I'm looking to buy a reel that will be used for pitching 90% of the time. I'm currently using a Revo SX for pitching and fishing jigs. Should I stick with a mag braking system or would a centrifugal be better for pitching? Opinions? I'm open to all suggestions. I'm looking to spend about $150.00 on ebay.

I don't use braking when i pitch, its all about the tension knob.

When pitching, you won't have enough spool velocity to see any affect of braking. DMac is correct, spool control for low rpm is done with the tension knob.

Yep. It's all in the spool tension. The spool never revolves enough for a mag brake to take effect nor is the start up inertia of the spool in a pitch cast enough to activate centrifugal brakes fully.

oh....oh....i know this one :)see above^

                                                       

gotcha.   So what do you guys use for pitching reels? Just curious.

I use a Revo S right now because I pitch with my jig rod and thats what its on. I'm lookin at getting a zillion in the future for my dedicated flipping/pitching rod.

I use my mg51s. core and curado d the most.gonna try the steez 100 this weekend.

$150.00 on ebay.

Hmm...  sounds like a new curado to me.   :

I don't us any spool tension or brakes for pitching - its all thumb.

I don't us any spool tension or brakes for pitching - its all thumb.

I free spool mine pretty much as well. At the end of the day i have a major case of green thumb from the braid, LOL!!!

For pitching, I like a reel with a high gear ratio to get fish up and out of cover quickly. I've been using a diawa megaforce and it fits this purpose well. Its only $60. My nicer reels are for casting.

Revo S.  Not much point in spending a bunch of money for something that isn't much more than a winch on a rod.  The Revo has gobs of drag power.  Find one used for around $60-70.  

I use the Revo Elite, which is basically the Japanese version of the Premier.  It's all I use for baitcasting but it's more for continuity of feel than because of braking.  I don't use the magnets.  As said above, it's all about the tension knob.

Castaic is the best for this job.

Castaic is the best for this job.

BEST? :

i do hear alot about them for pithing.but the best?  lol

Sorry about that.  You are right, it's not the best. There is no "best", it was just my dumb opinion.

If I'm going to be pitchin' all day there is NO other reel I'd want in my hand though.  Once you get used to using the Insta-gage you discover a small advantage.  I have not fished a reel that spins more free than my Castaic (there may be plenty but I have not fished them) and it gives me plenty of distance.

I don't think the reel matters. It comes down to skill, the same goes for casting distance.

Anything that varies from the "norm" often gets labeled "gimmick".  If this was a Shimano/Daiwa design plenty would be interested I'm sure.  I'm normally skeptical of "gimmick" and I think this reel may die because it's a Ardent and not a Shimano, but I'd still like to try one for pitching.  There very well may be merit in that narrow spool/fixed line guide for this presentation.  If I can find the money, I'll get one and share my opinion.

Anything that varies from the "norm" often gets labeled "gimmick". If this was a Shimano/Daiwa design plenty would be interested I'm sure. I'm normally skeptical of "gimmick" and I think this reel may die because it's a Ardent and not a Shimano, but I'd still like to try one for pitching. There very well may be merit in that narrow spool/fixed line guide for this presentation. If I can find the money, I'll get one and share my opinion.

Shimano had a similar reel in the late 70's early 80's, no longer in production and ain't a whole lot of nostalgia purchases.

I just think it is a solution in search of a problem.  Not a very good use of Ardent's limited resources.

Then again, I have as much faith in Ardent as I have in Chevrolet or Chrysler.

$150.00 on ebay.

Hmm... sounds like a new curado to me. :

It may very well be. I've been looking for an excuse to try a new Curado out.   I've been eyeing the Revo STX since they came out and still don't have one though. They seem to be selling pretty cheap these days especially with the new ones coming out.

As for the ardent I don't know that I'd label it gimmick. More like waaay outside the box. I'll let someone else test those waters though. I'm not ready to go that expiramental right now.  ;D

I use a Revo STX for pitching.  I use a Revo S for flipping.  But it could as easily be the other way around.

It's more about the rod, anyway.  You can pitch with a flipping rod, and you can flip with a pitching rod.  But technicaly, they really aren't the same.  A pitching rod will have more give in the tip so the rod can load some.  A flipping rod is essentially crane boom that is very stiff from bottom to tip.  

I don't us any spool tension or brakes for pitching - its all thumb.

gotta agree with that!!! ;D