little giant

@new2BC4bass It's a Falcon Clearwater, salt inshore rod. ML, 6'7" moderate. Built for casting finesse hair jigs for speckled trout. Limber tip but terrific backbone. Handled an 8 lb largemouth. I use it now with a Dream Tackle bfs reel, 10 lb braid.

@Flyfish-mt I bought that Gomexus shallow spool for my TW 80. It works great! It was my first plunge into bfs and I never looked back. I use 10 lb braid on it, throws light baits very well using a ML rod.

Here's my 2 main setups: Note that I'm chasing Floida largies and never know how big I'm lucky enough to get. The lightest power I use is ML rods. 1- Kistler KLX ML, 7', 1/16-3/8. Curado BFS Reel, upgraded spool bearings, 10 lb braid. This is dedicated For neds, usually 1/32 weight, 2/0 ewg and hula stix 2- Its a salt inshore rod: Falcon Clearwater, 6' 7" ML, moderate, 1/16- 1/2. Dream Tackle BFS reel, 10 lb braid. Small cranks, finesse jigs, finesse spinnerbaits etc. Because it's a salt rod it has a terrific backbone mid rod. It proved itself: 8 lb largie in sparse vegetation. I love them both!!

Seems that Shimano has service in your country and that should probably be your choice. I do recommend you get a strong, well built reel. Bantam or Tranx. Hopefully some other members will reply.

@Andrés Milano So, reading your first post, average is 3-4 kg, 6- 8 lbs, some bigger. Nice size fish! Honestly, my opinion would be neither of your choices. A better fit would be a Zillion HD. Deep cut brass gears and excellent brake. (I own 2) I know, not cheap, but will definitely be more durable. If learning towards Shimano, Bantam probably better than Curado.

@Andrés Milano Are you using a baitcaster now? If you are, please tell us what you're using.

reelschematics.com

Tighten the cast control and see if it slows the spool. You can remove the cast control cap and make sure the parts are in there.

Penn Battle IV DX is all brass gears. Penn Slammers are all.brass, DX is stainless. They're well built reels, a bit weighty.....

You made no mention- cast control adjustment??

I fish the salt sometimes but my son only fishes the Gulf or the Keys. Would a warm or hot water rinse be better to remove the salt??

Ok on the washer. Note that washer may be a shim for the line lay on the spool. You could try a bit of grease on the bottom of the spool tightener. The lockdown.

You say 3, I'm guessing 3 drag, 3 metal: The 1st, lowest washer should be drag, 2nd-metal, 3rd- drag, 4th-metal eared, 5th-drag, 6th-metal. The 6th could be bowed or bell washer. I agree with just a touch of drag grease, both sides of drag washers.

Note that ceramic bearings are a bit noisy as well. HPR Bearings is a great seller with good prices. (E bay)

Did you stack the washers in their proper order?? How many washers in the stack??

Check the outside edges of spool for debris or if their damaged.

Yes, pictures! I lay all the parts on a tray in rows as they are removed. Easier to put back, reverse the order. Case screws can be different sizes, so be aware. When removing any springy clips, I do it inside a zip loc bag, if it flies, it's in the bag. And use good, bright light!

All great recommendations here. To get to your price point, have a look at shimano Nasci. I have the 2000 size and it's a good reel with no issues. If you're constantly getting your reels soaked, save up more $$ and do get an inshore salt reel. They're built for getting wet. Lower priced ones would be Penn Battle 3 or 4, Quantum smoke inshore

You're not giving much info, getting wet how?? Normal kind of use, dunking in the creek?

Welcome to the forum! Spinning or casting??

No round reels for freshwater. Got rid of them long ago. I do use them in the salt, 1 old Penn, 2 Akios.

Devil's Horse, small Zara Spook, wake bait with pauses in cadence. Watch for gators, wait, I'm 2000.miles away lol

Great writing Katie!!

Falcon low rider

@Eric 26 I cast my bfs set ups the same as the regular ones. I have to spend time really fine tuning the brakes when changing bait weights on the bfs. I use ML rods, Curado bfs and Dream Tackle bfs reels.