I am looking for a burner baitcast reel. Well, actually I'm looking for two. I'm looking for anything that's good quality with an IPT of around 30-35 with +12# of drag. And I'm looking for reels that can be had new for as close as possible to $200-250. Thanks!

A used 13 metanium on fleabay.

A used 13 metanium on fleabay.

Good idea. You can also get a brand new 13 Met for 267 right now from Japan.

 

Curious why you want 12lbs of drag though. Lots of reels will give you that, but one of the best in your price range (if not THE best), the Chronarch Ci4, doesn't meet your drag requirement, but I've brought in BIG channel cats covered in weeds with absolutely no problem.

 

To me and most, a good drag isn't a function of the lb rating, but of the smoothness (and you can't put that on a box). If you're looking for a solid burner, take a hard look at the Ci4+hg. I like it as well as the Mets, it's cheaper, and it has a smoother drag than anything else I've ever used. It has enough power for any bass fishing application.

Good idea. You can also get a brand new 13 Met for 267 right now from Japan.

 

Curious why you want 12lbs of drag though. Lots of reels will give you that, but one of the best in your price range (if not THE best), the Chronarch Ci4, doesn't meet your drag requirement, but I've brought in BIG channel cats covered in weeds with absolutely no problem.

 

To me and most, a good drag isn't a function of the lb rating, but of the smoothness (and you can't put that on a box). If you're looking for a solid burner, take a hard look at the Ci4+hg. I like it as well as the Mets, it's cheaper, and it has a smoother drag than anything else I've ever used. It has enough power for any application I've used.

The drag isn't a requirement but i need as much as i can since the places i fish are full to the brim with moss and veggies.

8lbs of drag is plenty for bass fishing. Don't get caught up in the marketing.

yeah, man. Most reels have way more drag than you'd ever need. Having your drag too high just causes problems and takes the sport out of it. I have a t3 that can put out 14lbs of drag, but I never use more than half that. Smoothness is key, though. That's what lands fish.

having said that, you can find a Daiwa t3 MX 8.1:1 at the upper end of that range. I think t3 in all their iterations are some of the highest quality, user friendly reels out there. There is a guy selling one for a great price on here if you use LH reels.

Upper level Lew's and Abu (if you want to spend a bit more perhaps) are pretty good. Just remember to take good care of them, and almost any reel will last a long time. 

Cabelas Arachnid (Tatula R style) on sale for $143. Normally $179. I have 3 and I use them a lot.

My other favorite reel for lighter line is Lews Team Lite.

If you run out of drag, use your thumb.

Cabelas Arachnid (Tatula R style) on sale for $143. Normally $179. I have 3 and I use them a lot.

My other favorite reel for lighter line is Lews Team Lite.

 

I'd never heard of those arachnids before. There HAS to be something up with the bearings or drag or gearsets in those unless Cabelas is making like a 1% profit on them or something.

Why does there have to be something up with them? Daiwa has been rebranding reels for chain stores for quite some time. If you ever saw how much a reel costs at wholesale you'd see the profit margin. That wholesale price is even better when you're getting 1,000's of them. Both companies are making plenty of money off each one.

Yeah, but it retails at cabelas for $20 less than a type r. They had to cut a corner somewhere.

Yes, because it's a Cabelas house brand reel and not a Tatula type R. It's the same exact reel with 4 more bearings and blue accents. Just like the Cabelas Prodigy reel. It was a Daiwa Hsta for $100. Doesn't mean corners were cut anywhere. Only difference was it had a handle with rivited knobs that couldn't be removed.

Most reels that put out higher than normal drag ratings shutter at top ends anyways. I've got to get around to upgrading the drag washers on my SS SV. Some reels will leave you wanting more. Good thing it's an inexpensive upgrade.

Gander Mountain has spend $250 get $50 off, so a Chronarch CI4 would be $220

The drag is around 10pounds and this snip from a review

"The Chronarch CI4+'s drag is amongst the smoothest, most consistent we've tested to date"

I actually think I am going to get the 13 *** 8.1:1 since TW has it at $150 for the labor day sale that just started

After falling in love with the SV spool I added to my Alphas 103 I decided to purchase an Alphas SV from Japan. Cost was under $200 shipped. Much better price than what can be found in the US for the reel.

Haven't heard one bad review of this reel and unless you need major line capacity this reel is a very attractive buy at the moment.

Quality wise it's hard to wrong at the price point among the name brands.  It's more about features and personal preference. 

Abu garcia sx. Hands down the best reel..otherwise, I love my revo rocket, but all around d, the sx!!!

Abu garcia sx. Hands down the best reel..otherwise, I love my revo rocket, but all around d, the sx!!!

I have an sx. It's a very good reel, but even within that price point, you're going to have a lot of people who will debate that statement. I'd argue there are at least three reels that provide better all around performance that can be had for less than what an sx retails for.

I have an sx. It's a very good reel, but even within that price point, you're going to have a lot of people who will debate that statement. I'd argue there are at least three reels that provide better all around performance that can be had for less than what an sx retails for.

The Revo S isnt a bad reel either. i wanted to try the orra but i baught the revo winch instead after i had numerous problems with the orra winch model