I have small hands and I love the new slx line of reels for this reason. However, when I fish them alongside my curado k the retrieve is way smoother on the curado.  I’m now looking for a reel as smooth as the curado but smaller. I know think the dc is smaller but it’s not light from what I understand due to the dc components. What say you?

If you want smooth reel, you might have to turn to Daiwa. The new tatula 100 might fit you. If you want to stay with shimano then you have no choice but to get Bantam MGL or 19 Antares.

The Aldebaran is pretty much the king of small and light if you are a Shimano guy. 

 

If you need more line capacity, the Chronarch and Metanium MGL's are phenomenal reels as well. 

The Curado DC version is larger (width), but it's only on the handle side, so it really doesn't impact the palming side. Curado 70 would fit the bill too.

I too prefer the smaller size of the SLX over my K's.

 

Try the Curado 70.

The Lews Tournament MB is a small reel that is reliable and smooth and doesn't break the bank.

Just now, MBB Nate said:

The Lews Tournament MB is a small reel that is reliable and smooth and doesn't break the bank.

I was just gonna say that he should check out Lew’s. They are mostly all small, compact reels, except for the super duty’s, and they are very smooth. I have a Custom Inshore SLP and it is extremely smooth. You could also just get the normal Custom SLP for like $160 instead of $200. 

Here’s my thing with Lews, I wanna try one because I know they’re good but they have like a million different reels. I have a decent budget but i know you don’t necessarily have to drop $300 to get a nice reel. What are the differences between their reels, again I’m looking for small, light and smooth reeling.

The 70 not gonna be as smooth as K. It might be at first but after heavy use it become geary fast. That why I don’t recommended it. How I know it I have 4 and all developed geary feel.

If you don’t mine capacity, also Daiwa Alphas series is super smooth out of the box.

Lews tournament pro

The SLK and 70 are the same size with the same spool capacities.

On 7/19/2019 at 10:11 AM, Dumbbassanglr said:

Here’s my thing with Lews, I wanna try one because I know they’re good but they have like a million different reels. I have a decent budget but i know you don’t necessarily have to drop $300 to get a nice reel. What are the differences between their reels, again I’m looking for small, light and smooth reeling.

Start with the tournament MB or tournament pro. 

2015 Shimano Aldebaran 50, 4.7oz

2018 Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL, 4.8oz

 

The K has micro mod brass gears and Aldebaran has alum gears. The frame materials are different too. you may get the hollow feeling using the Aldebaran, but you get the smaller size and weight savings. It's still dang smooth, don't get me wrong. 

 

Some Daiwa reels are in the sub 5oz weight range too. I don't own any so can't speak about them. 

I don't know which reel is the smallest.  Try a PX Type R or other Pixy.

i have small hands too. i like the chronarch ci4, scorpion 70 and the core 51.

the scorpion is sometimes geary but i just put some oil and its ok.

Lew's Tournament Pro is the Lew's reel you describe. I have three of the Pro G (model before) and they are fantastic.

My 7:1 shimano citica is my favorite casting reel. You can probably find them for around $120 these days. Super smooth, casts a mile, and the handle is very comfy. 

 

I also have small hands. Feels great to hold. 

Curado 70

I have a cple of the newer lews tournament pro reels as well as a cple slx and curado k reels. The lews is my favorite of them. Its smaller than the k and smoother than both.  They can be had for 140 or so if you look around. The mb are decent reels but they're not what the tournament pro is

I have an Abu Garcia ALX.  It's powerful little reel.  Smooth, casts a mile and the price isn't too bad.  A couple of more options to look at, Shimano Aldebaran and the Daiwa Steez SW TW.

Shimano Core 50mg7 if you can find one.

13 Inception, great caster at only $120 retail.  The Ergonomics are fantastic as well.   

Metaniums are smaller then the Curado K and cast way better.

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have an Abu Garcia ALX.  It's powerful little reel.  Smooth, casts a mile and the price isn't too bad.  A couple of more options to look at, Shimano Aldebaran and the Daiwa Steez SW TW.

I also own the Abu ALX and it's a great reel small and light. Just today I was tossing a 1/8 oz spinnerbait 20 to 25 yards with the flick of the wrist on 10 lb mono. The discontinued ALX has been replaced with the ALF.