My wife is going to purchase me a new baitcaster for my birthday tomorrow...I have narrowed down a few that I'm interested in and I would like to know if anyone owns any of these or has any experience with them. Never hurts to hear a few opinions...

I already have a Curado 200e7, Curado 300e and a Revo SX HS, all of which I have no complaints about.

I have narrowed down my choices for the new reel to these four:

• Lew's Tournament Pro (Speed Spool) 6.4:1
• Shimano Curado 50e 6.4:1
• Quantum Smoke 100 6.3:1
• Abu Garcia Revo STX 6.4:1

I'll be using this reel for small-mid crankbaits and occasionally jerkbaits.

Any input you may have for or against any of these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

They are all too fast for my taste as a crankbait reel, but good luck in finding many current reels with a slower ratio.

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Of those you mentioned - the Curado 50E. You can get them for as low as $155 on eBay. The IPT on this reel is 25" - most folks would consider that OK for shallow & mid-cranks.

I have a 50E - a nice reel...

If it was me I'd go with the # Shimano Curado 50e 6.4:1

Well....which reel did your wife get you? Nice wife, btw. Mine wouldn't consider buying me such a gift. I get pants or work t-shirts, or socks, etc. :lol:

I've, got an 09 STX. Like it, but would rather have a 10 or later due to my casting ability. It's the only reel of those 3 that I have any experience with.

Let us know how you like whichever one it is.

Anything Shimano

I think you will be very happy with the Curado.

I think you will be very happy with the Curado.

or even happier with a Diawa.

of your list, i have the lew's TPSS in 7:1, the STX in 7:1 and the curado 50e. they're all fine reels. i'd personally recommend the lew's just to get something different (although it's veeeery close revo STX mechanically and in size but not weight). i like the lew's grippy paddle knobs and 85mm handle length way more than the STX's squarish knobs on a short 80mm handle.

I have an STX. Its been a great reel.

Curado. That's a perfect reel for small to midsize cranks.

I have a Curado 200 E5 last years model with 5.1 or 5.4 ratio can't remember 21 ipt, great reel for crankbaits.

My wife is going to purchase me a new baitcaster for my birthday tomorrow...I have narrowed down a few that I'm interested in and I would like to know if anyone owns any of these or has any experience with them. Never hurts to hear a few opinions...

I already have a Curado 200e7, Curado 300e and a Revo SX HS, all of which I have no complaints about.

I have narrowed down my choices for the new reel to these four:

• Lew's Tournament Pro (Speed Spool) 6.4:1
• Shimano Curado 50e 6.4:1
• Quantum Smoke 100 6.3:1
• Abu Garcia Revo STX 6.4:1

I'll be using this reel for small-mid crankbaits and occasionally jerkbaits.

Any input you may have for or against any of these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What do you use now?

As in I don't like to mix reels too much across manufacturers, brakes, etc...

I have a 50E that I use for jerkbaits and it works great. I'm sure it would be fine for small cranks because it casts LC 78 pointers a mile! It is a little faster than what I would like for small cranks but you just have to make yourself slow down a little.

I found a Quantum Smoke 5.3:1 online for only $173.00 that I ordered. I visited one of our local shops that had one of these and I really liked the feel of the reel, and especially liked its lightweight construction. I'll be pairing it with a 7'6" Duckett Micro Magic Crankin Rod, making for a Super Lightweight rig. I am a huge fan of the Duckett Micro Magic rods, I have only one so far, but I plan to replace all my rods with these at some point.

What do you use now?

As in I don't like to mix reels too much across manufacturers, brakes, etc...

I currently have:

• Shimano Curado 300e (6.2:1) on a 7'6" MH XF Shimano Crucial Rod (Flippin/Pitchin Jigs)
• Shimano Curado 200e7 (7.0:1) on a 7'2" MH XF Shimano Cumara Rod (Carolina Rigs, Texas Rigs, Finesse Jigs)
• Abu Garcia Revo SX HS (7.1:1) on a 7'0" MH Duckett Micro Magic Rod (Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, Heavy Topwaters)
• Shimano Sedona 1000FD (6.2:1) on a 6'8" M XF Shimano Clarus Spinning Rod (Shakey Heads, Wacky Worms)

I love the Shimano's, I had a Shimano Citica also but sold it last week to invest in the rod for the new reel. I didn't care much for the Citica, but the Curados are top notch. I really like the Revo also, but its a challenge in the wind.

Thank you all for the responses, I'll let you know how it turns out!!

Ended up getting the Smoke for $164! I must say I am pleasantly suprised by this reel. I ordered the 150PPT Model, 5.3:1, and it is feather light. The reel is smooth, strong and looks pretty sharp. I have just started getting it broke in good, so I'll let you all know how she holds up!