re: What's the best low-profile baitcaster for under $200?

The people on here who are proposing non-shimano reels need to disclose if they are fishing in salt water.

I have not considered Shimano or Daiwa in many years. Just too many better products out there for the price. I pitch a lot, and never cared for how the line comes off a Shimano. OK for casting hard baits, but WAY over priced. The H20 series from Academy are under $100 and are about as good of a hard bait caster as I have ever used.

Shimano Curado IMO.

Citica is a damn good reel for about $50 bucks less. I hear they don't hold up in Salt Water as well though.

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I hear they don't hold up in Salt Water as well though.

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maybe i'm lucky, but my 2 citica reels have seen some serious saltwater time.... and no problems what so ever. all i do is wash them down with a hose while cleaning the boat when we get back.

You and I have the same m.o.

I grew up on Ambassadors, all series, and made the switch to Shimano when I began to have consistent failures with the A/G's.

I fished exclusively salt until last year during the oil spill closure, where I did some bass fishing in a local pond.

I own 3 Shimano Citicas, and have had them now for four or five seasons. Not one problem to date, and the only maintenance they receive is a good hose down after every trip, and changing the line periodically to maintain the right castability.

As long as the quality remains the same, I will never buy a different reel for my speck and red needs. Caught 5 bass in the 5 pound class last year, and no stories of the one that got away, until this past Sunday. Had probably the biggest bass I've ever caught throw the hook.

I have several Curados and love them. I have whipped a few redfish with them.

I know several guys that fish some of the redfish tours. They all use curados as well.

Shimano Curado