I recently replaced my first baitcaster, an Abu Garcia silver Max, with an older cu-201 off eBay. Its mounted on a mojo bass 7' mh/mod tip crankbait rod. The reel doesn't cast far at all. At least 20' shy of the silver max. But the reel pitches very well.

So is this setup just a bad match? Should this reel be outcasting a cheapy Abu Max? Or should this reel be on a flipping stick and a casting reel on the crankbait rod?

That reel might just need cleaning and relubed. Could be all that's wrong with it. Hopefully nothing more severe, but even if it is it can be fixed as well.

I did a good swab over and lubed with reel butter before I went out. This reel has to be 5 years old so I'm guessing its the bearing...just guessing though.

How many brake pins do you have on?

I have on of the cu-200 bantams and I found I could cast so much better with all the brake pins off. If you haven't tried that I'd give it a shot but casting 20' shy sounds like a problem to me.

I have two pins on

If it "pitches" well it ought to cast just as well. Is your cast control too tight? Just a thought. Perhaps a thorough clean/overhaul could help. I have that model and it casts many things a country mile. Hope you get the kinks in yours ironed out.

At the very least that reel probably needs a deep cleaning and re-lube. THe bearings may be salvageable if thoroughly flushed and oiled. The Bantam Curados are prime candidates for super-tuning. If done correctly, those reels will outcast some current reels. It is possible to do more harm than good if you are not careful though. Let me know if I can help.

Like DVT says, the Bantam Curado is a super reel. That reel is more than five years old, too. More like 12. Great reels, I've got 6 of them still in service.

Great reels that cant cast very well. I'm using 20# mono and can't get 50' on a 1/2 oz crank. I tried a Mann's 12" jelly worm w/ a 1/4 oz swimbait jig and didn't add any distance with two pins pushed out.

Get the reel serviced and possibly replace the bearings. I have several of them and if you take care of it they perform great year after year. If you are really wanting distance be on the lookout for one of the old Bantam Curado super free reels. I still have one of them and with a fresh spool of line and a 1/2oz rattle trap I can dump half the spool without much effort. I'm sure you could get the reel you have supertuned and probably do the same though.

They are great reels. Like everyone else has said, get it serviced by a professional. I heard there's a guy named Mike Lawson that's pretty good. (how was that Mike, subtle enough?)

There is I place in town that does this. Ill take it there.