Lew's are amazing.

[Bassn Blvd]

I hate to admit, especially after strongly reccomending Shimano for so many years (and at times still do) but I have gotten rid of (almost) all my Shimanos and adopted the Lews TP. My Calcuttas are here to stay and I haven't found a better spinning reel to replace my Stradic.

My goal now is to get RW to make the transition. I'm considering shipping one of my TP's to him so he can use it for a couple weeks/month- I know he'll fall in love and then there will be a massive Shimano sale going on in the flee market .