I was just wanting to see what everyone's favorite baitcasting reel brands are.  This will just be to give me and maybe other people an idea of what reel to get next.  I see a lot of posts that are for example "daiwa or shimano" so this could help many people know what people prefer most.  There are many brands out there and so it would be expensive to buy one of each to find out what you like the most out of all of them.  I realize a lot of it is personal preference but that's ok I want to know what everybody prefers.  I'm sure there is a good chance this has been asked before so sorry in advance if it has.  Thanks!

 

I am personally a lews fan but I am very open to trying something else that many people prefer, maybe I'll like it more than lews even.

I really love the curado I from shimano I have never used a K or 70. They $150 and the new citica is the same price. You also can't go wrong with the tatula ct ($130) which is great for flipping, and frogs.

I have favorite models that I liked.  Es, Aphas, Zillion, Primmus, Helios, Calcuttas...no real total brand loyalty, though.

Started off with an old Ambassadeur round-reel, now have a Ambassadeur low-profile.

 

On my wish list is a Garcia Pro-Max.

 

Guess I'm an Abu-Garcia fan.

Shi-Diawa-mo  

 

I only use Shimano reels bait casting and spinning.  I don't have any idea how many I have but it is close to 2 dozen.

My favorite is Shimano, followed by Daiwa. I believe that they are 2 of the companies that build reels in their own factories, not contracted out. 

Pretty much all Shimano and Daiwa reels. Mid to higher end stuff. Tried others and they didn't last. Both of these brands have proven themselves over season of use. They are also highly customizable, have high resell value, are innovative and just flat out perform to my liking.

Daiwa and Lews 

Shimano, Hardy, Galvan, Hatch.

I like Lew's reels. Had previously used another brand reel and decided to try one and loved them and their customer service can't be beat.

Daiwa and Shimano...

2 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Pretty much all Shimano and Daiwa reels. Mid to higher end stuff. 

Yep, same here. 

I was a life long Shimano guy but have now added some Daiwa reels to my line up are are really liking them. 

Not allowed to say mine on here! But my second favorite is Daiwa.

Lews and Shimano.

Over the years I have used Daiwa, Abu Garcia, and Shimano baitcast reels. 

Shimano, Daiwa and Pflueger spinning and Lew’s casting for me.

Daiwa.

Reel wise Shimano is an first place for me and Daiwa is in second place. The others I don't even acknowledge exist.

My new Daiwa SV 103 TWS is the best casting reel I've ever owned.  Previously my fav what Shimano Curado, but the Daiwa has it beaten by far.

7 hours ago, J Francho said:

I have favorite models that I liked.  Es, Aphas, Zillion, Primmus, Helios, Calcuttas...no real total brand loyalty, though.

I own more Daiwas than any other brand.  However, I am a lot like Mr. Franco.  I have favorites from several brands.  Alphas, Zillion, SV103, Exsence DC, Primmus, Helios Air, Patriarch XT, TD-Z 105H, Chronarch 100B, Curado 201E7.

8 hours ago, J Francho said:

I have favorite models that I liked.  Es, Aphas, Zillion, Primmus, Helios, Calcuttas...no real total brand loyalty, though.

THIS! People like to assume throughout the fishing industry there is a "best brand" for everything. The truth is that every company has its strengths and weaknesses. Some models might be 'better' than others and each company has something in their lineup worth trying. The only real way to find out what suits your needs is to go out and experiment. For me, Daiwa and Shimano are the go to's, however, Lews has some decent offerings despite the hate they usually receive on here. The original Tournament Lite for example is an awesome reel for the price and competes with my more expensive daiwas and shimanos in terms of casting. Hope this helps.

I own 1 Lew's baitcasting reel the original BB1 made by Shimano. This reel was the first low profile baitcasting and was patent protected. At that time was using Swedish made Abu  Ambassaduer reels, 2500C, 4500C and 5000C. When Shimano came out the the Bantam 100 it was a litgher reel then the BB1 and I bought it, then Royobi came out with V spool composite reel licensed bybLew's, now I had 3 low profile reels and a dozen Ambassaduers. 

In the early 90's everyone was changing to Shimano Curado and it seemed too wide so I stayed with my Ambassaduers, then Daiwa came out their anti reverse free spool TD HA's, smaller and lighter then Shimano and longer casting reels. I replaced all my Ambassaduer reel with Daiwa and bought a Shimano Calcutta 250 for my only round reel for swimbaits.

Daiwa came out with the Tatula R100's with 8.1:1 and replaced 3 of my TD's. So now I am a Daiwa and Shimano user. Lew's was sold a few times now made Doyo, Garcia Ambassaduer are made by Doyo, not the quality they once were. Shimano Calcutta is the strongest fresh water reel on the market and will out last me. Daiwa and Shimano both are high quality excellent reel companies. Thanks to Lew Childre for introducing low profile reels to Shimano.

Tom 

Shimano