ok this is kind of broad....but if you had to pick one baitcaster to fish with for the rest of your life.....what would it be?

NO brainer for me.  Daiwa tdz.  low profile, quick line retrieve, smooth gearing, light wieght with very strong gearng and that "feel" of precision.

Quantum Energy PT

Shimano Calais CL200ASV

another vote for the TD-Z. picked up 2 of them this year...now the Citica's I picked up earlier in the year are collecting dust.

Team Daiwa Viento.  That twitchin bar really makes life easy.

I would use the Daiwa Steez! (if i ever have that much money)

pflueger summit.

the curado.

If it was one of my current ones it would be my Curado 100.....but if I had to use it the rest of my life I'd probably invest in a Steez or something really high end like that

TDZ

Shimano Calcutta TE200DC, casts as long as a spinning reel and strong as a boat winch. JMHO

Ronnie

of the reels I own it would be my MG50 if I could pick any one it would be a calais DC but at $650 it is too rich for my blood... but OMG the reviews are amazing on this reel

AL

You are not going to believe it, it 's not the obscene price but I don 't feel any warmth in my heart for the Calais DC, but this one:

is a completely different story.

Bantam Curado 201 BSF.  I know it isn't very expensive and it isn't made anymore but I own three and absolutely love them and see no need to use another baitcaster.

very easy for me. Lew Childre Speed Spool. the older model BB1N without "super-stopper" in the handel and in 4.3 ratio.

as of now my shimano chronarch 100b ;D

Of all the reels I've ever owned or used, I like my "super tuned" Daiwa TD-X the most. It's the most  solid reel I've ever used.

another vote for the TD-Z. picked up 2 of them this year...

Another one from me

I'D KEEP MY ABU GARCIA RECORD RCN-40 OR MY ABU GARCIA D5. BOTH ARE VERY DEPENDABLE AND CAST LIGHT BAITS NICELY.

Curado 101D  

That is a though one to answer especially dependent on price.

High end: Either the  Calais or Steez. (They approach the same dsired end but from different ways of thinking.)

Mid-range Price: Alphas Type-F or Curado 101D (Either one is the most reel for the buck on the market.)

I would say the calias