I purchased a nice Shimano baitcasting rod recently. It’s a 6.10ft medium heavy fast Zodias. What’s a good reel for this rod between $100 and 200? Thanks! 

If you like magnetic braking - find a Daiwa Tatula SV for under 200.

 

If you like centrifugal brakes get a Shimano Curado for under 200. 

 

Both these reels retail for about 210 but can be found for around 175-180 shipped. 

Shimano SLX. Curado is better if you can find it under 200.

This one’s nice

 

1 hour ago, JediAmoeba said:

If you like magnetic braking - find a Daiwa Tatula SV for under 200.

 

If you like centrifugal brakes get a Shimano Curado for under 200. 

 

Both these reels retail for about 210 but can be found for around 175-180 shipped. 

If you want both braking systems in one reel - Lews Tournament MP for $160 retail.

 

That's the reel that would replace my Pflueger Patriarchs (also dual braking) if needed.

At $165 (search around just a little) the abu Garcia revo stx gen 4 is a great reel. I have two of that generation and I think they are a great reel at that price point (I wouldn’t pay full retail on them). 

Tatula sv and you won’t be disappointed.

12 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

If you like magnetic braking - find a Daiwa Tatula SV for under 200.

Yep. They’re pleasures to fish with. If i was buying a reel with a budget between $150-$200, it would be this reel every time. 

Putting a daiwa reel on a Shimano rod is blasphemy. Get a curado and repent.

5 hours ago, Phil77 said:

Putting a daiwa reel on a Shimano rod is blasphemy. Get a curado and repent.

I was wondering if that would be kosher???

Any of the 199$ Lew's reels.The tournament Pro is the best do everything reel.The bb1 is the best crankbaits reel.the sp is good for skipping and pitching.

Curado 150 MGL, Tatula SV, Lews Tournament Pro. All great choices. I have that exact rod with a tournament pro on it and it feels great in hand

Go on eBay and find yourself a used reel for a good price. Shimano 18 bantam mgl's can be had for $150 right now which is a steal. You can also find 16 metanium mgl's in pretty good condition for cheaper than that.

 

If you want something brand new, both the shimano scorpion mgl (basically a curado 200k with an mgl spool) and daiwa tatula sv103 are great options. Both are $170-175 brand new from digitaka.

Shimano SLX 70 MGL will do everything Curado reel can do for less money within your budget.

Tom

Shimano SLX/Curado depending on pricing are great reels. Tatula CT as well. 
 

However, if you plan to skip and lures - any Daiwa SV spool is what you want.  If not, you give up some distance and go with above options. 

50 minutes ago, WRB said:

Shimano SLX 70 MGL will do everything Curado reel can do for less money within your budget.

Tom

Why shimano have to make SLX so ugly though?

On 2/17/2023 at 11:32 PM, MN Fisher said:

If you want both braking systems in one reel - Lews Tournament MP for $160 retail.

 

I have both the MP & MB

 

Both will do anything you want easily.

 

$40 more will get you a HyperMag 5.4 ozs.

The Shimano SLX DC would be my vote. 
 

17 hours ago, Cbump said:

Why shimano have to make SLX so ugly though?

Beauty is in the eye of the holder. Black w/blue anodized accents.....ugly?

Tom

Yes

Have had good luck with the Daiwa Tatula CT reels.  You can find them under $120 if you look.  Smooth and lightweight with good drags.

On 2/17/2023 at 7:26 PM, MJack said:

I purchased a nice Shimano baitcasting rod recently. It’s a 6.10ft medium heavy fast Zodias. What’s a good reel for this rod between $100 and 200? Thanks! 

If you don't have mini-me hands, the Tatula 150 is a great choice in a very versatile reel. It'll do typical bass baits well and is heavy-duty enough if you ever choose to upsize your baits. Put a drop of oil into the spool bearings when you get it and it'll run quiet. Takes about 2 minutes. That's for you too @king fisher

Daiwa Tatula 150 Casting Reel - Tackle Warehouse