I know there are a fair share of members who get paid to service today's modern baitcasting reels. There are plenty more who do their own work or help out friends while not making a living or paying hobby of it. To you folks, I present these questions.

When you look at purchasing a new reel, what do you look for? Do you start by looking for a product from a company you've seen less issues with? Do you start by looking at the quality of the product and materials used to build it? Other than looking at the obvious things like what it is going to be used for, budget, etc., what I'm asking is do you think you may approach purchasing a new reel differently from the way someone like me may? (I broke the only reel I ever tried to take apart.) I look at color, price, whose name is on it, who endorses it, bearing counts, brake types, reviews, etc. For example, if I were a car mechanic and worked on car brands A, B, and C, I'd know the quality of each and base a purchase decision based on that knowledge.

I'm posing this question because I've spent hundreds (thousands?) of dollars on reels I have now sold for one reason or another. I'm giving some consideration to the new Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool and I'm wondering how I would go about evaluating this, or a Curado, or a Zillionaire, or any other if I had the knowledge which comes with working on a product.

I am long-winded sometimes. You have worked on countless numbers of reels. I guess it all comes down to what do you use and why?

Whets

8-)

I have to see the inside before buying a reel.

Thanks JF. However, could you share with us what it is you are looking for. What are deal breakers for you, etc.? Thanks.

Whets

8-)

LOL, broken reels after a season.  I'm looking for too much wear on contact parts.  The Pure Fishing kickplate is one bad design, though I believe they've resolved that.  Worn out worm and pawls are another.

We definitely have an advantage by being able to see the internals of a lot of different reels. Most don't have that advantage. To pick a reel that you don't have experience with, I prefer to see quality bearings in key locations (spool support) rather than just a higher count. I'll take an aluminum frame over graphite. I want a positive and consistent anti-reverse. Availability of parts is important. It's the main draw back to some otherwise decent "house brands". Beyond that, I'd look for a quality "feel" when you handle the reel. If it feels loose, "flexy" and cheap in general I shy away. Forget endorsements. For the right amount of money, some guys would tell you anything. As far as brakes go, I think the Daiwa design is in a class by itself. Otherwise, I have little use for magnetic brakes, but that's just personal preference.

As for what I use, I have an eclectic collection that includes several different brands.

I would also consider easy maintenance aside from quality parts and less plastic. Hate that Calais, they are so difficult to open. That's why I prefer the cte dc, they are so easy to maintain.

You guess don't seem to want to endorse anything, but how is the lews reels that came out recently look to ya'll?

great question.  I hope some of the mechanics will tell us specifically what they own and why.