- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Recommend a couple baitcasting reels - freshwater
Posted on 3/19/26 at 5:25 am
Posted on 3/19/26 at 5:25 am
I am guessing I have 10-12 baitcasting reels with the newest one probably being 12-15 years old. I would like something with a ratio of 6.x:1 This will be for freshwater fishing. I typically use a medium action - 6.5' type rod.
I still love my current reels, but figured it was time to invest in something newer for bass fishing. Any recommendations?
I still love my current reels, but figured it was time to invest in something newer for bass fishing. Any recommendations?
17
Posted on 3/19/26 at 6:07 am to TimeOutdoors
Shimano slx reels from academy are fairly priced and are decent enough.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 6:15 am to WillFerrellisking
I should have noted that I have always been an ABU Garcia person, but I will look into the Shimano.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 6:34 am to TimeOutdoors
Daiwa Tatula SV TW 150
Shimano SLX 150 DC
Shimano SLX 150 DC
Posted on 3/19/26 at 6:57 am to TimeOutdoors
Shimano Metanium. Very smooth.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 8:21 am to TimeOutdoors
Lew's Tournament Lite
Lew's Tournament Pro
Lew's Tournament Pro
This post was edited on 3/19/26 at 8:22 am
Posted on 3/19/26 at 8:57 am to TimeOutdoors
Need a budget.
At any price point, a Daiwa or Shimano option is going to be a safe bet but at specific price points, one my outshine the other.
Abu Garcia has some decent reels too as does Lews. They both are likely using the same overseas manufacturer on their low profile reels.
Typically (except at the lower price points) Daiwa and Shimano reels are unique to them.
Bottom line - if youre only fishing freshwater and paying over $100, any baitcaster by a name you recognize is probably going to be fine.
Abu Garcia, Lews, Daiwa, Shimano, Sevin (st croix sister company), Bates and several more companies all make decent stuff.
Heres a some specific recomendations:
Shimano SLX (any variant) - lots of options in this lineup and theyre all good. Pick a price and go
Shimano Curado 150M - great overall workhorse reel with better cast control and distance than the SLX
Daiwa Tatula 80 - excellent smaller frame reel especially if you arent worried about line capacity
Shimano Bantam MGL - great reel for power fishing. Heavier but solid - if youre throwing cranks, chatterbait, or powering frog fish out of slop this is great
Daiwa Mangetsu - larger framed reel for chucking small swimbaits, a-rigs, etc..
Shimano Metanium and Aldebaran - met for power fishing, alde for finesse
At any price point, a Daiwa or Shimano option is going to be a safe bet but at specific price points, one my outshine the other.
Abu Garcia has some decent reels too as does Lews. They both are likely using the same overseas manufacturer on their low profile reels.
Typically (except at the lower price points) Daiwa and Shimano reels are unique to them.
Bottom line - if youre only fishing freshwater and paying over $100, any baitcaster by a name you recognize is probably going to be fine.
Abu Garcia, Lews, Daiwa, Shimano, Sevin (st croix sister company), Bates and several more companies all make decent stuff.
Heres a some specific recomendations:
Shimano SLX (any variant) - lots of options in this lineup and theyre all good. Pick a price and go
Shimano Curado 150M - great overall workhorse reel with better cast control and distance than the SLX
Daiwa Tatula 80 - excellent smaller frame reel especially if you arent worried about line capacity
Shimano Bantam MGL - great reel for power fishing. Heavier but solid - if youre throwing cranks, chatterbait, or powering frog fish out of slop this is great
Daiwa Mangetsu - larger framed reel for chucking small swimbaits, a-rigs, etc..
Shimano Metanium and Aldebaran - met for power fishing, alde for finesse
Posted on 3/19/26 at 9:09 am to TimeOutdoors
I’ve been favoring Daiwa for my baitcasters.
I have the 80 Coastal and it is a gem
quote:
Daiwa Tatula 80 - excellent smaller frame reel especially if you arent worried about line capacity
I have the 80 Coastal and it is a gem
This post was edited on 3/19/26 at 9:11 am
Posted on 3/19/26 at 9:13 am to TimeOutdoors
I just picked up a Shimano SLX XT 150 and fished with it all day last Friday. I can say it is very smooth, will cast a country mile, and the weight is nice. Would recommend.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 9:30 am to bj0969
I've been buying the cheap Lew's made for Walmarks for years. Half the price for more expensive reels and they hold up well in fresh and salt. Have had two for close to ten years. And when they start to mess up there's a repair place around Dallas that tunes em back up like new.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 9:35 am to TimeOutdoors
This is easier than it seems. Find the size you want that is either named Tatula or Curado. I would avoid the SLX as the upgrade in gears to the Curado is truly worth it. I would also avoid Abu and Lew's as neither are reel manufacturers and the lack of transparency has always put me off. Not that Doyo can't make a good reel, it's just that what level you're getting for the money is a mystery.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 10:15 am to AlxTgr
quote:
This is easier than it seems. Find the size you want that is either named Tatula or Curado. I would avoid the SLX as the upgrade in gears to the Curado is truly worth it. I would also avoid Abu and Lew's as neither are reel manufacturers and the lack of transparency has always put me off. Not that Doyo can't make a good reel, it's just that what level you're getting for the money is a mystery.
^agreed
If your budget allows, this is the KISS solution to my overly verbose answer.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 10:17 am to The Last Coco
I actually tried a few different kast king models. They’ve worked great so far this spring.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 10:39 am to The Last Coco
I took a chance on an Alphas TW 800 for very light cranks and darn thing has turned into one of my favorite reels period. Generally, I prefer Curados a little over Tatulas, but this little thing is just fun, smooth and comfortable. I do not need any reels right now, but I still check the classifieds in case one comes up at a good price.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 11:02 am to The Last Coco
quote:
Need a budget.
< $200
Posted on 3/19/26 at 11:09 am to TheBoo
quote:
Lew's Tournament Lite
Lew's Tournament Pro
My two favorites in my arsenal.
This post was edited on 3/19/26 at 11:09 am
Posted on 3/19/26 at 11:31 am to TimeOutdoors
Any of the Diawa Tatulas will treat you well. I have about 10 and have not had a single problem with them. Depending on your budget you could step up to a zillion sv, they are great reels. As for abu, I have not used the newest gen revos but I still have a few Gen 3 revo stx's and alx's that get used and have held up well.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 11:38 am to joeyp
Bass pro has their trade in right now. Get some money off new rods and reels if you trade in old stuff. You can give em an old crappy zebco and get big money off if you buy something expensive. Of course they are already marked up there
This post was edited on 3/19/26 at 11:39 am
Posted on 3/19/26 at 11:44 am to TimeOutdoors
I've gone with Lews and Abu Garcia reels from Academy recently and have been pleased with both.
Posted on 3/19/26 at 12:14 pm to AlxTgr
Love the Alphas. Thats a nice little reel. The Tatula 70 and 103 SV TW I have are fine but agreed the similarly priced curados generally outperform them. An uodated Curado 70 would be nice.
I picked up the Daiwa Alphas BF TW right before Thanksgiving and it blows my Daiwa Tatula BF70 out of the water. Much much much better reel.
Even with the crazy tariff situation, JDM Daiwa and Shimano offerings are the better buy in my experience.
I picked up the Daiwa Alphas BF TW right before Thanksgiving and it blows my Daiwa Tatula BF70 out of the water. Much much much better reel.
Even with the crazy tariff situation, JDM Daiwa and Shimano offerings are the better buy in my experience.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News