I'm buying a new reel with my Christmas bonus. I have a lews tournament MG and a Abu garcia black max and it to it feels like the black max out preforms the Lews. It feels so sturdy in your hand where the lews feels like it could break any moment. I was wondering opinions on what company has the most sturdy reels. Low profile only no round reels. 

There is no "sturdy reel company," but there are sturdy models.  Pick a price range, and you'll get better answers, otherwise you'll just get fanboy responses. The sturdiest lopro reel I own is either a Zillion or a Pinnacle Optimus hand tuned.  Internally, I'll give the Pinnacle the nod, due to the strong parts.  Feel, the Zillion wins.  There's just not a more solid feeling reel.

There is no "sturdy reel company," but there are sturdy models.  Pick a price range, and you'll get better answers, otherwise you'll just get fanboy responses. The sturdiest lopro reel I own is either a Zillion or a Pinnacle Optimus hand tuned.  Internally, I'll give the Pinnacle the nod, due to the strong parts.  Feel, the Zillion wins.  There's just not a more solid feeling reel.

 Thanks for the advice 

 

$100-250

I know my curado i, chronarch ci4+, lews TP and Abu revo stx gen 2 are all ROCK solid imo

Are you looking for alum, CF or magnesium frame?

I have heard the Lexa's feel pretty sturdy. I think that my Lew's feel sturdier than the Abu reels, but that is my opinions. My original speed spool feels really "sturdy" for its price point. But a Daiwa Lexa or Tatula may be worth a look. The tat gets my vote over the lexa just because of looks.

The zillion, grab one on closeout at TW...

The zillion, grab one on closeout at TW...

Boom!

But but guys it weighs 8 ounces.

Zillion +1

Or the tatula and buy 2.

 Thanks for the advice 

 

$100-250

That's an enormous window.

That's an enormous window.

I like to keep my options open. 

But but guys it weighs 8 ounces.

 

They come with this.

At any rate, both reels you mention are graphite framed.. Get a aluminum frame for a more solid feel.. Daiwa, Shimano are two company's that offer very good products. Choose a price or choose your reel. Seems your budget allows for a higher end product.

The zillion, grab one on closeout at TW...

 

Can't argue with this logic.

Shimanos of course. Citicas and above. Friend of mine has a couple of Bantam Curados that probably have never been cleaned or lubed and he leaves them out on the deck all the time (when not fishing). Not how I like to treat my gear, but those reels of his still fish.

If you want a solid feeling reel, buy a D series Curado.

Shimano's are always a rock solid performer. But as mentioned above, my Zillion feels like it could be run over by a truck and still keep ticking. 

The Calais would qualify for the "Built Like A Tank" category.

 

 

 

I don't know how you can get more sturdy than a zebco omega pro

But but guys it weighs 8 ounces.

I wouldn't let that stop me. Heck, I can bench press 36 ounces.

Hootie

You pay $$ for light weight reels with state of the art components, light weight doesn't always mean it' isn't durable.

The Daiwa Tatula series reels are bullet proof, cast as good as any reel on the market, smooth gearing, good drag, hard to beat for the money and heads and shoulders better then a Black Max.

Shimano Curado 1 is another option within your budget, weighs a little less then the Tatula R series, about 7.6 oz vs 7.8

Tom

Zillion....doesnt get much sturdier. For the close out price, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't get one. They are probably gonna get discounted more at some point during the 25 days of Christmas sale so if you said a few days you will get a steal

You want a reel that "Is" sturdy not just "Feels" sturdy I assume. As mentioned, physical weight is not necessarily an indicator of quality or reliability either positive or negative. If you've got $150> to spend you can't go too far wrong with the major brands. You've got all good suggestions so far. The Zillion is hard to argue with from a pure durability and solid feel standpoint.

I wouldn't let that stop me. Heck, I can bench press 36 ounces.

Hootie

 

Actually, a heavier reel will probably feel 'sturdier' than a lighter model. A light model just wont feel like its as 'solid' so to speak.

Another sturdy reel that I haven't seen mentioned is the Abu Ambassadeur 

Another sturdy reel that I haven't seen mentioned is the Abu Ambassadeur 

The old ones are sturdy. I still have one. The new ones I've seen feel nice as well. You couldn't go wrong w/a Shimano Round reel either. There is another thread about those... But I still use my old Shimano Corsair. They are good reels.