Hey guys so I am in need of a new reel. I am interested in an Okuma Helios TCS, Lews Tournament MB, Lews Tournament Lite, or a Shimano Citica I.

 

I will be getting a high speed reel to go on a 7'2 MH rod for football jigs and larger Texas Rigs. I can get all of these reels within $30-$40 of each other basically in a range of $105-$145.

citica i

Here is a review of the Helios:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/tournament-rod-reel-okuma.html

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Why make the question when you already know the answer ? now if you added Daiwa then we would have a tie between Shimano and Daiwa.

Curado I *

I just picked up a Citica I.

 

Seemed like the best reel for around $150. I got a couple ceramic spool bearings just to enhance it a bit so total of about $160.

 

I'll use it tomorrow but tossing it around in the yard it's excellent and a huge improvement over my Calcutta 200 for a bass reel. Calcutta can just stick to salt now. 

Daiwa, lol. Seriously, though...

Daiwa.

Curado I *

Ditto

Mike

Thanks everyone for the replies. I left out Daiwa because I have used Tatulas and I find them a little to bulky for me. Im not interested in them, thanks though. After doing a bit more reading I am really leaning towards the Okuma. Does anyone have experience with them?

I like the looks of the Shimanos, but Im not sure on them because of the extra weight they have when compared to the other reels at that price point.

LEWS!!! the mb is awesome. I have three and they feel great to palm and are so smooth. ID say just pick up all the reels and play with them at a local shop and pick why you like but if that isn't an option... Go with lews...

the Lew's Tournament Lite is a great reel , lite, strong and casts great . i'm really impressed with mine . i put the Lew's 95mm carbon handle on it with Revo eva grips and it is my favorite reel !!

Lews all day. I have the Tournament MG and love it. Wouldn't mind trying the Citica 1, though.

Go with lews. You can get a tournament pro for that price range if you shop around. Lews customer service is the best to.

Lews anyday

Go with lews. You can get a tournament pro for that price range if you shop around. Lews customer service is the best to.

one of the most important decisions in buying tackle that cost hundreds of dollars is customer service !!! this day and age most rods and and reels are pretty close on features and performance , but what stands out to me and the reason i buy my rods and reels from St. Croix , Lew's , Phenix , and Abu Garcia is that their customer service is phenominal !! so know your brand you choose and be confident in them before you spend your hard earned money with them , some companies don't care about customers , it's a sad fact and don't let it happen to you .

 

i called up a company that i use for swimbait line about a concern i had about their new colored line they added , i had bought (3) 1/4 lb. spools and they were totally different from the original lines they have always offered , a lot more memory and a lot less supple . i told this to thier customer service and the guy told me '' sorry to hear that , haven't heard anything like that , that's too bad '' , no offer to send it in and possibly resolve the problem , no nothing !! i will not ever use that brand of line again . why should i if they don't stand behind it and make sure the customer is happy , anyhow , choose wisely with your reel purchase ...

Hey guys so I am in need of a new reel. I am interested in an Okuma Helios TCS, Lews Tournament MB, Lews Tournament Lite, or a Shimano Citica I.

 

I will be getting a high speed reel to go on a 7'2 MH rod for football jigs and larger Texas Rigs. I can get all of these reels within $30-$40 of each other basically in a range of $105-$145.

 You can get the Citica here for 75 bucks http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shimano--citica-baitcasting-reels--P013507157

 

I'd normally go with Lew's but I'd be tempted to get the Citica for this price.

 You can get the Citica here for 75 bucks http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shimano--citica-baitcasting-reels--P013507157

 

I'd normally go with Lew's but I'd be tempted to get the Citica for this price.

Thanks for the link, I checked it out. That actually is the older Citica, haha I would have for sure jumped on it had it been the new one.

ahhhh, ok I see that now. Guess it was too good to be true for a Cit 1. Still a good price for brand new old model!

If you want a Lews, get the superior one. An old one built by Shimano. Otherwise, get the Citica.

ahhhh, ok I see that now. Guess it was too good to be true for a Cit 1. Still a good price for brand new old model!

Performance wise the citica g is no joke. It can straight up bomb lures. It compares favorably to my tat r for casting.

yep, got 2. I like em.

Why is Abu Garcia always left out of these discussions? I don't get it...

Josh

If you want a Lews, get the superior one. An old one built by Shimano. Otherwise, get the Citica.