Hi all,

my all around reel broke and I am in the market for a new one.

The requirements for the reel would be:

* Smooth caster 
* sturdy
* salt water safe
* light

Techniques that I would use the reel for are:

* Spinnerbaits
* Chatterbaits
* Jigs
* smaller swimbaits (up to 1.5 oz)

Would be interested in your thoughts!

Thanks!
 

The Metanium and the Steez are the best of the best. 

 

Do you prefer a Lambo or a Viper?

Conquest would be my choice of those three. 

2 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

The Metanium and the Steez are the best of the best. 

 

Do you prefer a Lambo or a Viper?

Lambo! German Engineering yo! Which one would be the lambo? 

At first I didn't like the metanium as much as I thought I would so I got a steez, the steez is really nice but neither reel was as nice as I expected it to be, I ended up machining some parts and changing out the bearings in my metanium and now I really like it ...tightened up some tolerances and took some slop out of the reel ....out of the box I think I like the steez better but the metanium fits better in my hand so I chose to machine some parts for that one

49 minutes ago, yosef said:

At first I didn't like the metanium as much as I thought I would so I got a steez, the steez is really nice but neither reel was as nice as I expected it to be, I ended up machining some parts and changing out the bearings in my metanium and now I really like it ...tightened up some tolerances and took some slop out of the reel ....out of the box I think I like the steez better but the metanium fits better in my hand so I chose to machine some parts for that one

Oh wow. I def. do not have the skills nor the tools to do the same thing. Congrats to you for that skill!

For me the trade off is:

Lighter and probably not as refined (Steez/Metanium) or 0.6 oz more weight and the best refinement that money can buy (Conquest)

Conquest HG.

I've been disappointed by a Steez reel, so for me it would be between a Metanium and Calcutta.

I prefer a low-profile reel, so I'd opt for the Shimano Metanium.

 

Roger

23 minutes ago, RoLo said:

I've been disappointed by a Steez reel, so for me it would be between a Metanium and Calcutta.

I prefer a low-profile reel, so I'd opt for the Shimano Metanium.

 

Roger

Which version of the Steez where you disappointed with and what was the reason of disappointment if I may ask?

12 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

Which version of the Steez where you disappointed with and what was the reason of disappointment if I may ask?

 

I'm glad you asked, which allows me to be more specific.

 

It was 'not' a casting reel it was a Steez spinning reel, but quality control issues leave a bad taste in the mouth.

The bail didn't fully return every time (I had to close it manually), and the reel handle began to fall apart.

Stuff like that I wouldn't accept from a budget reel, what's more a reel marketed as state-of-the-art.

 

Roger

1 minute ago, RoLo said:

 

I'm glad you asked, this way I can be more specific.

 

It was 'not' a casting reel it was a Steez spinning reel, but quality control issues leave a bad taste in your mouth.

The bail didn't fully return every time (I had to close it manually), and the reel handle began to fall apart.

Stuff like that I wouldn't accept from a budget reel, what's more a reel marketed as state-of-the-art.

 

Roger

Thanks for your opinion!
Interesting. Might steer me more into the Conquest direction. I ordered all of them from TW and I will have a look and mount them on my rod to see which feels best. 

 

I use a conquest 100HG for spinnerbaits and I LOVE it. Such a beautiful reel.

If you want a light reel, I just bought a shimano aldebaran. I really like it a lot.

Revo MGXtreme 2. 

 

It's 4.5oz, has way nicer handle knobs, stocked with ceramic spool bearings which the others don't have, and the profile of the reel is smaller.

33 minutes ago, Rbm18 said:

If you want a light reel, I just bought a shimano aldebaran. I really like it a lot.

 

24 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

Revo MGXtreme 2. 

 

It's 4.5oz, has way nicer handle knobs, stocked with ceramic spool bearings which the others don't have, and the profile of the reel is smaller.

I was looking into those as well. Though I would like my reel to be ready for the salt as well, that is why I took those reels out of the equation.

 

Conquest.  I guarantee you will not be disappointed.  I don't have a Steeze, but I do have a '13 Met and a Met DC.  Both are fantastic, but nothing has wowed me like my Conquest.

I also have Steez and '13 Metaniums and I love them too, but the Conquest is special.

7 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

 

I was looking into those as well. Though I would like my reel to be ready for the salt as well, that is why I took those reels out of the equation.

 

 

What makes a Metanium or Steez salt ready over anything else? You have to do the same maintenance on every bass caliber low profile baitcaster once you fish in salt.

1 hour ago, Mosster47 said:

 

What makes a Metanium or Steez salt ready over anything else? You have to do the same maintenance on every bass caliber low profile baitcaster once you fish in salt.

 

Because some of the Daiwas are Magsealed for salt water. I don't know about the Mets..

15 hours ago, yosef said:

At first I didn't like the metanium as much as I thought I would so I got a steez, the steez is really nice but neither reel was as nice as I expected it to be, I ended up machining some parts and changing out the bearings in my metanium and now I really like it ...tightened up some tolerances and took some slop out of the reel ....out of the box I think I like the steez better but the metanium fits better in my hand so I chose to machine some parts for that one

Out of curiosity, what exactly did you machine?

2 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

 

What makes a Metanium or Steez salt ready over anything else? You have to do the same maintenance on every bass caliber low profile baitcaster once you fish in salt.

Also don't forget material of the reel.  Magnesium more readily reacts with salt water and supports corrosion quicker than say an aluminum reel.  Sealed reels are great but there are more factors than just that.  Reality is you can use almost any reel for both salt and fresh, some will just require a heck of a lot more maintenance and upkeep. 

I get a little giddy every time I pick up my Conquest HG.  My metanium/poison adrena combo doesn't give me the same warm special feeling like my conquest does. 

I have a the conquest and MGL. I don't have a Steez aluminum, but have 2 other Steez reels. The Conquest is smoother than the MGL to me. I use my Conquest for moving baits including small swimbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, topwater, and crankbaits. I use my Steez for flipping, pitching, Texas rig, and jigs. MGL is used as an all around, but I like my conquest and Steez the best.

I think you guys have convinced me! I will have to bite the bullet and get the most expensive one. I am going with the 101.

57 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I think you guys have convinced me! I will have to bite the bullet and get the most expensive one. I am going with the 101.

Sweet! What rod are you pairing it up with? Japan Lure Shop had a good price when I got mine a few years ago.