Hi hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas. I got my son his first Dobyns rod 7' medium heavy. Anyway I wanted some input on your favorite reels.He is a beginner with baitcasters and does pretty good. Out of all my reels the most trouble free as far as casting was a team daiwa tdx don't remember the exact model number. Bought it 20 years ago for $200.I never had trouble with birdsnests and this thing out casted any of my other reels.This reel is no longer functional the threads for the nut that secures the handle are shot. Anyway I am looking for your personal favorites so I can choose a reel for him and maybe get me one too. I appreciate your input!

You have good taste in rods! I own at least 6 myself. Their 805 Flip/Punch rod is a beast!

It sounds like the reels you had were possibly Daiwa TD1 (narrow spool) or TD2 (wide spool). Those were massively successful low-profile products, also possibly the first Daiwa reels to have anti-reverse roller bearings if memory serves me correctly. I have two TD2 reels in almost pristine condition that I may sell one day. (They've been in storage for 20+ years, with no use/abuse.)

With the rapid model turnover ways of today, its getting a little harder to recommend something as anything I've had for years would be out of production today! Of what I do have, I've been pleasantly surprised at the Quantum Speed Freak. I'm sure there will be haters of the brand, but it seems they have been working for years to clean a previously tarnished image. The Speed Freak is super-lightweight, smooth, and has 25# of drag. The 8:1 gearing provides 35 inches per turn on retrieve (when the spool is full of course). To me, that retrieve helps me hurry up to the next cast after I've exited the strike zone, and it sure can take up line if a fish makes a run toward the boat.

Lews super duty is hard to beat. Most user friendly reel I have.

My son learned on an Abu and they do a fine job. But I would have to say that the Shimanos were by far the best casting I have ever thrown as far as control. They are not my farthest casting but the drop off in distance is not an issue. Just make sure it has dual breaking(just my opinion)for learning to cast.

Can never go wrong with lews!

I only own Lew's. I have several different models and they all cast well with no backlashes, everything from weightless to A-rigs. For the price you can't beat them. SO far, never had one go bad.

I can attest that lews has awesome customer service. The problem is you will have to use it.

Ive never had a problem with my daiwa's.

Best casting? Ummmmm. My Daiwa Steez ito tuned reel. Second best? Regular production Daiwa Zillion TWS.

I have the best reels Lews has ever made, and they are nowhere close to the Zillion. And cost is the same.

$500 ? That thing better do alot more than cast a few more feet , like make me dinner or something . IL spend $150 on Lews all day

Having all Shimano's for the last 15-20 years, the Core is the best that I toss.

H2O Mettles

My Daiwa Steez Limited SV is my best casting reel by far. Next would be my Shimano Antares but, it is heavy and doesn't fit in my hand as well as my Steez.

Lew's Tournament Pro and after that Diawa Tatula.

Reels I have: Daiwa... Steez, Zillion, Sol, Alphas, Fuego, Team Daiwa,TDZ, Tatula Type R. and Lexa.
Shimano, Core, Chronarch B&D, Curado B,D,E,&I, Calcutta conquest, Citica.
Lews..Super Duty, BB-1, BB1-pro, Tournament Pro
Out of all of those the one I would choose for your son is the Daiwa Lexa. It is a long casting, smooth reel especially for the price, $80 shipped on ebay. I have 5 of them and you can see what other reels I have used them against.

I learned to throw a baitcaster with a Garcia 5000. Since then I have many many different reels over the years. I didn't even list the Quantum reels I used to have, I just listed the current ones I have and use.

So there you have it.....Get him the LEXA

The lews super duty are probably the best, most user friendly reels to buy. U don't have to take it apart to adjust brakes since it's all magnetic. And just about any lews u buy will cast excellent. I have a core 100mg, quantum tour mg, and a lews team lite that are my personal faves. Given the choice of the 3, I'd pick the lews team lite all day long.