What do you guys like for smaller bait casters. Looking for one that would balance on a shakey head rod well, and not really need the extra capacity as im only throwing 12-14 pound line at most. I have seen the 70 series Curados but I am interested to see if there is anything else out there that you guys like. I am looking on replacing a reel pretty soon.

I've got a Chronarch 50e, love the size, the 70 lineup
is supposed to be about the same size.

I know Daiwa makes the Pixy, etc., that are smaller
reels.

6 minutes ago, SMcLamb said:

What do you guys like for smaller bait casters. Looking for one that would balance on a shakey head rod well, and not really need the extra capacity as im only throwing 12-14 pound line at most. I have seen the 70 series Curados but I am interested to see if there is anything else out there that you guys like. I am looking on replacing a reel pretty soon.

Alderbaran 50 , Lew's Tornament Lite SLP . & Revo MGX

18 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

Alderbaran 50 , Lew's Tornament Lite SLP . & Revo MGX

Do you have any experience with the Lew's? It seems that it is in a completely different price range than the other two reels you mentioned.

1 minute ago, SMcLamb said:

Do you have any experience with the Lew's? It seems that it is in a completely different price range than the other two reels you mentioned.

i have a the first vesion of the Tournament Lite , the SLP version has a narrower front to it making it more compact , as far as the first version that i have , i absolutely love the reel ! it weighs 5.6 oz. ( replaced the stock handle with a Lew's 95 mm carbonfire handle and put medium size Revo eva paddles on it ) frame doesn't flex , reels very smooth , drag is great , and the braking (ACB) is perfect . i got mine on ebay for $140 had mine for about a year and still feels like it did when i got it .

Just now, Big Bait Fishing said:

i have a the first vesion of the Tournament Lite , the SLP version has a narrower front to it making it more compact , as far as the first version that i have , i absolutely love the reel ! it weighs 5.6 oz. ( replaced the stock handle with a Lew's 95 mm carbonfire handle and put medium size Revo eva paddles on it ) frame doesn't flex , reels very smooth , drag is great , and the braking (ACB) is perfect . i got mine on ebay for $140 had mine for about a year and still feels like it did when i got it .

Thanks, I may be on the hunt for one used in the flea market in upcoming weeks.

Also, I might add that the rods I use have an epoxy handle as opposed to foam, rubber or cork, it adds a ton of sensitivity but you can definitely feel the added weight there when using a heavier full sized reel.

Aldebaran
Stile
Curado/Chronarch 50 or the new 70 i series
Brenious
Tour MG
Pixy

2 hours ago, Darren. said:

I've got a Chronarch 50e, love the size, the 70 lineup
is supposed to be about the same size.

I know Daiwa makes the Pixy, etc., that are smaller
reels.

The Pixy is not "small", it´s about the same size of a Ch50E

abu garcia's old 1600 promax or black max.they haven't been made in 20 years but I still have 6 that I use every time I fish. bulletproof. not the lightest thing, but really not heavy. can throw 8 lb. mono with one all day long.

I gather from your comments that you are more interested in "Light" than "Small".  You aren't going to get much lighter than the Alderbaran 50.  Other reels weighing less than 6 oz. include  Lew's Team Pro Magnesium Speed Spool ACB , Pinnacle Primmus,  Pflueger Patriarch XT, Daiwa PX Type R and Okuma Helios Air.  For a lot less the Pinnacle Producer LTE is 5.8 oz.  The Curado 70 weighs in at 6.5 oz.  You probably could eliminate the PX because of its limited 12-14 pound line capacity.

I only own 4 of the above.  Of those 4 my 2 top choices would be the Primmus and Helios Air.  No way can I afford the Alderbaran 50. 

Check out the Producer LTE review here. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/Pinnacle-Producer-LTE-review.html

and here.  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/review-pinnacle-producer.html

 

I dont know why one would choose a pixy over an alphas.  They have basically the same frame but the alphas can do it all.  The megabass spool can have you tossing 2-4lb line or go cranking with the black zonda spool.  I love the little reel and its good for palming if thats your style.  The speed is coming up on these and now they have a 7.2:1 RR.

3 hours ago, Raul said:

The Pixy is not "small", it´s about the same size of a Ch50E

I was putting it in the same "smaller" category as the 50  
but I see how it looks like I was insinuating they were thus.

Alphas SV 105. Spool it up with some 8 or 10 # line and let the shakey heads start flying. It is a superb casting reel that fits the "small" reel profile in terms of frame size, weight, and ability to cast lighter to normal sized baits. Plus the reel is forgiving for a new user but able to get some really nice distance when dialed in.

I have a 70 Curado and Scorpion and like them both very well. 

12 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Alphas SV 105. Spool it up with some 8 or 10 # line and let the shakey heads start flying. It is a superb casting reel that fits the "small" reel profile in terms of frame size, weight, and ability to cast lighter to normal sized baits. Plus the reel is forgiving for a new user but able to get some really nice distance when dialed in.

if i were to ever get a Daiwa reel it would be the Alphas SV 105 & if i were ever to get a Shimano reel it would be the Alderbaran 15 .

16 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I gather from your comments that you are more interested in "Light" than "Small".  You aren't going to get much lighter than the Alderbaran 50.  Other reels weighing less than 6 oz. include  Lew's Team Pro Magnesium Speed Spool ACB , Pinnacle Primmus,  Pflueger Patriarch XT, Daiwa PX Type R and Okuma Helios Air.  For a lot less the Pinnacle Producer LTE is 5.8 oz.  

The Quantum Tour MG is 5.3 oz., Revo MGX is 5.4 oz, Shimano Stile 5.2 oz. 

There are lots of reels these days in the sub 6oz. category. 

51 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

The Quantum Tour MG is 5.3 oz., Revo MGX is 5.4 oz, Shimano Stile 5.2 oz. 

There are lots of reels these days in the sub 6oz. category. 

My examples weren't meant to be a complete list.  I thank you for adding more to it.  The OP may thank you as well. 

I'm loving the new curado 70. Easily palmable and very smooth

The Lews MB is a heck of a nice reel. I bought one for one of my toad rods. It's been great. I added a 95mm handle to it. Ebay has them for $104.00 It's a surprisingly great reel... 

Aside from the MB all my other reels are high end Lews.