I am finally moving up my budget to around $250. I would like a reel that can cast 1/4 oz crankbaits nicely and t-rigs w/ 1/4 oz weights.

 

I have narrowed it down to this:

 

• shimano chronarch
• shimano curado E
• shimano citica
• pflueger patriarch
• daiwa t3 ballistic

If you have any other suggestions, please tell me!

 

Thanks

Chronarch 50E or Curado 50E.  I use the 50E for light crankbaits.  It's as much about the rod as the reel.  ML Crankin' Stick gets it done quite well and you could get the whole package for 250 if you catch a sale.  That rod would not work well for texas rigs, good ole MH/F there.

Go Shimano!

I would go with a pro qualifier from BPS. for $100 then spend the other 150 on tackle. the dual breaking systems make throwing light lures very easy. By the way do you cast your t-rigs? I almost always pitch t-rigs to a target, so any reel that is decent for flip and pitch should work for those, and 1/4 oz is not that light either, i use 1/8 at most and usually 1/16. 

 

Mitch

Id go with a lews tp or better

The ballistic isn't that great a reel despite the technology it utilizes. I would say chronarch for a good reel or get a PQ and save some change for possibly a rod upgrade or tackle. Neither was on your list but Lews would be another good product to look at in the under $250 range. A Daiwa Lexa would be another worthy option. Most of the reels past $100 are all solid choices with a difference here or there. Often boils down to preference as well as the level of quality in some of the internal parts.

I would probably lean more toward a chronarch e / curado e if I was picking a reel.

Best advice would be to handle as many as you can in person and possibly mount them on a rod to get a sense of how they feel to you.

Thanks for the advice. Why are curado e's worth more than chronarch e's? i thought chronarchs were one class higher?

Chronarch :-)

Chronarch

chronarch, revo stx, revo premier, lews tp, team lews.

all good!

My vote is Chronarch.  

Curado E's are no longer made, therefore making them more valuable on auction sites or private sales.  Don't go forward with anything until you figured out the rod you want to pair with the reel to hit your objective.  As mentioned before, it's just as much the rod as the reel when tossing light crankbaits.

I have a supertuned Curado E, a Chronarch E, and some Team Lew's....GO WITH THE TEAM LEW's Gold. Blows away my other reels. I know this is preference but it is tough to beat by any of my better reels. 

I have a tourney pro already, which is OK, but i dont really like how easily it backlashes

I have a tourney pro already, which is OK, but i dont really like how easily it backlashes

Really? Mine never backlashes. I have some Gen3 Revos that I hated initially but after I dialed them in (all reels are different) they work great. Never had much trouble with my Lew's though. 

I'm a fan of Lew's reels.  I'd also second the pro qualifier suggestion.

 

Or be like me and try something different.  I've got 2 okuma helios reels and love them.

Dude go on ebay and get a team lews pro for 225. Thats the buy it now price, for a 300long dollar reel that to me feels like it should cost more thsn that. I can cast light jerk bait a mile with a 6'6" M rod.

The Lews Team Gold can be had for 193. (Thats the buy it now price)is retail is 239

I would go for a Chronarch too, love mine!

Lews TP or a 50e chronarch or curado from Shimano

it;s a no brainer.get the pflueger patriarch.

you can't even compare the citica with the chronarch. the citica is a great reel for $130 but if you have the coin i would definitely consider the curado. 

 

another reel to look at is the daiwa lexa. i m very pleased with this reel for $130

i really want to get a chronarch. I think i have enough for one this weekend. I am so excited