I've always used Abu's and love them. Thinking about buying a low profile. Been doing a lot of researching here and on the web. Looking at no more then 200.00. What are ya'll using ? I'm kinda leaning towards a Abu Garcia® Revo STX  and the Lew's SS Tournament Pro TP1-SH. 

 

Thanks

If I had 200 bucks for a reel and wanted an STX, I'd go to TW and get one of the new old stock STX's for 160 bucks.

I have no experience with Lews, but the STX is a sweet little hunny

I am also an Abu guy, but i was thinking about a Daiwa Lexa 100. I went to my local BPS and played around with it and decided to buy it. Granted, i havent fished with it yet. But i have taken it in the back yard and made 100 or so casts and i have nothing but good things to say about it. When i go out back and go from the Lexa to the Gen 3 revo s, the daiwa feels much better. Feels better built and seems to cast much smoother. I just hope it fishes as good as it fishes in my back yard lol.

Ah, good ole back yard bassin'! Love it! Every single first cast (up through about 20) on any reel I buy is right out back in the high grass that needs cutting from where I skip it to go fishing for real.

I would look at the Lew's speed spool that sells for 99.00 and get 2    I now have 3 of them and love them!!!

Curado 50E 

 

Shop around or keep an eye on our Flea Market..

I bought mine "gently used" for $125. Then I had

DVT supertune the reel. I have less than $175 in 

the reel and it is PERFECT!

 

 

 

Does this DVT person have a website ? 

Mike Lawson.  DVT sponsers this forum.  Mike's website: http://delawarevalleytackle.com/  Okay.  Frog posted while I was typing so my link is redundant

 

You have made 2 excellent choices.  I have both although my STX is a Gen 1 model.  Supposedly the newer models are easier to dial in, but I haven't had any problems with mine.  Can you get to handle them at a local store?  If so, try them on a rod...maybe the one you plan on using the reel on.  Otherwise buy the reel that interests you the most.  Can't go wrong with either.  However, what you really should do is buy both. 

 

There is a large Shimano base here, and I don't think you can start a thread about buying any (non-Shimano) reel without getting a few replies to buy Shimano.  I agree the Curado 50E is a great little reel,  I have the left hand model.  DVT cleaned mine, but I had a senior moment, and neglected to have him supertune it while it was open.  However, it handles light lures just fine, thank you.

Thanks Frogturds and new2bcbass. I personally don't like shimano so no biggy there. 

I have both a Gen 3 STX and a Gen 3 Revo S. FOR MY MONEY, you can't go wrong with the Revo S. That reel is just flat out awesome, and at $129 it's a steal. I love my STX as well, but I don't feel it's $70 better than the S. That's a testament to how great the new Revo line is.

I wouldn't get the gen 2 revo STX, I personally hate mine. I think I would like the gen 3 though since I think it would feel more like a shimano. I don't know what you like though.

You can get a Gen 3 STX on Amazon for around $160 right now. Revo S IMO is the best bang for the buck.

I am also an Abu guy, but i was thinking about a Daiwa Lexa 100. I went to my local BPS and played around with it and decided to buy it. Granted, i havent fished with it yet. But i have taken it in the back yard and made 100 or so casts and i have nothing but good things to say about it. When i go out back and go from the Lexa to the Gen 3 revo s, the daiwa feels much better. Feels better built and seems to cast much smoother. I just hope it fishes as good as it fishes in my back yard lol.

 

Don't wanna sound like a broken record, but I love my Lexa. It is a sweet reel.

I don't think you can beat a Lew's. I like the profile of a Lew's better than Abu Garcia.

IMHO, you may get a lemon no matter which reel you buy, but I would go with Abu.

If your gonna use it at the Ft. Pierce jetty too, I'd stay away from either the STX or the Lew's.  The mag dial on the palming plate has alway been a point  of saltwater intrusion for me.  Maybe the S or Lews new BB-1 since it has the new idea of a centrifugal brake and no exterior dial.  Ive gone through all the low profiles I care to ever buy again and came back to my old Ambassadeurs.

This one will be strictly freshwater. Thanks for the info everyone. 

I have both reels and they both have the their good points and bad points. The lews tp is a little smoother and quieter but doesnt touch the stx gen 3 in casting/pitching distance. The stx feels better in my palm then the lews. Some people have a problem with how low the gear box hangs on the new gen 3's I dont have a problem with it though. Cant go wrong with either one my dad likes the lews and I like the stx better.

Thanks Brett. 

Get the Tournament pro, you can thank me later!

lews all the way! my favorite reel.