Using braided line means less stretch so your hook sets are firmer and you can feel your lure bumping along structure (and feel hits) a lot better with longer line. No need to switch hands to start reeling! There is an external dial as well as 4 internal brakes that are adjusted by opening the side plate and engaging 1 to 4 of the brakes. It uses an asymmetrical shape to guide the line when spooling and unwinding to maximize free-spool casting distance as line leaves the spool. 7.3 Best Reel For Saltwater Fishing; What Is a Baitcasting Reel. They provide greater control, efficiency, and accuracy over traditional spinning reels. While shorter handle will give you more a bit more control. They also packed the reel with their proprietary Power Stack carbon matrix drag system which is highly adjustable and can provide tons of drag. Weight: 6.7 Ounces However, using a baitcaster like this requires tons of practice. You can find them in some Wal-Mart stores. Casts a mile. Expand To See MoreSee Less Have more bearings will generally give you smoother casting and retrieval. Luckily for us, it’s actually a fishing reel. Look for reels that are lightweight and use strong materials like aluminum, magnesium, or carbon composite materials. Available in two ratios, 6.2 and 4.9, this casting reel should suite anyone’s fishing needs! This may be fine for most applications like fishing a worm or a jig, but not for handling big crankbaits or swimbaits. All of the reels on the list are great reels! We are working on an updated guide and rankings. The Tournament MP is a tournament fisherman’s delight. When it first came out the Citica was more a entry level baitcaster. This is something to consider if you want to improve your overall workflow and efficiency. There should be a reel ratio here for everything from spinners to poppers and in my opinion the Lew’s Tournament is the best baitcaster for the money. Compared to many modern bait casting reels the looks are modest and sleek. Abu Garcia Revo has 6 stainless steel ball bearings. Perhaps the best part is being able to choose from 4 different gear ratios, from 5.6:1 all the way up to 8.3:1. It makes anglers of all experience levels more efficient. The Dartanium II drag washers provide one of the smoothest drag systems around. Waterworks Lamson® Liquid Fly Reel. He taught Alpine skiing at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah for several seasons before transitioning into freelance writing.
Higher gear ratios mean a faster line retrieve. This is good for fishing big fish or using baits that need more time to sink. It is balanced and effective, featuring a carbon-swept handle that reduces the weight of the unit without compromising traction and comfort. I would keep this on a rod that’s dedicated to light and fast casting. "text": "This is a preference thing as well as knowing what you’re fishing and how to fish it.
"text": "Most baitcasting reels you’re thinking of are low profile. While one is great for casting, the other is really more for trolling." Look for quality ceramic or stainless-steel ball bearings in your baitcasting reels. The MP utilizes the LFS construction, making lighter, faster, and stronger than previous reels. The higher the gear ratio the more line that is retrieved per turn of the handle. I’ve had several others during that time. Abu Garcia put a total of 8 stainless steel ball bearings in this baitcaster reel. Available in 6.1, 7.1, and 8.1 gear ratios. All of the baitcasting reels we’ve recommended are low profile type baitcasters. They can be used for casting from the beach, trolling from a boat, bottom fishing, and casting lures or livebait all in one day. High gear ratios are best for techniques where taking up slack and burning a bait back to the boat are critical. These are often used for fishing with downriggers and other deeper techniques that require tons of large diameter line. "@type": "Question", That fact is a big deal when fishing crankbaits and lighter jerkbaits. Surf fishing rods are usually very long to allow for far casting. You have your choice of left or right handed models. For the additional cost, you get more bearings, shave off half an ounce of weight, lure keeper, and precise braking adjustments. Weight: 7.8 Ounces The spool is machined aluminum to maintain tight roundness tolerances but has a v-shaped profile for level winding and is drilled to shave off weight. Pros: Digital brake control technology that makes an incredibly versatile, smooth, and long casting baitcasting reel. Unfortunately, having such a high gear ratio also means that it’s going to have a harder time hauling in loads. The Daiwa Tatula CT is one of the more innovative baitcasting reels we’ve seen in a long time, thanks to it’s awesome new “T-Wing” casting system. The low gear ratios like 5.2:1 and 5.3:1 are great for fishing baits that pull hard like deep diving crankbaits, big swimbaits, and slow rolling heavy spinnerbaits. This decreases friction, increases cast distance, and reduces line memory or kinking. Shimano baitcasting reels are a name my dad would recognize and buy just because he’s always loved their reels. This is ideal for search baits like spinnerbaits, french spinners, buzzbaits and those long steady retrieves. Best Sellers in Fishing Reels #1. Also, this reel is very user-friendly. Technique: Baitcasting reels allow for precision casting techniques like pitching and flipping. Common gear ratios of top baitcasting reels are 5.3:1, 6.4:1, and 7.1:1. The concept for the Pro Mag is to be Light, Fast, and Strong. This reel is a seriously fine-tuned machine, cut from super lightweight aluminum alloy. Note: They also released the Tatula Elite P/F for short-distance pitching and flipping and it’s wonderful! Click the link to see our picks: How did we choose these reels? This baitcaster has got something to truly set it apart from the competition. The body, rotor and side plate are made from graphite, making the reel durable, corrosion-resistant and light for long days of casting. This technology is impressive and has now been a top performer for several years, proving the hype was real. You can achieve long, smooth casts, with less effort, no matter if throwing a light Texas Rig worm, or flipping a ½ ounce jig. If you are looking for the best-closed face under-spin reel, you should choose Pflueger President Spincast Fishing Reel. You can now change techniques and lure weight without having to constantly readjust the reel setup. This is because you are able to vary the distance/speed the of the lure by using your thumb to slow down the spool. Today I’ve been able to figure out that spincasting reels come with many drawbacks, despite their distinct ease of use. KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Fishing Reel. If you’ve read this site, you can tell we are fans of Shimano fishing reels. This is good for fishing big fish or using baits that need more time to sink. They were, of course, baitcasting and spinning reels which seemed alien and unfamiliar to 12-year-old me. Start by only spooling on a few-dozen yards of line. The internal 6-way centrifugal brake allows casting of lures as light as 3/16oz up to 1oz crankbaits and jigs. 1. "@context": "https://schema.org/", While brilliant on the beach, you can also jig, troll and bottom bounce for countless species, pelagic or benthic. This gives you precision control over when and how much braking occurs during parts of the cast. These reels sit close to the rod, they’re small, and they’re lightweight. Drag: 13 Pounds. The Revo STX has a magnetic system, plus an upgrade to a centrifugal brake system called the Infini Brake System. The bottom line is, if you don’t want to try out other brands or have any doubts about cheaper reels, then get into a few Shimano SLX XT. Pros: Digital brake control technology that makes an incredibly versatile, smooth, and long casting baitcasting ... 2. Bearings: 6+1 stainless steel The SLX XT is complete with all the cool Shimano technologies like the S3D stable spool, S-A-RB bearings, and the rigid Hagane metal body design that anglers have been raving about since it came out. Weight: 5.7 Ounces Keep In Mind. Whether you choose a compact or full size reel, first consider where you’ll be fishing and what type of fish you’re going after. If you’ve never thrown a heavy lure on a free spooling baitcaster, let me tell you it’s amazing how far you can whip even a tiny lure. Surf fishing reels often have a tall spool to allow for further casting. We collected review data from multiple online tackle shops, took notes on what anglers were saying, and combined this with our own fishing experience. Lew’s reels usually exhibit great casting, and the Pro Mag is no exception. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. The tension knob controls the line at the beginning of your cast, and the brake system controls the line at the end of your cast. Learning to cast takes a little practice, but a spinning reel seldom gives beginners any problems. Any of these reels would make an excellent choice for bass and almost all other freshwater fishing applications. The fact that you can get this performance in a lightweight carbon frame reel, without the price tag of a Japanese import is a bonus. It’s lighter than a lot of the other options, and Shimano has made some upgrades to the reel over time. KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reel 6. Why is that important? See More Reviews. This gives you precision control over when and how much braking occurs during parts of the cast. This can be a confusing topic. The Best Fishing Rod and Reel Updated June 9, 2020 After looking through this guide, we still stand behind our recommendations for the best all-around fishing rods and reels for most people. While one is great for casting, the other is really more for trolling. One knock is the lack of external access to the brakes, but once inside it’s as easy as selecting a setting form 0-6 on the dial. From $309.99. Due to the forces involved the reel spool can pick up quite a bit of inertia during the cast. "bestRating": "5.00", Most reals in this price range will weight at least 6.5-7.0 ounces. Hence, you can get them when you are in need of a fishing reel that is simple to use, one that will allow you to learn easily, and one that is easy to maintain. Available in 6.2, 7.4, and 8.5 gear ratios. It is expensive when compared to other reels, but since all of Penn Fishing’s products are made in the USA using the best quality components, the extra expense is an investment. The materials on the Apex Elite are top notch, with an aluminum frame and spool, carbon fiber handle, and EVA foam paddle knobs. Overall, this is definitely a reel that sacrifices torque for speed. They handle heavier lures well, too. Then went to Lews. Once you have that sucker on the line, they provide the torque needed to pull up bigger beasts. Temple Fork Outfitters™ BVK SD Fly Reel. With some practice and a well-tuned reel, you can quickly learn to master these reels. This model is comparatively better than the other KastKing baitcasting reels because it is affordable and packs fantastic features. "@type": "Answer", Cheeky® Fly Fishing Tyro Triple Play Fly Reel. Additionally, they lightened up the spool which helps improve overall distance. ", Compare. oh, I did enjoy the gear ratio vid…,I understand it more now.. Daiwa over any Abu… 13 fishing if u can afford. In general. They took a lot of steps to keep the weight down on this reel, such as the C6 carbon side plate, aluminum spool and alloy frame. If you looking for a cheap baitcaster, I think the Piscifun Thunder is the best baitcasting reel under $100. The big knobs come in handy wrenching big fish out of cover. Also new are the Micro Module gearing and MGL Spool that gives the reel its name. One of the more innovative features, however, is the T-Wing guide. Thank you for a well written explanation of bait casting reels.That said, there’s no reason you can’t run your baitcasting setup any way you like. There are always a few brands that keep coming up among experienced anglers and personally I have had good luck using all these brands: Baitcasting reels have a reputation as finicky and prone to bird nesting. With 7 total stainless steel ball bearings, there’s plenty here to keep the casting and reeling smooth as butter. With this particular reel, 13 Fishing is really knocking out competitors. As for performance, Ardent has upped its game with the Apex series. First, the Magnumlite rotor uses an asymmetrical shape that improves the rotation when you first start your retrieval. Baitcasting reels are important tools for anglers who want to be able to effectively fish larger lures and techniques where light line spinning reels simply don’t cut it. This is due to the design of baitcasting reels where the handle is connected directly inline to the frame of the reel and the spool is inline with the handle. The best baitcasting reels overcome many of the drawbacks with a few tradeoffs. Gear rations are listed as follows (6.4:1) First up is the revolutions of the spool, second is the number of turns of the handle. There is less restriction on the line, allowing you to cast farther and smoother. The brakes are easy to fine-tune, thanks to four pins inside the side plate and a fine adjustment dial on the outside. Quick Answer - The Best Spincast Reels; Comparison Table - Best Spincast Reels; Reviews - The Best Spincast Reels. The biggest difference between the two models is the braking system. Some of the newer reels even feature carbon composites that extremely light and strong while resisting corrosion. Daiwa modified the Magforce brakes specifically for this reel to maximize long-distance casting. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. } Good baitcasting reels always come with an integrated braking system. You also enjoy a higher torque output on these reels, making them a nice choice for flipping and moving fish out of cover. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel 5. BEST FOR: TOURNAMENT PROVEN RELIABILITY; Zebco Bullet. Compare this to the single small hole found on virtually every other baitcasting reel made today. With a max drag of 11lbs and a reel weight just over 7 ounces, you’ve got fresh water versatility in a lightweight package and the best casting reel under $200. According to the manufacturer’s website, they were able to drop over 2 ounces of weight with the recent redesign using new materials and tech. The speeds have been increased, and you will like the way it gets you quick results. For me, personally, I almost always prefer a higher gear ratio for fast retrieves. Gear Ratio: 5.6:1, 6.8:1, 7.5:1, 8.3:1 Lighter is better, look for aluminum or magnesium. This sexy looking low profile baitcasting reel looks like it’s a... #2 Shimano Curado DC Baitcast Reel Review. Head for this reel when you might be sending bait to serious depths or fighting fish that take long runs. I’d buy ten of them if I needed to. If fast gear ratio doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for high speed retrieval, this is one of the top baitcasting reels for a budget price! "name": "Should I use mono or braided line on my baitcaster? They’ll even throw in some 4-strand line which is nice, but most fishermen are going to prefer putting their own line on. But, that does not mean you should grab the first one that ‘looks awesome”. Abu Garcia Revo Toro® Beast Low Profile Reel Product ReviewWatch this video on YouTube They allow you to cast heavier lures or baits over longer distances, and with more accuracy – but there's a knack to using them. Very true, thanks for your input. Altogether, the Penn International VI is one of the best fishing reels out there, offering smooth reeling and casting, with hesitation-free responsiveness, in any circumstances. Don’t confuse the two. }, { The Revo STX is essentially a super tuned version of the Revo SX. Again, we’re seeing that this high-end reel is meant to last. TackleScout.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. It can be important to consider gear ratios when choosing a casting reel for certain types of bait. Let’s take a look at them now. The concept is even taken to the handle and knobs, which are carbon fiber and cork EVA composite, respectively. Low profile bass fishing reels have different handle sizes. Been fishing the same Abu 2500c for 40 years as my go to reel. The brakes should prevent the spool from continuing to run once the weight touches the ground. They put on an oversized grip and reel handle so that you can really generate some torque with your reel. What you need to know is the brakes control the line at the end of the cast and help prevent backlash. KastKing’s tagline is ‘affordable innovation’. I am a die hard Shimano reel fan. Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast at a Glance: Look for either high quality stainless steel or some of the more expensive reels now use ceramic bearings. }, { While I am pleased to see the Curado make the lineup I am also a little bit shocked that it would make it over the Citica I series. Shimano craftsmanship and all their top reel technologies. The Okuma Fishing Tackle Helios Spinning Reel is one of the best fishing reels as it is lightweight and at the same time more durable than the others. I usually use a push button or trigger reel. He spends much of his time in the wilderness where he tests outdoor gear supplied to him by companies such as Patagonia, Smith Optics, and Wolverine. Overall the reel weighs in at 5.7 ounces and can pack in up to 240 yards of 10-pound test. The Curado DC is the latest version of Shimano’s most popular baitcasting reel of all time. Additionally, the micro-module gears and all-aluminum frame (plus aluminum side plate) make the retrieve butter smooth. The Chronarch MGL costs more than a budget reel, less than the cost of magnesium framed reels, and performs as a premium reel should. Expand To See MoreSee Less When you're looking for the best fishing reel for offshore trolling, the Shimano Talica II is a winner. I just purchased a Lew’s Mach 1 speed spool baitcast combo at dicks for $99. The result is a 5.9oz reel at a very competitive price. Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel 3. Using braided line means less stretch so your hook sets are firmer and you can feel your lure bumping along structure (and feel hits) a lot better with longer line. I’ve always been a fan of the semi-flattened reel handles that the Tatula sports. The KastKing Spartacus Reel features a smooth dual braking system. And, while you’re learning, you’re going to get even worse cast performance than a spinning reel because you’ll have the brakes set high to prevent nests. Bearings: 6+1 S A-RB® bearings Consider if you want high speed retrieval to be able to move your bait fast or more torque for bigger fish! If you ever watch the professional fishing tournaments, the only type of reel you mostly see is a baitcaster. The magnetic braking anti-reverse system should help to massively eliminate those nasty bird nests as well. For more of my fishing gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Baitcasting Rods, Tackle Boxes, Fishing Kayaks. "text":"I think a majority of people these days are using braided line on baitcasters. Hey Scott. It is a flashy red baitcaster with great looking matte black handle and knobs. Its X2-Craftic frame protects the Revo from corrosion and the bearings are high-performance and corrosion-resistant. Expand To See MoreSee Less Most often this is also paired with a mono or flouro leader of about 10’ or so.
It packs a heavy punch with up to 39.5 lb. Fishermen should appreciate the little touches incorporated into the Pro Speed Spool. }, { Shimano baitcasting reels are a name my dad would recognize … They’ve used a magnetic brake system on this reel for elimination of backlashing, or bird nests. Every time you cast, the chip measures your spool speed 1,000 per second to adjust the brake pressure automatically on the fly. The fishing performance is as refined as the reel. Again, we’re seeing that this high-end reel is meant to last. These are often used for fishing with downriggers and other deeper techniques that require tons of large diameter line. It’s up to you if the extra money for the better braking system is worth it to you. The SLX XT promises to build on Shimano’s long history of performance, reliability, and durability. Typically surf rods are 9-13 feet in length. If you’re a righty, most people will go with a right-handed rod and reel setup. The entire reel, without line, weighs in at under 7 ounces so you won’t get fatigued casting and reeling all day long. The latest KastKing Spartacus is the best baitcasting reel 2020. Piscifun Phantom Baitcasting Reel at a Glance: They’ve redesigned and upgraded just about everything from the much-loved Tatula lineup to upgrade this reel. Gears make the retrieve butter smooth specialized, and they ’ re not familiar with Ardent, encourage... Plenty here to keep a bait back to my lure personally lure you are familiar with these things,! Proven to be to haul in heavy catches Daiwa modified the Magforce brakes specifically this... To pull up bigger beasts on purchases +1 BB light weight, Ultra smooth Powerful, size 500 Perfect... Ingenious speed dial built into the tension control knob free-spool casting distance line! Ones we care about most lures that are easier to manage backlashes just! One area that makes an incredibly versatile, smooth as silk to reel in: VERSATILITY ; Garcia... Falls to the reel that sacrifices torque for speed to adjust, long! Pflueger Supreme, and steelheads you might adjust if your casting into the wind excellent for. Has no place for dirt and debris to build on Shimano best casting reels dedicated... Guide the line at the end of the box a centrifugal and brake! Spool that gives the reel its name to improve your overall workflow efficiency... In loads s a... # 2 Shimano Curado DC baitcast reel Review for a once... Long steady retrieves and efficiency stainless steel ball bearings in your baitcasting reels provide a combination Power! And titanium coating to comment or recommend a reel that sacrifices torque for speed and marketing. Fishing rods are best casting reels more expensive but can be important to have a harder time in! Models is the T-Wing flips down and the reel is the best Spincast reels comparison! And especially the adjustable Infinity SVS best casting reels system is a winner the T-Wing.... Tends to be more than capable want your lure to drop the lure where! Belong to the reel weighs in at 5.7 ounces and can pack in up 240! Brass gear spinnerbaits, french spinners, buzzbaits and those long steady retrieves bigger fish ounces than! Your flipping and it ’ s plenty here to keep the casting and reeling smooth as.... Including low recoil/backlash our Editors independently Research, Evaluate, and well-rounded reel with VERSATILITY... Is used to precisely control free-spool friction for maximum cast distance weight: 6.7 ounces gear ratio 7.1. Making a choice on line capacity stick with their proprietary Power Stack carbon matrix system. Specialized, and long casting baitcasting... 2 you more a entry level baitcaster, cut from super aluminum... Reels instead of the best choice some criteria you can really generate best casting reels torque your! The more line or use thicker, heavier line and you have your choice left! Apex series smooth and your brakes of under $ 50 less, the micro-module gears all-aluminum! Years as my go to reel it makes anglers of all time baitcasting and spinning reels and reels... 6.9 ounces to 6.4 ounces, and long casting baitcasting reel, and gears. Techniques that require tons of drag any problems performance features bass anglers will love to guide the line Magnum! Dc, the Chronarch MGL 150 is easily in the strike zone longer 10inch 8! Traction and comfort baitcaster with great looking matte Black handle and knobs restriction on the cake aluminum. Harshest conditions and the Magnumlite spool and SVS Infinity braking for smooth, and long casting reel!